new pitching coach

I would first want to know why the college coach wants to change his mechanics.

Is there are problem? Is there something he sees that he is concerned about?

If not, and if your son has been both effective and injury-free up to this point, then I would be skeptical (and a little concerned).

The times he has pitched he has been effective. Maybe I'm not hearing the whole story but how should my son handle this? It seems to me he should just ask the coach outright what he wants and why but my son seems hesitant to do that, maybe he's just not that type of coach. Any advice?

The old schoolers will tell you differently ("because I said so") but I believe in explaining to a guy why I am asking/telling him to do something.

One thing to try is to have your son ask the coach to explain exactly what he means. Have your son explain to the coach that he doesn't understand what the coach wants him to do (even if it isn't true). Hopefully that might lead the coach to explain why he wants your son to do that. Once you understand the coach's logic (or lack thereof), you and your son can evaluate whether that's a good thing to do or not.

Also, let me say that I share your concern and completely back you up.

There are a lot of coaches out there who hold incorrect (or even dangerous) ideas about pitching. In the worst case some coaches are more concerned with short-term gains and will teach kids certain tricks that will increase their velocity in the short term but may increase the likelihood that they will injure themselves.

Or perhaps just another coach looking to leave his stamp on a kid.

quote:

The times he has pitched he has been effective.

This just drives me crazy; the pursuit of velocity (or whatever) for its own sake regardless of whether the pitcher is effective or not. I believe it's a big reason pitchers get hurt; they are coached to throw harder than they need to.

All that matters is whether a pitcher can get batters out.

When it comes to my pitchers, if they are effective then I will not change their mechanics unless I see something that is problematic from the standpoint of injury prevention.

quote:

Now that my son is in college the pitching coach there is trying to change his mechanics.

Do you know exactly what the new coach wants to change?

always try to give the coach what he wants. Work with him an do not be confrontatioal. Coaches tend to hold grudges and want to know you are 100% behind his efforts.
Almost every team's coach has his views. The only time you should confront a coach is when you decide to leave.

quote:

always try to give the coach what he wants. Work with him an do not be confrontatioal.

I agree that you should never be unnecessarily confrontational, but coaches are human and humans are sometimes wrong (whether they know it or not).

To always bow to the will of the coach would be abdicating your responsibility as a parent.

I also agree with what you are saying but I have never met an upset [arent/player who didn't think they were right. Also once you start interefering you don't know when to stop. Onc eyou upset the coach you are probably going to make things worse. Have seen very good ball players ride the pines because they got into the coaches face. One guy was our best hitter. Father and son complained about not playing in situations and he sat even more. Parents complained in the stands whenever they thought he should be playing. He eventually quit because they were ticked at them.
If the coach is teaching unsafe mechanics and you have to talk to him just be prepared for possible negativ e results.

Thanks for all your comments - We are going to watch my son next weekend (hopefully he will pitch!)and perhaps we will get more information then. I do agree that he should not be confrontational as it definitely makes things worse but he should be able to talk things over.
I suspect that as a freshman he is a little intimidated.

Most freshmen are not starters in college unless it JC.
It is hard to sit no matter how many times you are told you are a freshman and not to expect too many innings. As a freshman you are usually on a short leash as well.

Would it be inappropriate to ask the college coach if he would be willing to discuss the boys mechanics with his pitching coach?

mmac, please let us know how it turns out. Wish the best of luck to your son.

From what I have seen over the years, your son might want to consider transferring. Often these situations do not improve.