2018 HS Baseball season

We are now 8 games into the season and sit 7-1 after losing a tough game to our arch rivals in the championship game of a tourney over the weekend. However, we held on to the #1 spot in the state in the polls. The HC has gotten some weird ideas concerning the pitching staff and has used my 2018 in a reliever role all season. So far, he's thrown 10 innings, allowed 0 hits, 1 earned run (HBP followed by three consecutive walks), struck out 27, walked 9 and hit 4. Hitters are 0-29 against him and only two balls have been put in play, a sac bunt and a chopper to third. After his first rough appearance where he K'd 11 and walked 7 in 4.1 ip, he's calmed down and now struck out 18 of the last 20 batters he's faced and that's been, not against scrubs, but included striking out 10 in a row against the #2 and #5 teams in the state. 

He's also been sitting a solid 90-92/T93. The gun was in the shade, so you can really only read it if you pull the video up on a larger screen and look hard at it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqVhSZW9djs

roothog66 posted:

We are now 8 games into the season and sit 7-1 after losing a tough game to our arch rivals in the championship game of a tourney over the weekend. However, we held on to the #1 spot in the state in the polls. The HC has gotten some weird ideas concerning the pitching staff and has used my 2018 in a reliever role all season. So far, he's thrown 10 innings, allowed 0 hits, 1 earned run (HBP followed by three consecutive walks), struck out 27, walked 9 and hit 4. Hitters are 0-29 against him and only two balls have been put in play, a sac bunt and a chopper to third. After his first rough appearance where he K'd 11 and walked 7 in 4.1 ip, he's calmed down and now struck out 18 of the last 20 batters he's faced and that's been, not against scrubs, but included striking out 10 in a row against the #2 and #5 teams in the state. 

He's also been sitting a solid 90-92/T93. The gun was in the shade, so you can really only read it if you pull the video up on a larger screen and look hard at it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqVhSZW9djs

Joaquin 'Wack' Campos: [after being the first Owl to get a foul tip off of Jimmy's fastball] Got a piece of that one!

cabbagedad posted:

roothog66 posted:

We are now 8 games into the season and sit 7-1 after losing a tough game to our arch rivals in the championship game of a tourney over the weekend. However, we held on to the #1 spot in the state in the polls. The HC has gotten some weird ideas concerning the pitching staff and has used my 2018 in a reliever role all season. So far, he's thrown 10 innings, allowed 0 hits, 1 earned run (HBP followed by three consecutive walks), struck out 27, walked 9 and hit 4. Hitters are 0-29 against him and only two balls have been put in play, a sac bunt and a chopper to third. After his first rough appearance where he K'd 11 and walked 7 in 4.1 ip, he's calmed down and now struck out 18 of the last 20 batters he's faced and that's been, not against scrubs, but included striking out 10 in a row against the #2 and #5 teams in the state. 

He's also been sitting a solid 90-92/T93. The gun was in the shade, so you can really only read it if you pull the video up on a larger screen and look hard at it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqVhSZW9djs

Joaquin 'Wack' Campos: [after being the first Owl to get a foul tip off of Jimmy's fastball] Got a piece of that one!

It's funny you use that quote because it's the first thing that came to mind for me. This was actually against a highly ranked school one classification below us, but we shouldn't have been playing them. Their dugout would go crazy when they fouled one off. They were badly mismatched and knew it. t one point one of the dad's in the stands is yelling at his kid, "Turn on it! Make contact!" Everyone around him laughed and he said, "It could happen."

Hoping it doesn't snow this weekend, forcing our preseason game to an inside facility.

We've had 1 scrimmage on the 19th. Coach played kids all over. My 2020 pitched 1 inning (3Ks, 1 walk, 1 hit), caught for 2 innings, and played first for one inning.  

It snowed 12" two days after that so there have been no other games... until today.

Can't wait!

9-1 and 6-0. We play a league game Thursday and then Saturday, Monday, Tuesday in a tournament over Easter break. Then another league game on Thursday after the tourney. Starting to get a good feel on some things and the best rotations off the bench. Still have a lot of work to do offensively but I think we will get there. Today will be the first day we have been on the field with temps where they normally are around here for this time of year. I am about sick and tired of freezing my butt off. Sunday it snowed 2 inches at my house. Today mid 70's and tomorrow approaching 80. Love this consistently crazy NC weather.

roothog66 posted:

We are now 8 games into the season and sit 7-1 after losing a tough game to our arch rivals in the championship game of a tourney over the weekend. However, we held on to the #1 spot in the state in the polls. The HC has gotten some weird ideas concerning the pitching staff and has used my 2018 in a reliever role all season. So far, he's thrown 10 innings, allowed 0 hits, 1 earned run (HBP followed by three consecutive walks), struck out 27, walked 9 and hit 4. Hitters are 0-29 against him and only two balls have been put in play, a sac bunt and a chopper to third. After his first rough appearance where he K'd 11 and walked 7 in 4.1 ip, he's calmed down and now struck out 18 of the last 20 batters he's faced and that's been, not against scrubs, but included striking out 10 in a row against the #2 and #5 teams in the state. 

He's also been sitting a solid 90-92/T93. The gun was in the shade, so you can really only read it if you pull the video up on a larger screen and look hard at it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqVhSZW9djs

Dalton looked good.  At the plate, the batters were reacting, not getting their motion going early enough.  Good pitching vs poor batting 

First games for my 2018 have been at a tourney in Mytrle Beach at Ripken.  1-3, so not a great start to the season, HC is fine tuning a few things.  Son was in MIF for first three games, with the last two in a double header.  His arm was a bit fatigued going into the 4th game where he was the SP.  Pitch count up to 78 with 54 S, so decent, he was sitting 85-87, first kid picked up a double, he seemed to be working out of the stretch through 4 innings, arm was hurting, they picked up 7 hits and won 8-1... Arm sore, not feeling hot about his performance.  We didn't realize he'd be SP after the previous days dbl hdr.  I would have advised against that...  Definitely not the normal set up for in season play.  He's typically been a closer and manning SS or 3B...  

They're finished and he's now off to Boca Grande for sun and fishing...the life.  I'm stuck in Chicago working...

((Edit: just looked at GC, off a bit:  TP 78, S 49, 20 batters faced, 3K's, 2 BB, lost 9-1))

Son has pitched 19 innings and has 36 K's, 2 walks, 8 hits.  He is batting over .500 with 5 homeruns.  Team is 7-2.  Has beaten #3 team in state and several ranked upper class teams. 

Son has been out sick the entire first 2 weeks of the season, team has gotten in a grand total of 4 games and sits 2-1-1 with the tie coming from a game being called in the 5th inning due to temps below 32 degrees. Gotta love it. Not.

Jealous to all that have had so many games so far.  Opening day is supposed to be Sat 3/31.  Forecast looks OK so it should happen, unless the field (away) hasn't dried out due to the March snow storms we've had.

My 2019 is the opening day starter, but not sure how many innings he'll go.  He started our first preseason game and went 2 innings on Sat, then only 1 yesterday.  3 IP, 0 WHIP, 6K.  But that count won't help him go deep until mid April, as coach seems more focused on seeing who he has, rather than preparing for the season. Ugh...

Our HS team is in FL playing its first games of the season (and their first time playing outdoor this season LOL).  My 2019 has 2 appearances, 0 runs so far.  Team is 3-2.  It appears the Coach is using this as Spring training, with lots of different combinations and substitutions.

Good luck to everyone!

I am soo jealous. My kid's first outdoor practice is on Saturday

My 2021 got to pitch his first varsity game this week.  The weather was bad and he got roughed up a bit in the beginning, but ended up being the WP.  Pitched 5 innings, striking out 5 allowed 1 run... he was exhausted the next day.  The weather has been crazy, we got in 3 games (2-1)since beginning of season.  I'm following the advice I received from parents on this forum to  just enjoy his first season of high school baseball!

Hard not to enjoy HS ball when your kid has outings like that. Congrats!

No, sons left in HS, but one is an Asst. for JV. They are 0-3, with a lot of rain outs. Varsity on the other hand is doing very well.

His Men's league starts soon so there is that. 

JenksMom posted:

My 2021 got to pitch his first varsity game this week.  The weather was bad and he got roughed up a bit in the beginning, but ended up being the WP.  Pitched 5 innings, striking out 5 allowed 1 run... he was exhausted the next day.  The weather has been crazy, we got in 3 games (2-1)since beginning of season.  I'm following the advice I received from parents on this forum to  just enjoy his first season of high school baseball!

Great start to a varsity campaign. Good luck!

Son’s JV season ended last Wednesday. I think they only played 8 games due to rainouts and varsity rescheduling games. 

Varsity has a few games remaining and is probably a game or two above the cut line to make the playoffs. 

We don’t have the pitching depth that we probably need to make a run but we’ll see how it goes. Maybe they can get hot when it counts. 

Today was supposed to be our home opener,,, high 30's rainy miserable; canceling was a good thing.  Tomorrow more of the same, maybe we'll play "that team" on Thursday.

We've only played 3 games because of weather, but the good thing is my 2019 son started all 3 games.  However, game 1 he threw 94 pitches and 90 game 2.

Today, after 6 innings he threw 95 pitches (over 20 in the 6th) and he had a 6-1 lead.  I was surprised when coach sent him out for the 7th.  After a leadoff single, coach comes to the mound where I figured he'd get the hook.  No!  After another single, he's finally yanked after 105 pitches.

Those two runners come around to score, so not only is he taxing his arm, but the ERA just needlessly went up, so now I'm pissed.  It's going to be a long season with HS, travel ball and showcases trying to get college bites.

I told my son he needs to talk to coach, but doubt he will.  There was no need to send him out for the 7th after 95 pitches.  Am I overreacting or should I say something to the coach if he doesn't? Coach only cares about his season where I'm thinking of the next 6 months and longer.

CTbballDad posted:

We've only played 3 games because of weather, but the good thing is my 2019 son started all 3 games.  However, game 1 he threw 94 pitches and 90 game 2.

Today, after 6 innings he threw 95 pitches (over 20 in the 6th) and he had a 6-1 lead.  I was surprised when coach sent him out for the 7th.  After a leadoff single, coach comes to the mound where I figured he'd get the hook.  No!  After another single, he's finally yanked after 105 pitches.

Those two runners come around to score, so not only is he taxing his arm, but the ERA just needlessly went up, so now I'm pissed.  It's going to be a long season with HS, travel ball and showcases trying to get college bites.

I told my son he needs to talk to coach, but doubt he will.  There was no need to send him out for the 7th after 95 pitches.  Am I overreacting or should I say something to the coach if he doesn't? Coach only cares about his season where I'm thinking of the next 6 months and longer.

 

Are you overreacting?  Too hard to tell.  So many possibilities that we don't know about.  Is your son's arm built up from lessons, pens, etc.?  If so, 94, 90 and then 105 with proper rest between is not an unusual or particularly high count for a junior starter who is looked upon to get deep into games.  It is It is certainly unusual that a HS coach would not be throwing and developing other pitchers (as I would do) as opposed to just running out his #1 guy repeatedly.  But if they are all league games and you keep getting weather cancelations, and he is pitching on normal rest, is this definitively bad?  Or just not what you and I would do?  

Do you know what happened when the coach went out in the 7th?  Is it possible that your son said he felt great and begged to finish?   Does he throw effortlessly?   Was he showing signs of tiring or are you just referring to the number?  Again, I'm not saying it was right.  It doesn't make sense to me as you described it but the real scenario is often not just what one person sees from a distance, particularly when the one person is the pitcher's dad and when things go a little south.  

You kinda lose me on a few things...

"... the ERA just needlessly went up".  What does that mean?  It was still him pitching, wasn't it?  Is it possible the coach had confidence that he was the best guy for the job and wanted to preserve the win.  How does that translate into "needlessly"?

Also, "coach only cares about his season where I'm thinking of the next 6 months and longer."  Well, if he is the HS coach, the HS season is supposed to be his primary focus.  And during HS season, it is supposed to be the primary focus of the players as well.  Now, the HS coach should absolutely be taking necessary precautions to protect his players' futures at the same time.  But I already addressed possible scenarios where that may or may not be the case here.  You also say something about he is taxing his arm.  All pitching is taxing on the arm.  You allowing your son to pitch at all is putting his arm in harms way.  Everyone will have differing opinions on exactly how much is too much. 

"It's going to be a long season with HS, travel ball and showcases trying to get college bites."  Yes, that does require careful planning to assure that he keeps his arm in shape.  But sometimes, it becomes really difficult to balance things vs the push to attend this showcase and that one, while keeping your commitment to your travel ball team.  Are you guys always perfect with that plan when it comes to his arm safety?  Not easy, is it?  Never perfect, is it?  Similar challenge that the coach faces.

All this said, yes, you should come up with realistic guidelines that everyone is reasonably comfortable with.  If you don't think the coach is going to make reasonably safe decisions to that end, then yes, you should talk to him, along with your son.

Not good up in MN, compared to previous three years. Varsity had their first scrimmage on artificial turf today, and hope to play their opener tomorrow, again on Turf(practice field). Snow is still on the ground on most grass fields, and soil still frozen once you go down a few inches. Also expecting snow this weekend, and below freezing temps for much of next week.

   Bottom line is that not much BB is being played. Early am practices(all the other times are taken by regular customers) at indoor domes and a lot of batting cage time is the norm.

First spring game of the year last night. Pitchers limited to one inning each — mine led off with a fly ball to right and two strike outs, plus a nice single. And as a reminder that some things never change — me yelling, "don't look at the ball, RUN!" 

cabbagedad posted:

CTbballDad posted:

We've only played 3 games because of weather, but the good thing is my 2019 son started all 3 games.  However, game 1 he threw 94 pitches and 90 game 2.

Today, after 6 innings he threw 95 pitches (over 20 in the 6th) and he had a 6-1 lead.  I was surprised when coach sent him out for the 7th.  After a leadoff single, coach comes to the mound where I figured he'd get the hook.  No!  After another single, he's finally yanked after 105 pitches.

Those two runners come around to score, so not only is he taxing his arm, but the ERA just needlessly went up, so now I'm pissed.  It's going to be a long season with HS, travel ball and showcases trying to get college bites.

I told my son he needs to talk to coach, but doubt he will.  There was no need to send him out for the 7th after 95 pitches.  Am I overreacting or should I say something to the coach if he doesn't? Coach only cares about his season where I'm thinking of the next 6 months and longer.

 

Are you overreacting?  Too hard to tell.  So many possibilities that we don't know about.  Is your son's arm built up from lessons, pens, etc.?  If so, 94, 90 and then 105 with proper rest between is not an unusual or particularly high count for a junior starter who is looked upon to get deep into games.  It is It is certainly unusual that a HS coach would not be throwing and developing other pitchers (as I would do) as opposed to just running out his #1 guy repeatedly.  But if they are all league games and you keep getting weather cancelations, and he is pitching on normal rest, is this definitively bad?  Or just not what you and I would do?  

Do you know what happened when the coach went out in the 7th?  Is it possible that your son said he felt great and begged to finish?   Does he throw effortlessly?   Was he showing signs of tiring or are you just referring to the number?  Again, I'm not saying it was right.  It doesn't make sense to me as you described it but the real scenario is often not just what one person sees from a distance, particularly when the one person is the pitcher's dad and when things go a little south.  

You kinda lose me on a few things...

"... the ERA just needlessly went up".  What does that mean?  It was still him pitching, wasn't it?  Is it possible the coach had confidence that he was the best guy for the job and wanted to preserve the win.  How does that translate into "needlessly"?

Also, "coach only cares about his season where I'm thinking of the next 6 months and longer."  Well, if he is the HS coach, the HS season is supposed to be his primary focus.  And during HS season, it is supposed to be the primary focus of the players as well.  Now, the HS coach should absolutely be taking necessary precautions to protect his players' futures at the same time.  But I already addressed possible scenarios where that may or may not be the case here.  You also say something about he is taxing his arm.  All pitching is taxing on the arm.  You allowing your son to pitch at all is putting his arm in harms way.  Everyone will have differing opinions on exactly how much is too much. 

"It's going to be a long season with HS, travel ball and showcases trying to get college bites."  Yes, that does require careful planning to assure that he keeps his arm in shape.  But sometimes, it becomes really difficult to balance things vs the push to attend this showcase and that one, while keeping your commitment to your travel ball team.  Are you guys always perfect with that plan when it comes to his arm safety?  Not easy, is it?  Never perfect, is it?  Similar challenge that the coach faces.

All this said, yes, you should come up with realistic guidelines that everyone is reasonably comfortable with.  If you don't think the coach is going to make reasonably safe decisions to that end, then yes, you should talk to him, along with your son.

 

 

Thanks for the perspective, but I still think the coach messed this up:

I'm fine with my son throwing over 90 pitches, but not early April.  They/he needs to work up to that pitch count, especially with only 2 pre-season innings.

95 pitches after 6, which was the inning he threw the most, is enough.  He showed signs of fatigue and was not as sharp as his prior game.  Our state has a 110 pitch max rule, so throwing him out to maybe finish the inning in 15 pitches is foolish.

Our #2 and #3 senior starters were ready.  If you cannot rely on them to protect a 5 run lead, then our season is lost already.  Instead, he brings them in, for their first appearances of the year, with runners on and they struggle to close it, but finally do.  I believe you bring one in a clean inning, it's game set match.

To me, the ERA thing bugs me because he only gave up those hits because he was tired.  Then those runners scored when the relievers came in and we were OK with them scoring because we had a big lead.  A walk, then a SF and a ground out...he goes from 1 ER in 6IP to 3 ER in 6IP...that's a big deal.

My kid's 2022/23 team finally played a scrimmage against a local HSV team ranked low in their division (1-4) over the wintery spring break. They faced a few pitchers including their #2 starting pitcher. Team did remarkably well and even got a couple hits off their #2 starter pitcher (low to mid 80s). I was unable to attend with the work thing getting in the way again. My kid's middle school team played their first game over the weekend, temp was a "balmy" mid 30s with the wind. His team scored 8 runs in the first and 6 in the second and the coach may them coast the rest of the way to get run rule minimum...it was a bad flashback to the little league days. I think I will start knitting during those games

CTbballDad posted:

cabbagedad posted:

CTbballDad posted:

We've only played 3 games because of weather, but the good thing is my 2019 son started all 3 games.  However, game 1 he threw 94 pitches and 90 game 2.

Today, after 6 innings he threw 95 pitches (over 20 in the 6th) and he had a 6-1 lead.  I was surprised when coach sent him out for the 7th.  After a leadoff single, coach comes to the mound where I figured he'd get the hook.  No!  After another single, he's finally yanked after 105 pitches.

Those two runners come around to score, so not only is he taxing his arm, but the ERA just needlessly went up, so now I'm pissed.  It's going to be a long season with HS, travel ball and showcases trying to get college bites.

I told my son he needs to talk to coach, but doubt he will.  There was no need to send him out for the 7th after 95 pitches.  Am I overreacting or should I say something to the coach if he doesn't? Coach only cares about his season where I'm thinking of the next 6 months and longer.

 

Are you overreacting?  Too hard to tell.  So many possibilities that we don't know about.  Is your son's arm built up from lessons, pens, etc.?  If so, 94, 90 and then 105 with proper rest between is not an unusual or particularly high count for a junior starter who is looked upon to get deep into games.  It is It is certainly unusual that a HS coach would not be throwing and developing other pitchers (as I would do) as opposed to just running out his #1 guy repeatedly.  But if they are all league games and you keep getting weather cancelations, and he is pitching on normal rest, is this definitively bad?  Or just not what you and I would do?  

Do you know what happened when the coach went out in the 7th?  Is it possible that your son said he felt great and begged to finish?   Does he throw effortlessly?   Was he showing signs of tiring or are you just referring to the number?  Again, I'm not saying it was right.  It doesn't make sense to me as you described it but the real scenario is often not just what one person sees from a distance, particularly when the one person is the pitcher's dad and when things go a little south.  

You kinda lose me on a few things...

"... the ERA just needlessly went up".  What does that mean?  It was still him pitching, wasn't it?  Is it possible the coach had confidence that he was the best guy for the job and wanted to preserve the win.  How does that translate into "needlessly"?

Also, "coach only cares about his season where I'm thinking of the next 6 months and longer."  Well, if he is the HS coach, the HS season is supposed to be his primary focus.  And during HS season, it is supposed to be the primary focus of the players as well.  Now, the HS coach should absolutely be taking necessary precautions to protect his players' futures at the same time.  But I already addressed possible scenarios where that may or may not be the case here.  You also say something about he is taxing his arm.  All pitching is taxing on the arm.  You allowing your son to pitch at all is putting his arm in harms way.  Everyone will have differing opinions on exactly how much is too much. 

"It's going to be a long season with HS, travel ball and showcases trying to get college bites."  Yes, that does require careful planning to assure that he keeps his arm in shape.  But sometimes, it becomes really difficult to balance things vs the push to attend this showcase and that one, while keeping your commitment to your travel ball team.  Are you guys always perfect with that plan when it comes to his arm safety?  Not easy, is it?  Never perfect, is it?  Similar challenge that the coach faces.

All this said, yes, you should come up with realistic guidelines that everyone is reasonably comfortable with.  If you don't think the coach is going to make reasonably safe decisions to that end, then yes, you should talk to him, along with your son.

 

 

Thanks for the perspective, but I still think the coach messed this up:

I'm fine with my son throwing over 90 pitches, but not early April.  They/he needs to work up to that pitch count, especially with only 2 pre-season innings.

95 pitches after 6, which was the inning he threw the most, is enough.  He showed signs of fatigue and was not as sharp as his prior game.  Our state has a 110 pitch max rule, so throwing him out to maybe finish the inning in 15 pitches is foolish.

Our #2 and #3 senior starters were ready.  If you cannot rely on them to protect a 5 run lead, then our season is lost already.  Instead, he brings them in, for their first appearances of the year, with runners on and they struggle to close it, but finally do.  I believe you bring one in a clean inning, it's game set match.

To me, the ERA thing bugs me because he only gave up those hits because he was tired.  Then those runners scored when the relievers came in and we were OK with them scoring because we had a big lead.  A walk, then a SF and a ground out...he goes from 1 ER in 6IP to 3 ER in 6IP...that's a big deal.

I agree with you.  That is a lot of pitches for that early in the season.  We would like to think that coaches are concerned about arm health but the reality is that some are more worried about winning.  Your son has to be his own advocate and if he isn't, yes, I would have a talk with the coach. JMO.

This week is a reminder of what spring in Colorado is like. We had a doubleheader snowed out Saturday. We have a game this afternoon and the high is forecast to be 89. We play again on Saturday - TWO days later - and the high is expected to be 45. 

roothog66 posted:

This week is a reminder of what spring in Colorado is like. We had a doubleheader snowed out Saturday. We have a game this afternoon and the high is forecast to be 89. We play again on Saturday - TWO days later - and the high is expected to be 45. 

Yep, we have a forecast of 78 in CT for Sat, then 39 for Sunday.  New England at its finest!

CTbballDad posted:

cabbagedad posted:

...

Thanks for the perspective, but I still think the coach messed this up:

I'm fine with my son throwing over 90 pitches, but not early April.  They/he needs to work up to that pitch count, especially with only 2 pre-season innings.

95 pitches after 6, which was the inning he threw the most, is enough.  He showed signs of fatigue and was not as sharp as his prior game.  Our state has a 110 pitch max rule, so throwing him out to maybe finish the inning in 15 pitches is foolish.

Our #2 and #3 senior starters were ready.  If you cannot rely on them to protect a 5 run lead, then our season is lost already.  Instead, he brings them in, for their first appearances of the year, with runners on and they struggle to close it, but finally do.  I believe you bring one in a clean inning, it's game set match.

To me, the ERA thing bugs me because he only gave up those hits because he was tired.  Then those runners scored when the relievers came in and we were OK with them scoring because we had a big lead.  A walk, then a SF and a ground out...he goes from 1 ER in 6IP to 3 ER in 6IP...that's a big deal.

Added background helps.  I agree with most everything you said except the bolded.  How is that a big deal and to who?

  Sorry, I'm a little extra sensitive to this at the moment.  We are coming off a loss where it became evident that a few individuals were more concerned with their own stats than the team and it cost the team.  This becomes glaringly evident to teammates and to RC's from colleges who are there watching body language as well as performance.  And those few players happen to have the few parents leading the way in instilling a selfish attitude.  This can really put a damper on a season for an otherwise great group of young men and a great group of families... just as reckless coaching can. 

Also, there are many situations where a pitcher must be brought in mid-inning.  If your #2 and #3 starters cannot come in mid-inning to secure a five run lead, there are bigger issues than what you are describing.  JMO.

he goes from 1 ER in 6IP to 3 ER in 6IP...that's a big deal.

I'm not sure why this is a big deal.  Coach was trying to let his top guy finish the game, but he got into trouble, and unfortunately, he wasn't able to finish.  He was responsible for the runners, and as a result, he was credited with those earned runs.  In the long run, the law of averages will work out, and your son will benefit from guys saving him. He may leave the bases loaded, and a reliever comes in to put out the fire.  It's baseball, and sometimes you get the short end of the stick.

rynoattack posted:

he goes from 1 ER in 6IP to 3 ER in 6IP...that's a big deal.

I'm not sure why this is a big deal.  Coach was trying to let his top guy finish the game, but he got into trouble, and unfortunately, he wasn't able to finish.  He was responsible for the runners, and as a result, he was credited with those earned runs.  In the long run, the law of averages will work out, and your son will benefit from guys saving him. He may leave the bases loaded, and a reliever comes in to put out the fire.  It's baseball, and sometimes you get the short end of the stick.

 

 

Honestly, if you spend too much time worrying about HS statistics, you'll drive yourself crazy. Trust me on this. They are absolutely no factor in his importance to the team or in his future prospects. 

Speaking of the pitch count limits, it (sort of) bit my son in the rear end last night. We were playing the #5 team in 4A (we're 3A) and he took a no hitter into the seventh, up 2-0. Hit 110 pitches with 2 outs and had to leave the mound. So 6.2 innings of no hit ball. Just to brag for a minute, he had a hell of an outing. 15 K's, 4 BB's. He was sitting 91-93 through 4 innings and still 89-91 late and topped out at 94 several times (a personal best). So, on the season now he has thrown 16.2 innings and hasn't given up a hit yet - K'd 42. Every appearance was against a team ranked in the state no lower than #5. The latest velocity bump has been a big boost. 

Well, the first game of the season is in the books. Was teeth chatteringly cold, and played on a turf practice field. Had to leave after the 6th, and missed my son's unexpected debut as a closer. He used to pitch quite a bit, but hasn't for the last couple of years. His speed and glove are needed in the field. Said his first curve landed 40' away, but things got better later on. All in all, not a bad game under the conditions. 

 Apparently more snow(6") coming this weekend. 

A Freshman kid on the other team is already committed to Vandy? Seems like cradle robbing, to me.

Yep. Love the weather this time of year. We had a record high of 92 degrees yesterday. This morning? It snowed.

Those that are just getting started, how late do you play?  We just completed our 25th game and only have 4 more regular season games.

We've had four regular season games with volatile temperatures, rain and snow.  The past Thursday my 2018 landed on the 15 day DL... at game time it was 60 with 10mph winds, an hour later it was 43.  Son was scheduled to pitch, he felt off in warm up only to adjust his arm  slot to avoid pain, lasted less than two innings.  Son was mortified thinking his baseball career was done, only to find out he was a bit out of balance from the front side of his shoulder.  "Internal rotation - GIRD type thing"  Anyway, we were relieved to find out that after two weeks he'll be good to go...

The Doctor told him point blank:  If you want to play baseball in college you should stay focused on your primary position as a MIF.  He said he's never done surgery on a position player... He said leave the pitching to those guys over 6'2 who have the levers.

baseballhs posted:

Those that are just getting started, how late do you play?  We just completed our 25th game and only have 4 more regular season games.

Wow 4 games to go?  We have a 20 game regular season that will end late May.  Playoffs Start right after and end June 9

Still only one game in the books. This week's games are all cancelled, and probably next weeks. To add insult to injury,  indoor dome time has also been cancelled. The recent 14" of snow is so heavy that the dome is in peril of collapsing, and so sticky that it isn't falling off. Special work crew needs to knock it off, somehow.

Nice balmy 82 degrees for our start time. We play Friday. Of course, snow is in the forecast. Last night, though, my 2018 got the no-hitter. A five inning, run rule affair, but, nevertheless goes in the books as a no-no. 13 K's, no walks. He did hit three batters. Only one batter put a ball in play - a line drive to F3 (the other out was a caught stealing by one of the HBP's). On the season now he has 21.2 ip, has given up ZERO hits, K'd 55, walked 13 and has an era of 0.32 (he gave up an earned run in his first appearance of the year when he hit a batter with two outs and then walked the next three). 

It really only hit me last night that he will only likely have one more regular season start and that senior season will be over in just about a month.