How are they doing?

I must say that I was able to enjoy watching most of my freshman son's outings last spring. This summer he focused on throwing and locating his fastball and changeup....he has always been a great breaking ball pitcher.....and he ended up being named co-pitcher of the year in the CICL......I saw him thow only three breaking balls in six innings in his last regular season start in the CICL, giving up only three hits in those six innings. I think he became a better pitcher.

My 05 has always been a good hitter and had a pretty good season hitting in the three hole for his high school team last spring. The one thing we talked about that I thought he needed to work on this past summer was fouling off the borderline pitch with a two strike count. He got rang him up a few times. Last Saturday he was playing in a game at UTSA. Last inning, two out, down by one and a runner on second. Son comes to plate. First two pitches, low and away fastballs that he took for called strikes. Next pitch another low and away pitch that he fouled off. I smiled. Next pitch pitcher made a mistake and son hit a missle that sailed over the wall just a few feet left of the 405 foot sign in center. Six days later and I still can't wipe that smile off my face.

The '04 season was a learning experience in 2 ways for my son. Durng his Freshmen season in college, because of good coaching he learned "how to pitch". In the summer while being the only local player on a Northwoods league team that played in front of 5,500 fans a night he learned how to communicate with fans and press.

I hadn't really thought about this until reading Itsinthegames post. Now I think I may throw a few "atta boy" bucks into his account for having a "complete" year.

My son has always seemed to have played for guys that were always looking to replace him - try to recruit someone better - his playing time always suffered as a result, never got to pitch a whole lot, b/c he didn't throw hard...sophomore year, makes the V-squad - he's pumped - they plan on him being #4-5 pitcher ..second game of the yr, starter takes a foul ball in the noggin [can you say Wally Pipp?], throwing on the side, so they need an emergency starter - MY GUY!! Coach tells him "give me 3-4 innings and I'll be happy" - he turns to me after coach walks away - "3-4 innings my a**" - ends up with a 4 hit CG in 40 degree wx, sleeting during parts of the game - maybe proudest day of my life, wrt his athletics. Ends up leading the team in starts and innings, gets honorable mention all-league; does even better during Legion season. He still doesn't throw hard, but his location is precise and his change-up is devestating. Says a lot for perservance.

Mine has learned that by being a good player also means having the right attitude about it.

windmill

A winning pitcher is a winning pitcher no matter how hard he may not throw !!!!!

TR - my guy is finally learning that - he wasn't always the "big name" - all he did was get guys out. He has learned that coaches tend to appreciate the kind of kid who completes every legion game he started this yr. He got "ripped" by a local reporter during the HS season during a game that he had a no-no for 6 innings [broken up by a bunt] - writer harped on how slow he was and how that messed up the other team's timing, which if I'm not mistaken, is pretty much the idea behind being a successful pitcher! Most HS players don't look for a 3-1 change-up --looks too juicy coming up there.

windmill

we were in a game this fall losing 2-0 to a pitcher who was not breaking 80 and one of my players comes back to the dugout after making an out, again, muttering that this guy has nothing--I looked him in the eye and asked him what the score was--he tells me 2-0 them-- I answered simply " for a guy who has nothing you guys are not doing too much with him--he must have something"

Give me the guy who wins when he pitches any time--the one big difference is that they have a very small margin of error if they do not have a heater to go back on.