Here in Ohio we can't have practices for several more months. We can only have Open Gyms, where there is "free play" allowed. No coaching, but the kids come in and throw, take ground balls, hit in the cage, etc., whatever they want to do.
We always have them warm up, perform active stretching, some static arm and shoulder stretching and then they get a ball, pair up and throw.
Tonight we have a Freshman attend and when every starts to throw, he approaches me and says "My summer coach says I'm not allowed to throw". He plays on a successful, and I would say "above average" select/travel team in the summers. But I am a little shocked that a summer coach would tell him he's "not allowed" to throw now that we are in the fall/winter.
I asked, "Well does that mean you can't throw at any of these Open Gyms until we are allowed to officially practice in February?" , and he indicated, probably not for a couple of more weeks. Told him these were non-mandatory Open Gyms and he was free to do or not do whatever he was comfortable with. And that was that.
But I guess I'm just wondering whether I am out in left field (pardon the analogy), when I say that it irritated me that this young man's Summer team coach would tell him he was "not allowed" to throw. I guess it isn't any more "my time" than it is his summer coaches time. I would also imagine they are doing winter workouts and maybe the coach is concerned about a kid doing too much throwing.
At what point, though, do I get to start getting this kids arm in shape. He is a pitcher too, and this is a time when we like to gradually start getting our players arms built up for the Spring season.
We have had other kids from that program say the same thing in the past, so I don't think it is a "one-time" situation. It appears to be the guidance that he gives them. Just wondered about other coaches' thoughts......