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JvCatcher PitchingVar's

GS GA SC Diamond10+ posts
Talk this out for me....
9th grade son made var's but Jv coach ask him to play Jv and he did as Starting picther-Jv and closer for B-team.

This year he made Var's and Jv coach asking him to Catch Jv.
Coaches plan is son play JV catcher and Var's 3rd/4th pitcher ( they have 1 senior 2 juniors 3 sophomore a few freshmen pitchers ). Son is a sophomore. .
Var's Coach said last night " he will get his pitching in on Var games don't worry" I'm worried ,after all I'm a singal Dad thats my job.
Son hasn't been a catcher in years.
Is that going to be tomuch on his arm or legs to do both? Son thinks anything for the school/team, I think where is my place, do i get involed should I make sure he has a days rest after games?
No new kids came out this year as Cather ,new school was built so team lost a few kids. Team only has 2 cathers both 11th grade. My son told me he loves pitching but the team needs him, I'm scared this will lower his chance to pitch next year and may get stuck catching even if he ends up not liking it later on.
My son pitching speed going be hurt by catching or can it help?
He trained with Var's pitchers Wed then ran , But tuesday he trained with Catchers and Monday he was throwing in the bull pin then after his bull pin work he caught 9th graders.
3AAAAA baseball has rules about resting after pitching but is there a rest after Catching? and if you do both should you rest after one before doing the other? Can he be Catcher 1st game ( JV) then pitch some in late game ( var's )?
Throwing breaks down the arm right?
Rest, ice,streching and what helps build it back up?
It seems so ez when I coach LL , and when I coached my son.
Standing back being just fan can be hard.
I'm trying to talk myself into thinking this will all turn out ok.
He loves baseball I love him I just want whats best for him.
Am I over thinking this because work got rained out?

Should I have a Jack-N-coke before I pull my hair out? or is 9:15am to early for drinks?
Dug out DAD, Team driver,LLcoach,Volunteer Ground crew & Fan of the game.
Last edited {1}
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TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
Do you consider your son's skills better at catching or at pitching? Which position will get him more attention? Can he hit?

Lots of HS catcher's also pitch, but not sure that most HS pitcher's catch. Is it good for the arm, absolutely not but there comes a time when you got to do what you got to do, and these days the HS season is short, will he really be on the mound all that much as 3,4 starter (or will he be used in relief). You can kind of chill out, do not get involved until you see how it plays out. This is up to your son to figure out, with your imput of course.

Being worried isn't exclusive to single parents, trust me. Smile

Look up Matt Weiter's, he did both, rocket arm, rocket bat.
L legendscoach10+ posts
quote:
Lots of HS catcher's also pitch, but not sure that most HS pitcher's catch


It's not unusual at all from what I have seen. I think TPM is correct that it's not the healthiest thing. Hopefully your son is, or will get sensitive, to how his body and arm feel, and if he needs to rest. Soreness or stiffness, as opposed to pain or injury. Had one local kid here a few years back that caught first game of HS doubheader, for eventual Div I and draftee, and then he threw the 2cd game and he himself became an eventual Div I and draftee.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
quote:
Originally posted by twotex:
I can tell you that my son's orthopedic doctor really doesn't like the idea. He says do not pitch and catch on consecutive days.

I'm sure there are plenty of success stories, I'm only sharing what we were told as parents of a HS catcher.


I don't think that anyone likes th idea, but at this point I would take a wait and see approach, if it becomes too much, than do what you have to do.
trojan-skippertrojan-skipper1,000+ posts
It's very typical for a good sophomore to play some varsity and some JV.
If he's not being overused on the mound, and it doesn't sound like that is what they have planned for him... he will be fine. As 3rd or 4th pitcher on Varsity he'll get some innings but probably not be overworked. Sounds like the coaches are trying to play him where he can help the team and also develop into a good varsity player down the road...
I bet there are other sophs who wont see the varsity field.... so I say enjoy the season and make friends with both sets of parents; you're in for a fun year.
coach2709coach270910,000+ posts
Overall I don't think it's something to worry about.....just yet. I agree that being the 3 or 4 on varsity pitching he will get innings but probably not that much. It's not a good thing to catch / pitch or pitch / catch in the same day or back to back days but if he's in shape, strong and flexible then he can handle it for a period of time. It's amazing how tough the human body is IF you prepare for it but at some point it will become too much. The body will start breaking down.

If your son is wore out, hurting, tired or anything like this then he needs to stand up for himself and tell the coaches he needs a day off. Even if it's just practice where he takes a lighter work load that day.

I agree with TPM in that where does his future lie? Is he going to be a catcher or a pitcher? Once you figure that out then you can proceed ahead with more focus on that area.
K ken100+ posts
Had the same problem here. The only time I put my foot down with the coach was when they had my son try to do both in the same game (and then put him at ss to go easy on his arm,lol). What seemed to help my boy was getting alot of protein in him and running after the game, he claimed it helped him alot.
Last edited by ken
C cabbagedadHSBaseballWeb member since 2011
Not mentioned yet but also worth considering is the different throwing mechanics involved. Is son capable of separating the two?
I agree that many HS coaches use players in both positions and I understand the reasons why but there are also many HS coaches who won't allow a player to play these two positions, not just because of excess throwing, but also different mechanics.
K ken100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by cabbagedad:
Not mentioned yet but also worth considering is the different throwing mechanics involved. Is son capable of separating the two?
I agree that many HS coaches use players in both positions and I understand the reasons why but there are also many HS coaches who won't allow a player to play these two positions, not just because of excess throwing, but also different mechanics.


Great point I forgot about that, it used to take my son an inning or 2 to start throwing like a pitcher again.
GS GA SC Diamond10+ posts
Thank you each of you for posting son read this when he got home.
He told me he wanted to play Jv and var's . Said coaches told him keep working the way he is and next year they see him in Var's starting line up as a pitcher.
This year they see him pitching Var's some and after Jv's over putting him in Var's for more innings.
Son ask can he stay after practice to train catching skills like blocking a bad throw ect. So I guess he likes it.
quote:
TPM Do you consider your son's skills better at catching or at pitching? Which position will get him more attention? Can he hit?

TPM thanks for your imput.
I see a LL catcher that became a utility player then became a Starting pitcher ,a few years ago i heard the other teams talking about how good he was so I started seeing him as a pitcher that still played 1st/3rd . Been trained by pro's and college pitchers to pitch because he told me he loves to pitch.
He bats 4th or 5th even when I wasn't the Coach.
Was 5th last year on JV lead team on RBi's.
As for Attention his batting got that last two college camp's , I been told ( last Dec ) by an College employee "son's on the list and will be looked at after July of his 11th grade year right now I can't talk more its a bad time." But got the hint to let them know if he going to any summer showcases.

As for the future it will happen if we take care of today.


I may not be his coach any more but I'm still his Dad.
Last edited by GA SC Diamond
PD PA Dino500+ posts
I understand the temptation to micromanage (my term) a son’s high school career, to try to maximize his potential for some perceived higher level in other words “save his arm”. My son is a college sophomore trying to get innings on the mound.

In retrospect, it is apparent to me that such interference by a parent more than likely lessens the high school experience for the kid. At his age he should be able to determine when he’s approaching fatigue and shut it down. In the meantime, he is doing what? Playing the game. Isn’t that the whole point? What quality experiences is he going to have because he takes advantage of an opportunity to play the game? At some point we have to ask ourselves, are we “cutting off his arm to spite the rest of his mind and body”? Yes, in high school abuse can be heaped on a budding star prospect and caution is sometimes appropriate. However, given the opportunity again, I would butt out of my son’s baseball business as much as possible and let him play, whenever and wherever he had the chance. If you see him about to stall the plane and auger in, take over and save the ship. Otherwise, let it fly. Bookers, not Jack.
Last edited by PA Dino
Texas1836Texas18361,000+ posts
Ok, this does not help your decision, but NPR's Driveway Moments - Baseball (CD) has a story on "Double Duty Radcliffe", a Negro League player who got the name when he caught the first game and pitched the second game of a double header. Not really applicable here due to differences in time (1932) and levels of play. Just reminded me of that very enjoyable CD.
P Pony10+ posts
Will have to say this as it has come up in someone else’s post, mechanics is what saves a pitcher and a pitcher lives on his legs. Now you put a pitcher to catching and there goes his legs/knees as well as the getting hit by foul baseballs or run over by players coming home. He is now at the age that he has to choose which one he wants to play to be the best he can be at. If a coach wants him to do this on a high school team it tells me more than I want to know what the coach is all about and it is not the players on the team. Seen to many young kids hurt by coaches who could care less about the kids but the almighty win. You’re the kids father/parent and as such this come down to you making a decision as to what is best for your son and not the school he plays for or any team. That’s the way I look at and I wish the best for your kid and the decision you make for him.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
quote:
Originally posted by Pony:
Will have to say this as it has come up in someone else’s post, mechanics is what saves a pitcher and a pitcher lives on his legs. Now you put a pitcher to catching and there goes his legs/knees as well as the getting hit by foul baseballs or run over by players coming home. He is now at the age that he has to choose which one he wants to play to be the best he can be at. If a coach wants him to do this on a high school team it tells me more than I want to know what the coach is all about and it is not the players on the team. Seen to many young kids hurt by coaches who could care less about the kids but the almighty win. You’re the kids father/parent and as such this come down to you making a decision as to what is best for your son and not the school he plays for or any team. That’s the way I look at and I wish the best for your kid and the decision you make for him.


When my son was in HS he was not allowed to play position or hit his sophmore or junior year on varsity. They did this to protect him, they said so he wouldn't get hurt. If you knew my son, even then, you would have agreed that his future would be as a pitcher and it is. There was no need to try to be better at another position, it wasn't going to happen. But I think they were protecting him too much, he could have been used in another position when not pitching or DH (excellent hitter). I am not talking travel ball now but HS ball.

If the player showed strong ability, power arm for future potential as a pitcher, then the coach would be using him in that capacity, in varsity, but obviously he has no intentions to (as yet) other than a smaller role.

It is not uncommon for players in HS to do both, until one skill begins to emerge over another. It appears at this point he is needed more as a catcher for JV than a pitcher for V.

So again, I wouldn't be too alarmed too much until you see how things go, don't scare the parent. My son didn't pitch that much that he couldn't have been used in another capacity, he spent a lot of time sitting on a HS bench.

I am not saying that this is all that healthy, but again just see how things go. My philosophy is play while you can because you never know what tomorrow will bring. Smile
P Pony10+ posts
Have to agree with the other post there TPM that was a good post you wrote but my question is this.
If you do not know by the time a baseball player is in 10th grade what place on the field is best for him then when will you know?
Catching is one of the hardest jobs on a baseball field to learn and they unlike other players takes more time to learn and do a good job.
Can't say what other places do or do not do as to playing the game but unless the main catcher is down plus the backups around here in Florida you will never see a pitcher set behind a plate. Pitching and defense wins games, with the all important runs scoring more than the other team. A pitcher needs time to develop if that is what they are going to do and letting their body rest as it takes a lot out of anyone who has ever taken a mound will tell you. A pitcher needs this time from his grade up to learn the art of pitching if that is what he wants to be to learn how to control his pitches and hit his spots. What he asked as I read it was what anyone thought about the kid doing both as his coach wanted him to. No matter how you look at it the kid and his family must choose which one he wants to do as both of these takes time to learn and it will only in the long turn set this kid back from developing into the player he could become.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
quote:
Originally posted by Pony:
If you do not know by the time a baseball player is in 10th grade what place on the field is best for him then when will you know?


So you are telling me that in order to be successful beyond HS you can only play one position?

How many players go off to college playing different positions than they played in HS. Did you ever hear of a catcher being converted to a pitcher?

I am not disagreeing with you, however, don't start encouraging a parent to go talk to a coach when a problem hasn't come up yet. And it is NOT up to the father to discuss with the coach, but if it becomes a problem then the father and son discuss on ow to approach the coach. Your answers surprise me, considering you once were one.

How can you judge whether the coach is not doing the best for the player?

You have no info to show that the player is better at pitching than catching. Perhaps his hitting is his best tool?

Now I may be mistaken, but it appears the player will catch on JV and throw a bit on V, I don't see anything wrong with that. The player has his summer to pursue and get better at pitching, and who knows, he might want to be a fulltime catcher!

A big problem today is worrying about things before they become an issue, let it play out, let the player decide as the seaosn progresses, ENJOY the HS years.
A all32210+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by PA Dino:
I understand the temptation to micromanage (my term) a son’s high school career, to try to maximize his potential for some perceived higher level in other words “save his arm”. My son is a college sophomore trying to get innings on the mound.

In retrospect, it is apparent to me that such interference by a parent more than likely lessens the high school experience for the kid. At his age he should be able to determine when he’s approaching fatigue and shut it down. In the meantime, he is doing what? Playing the game. Isn’t that the whole point? What quality experiences is he going to have because he takes advantage of an opportunity to play the game? At some point we have to ask ourselves, are we “cutting off his arm to spite the rest of his mind and body”? Yes, in high school abuse can be heaped on a budding star prospect and caution is sometimes appropriate. However, given the opportunity again, I would butt out of my son’s baseball business as much as possible and let him play, whenever and wherever he had the chance. If you see him about to stall the plane and auger in, take over and save the ship. Otherwise, let it fly. Bookers, not Jack.


Absolutely agree Dino. Great post.

GA SC, Where is varsity coach weigh in on this? If you trust him, and I hope you can, will he not know what the right thing to do is? Perhaps they are trying to find the right position for your son, and pitching may or may not be in his future. I would hope you take PA Dino's advice and let him fly.

As for the Jack and Coke, it's 5 o'clock somewhere.
H Harv100+ posts
Nothing wrong with it as long as he listens to his body, not his competitive spirit.

Many great players pitch one then catch the next at the Hs level.

A couple of years ago, in the NCAA finals the catcher caught the first 7 then closed out the last two for the National Championship I think.

The general rule I follow is pitch first, catch second for control reasons. Catching you can lob most back if the arm gets tired.

Like everyone said, have fun and listen to the body. The more games the bigger the smile.
B bothsportsdad100+ posts
well my son was asked to assist with the pitching on JV up until the point he will max out for the number of games allowed. He threw 70 pitches last night and struck out 15 in 5 innings (yes) and then caught the full varsity game. We won both games.

He had no arm soreness whatsoever this morning. He has always had a strong arm and we took only a few weeks off in the fall before isometrics and long toss. His presence on the mound was a huge plus for the JV team and if he is able to play beyond HS it will be as a catcher.

I thought it was good all around.
Last edited by bothsportsdad
B bothsportsdad100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by 2bagger:
Congrats on the wins bothsportsdad, but if I were you I would ask a doctor that has done arm and or shoulder surgeries what he thinks of what your son is doing. jmo


well It is also not up to me entirely and therein lies part of the obvious quandry... if we want to be good "team" players.

I would also assume that any physician would advise caution if for no other reason than the specter of potential liability.

Nonetheless, I understand your point and if my son was throwing 85+ as a soph I would be more concerned about his future prospects on the mound but he doesnt nor do I think he would ever throw faster than 85. He throws in the high 70's, has pinpoint control and as he said last night his cutter and changeup were "filthy".
Last edited by bothsportsdad
B bothsportsdad100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by 2bagger:
Best of luck let us know how it works out for your son.


I am curious 2bagger as to how you would handle it. Would you simply tell the coach he cant catch within "x" number of days of pitching? If its a difference in throwing mechanics that are of concern rather than just the number of throws are you saying not to both pitch and catch ever? I realize there are substantial differences in the arm motions required of the two positions.
Last edited by bothsportsdad
zombywoofzombywoof1,000+ posts
Best thing to do is sit back and let the player and the coach work these things out. It's HS baseball. It's their time to figure it out and learn to deal with situations on their own.

In my son's four years, not once did I ever question what position he played. My son pitched and caught in HS. One time in the same game too. Played all three OF positions and some 1B.It was up to him and the coaches to sort that stuff out. All he wanted to do was play, so it didn't matter where he played as long as it kept him on the field.

I don't know why parents get caught up in all this. It's HS baseball and the idea is to do whatever you have to do to help the team win.
Last edited by zombywoof
B 2bagger1,000+ posts
wish I could tell you how to handle it but don't know your coach or your son. Never had to deal with a coach that combined those positions nor have I ever done it for reasons stated.

I doubt just telling the coach what your son can or can't do probably would not be too successful but there is no reason your son could not discuss it with him.

Sounds like your son is a very good player and again all the best. If you figure out something that works let us know as we can all learn.
Last edited by 2bagger
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
quote:
Originally posted by bothsportsdad:
well my son was asked to assist with the pitching on JV up until the point he will max out for the number of games allowed. He threw 70 pitches last night and struck out 15 in 5 innings (yes) and then caught the full varsity game. We won both games.

He had no arm soreness whatsoever this morning. He has always had a strong arm and we took only a few weeks off in the fall before isometrics and long toss. His presence on the mound was a huge plus for the JV team and if he is able to play beyond HS it will be as a catcher.

I thought it was good all around.
He may feel fine now. Then down the road one day he might feel pain in his arm. Pitching and catching is for LL.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
quote:
Originally posted by RJM:
quote:
Originally posted by bothsportsdad:
well my son was asked to assist with the pitching on JV up until the point he will max out for the number of games allowed. He threw 70 pitches last night and struck out 15 in 5 innings (yes) and then caught the full varsity game. We won both games.

He had no arm soreness whatsoever this morning. He has always had a strong arm and we took only a few weeks off in the fall before isometrics and long toss. His presence on the mound was a huge plus for the JV team and if he is able to play beyond HS it will be as a catcher.

I thought it was good all around.
He may feel fine now. Then down the road one day he might feel pain in his arm. Pitching and catching is for LL.


I agree with RJM. Many catchers don't make it past HS/college because they experience injuries to their shoulders and elbows just like pitchers. Just because son won't be a pitcher doesn't mean you should not be cautious.

JMO.
B bothsportsdad100+ posts
there are some respected posters who have chimed in that have made me think a bit but I can tell you the vast majority of HS coaches in our area do not take kindley to "travel" anything regardless of the sport if they feel like a parent is likely to interject their opinion. My son is a soft spoken kid respectful of authority and wouldn't raise it as an issue of his own volition even if I had concerns. His reaction will just be "yes sir". I realize the "safe" thing to do but its my distinct opinion in this situation that bringing it up will just elicit an "oh boy one of those travel ball dads who is all about their own kid" type of reactions.

Its easy to say be careful or limit what he is doing. Its quite another to resolve the issues inherent in bringing this to coach's attention.
Last edited by bothsportsdad
zombywoofzombywoof1,000+ posts
quote:
Pitching and catching is for LL.

It sure is. It's one thing to double up in a rec game on a 60' diamond but 90' a big difference. While I was surprised to see my son in one HS game pitch 3 innings and catch the next four, I get why the coach did it but it's something I wouldn't do if I were coaching. However, I didn't worry about it for a couple of reasons: 1 P & C were not his primary positions. He was primarily an OF and his bat is what kept him a starter. 2..Most importantly, he was the kind of player that had no problem letting a coach know if something didn't feel right instead of trying to be a hero and do real damage to himself while hurting the team.

In HS, this is where it's important for the player and coach have good communication. Although, in many instances, this isn't the case, in a perfect world, it would be but it isn't.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
bothsportsdad,

It is your player and you have to decide whether what is going on is "okay" or not. That, in my opinion is what it is about at this age while we still have some control for their safety. There are risks in sports and we have to decide if the rewards are worth the risk.

Understand that most of our kids would do whatever they were asked to, even despite our concerns, because they are team players and they will do anything to help the team, that is why they are special.

I understand that there most likely is not much you could say at this time, but for me, as a parent of a player pitching and catching and wanting to someday compete beyond the level they are at now, the big concern is pitching 5 innings (70 pitches) and catching an entire game in the same day.
GS GA SC Diamond10+ posts
He will be ok.
I am his dad not his HS Coach, somethings are not up to me some things are. The Dad things are mine.
The high school team things are for his Coach.
My son is a team player he will follow or lead, he will case fouls for other games, get water, clean the field rake ect. He will work to do what it takes my job is to make sure he don't over do it or do so much other things get left out. Not everyone has our son best interest at heart. Up to us parents to be Parents.


Getting info and being ready to act if need be is way better then doing nothing ever.
Yes some times the info tells you to wait to see if its worked out.
I waited, I talked to my son, My son and I trained 45min after everyone left. He didn't get to where he is by me drinking beer and watching TV.
He got where he is by me not getting in the way unless he needed me But being there and maken sure he don't need me is what I do. The more I'm there for him the less he needes me.
As you can see by the clip/link News Fox 28 he pitch whole Var's game and got a hit/RBI.
So how did Frank T Joyner look?
Last edited by GA SC Diamond

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