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7 replies

Another smart college coach Part 2

FrankFFrankF1,000+ posts
With apologies to TPM for stealing her subject...

While I'm extremely proud of this young man, I pray it doesn't come back to haunt him.

Senior pitcher, last five starts. Individually it doesn't sound horrific, it's the cumulative I worry about.

Game 1, 8 innings, 5 hits, 0 ER, 135 pitches (bad but not horrible). Win 6-4

Game 2, 9 innings, 9 hits, 4 ER, 129 pitches (still a little high, you're up by 10! where's the bullpen!?!). Win 16-6

Game 3, 9 innings, 11 hits, 2 ER, 131 pitches (still a little high, you're up by 10! where's the bullpen!?!). Win 12-2

Game 4, 9 innings, 7 hits, 1 ER, 114 pitches (more like it).
Win 3-1

NOW THE KICKER!!

Today, 12 innings, 7 hits, 1 ER, 145 pitches!!! (I repeat, WHERE'S THE BULLPEN!?! Announcers and parents at the game said he was throwing as well in the 12th as in the first. I say, SO WHAT!!) Lose 2-1

I just pray he won't be headed to the HSBBW club which I won't mention.

Only saving grace is he has a week to recoup, and probably only one more start unless they make the playoffs.

pull_hair pull_hair
Last edited {1}
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TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
With the pulling of the hair,I think you know this pitcher Wink.

If you do know him you should be very proud Smile, and of course not happy with the coach. Red Face Your post is great for folks to read, to know that at some schools the pitching load can be tremendous, the depth not as much in some as others, and HS and summer should be carefully watched.

Hoping that someone will step up and notice that this senior pitcher needs a shot in the pros!
catcher09catcher091,000+ posts
I can somewhat understand coaches trying to get a win and letting a pitcher who is 'on" to go a bit further then what they should. I definately don't understand the fo;;owing:

Game 2, 9 innings, 9 hits, 4 ER, 129 pitches (still a little high, you're up by 10! where's the bullpen!?!). Win 16-6

Game 3, 9 innings, 11 hits, 2 ER, 131 pitches (still a little high, you're up by 10! where's the bullpen!?!). Win 12-2

Why would any coach do this????
NM NY MOM100+ posts
I think you also failed to mention the weather factor on top of the pitch count - I assume the weather was wet and very cold.

I think depth is an important factor to consider as mentioned - but for many coaches, when they have an ace in their midst, they are not interested in next year - or even next week. Today is all that seems to count.

Reminds me of a story about one pitcher who is now in the minors (and was called up this year to the majors for a bit) who was pitching seven innings and then after he was taken out of the successful outing, was then put in to pinch run... and this when he was a few weeks away from being drafted.
Last edited by NY MOM
R Ramrod100+ posts
You don't say on how many days of rest...since most hs play two gamesw per week I assume he is getting at least 4 to 5 days between starts.

If he is use to throwing 100+ pitches in an outing his arm should withstand that stress with proper rest in-between each start.

Most programs like to have a pitcher throw no more than 15 pitches per innings on average, which means for 9 innings X 15 = 135 pitches. But every pitcher is different and some kids can throw 15 more pitches without it stressing the arm.

At the college level they keep pitch counts at less than 100.
FrankFFrankF1,000+ posts
TPM and NY Mom have it pegged. Lack of depth. It just doesn't send a good message to the non-starters chat. That's why you have fall ball, spring ball and preseason games. To develop a bullpen.

Ramrod,

This is a college senior who starts every 7 days so he gets plenty of rest. Unfortunately he is used to throwing 100+ pitches each game. Highest in HS was 124 pitches, averaged around 80-105 for 7 inning games, 85-120+ in college. Fortunately they only play 40 or so games a year.

I just hope the group that say you only have so many bullets in your arm body-builder aren't correct.

Hopefully I am over-reacting.noidea
P PGStaff10,000+ posts
FrankF,

I for one believe in the “only so many bullets theory”. It is true in every single case.

The good news is… The number of bullets has proven to be different from one pitcher to another. So far the largest number of bullets without major injury has to belong to Nolan Ryan. So much for extreme velocity being the cause for injury. Roger Clemens is right up there too.

IMO, the last bullet before injury is likely to be thrown by either an over worked or under prepared or tired arm.

Best of luck to your son.

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