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9th grade pitcher

C camo16Member
I am new to the boards and came here hoping to get some advice. I have a 9th grader who is a pretty good athlete all around. This is his second year pitching. Last year, in his ball league he started pitching. He did pretty well as did the team as a whole. This year he is on JV and playing ball. His positions are pitcher and left field. He isn't getting the playing time he deserves (at least I don't think). I just don't know how to approach the coach to see what is going on. See I'm mom not dad. It's harder for a mom to approach a coach because I don't want to come off as a protective/overbearing mom. There are all kinds of dads at practice and they work with their sons. Mine doesn't have that benefit. He played a ton last year and this year he has gotten in maybe 7 innings in 4 games. I would love to know what the coaches strategy is and why my kid doesn't play like he did last year. Also, I would like to know from the coach what I can do to make him a better athlete so he can get more game time in. What are strengths and weaknesses. If you have any advice for me please feel free to hand it out.
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obradyobrady500+ posts
This is a very fine line you are about to walk. A lot depends on the coach. Most coaches don't want any parent interference few don't mind talking. I’d suggest you don’t do anything concerning the coach, have your son ask the questions you posed. Never ask about playing time directly, just “what can I do to get better?” I feel for your situation so unfortunately you will have to compensate with money. Get on a quality summer team with a coach that teaches and maybe even more important is get with a trainer. I’d also ask someone, friend or trainer, who will give you a straight answer on how you son looks, how good he really is. If you are around baseball there will be someone who may be willing. That’s a hard one but most of us think our sons are better than they really are.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
It doesn't matter who you are, it is not your business to ask the coach anything regarding his overall plan for your son or the team, and as for a 9th grader asking, I wouldn't go there yet. He can ask him what he needs to work on.

Your son is a freshman, relax, if he's good, he'll play, may not be for a while or to your liking or his, but his talent, if he has it, will get him off the bench. It is very common for everyone to think their sons don't get the time they deserve.

Parents, unless your son is in a situation where his health is concerned, you got to learn to let go.

JMO.
Last edited by TPM
M micdsguy1,000+ posts
quote:
This is his second year pitching

Many of the other pitchers have probably been nearly full time pitchers since the beginning of kid-pitch ball around 3rd grade. There's a lot to learn and to polish in a zillion scenarios: fielding, composure under pressure, dealing with base-runners etc, etc.

Similarly, unless you're a lifelong baseball fanatic, I doubt you (regardless of mom/dad) are in a position to judge pitching talent in your son's 2nd year. Do you have access to all pitchers' stats? The coach does.

quote:
this year he has gotten in maybe 7 innings in 4 games.

Depending on when your schedule began that's not bad. Coaches generally give a few innings to every kid early on to find ones they like for playoffs.
Last edited by micdsguy
BOFBOF10,000+ posts
Not Mom or Dad's job. Time for him to grow up and start taking responsibility for himself. Most coaches do not want to talk to parents about their kids playing time, position, etc. By all means help your son in how to talk to the coach and when would be an appropriate time. Use this as growing opportunity for him to learn how to deal for himself. Remember summer is a great time to demonstrate ability at new positions so if the coach is reluctant to put him in during the season make sure he is aware coaches look at kids during the summer.
C camo16Member
Thanks for all the advice. I will have him pose the questions we have and leave the game time out of it. When I said he as played 7 innings total, none have been on the mound. He was placed in the pitching position last year by a guy who was a pitcher for a professional team way back when. So I know he has a little skill or he wouldn't have been there. The coach we have this year is new to the school, new to the area and new to teaching in general. I will also look into getting a guy to look at him and see what his strengths and weaknesses are. It's hard, the guys are usually wrapped up into their kids and what concerns them so I feel really intrusive asking them to give some good constructive advice. Here where we are, we don't start pitching until the 6 grade. After the Tee, coaches pitch, then pitching machine and then kid pitch. Lastly, if I wanted to find a trainer, where would I begin to look?
Thanks again for all of the advice you gave me. I appreciate it!

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