How should I feel about this?

Not a bad thing at all.

He worked 40 innings as a freshman in the Big 10. That means he's already figured out how to get college hitters out. 

The decision clearly means he factors in the coach's plans for the future.

He gets a summer with a couple classes and a lot of time to focus on conditioning and  mechanics--without any of the famous Northwoods bus rides.

And he'll be ready to go next summer before he's draft eligible.

Best wishes,

Grateful in deed. Summer ball is a  great experience, but not the end all. Coaches seem to be looking out for him. Working on mechanics, training and getting some innings rest is a good thing. 40 innings as a freshman means he is a part of the plan moving forward. The Northwoods league is a grind, so lightening the load this summer was a good thing. He needs to come back stronger in the fall and improved mechanics.

In my opinion, it is great that you are very grateful that his program is being careful with him.  Arm health is more important than Northwoods League action this summer.  And his development this summer will help him more in games next spring than innings in the Northwoods League with mechanics that aren't 100% dialed in.

I'm not at all certain that he is falling behind his peers who are pitching this summer.  If anything he might be getting ahead.

If they didn't have big plans for him in the future, I don't think they would have invested this summer working to make improvements.  I see this nothing but a positive.

My son is a rising college freshman and hasn't pitched at all this summer.  Time will tell if we took the right approach, but he'll start throwing next week and hopefully be at full strength after 6 weeks heading into September. 

I don't see how throwing through July and then either taking it slow in August, or continuing at a high level, will help come the fall season. 

A positive... it's the best way to refine mechanics, rest and get stronger.

yup, what they all said... and..

If there is a slight motion/mechanic adjustment that will protect his arm and/or allow for even better performance, this is the perfect way and perfect time to address it.  If he were to step on the rubber regularly against formidable hitting (in Northwoods), he would undoubtedly revert back to his previous motion in effort to compete the best way he knows how.  Instead, he will have time to engrain the adjustment.  It's a win.

If he's that guy, Northwoods next year...  unless he throws a ton of innings in the Spring, which would be, again, a win.

Better to pitch too little than too much. As someone pointed out it can be hard to stick with change if it’s not working right away. Your son was a valued member of the staff freshman year. There’s nothing to be concerned about. 

RJM posted:

There’s nothing to be concerned about. 

I'm a parent and willing to admit, I can ALWAYS find something to be concerned about. Appreciate the help of this site keeping my paranoia in check.

IowaMom23,

Consider it a blessing, and I'm very impressed that your son's coaching staff is looking out for him.  This is a 4 year marathon to stay healthy.   It sounds like your son just needed some tweaking.  Look on the positive side, he may have some extra time to earn some spending money.  As the parent of a pitcher who was sidelined his junior year, you want to stay out of the Dr and trainers office.   If this helps him stay healthy, again count your blessings.

Good luck!

Step away from the ledge!  This is a good thing.  Also know that if he had gone having thrown 40 innings he would probably be on a pitch/inning count.  My middle son went after his freshman year to Coastal league with a 15 inning count for the summer after being the Saturday starter.  He threw 1/2 innings a week hoping they would make the playoffs.  He was miserable.  Just sitting at games.  He finally asked if he could be responsible for the between inning contests on the field announcer.  Finally got to the last game and did not make playoffs so he threw a complete game to end the summer.   Total waste of time and money.  Maybe they will do magic and increase his velocity and/or control with the modified slot.  Either way it has to help and as has been said they have a plan for him.

Summer ball is much more critical for guys that don’t play in the spring. Your son is not falling behind at all. It is much more important that he spend this summer refining his mechanics that stacking up more innings. Players play too many games and don’t do enough individual training. As others have pointed out, he would not have been put on this program if the coaches at Iowa didn’t care about him.  This is a huge positive. Have a glass of wine and count your blessings! 

Iowamom23 posted:

RJM posted:

There’s nothing to be concerned about. 

I'm a parent and willing to admit, I can ALWAYS find something to be concerned about. Appreciate the help of this site keeping my paranoia in check.

Glad to be a member of the “come down from that ledge” rescue team. I was out there when my son tore up his knee. Board members got me off the ledge. Then my son taught me if kids want it badly enough they make it happen. 

https://twitter.com/drivelineb...025166641192960?s=19

Your son is probably exactly where he needs to be!

Trust me. Almost every single player in a summer league just wants to go home right now. I can almost guarantee that every single one of your son's teammates is extremely jealous of him right now. 

PABaseball posted:

Trust me. Almost every single player in a summer league just wants to go home right now. I can almost guarantee that every single one of your son's teammates is extremely jealous of him right now. 

This. 

Keewartson went to the Northwoods after his sophomore year, without playing the summer before (surgery). It will all work out!

Son's summer teams were like a revolving door with pitchers; many with strict innings or pitch limits. Pitching innings in Big 10as a FY would indicate he's in their plans and are concerned about well being and mechanics. I do think on the other hand that position players need to get ABs against pitchers they haven't faced.