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.
) coming this weekend. 
