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A successful outing can be different to different people.
Over the summer my son was on the backside of four 1-0 games. If you ask him if they were a successful outings he would say NO, they lost and he gave up the runs.
My idea of a successful outing is if he goes out gives 110% and comes home in one piece with the game behind him.
A scout will look at success in a different light.
And mom will say it was successful regardless of the outcome.
Over the summer my son was on the backside of four 1-0 games. If you ask him if they were a successful outings he would say NO, they lost and he gave up the runs.
My idea of a successful outing is if he goes out gives 110% and comes home in one piece with the game behind him.
A scout will look at success in a different light.
And mom will say it was successful regardless of the outcome.
If you can play so-so and get the MVP you can't be too shabby a player. Not that my son is an at age where scouts enter the process but I'd go with the last one just because that would imply a high level of ability.
CADad,
I like your thinking. (but I must admit I threw that one in for those who truly believe that the MVP and other awards are given out for political reasons, not qualificatons.)
I can see now I won't be geting any Christmas gifts this year - I am cerainly on the naughty list.
I like your thinking. (but I must admit I threw that one in for those who truly believe that the MVP and other awards are given out for political reasons, not qualificatons.)
I can see now I won't be geting any Christmas gifts this year - I am cerainly on the naughty list.
If your team wins - it was successful.
If they lose - it was unsuccessful.
IMO
If they lose - it was unsuccessful.
IMO
Be sure to consider the source of all advice given.
I'm not sure an 11-10 outing/win for a pitcher can be called successful.
I'm not sure an 11-10 outing/win for a pitcher can be called successful.
The "man of a thousand ids" believes a win for your team is irrelevant.
He believes the only thing that matters is what you have done individually. If you pitch well - and your team loses - consider it a success.
LOL
Pathetic.
I do agree with one thing - consider the source of any advice given - assuming you can figure out which id he happens to be using at any given time. LOL
He believes the only thing that matters is what you have done individually. If you pitch well - and your team loses - consider it a success.
LOL
Pathetic.
I do agree with one thing - consider the source of any advice given - assuming you can figure out which id he happens to be using at any given time. LOL
its,
I disagree with you on this one. If you contribute to your team then you've had a successful outing win or lose.
Our 13yo team just had a successful outing and were beaten 6-1. They were playing Chatsworth HS's feeder team who were a level or two better than they were in the semifinals (they beat us 19-1 in pool play and won by mercy in the championship game). My son pitched pretty well and was hit fairly hard. The fielding was the best our kids have ever come up with, especially in the outfield. My son went 2-3 hitting the ball hard each time. He had a successful game and so did several of the other kids.
That is just one example, how about the pitcher who throws eight strong innings, leaves with a lead which is then lost by the reliever? It was a successful outing through 8 innings, it didn't become less successful because of what happened after the pitcher left the game.
Players need to take pride in their individual accomplishments because what they do contributes to the success of the team. Teams win when you play poorly and lose when you play well at times, but the more often you play well the more often your team wins, so be proud of your accomplishments whenever you play well.
I disagree with you on this one. If you contribute to your team then you've had a successful outing win or lose.
Our 13yo team just had a successful outing and were beaten 6-1. They were playing Chatsworth HS's feeder team who were a level or two better than they were in the semifinals (they beat us 19-1 in pool play and won by mercy in the championship game). My son pitched pretty well and was hit fairly hard. The fielding was the best our kids have ever come up with, especially in the outfield. My son went 2-3 hitting the ball hard each time. He had a successful game and so did several of the other kids.
That is just one example, how about the pitcher who throws eight strong innings, leaves with a lead which is then lost by the reliever? It was a successful outing through 8 innings, it didn't become less successful because of what happened after the pitcher left the game.
Players need to take pride in their individual accomplishments because what they do contributes to the success of the team. Teams win when you play poorly and lose when you play well at times, but the more often you play well the more often your team wins, so be proud of your accomplishments whenever you play well.
Cadad,
I understand.
I just personally couldn't think about being successful if my team lost. Baseball or football.
Simplistic - maybe wrong (i usually am LOL) - but just my honest belief.
I understand.
I just personally couldn't think about being successful if my team lost. Baseball or football.
Simplistic - maybe wrong (i usually am LOL) - but just my honest belief.
its,
Everyone takes different approaches to the game. I've always been an individual playing on a team. That may be one reason I preferred pitching and why I was never too interested in playing doubles in tennis.
Everyone takes different approaches to the game. I've always been an individual playing on a team. That may be one reason I preferred pitching and why I was never too interested in playing doubles in tennis.
Cadad,
I threw 2nd place team trophies in the garbage.
I do understand what you are saying though. Maybe that is another reason why the game is so interesting.
I threw 2nd place team trophies in the garbage.
I do understand what you are saying though. Maybe that is another reason why the game is so interesting.
itsinthegame ....
You're raising a young pitcher now so you MAY have to rethink your stance a bit.
Give you an example:
3 starts in the WWBA events, 19 Innings pitched, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 10 Hits (9 singles, 1 double), 2 runs allowed (total), 19 Ks ... 0.74 ERA Sucessful??
By most standards, yes....
Record: 1-1-1
Game Final Scores: 1-0, 0-0, 0-2 ... (something called run support comes in handy)
You're raising a young pitcher now so you MAY have to rethink your stance a bit.
Give you an example:
3 starts in the WWBA events, 19 Innings pitched, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 10 Hits (9 singles, 1 double), 2 runs allowed (total), 19 Ks ... 0.74 ERA Sucessful??
By most standards, yes....
Record: 1-1-1
Game Final Scores: 1-0, 0-0, 0-2 ... (something called run support comes in handy)
B,
It never hurts to have a few bangers in the 3 -4 - 5 slot LOL
But you gotta win the game IMO.
I will never be a pitcher - even though K may be.
Just the way I think.
It never hurts to have a few bangers in the 3 -4 - 5 slot LOL
But you gotta win the game IMO.
I will never be a pitcher - even though K may be.
Just the way I think.
It is so simple, if you win, you had a good day. If your team wins, everyone including bench players had a part in it. When my son pitches, the only thing that matters is if the team wins. You can have a bad outing but keeping your team in the game, and giving them a chance to pull it out, is the best. Gosh, why don't people get that it is a team sport made up of individual statistics. You want to be an individual play golf or tennis, then it is on you. How many people have gone 0-4, but made a game saving catch? There are many ways to contribute to the team without having a great day. But more importantly, do you play differently when there are no scouts in the stands, than if there is? Because you shouldn't.
dadchs,
OK, another example. Your team is leading 3-0 going into the top of the 9th. You come into pitch. You walk the bases loaded and then give up a grand slam. You are pulled without ever getting an out. The next reliever shuts them down. Your team comes back to win in the bottom of the ninth. You did absolutely nothing to contribute, you couldn't have done worse, you let your team down. You didn't contribute. You didn't have a successful outing.
Next example, your team is trailing 3-0, bottom of the the eighth, bases loaded, nobody out. You come in and don't allow a run. You've kept the game in reach. Your team scores a couple runs but the cleanup hitter lines into a double play for the final outs. You just gave your team a chance to win. You contributed. You had a successful outing.
OK, another example. Your team is leading 3-0 going into the top of the 9th. You come into pitch. You walk the bases loaded and then give up a grand slam. You are pulled without ever getting an out. The next reliever shuts them down. Your team comes back to win in the bottom of the ninth. You did absolutely nothing to contribute, you couldn't have done worse, you let your team down. You didn't contribute. You didn't have a successful outing.
Next example, your team is trailing 3-0, bottom of the the eighth, bases loaded, nobody out. You come in and don't allow a run. You've kept the game in reach. Your team scores a couple runs but the cleanup hitter lines into a double play for the final outs. You just gave your team a chance to win. You contributed. You had a successful outing.
Okay, a real situation.Last year my son and another pitcher were locked in a real duel in one of the biggest games in our area(hs).Both pitchers have a no hitter going into the last inning.All during the game and after scouts, parents, reporters etc. regaling this as a game for the ages.My guy gives up a single the runner overuns 2nd on an attemmpted steal on the next pitch and on the rundown the ball goes out of play -game over.As the crestfallen team walks cff the field heads hanging my guy looks around and says "HEY! We nothing to be ashamed of pick up the heads and lets go shake hands!"Successfull outing-in life.
IMO success is determined by whether or not you met your goal. But everyone's goal can be different. A personal best can be achieved even if the team looses. But as a team, only winning might be considered a success. No one definition of success because there are just too many goals that can achieve in the game of baseball. Just my 2 cents worth. 
Nobody needs to apologize for being happy with a good individual performance in front of scouts, win or lose. My son likes to win but he has a pretty even disposition regardless of the outcome.
I think it's difficult for parents of young players to answer the question when their sons have never pitched in front of a scout. The added pressure when a kid is on the mound or at the plate is significant when there are a bunch of guys with notebooks and radar guns standing behind the backstop. A good individual performace under those circumstances can say a lot about a player.
I think it's difficult for parents of young players to answer the question when their sons have never pitched in front of a scout. The added pressure when a kid is on the mound or at the plate is significant when there are a bunch of guys with notebooks and radar guns standing behind the backstop. A good individual performace under those circumstances can say a lot about a player.