How to handle the urge to overuse high school pitchers

quote:

Originally posted by proudhesmine:
…My problem is how do I handle that with someone that not only has the reutation for riding the horse But has went against a face to face conversation about my guy throwing curve balls when he was younger.I want to enjoy high school along with my son.I DO NOT want to be THAT parent.I can not let my son missing playing time with arm problems because someone is constitly not following pitch counts, rest whatever.I can not stop a game when my son is being brought in after throwing 80 pitches and then the next day needed two more outs to finish the game.I can not call pitches after the 5th curveball in a row is thrown.With the pitch call coming out of the dug out.Now before someone says that will not happen I have already seen it.I have the complete oppisite thing happening with travel ball.Tho I never say anything to my son I am overwhelmed with what I am told about my son sometimes by complete strangers over the last couple of years.How do I do my best to get along and not have my son thru this specifac question ruin his chance for a possible really good collage?

You have to keep one thing firmly in mind. Your boy is your responsibility, no one else’s. However, you do have to also keep in mind that he’s a member of a team, and the HC is responsible for that team. So, what you’re gonna have to do is make up your mind about when to assert your responsibility and when to let the HC assert his.

In GENERAL, I’d say to draw the line at things you’re pretty sure are putting the boy in harm’s way. FI, sticking your nose into how a coach calls pitches because you don’t like seeing the boy throw the curve is looking for biiiiiig trouble. But, seeing him called on to throw the day after he threw 80 pitches is something else.

The bottom line is, you CAN stop a game for any number of reasons, but it’s far more appropriate to establish an understanding between you and this coach long before he’s asked to pitch in his 1st game! Most coaches will work with parents, but they have to know what the limits are parents establish.

Make an appointment with the HC who will be running the team he’s on. Remember, there’s usually more than 1 team, and HC’s are usually given a lot of autonomy. It would be silly to get all upset about the Fr or JV coach if the boy gets put on the V, so don’t look for trouble.

If for some reason you and the team coach can’t come to any kind of understanding, you always have the option of not allowing him to pitch. That’s a dangerous position to take unless the boy is good enough to make the team as a position player.

But whatever you do, remember to go through the proper channels, and don’t believe bleacher “gossip’!

Good luck.

Welcome to the HSBBW.

Maybe you are worrying about something that you will not have to worry about (CB after CB), yet.

If your son throws that hard (what is his velocity) he should be developing his FB and developing a CU (harder to learn than CB). If that is not happening that I might say these coaches have no clue.

I agree with the above, for any parent that has concerns because they have seen their player taken advantage in the past, definetly sit down and come to an understanding with the coach.

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
…If your son throws that hard (what is his velocity) he should be developing his FB and developing a CU (harder to learn than CB). If that is not happening that I might say these coaches have no clue. …

I agree in principal. Unfortunately though, we all know that if his son is as he indicates a very hard thrower: chances are will be throwing 90 mph before high first year in high school is over, if he hasn’t been overused/abused before now, chances are he will be before too long. He’s exactly kind of pitcher coaches will use every chance they get to chalk up a win, before they consider what it might be doing to him.

STATS THE ONLY REASON i EVEN MENTIONED CALLING PITCHES WAS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT HAD HAPPENED WITH ANOTHER PITCHER WHOSE FATHER(COACHES SOMEPLACE ELSE)ACTUALLY SAID SOMETHING DURING A GAME LOADLY AFTER @ THE 6 OR 8 cb IN A ROW.T I do not know exactly where his velocity is as I do not really encourage that happening enough for him to know about how fast.Last time someone checked that we know was at a tryout last fall and the gun read 87mph.But he was not really warmed up real good.Over the last 3 weeks the dads of the younger kids gather up at the pitching mounds to watch will their kids go thru pys. workouts.The ball sounds different.There are two 15u teams that workout together and it appears by just watching that only 1 kid is really interested in catchingI have really good relationships with the T.B. coaches but everytime we talk its not always about my kid but life in general.He has been throwing a CU since he started pitching (8) and its a dandy.I suppose a big part of this is even tho the both of us have a plan or what ever.The kid will not disrespect a coach(or adult for that matter) at all.to the point he just started shaking off some pitches.part of that is understanding a CU.Without pitching I really do not see him NOT making varsity but at the same time he likes to pitch.I can give you one example of whats up.I am friends with another coach in our conference.good friends.they do not like facing him but he tells me will not make any difference over time because coach will just over use him.We do not have a team that will get out of reginals this year anyway.I know that face to face talking is always best.My kid would be completly devastated if he ever knew that I talk to one of his coaches anytime.But because of the past he knows there needs to be a happy medium.I am sure he is being told that certain things could be possible if he keeps on his current path.I just really want to get along.

Sorry stats posted over you

My son has played for said coach already.3 years in JR. high on the 8th grade team.

proud,
welcome to the site. You have a valid problem that needs to be addressed. However, I would be careful about how much detail you go into. In effect, by posting this with the level of detail you have included, you are running the coach under the bus and, thus, being THAT parent. The baseball world is small and for those in your area, it wouldn't take much to figure out what school and coach you are talking about.

I sounds like you are already versed on established guidelines on pitch counts per outing, per week, and perhaps acceptable percentages of breaking balls. Ask for a meeting with the HC. Show full appreciation of what he does and that he is considering your son for the V team. Share that you will respect his decisions as the coach and be fully supportive of the program but you want to make sure there are appropriate guidelines in place that will protect your son's arm while under his watch. Ask him what his guidelines are and if necessary, share what your comfort level and/or limits are and come to a agreement on specific limits. Then, make sure you BOTH hold up your end of the deal.
As a HS coach, I would be more than open to such a conversation.

You made the comment.. "I can not let my son missing playing time with arm problems because someone is constitly not following pitch counts, rest whatever."
IMO, you should be more concerned with his health than missing playing time. And you should have the same concerns whether he throws 78 or 92.
Best wishes

A properly thrown curveball is no more harmful than a fastball. Bum, Jr. has been throwing them since age 12.

A kid should have at a minimum two days rest betwen a start and a quick relief appearance. Basically, that's his bullpen.

Proud,

 

Cabbage  and TPM have offered some good advice, and it appears you have a solid knowledge base and common sense. Here’s something I’ll off as a way to track what’s going on, and maybe give you some piece of mind or some facts to back you up if things go too far south.

 

While I do keep some other more detailed stats about pitch counts, this one is pretty simple and should be able to be kept with little trouble. If nothing else, you won’t be guessing about what’s going on.