Baseball Positions - Heredity, Environment, or Luck

I would think that his genetics probably result in physical traits that lend themselves well to pitching. But, I suspect it's probably more nurture than nature.

I once coached a LL age kid who had a particular throwing flaw. I tried and tried to correct him without much luck. I went to a HS game one day and saw his older brother throwing. Exact same flaw. One day I arrived at practice and the LL age kid was already there throwing with his dad. Dad had the exact same flaw. I have since noticed the same flaw in several other fathers and sons. If dad has it, AND he throws a lot with the son, there's a good chance the son will have it. (But not always).

Do your kids throwing motions resemble your own?

All three (luck, environment, genetics) play a role in my opinion. Luck = Ricky Bottalico was a catcher in college. Undrafted and was seen pitching one day by a scout in an adult league - good MLB career. Tim Wakefield's transition to knuckle-ball pitcher is similar. Environment = kid sees older brother or favorite player at a position and wants to model them (Molinas). Genetics = body type ultimately leads kids to a particular position - "body of a catcher," "good pitcher's body," etc. Runs like a deer? Put him in the OF.
Good question!
Everyone is different.

BaseballByTheYard

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MTH said...Do your kids throwing motions resemble your own?

MTH,

Nope. I throw like a catcher, because that is how my Dad taught me to throw. My oldest and youngest have similiar release points, and body types. My wifes genes have negated my genetic flaws and hence we have three athletes!

That is very interesting about the boy who had the same throwing flaw as his brother and father.

I thank God every day that genetics has not affected the way my boys play baseball.

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Originally posted by biggerpapi:
I thank God every day that genetics has not affected the way my boys play baseball.

That would make two of us!...except....

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My wifes genes have negated my genetic flaws and hence we have three athletes!

Yep! That would be us too (thank goodness)!


Its a good question Fenway...have wondered the same. I played mostly catcher into HS and I don't think I ever got near the quality of coaching my kids have enjoyed. As the first one became a good pitcher, I probably learned a lot and both the older boy and me passed some of that knowledge on to the younger son? But throwing the high 80's to low 90's arms? Have no idea where that came from?

I'm not sure what he meant by it, but I was with my father, watching his grandson play baseball and he said to me we should all feel fortunate that genius and athletic skill only jumps one generation.

This is a very good question. Something I had never thought of until now.

I played center, very fast with a lethal arm. So lethal that my little league coach thought that I should pitch. I hit three batters, walked one and struck out one. Back to CF I went.

My son, on the other hand, has the genetic mutation (my side mixed with the wife's). I don't ever see him playing the OF. He'll be bigger than me, I'm 6'1" 205 pounds, but with average speed. Think 3B or C.

He has had some success pitching, mostly due to his Al Hrabosky-type attitude on the mound. He's just an angry little man when he pitches. I was never like that.

Our throwing motions are similar, but not exactly alike.

And the coaching and playing opportunities they have today far exceed what I had as a kid.

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Originally posted by fenwaysouth:
Last week I was at the UVA & William &Mary game, and ran into an old friend (3up-3down). We were chatting about the kids and how they were doing. I mentioned my youngest (hs freshmen) is trying out for his high school JV team mostly as a Pitcher. He said "oh no, not again, haven't you learned!", and we both laughed pretty hard as his son is a pitcher too. Well as it turns out all three of my kids are pitchers (1 college, 2 high school). This got me thinking (which is always dangerous) what are the chances for a another family to have just MIF, CIF or just OF or just C (Molinas don't count). Does Darwin have an say in this? Are we predisposed to certain baseball positions because of genetics? What do you think?

That was a pretty exciting game.

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Penn13 said...That was a pretty exciting game.

Yes it was all the way to the 11th inning. W&M had it, until they didn't. I had no dog in the hunt, and I had to remain neutral as I know kids & parents on both teams. My son's friend & former travel team mate scored the winning run. I was happy for him.

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CABBallFan said....I'm not sure what he meant by it, but I was with my father, watching his grandson play baseball and he said to me we should all feel fortunate that genius and athletic skill only jumps one generation.

I had always played center field and had admired Mantle and Mays above all players so as soon as my older son was ready to play that's where I worked with him the most. It didn't hurt that he was lefthanded and had limited options. Younger son played many different positions even up to his junior year in high school but in the end he took over center field from his older brother in his junior and senior seasons. Made it easier in those younger years of coaching as I could always point out to parents that my sons were outfielders and didn't HAVE to play shortstop. They both pitched because they had strong arms but their main thing was to be in the lineup everyday.

Obviously athleticism is genetic. After that it depends on what type of body comes with the athlete gene. Size, strength, speed and arm strength most likely determine where a kid winds up playing as he ages. Not to mention what the kid enjoys playing most if he excels in a few positions.

I pitched and played center. My ex was a track star. My two kids (baseball/softball) first pitched and played short. They ultimately moved to center. The common physical trait is speed. My kids are/were 5th generation college baseball/softball players on my side. They are third generation on the ex's side.

Few years ago I had been recruiting a kid 6'6 hard throwing right hander, I found it amusing to meet his parents on his recruiting visit. Mom was about 5'3 and Dad about 5'6 200 pounds.

But that being said genetics do play a huge role thats why MLB scouting questionarries ask your parents athletic history.