Do you ask to pitch?

Is your son playing another position or just sitting the bench?

I don't see any downside to the kid talking to the coach about pitching in the fall.  Go for it.  

He plays outfield as well...he's ahead of the game if he can throw this fall to show the coaches what he has...would give him a better chance of making JV in spring which is his goal.  i guess i'll tell him he should ask about it.  didn't know how taboo it was since we are just beginning this journey...He's the youngest on his team, but from what I've seen so far probably one of the top 3 in velocity.  During practice? before or after a game?  They play this weekend so that will be his next chance...i will tell him to go for it.

If the coaches know he pitches, why do you think they have not put him on the hill?  If this team is practicing, is he getting any bullpens?

If the coaches indicate that they don't think he's ready yet, he needs to be prepared to ask them for some constructive advice about how to go about getting there. Do they have specific instructors in mind that they think would help him? What elements do they think need the most work?

A conversation with a coach should always be approached with the thought in mind that it's an opportunity to learn how to get better. After all, that's why they're there. They'll respect the fact that he asked, and they'll respect even more the effort your son subsequently puts forth to improve along the lines they suggest.

Best wished for his success!

my only thought is the JV guy coached him last fall in 13U and he was a 1 1/2 inning wonder (come in K 4 or 5 batters in a row and then mechanics would fall apart), but he received pitching lessons this past winter (which did wonders) and the 3 times the JV coach saw him pitch (that's all he got to pitch this year too) he lasted 3 innings plus in each and maintained his mechanics.  I wouldn't think he'd be stuck on last fall, would he?  It's been a struggle for me not to say anything, but I feel this board has helped me keep my composure

After practice last night he I could sense the frustration (his buddy received a bullpen and he did not), so he said he was going to approach him this weekend after the game on Saturday (told him i didn't think it was good to ask before the game).  Hoping for the best! 

As long as he approaches the coach in a respectful manner and is clearly ASKING not telling, I can't see the coach getting upset.   Something along the lines of "Hi Coach, I was wondering if you could fit me in the bullpen this week, I've been working on some stuff with an instructor and would love to show you."

If the coach says no, but doesn't give a reason, then have the kid wait a week and then ask again...in the same way.  Eventually the coach will give in just to stop the kid from asking him weekly.

If the coach says no and gives a reason then the kid needs to listen, not argue, and see if the coach has a suggestion to address the issue. Did I mention NOT argue?  If the coach comes back and says the kid pitches too slow, even if the kid KNOWS that's not true, he should ask the coach on suggestions to fix that.

Keep in mind that right now the coach may be trying to focus on the kids looking for scholarships...and might not want to waste valuable bullpen time on a Freshmen.

As said above, the best thing your son can do if the coach says no is ask for constructive criticism. "Coach, I appreciate it, could you please offer any advice as to why you believe I'm not ready" That type of approach.

Most coaches are willing and eager to give players an opportunity to prove themselves. It's just a matter of the kid asking for said opportunity.

"Coach, I've been working on my pitching mechanics and also really focusing on my change up.  I'd like to show you and also get your feedback.  If you think it is something that is working, I'd like to try it in the game if we can find a few innings.  My goal is to help the team as a pitcher if the need is there."

"Boss, I've been studying the processes of the payables department.  It is something that really interests me.  If a chance comes up for a special project or anyway I can help in that area, let me know.  My goal is to help the company be more efficient if the need is there".

I would highly suggest not approaching him before or right after a game. I know it doesn't look like a lot going on right after a game there is more happening then people see.  I would talk to him either before or after a practice.  

If you don't have a practice scheduled for a while I would suggest having your son wait until the after game talk is over.  Wait until the dugout is cleaned and cleared out and everyone is heading for the cars.  At that point he should ask him when a good time to talk to him about pitching is.  If he is open he will talk to him right then.  If he is "not in the mood", or is running off somewhere this will give him the opportunity to let him know when he would want to talk.

Thanks for the above feedback...son won't argue with coach at all, no matter what.  Not that type of kid...

The team only has freshmen on there (but only two are from the HS the coaches are from), so i dont think its about not wanting to waste time.  He mentioned last night that he was going to ask the coach about it this weekend, so we will see what happens. 

Good thought...they only have practice once a week, so I think Saturday after the game might be a good opportunity...they play both saturday and sunday so if he doesn't pitch saturday, then him talking to the coach might open something for him Sunday...we will see

phillyinNJ,

A couple thoughts.....

First, you are entering an age where coaches will begin dividing position players and pitchers for specialization.  You described your son as someone who can play infield, outfield and pitch.   Versatitlity is important but maybe not at this time or this situation.  The pitchers he is using may be pitchers only and he is trying to get as many total players (pitchers and position players) in this Fall, so nobody is sitting the bench.  Second, if pitching is something that your son has worked on, and improved upon then I think he should be given an opportunity to demonstrate to the coach.  Ask gently, but be persistent.   I'd suggest filming him or inviting him to a private bullpen session to see for himself.  The coach can then decide next steps or a plan to further develop him.  JMO.

Good luck!

I don't know your coach well, but if you do have a weekly practice I would wait until then to talk to him.  I know when I was coaching I needed a little while to decompress after a game.  I would not pass up an opportunity to discuss anything with a kid but would be able to have a more constructive conversation with a kid if it wasn't right after a game.  

So just wanted to follow-up on the post...a few weeks ago, 2018 told the Asst Coach he has been working on pitching and that if they needed anyone to throw, he would be available, etc...tournament came and in the Semi's the starter couldn't get an out in the first and so they brought in 2018 (starter allowed 8 runs and left the bases loaded w/no outs when 2018 took the hill)...2018 pitched extremely well...went 3 innings, allowing 3 runs (all in the 1st inning when he came in), 1 BB, and K'd two...the team run ruled us (they averaged 12 runs per game in the tournament)...so I felt the results were decent, if not pretty good.  Next week at the tournament and they don't pitch him...the starter who he relieved pitched twice and had issues both times...then the other day before the game 2018 mentioned to one of the HC's that if they needed somebody to throw, then he was ready...they don't throw him and instead throw other's (who by the way did not perform extremely well...lots of walks).  2018 is a little frustrated at this point and wants to approach the other HC (who by the way is the HC of the HS he is going to)...other parents can't believe they aren't throwing him and told me i should talk to the HC...we only have a couple games left for fallball...thoughts? 

My thought is that your son is going to be a freshman, he has 4 years to pitch in HS.  

I see the coach as doing your son a huge favor. You might not understand that now, but you will someday.   Your son should not be frustrated, but I understand. I think you are frustrated as well and that is really not necessary as your son is so young.

You might want to settle in and just sit back and enjoy the moments.

TPM,
Thanks...I needed that.  I do think it is going to help him in the long run by not putting miles on his arm (he's only thrown 11 innings this whole year!), so i guess it is a good thing...I'm going to attempt to not worry about it and let it be...him and I go out at least once a week to do bullpens (BP and everything else) and we have the best of times, so that's the more important thing right now...

He should not even be doing bullpens until spring, if they want him to pitch they will work with him. Get him on a toss program, thats fine. He does NOT have to be on a mound if he doesnt have to be.  Practice grips while tossing or on flat ground. 

You are doing stuff you do not have to have him do at this time.

Just a thought.  Is your season over?  If it is it might be a good time for your son (not you) to approach the one coach who coaches HS ball.  Ask him what he needs to work on to become one of the teams primary pitcher.  Don't just ask to pitch but ask what he needs to work on.  

Also, I'm guessing your posts are related to fall ball.  We don't have a HS fall season where I am but do have a summer ball season for the HS teams and then play on a  travel team in the fall.  From what I have observed the HS summer team plays the season to develop kids not to win games.  My son who is one of the better pitchers on the team and did a lot of pitching during the normal season did not do a lot of pitching during the summer season until we got to the tourney.  On his travel team, again one of the main pitchers, he would only pitch an inning or two here or there.  If he was lucky he pitched 3 innings.  The travel team also works on the philosophy that fall ball is for developing and leaned towards pitching the kids who needed experience on the mound vs the normal starting pitchers.

Not saying this is your sons situation but might be similar. In ours both team coaches never really communicates to the individual parents what the game to game situation is but let us know during one of the team meetings that fall ball is for development and not for winning.  By talking to the HS HC he can get an idea of philosophy as well as figure out what he needs to do to become a better pitcher.

joes87,  No...season still has a DH next weekend and then a tournament the following week...this is a travel team, but the coaches on it are the HC and AC of the HS my son goes to...they throw the starters to pitch, both during the exhibition games and tournaments, so don't think the development philosophy is taken by them.

TPM, you feel the bullpens are no good?

What are they for? Was it to be ready in case he is called upon?

If that is the reason that is ok, but shut it down after. he still should be on a toss program, either with you or in practice.

I am assuming they are not using him because they may not feel he is ready.

Let it be, let the coaches do their job, which is to coach and make decisions.  They may need him more in another role at this time.

just to help him prepare just in case he gets the call to pitch...nothing more.  Seeing someone brought out to the hill after an extended absence is painful to watch, so not really interested in that happening to him...

we've done a little long toss here and there, but am worried that he might try to over extend on his throws so will need to read up on that a little bit more...and yes, I am trying to "let it be"...it is definitely hard though.

Thanks for the sound advice...

TPM is right on about bull pens and pitching at this point. Search out and read Dr. Andrews info on this stuff. Your body needs a couple of months to repair its self after a season. We are shutting down our home fields here in Chicagoland this weekend. Pretty much everyone's fall season is over. Starting this past Monday our pitchers are under a strict no throwing ban until Christmas. They are allowed some easy throws from their infield positions if they are notPOs during our camps and such but nothing to strenuous.  They are allowed a light toss program in about a month or so. they really start to pick things up Jan 1.  Which works around here but you may need to look at dates based on where you live. 

They are also all on a pitchers workout program. Search out the throwers 10. 

You are welcome.  Its obvious at this point your son is not ready for pitching (throwing hard doesnt mean he can pitch), for these guys and if the coaches didn't use him because they felt he didnt need to this fall, well than kudos to them. Maybe they feel he needs work.

I suggested the tossing because every player tosses. 

Why do parents insist on rushing their kids, every time your son throws a pitch is one less pitch he will throw later on. Some may argue that point but trust me its true.

We don't know anything about the physical stature of your son, where he is in his development so you have to be careful.  I dont think that you know enough about pitching so my suggestion again is to relax and see what happens in the spring. At one point someone is going to have to teach him to pitch the right way.

I get ya on the being ready, but it hasnt happened so you and he have to decide if its worth it to keep throwing from a mound at this point or just shut it down.

You might want to look around and see if you can have him evaluated, eventually get in some instruction. These guys dont sound like they coach pitchers well if they cant get outs.