ok so maybe i am crazy but....

If he does not continue w/ BP then he is not a hitter in his own mind.

He is sending a non-verbal message to his coach.

"Can you imagine being asked to pitch hit in the 9th inning and the batter you replaced has 2 strikes".
The 1st pitch was a fast ball and it landed on the railroad tracks at Western Michigan College.
"always be ready to hit"
Bob

thank you sir...great point!...i would like to discuss the situation with him and need to have my ducks in a row when i do...i have stayed pretty hands offs with this except of coarse attending as many games as i can slip in considering he is a 5 hour drive from home...i know he fortunate to be playing at the next level....but....

This may sound harsh, but stay out of it.

Your son has a coach and knows what he is doing.

Let your son work this out however he decides or chooses.....or not.

Sit back, kick your feet up and just enjoy your son is playing ball at the next level. Many don't.

YGD

all input is appreciated! harsch or not...i am trying to get a grip on this situation so please feel free to speak...this is all new to me i like any other dad just wants to be sure i am doing what i should be doing...i still think he needs to continue to work on his hitting skills....it sure could not hurt...i worry he is gonna get lazy...that sounds crazy but i worry

quote:

i worry he is gonna get lazy...that sounds crazy but i worry

No offense but if this is a real worry then you have to ask the question "does HE really want it then?" If he wants to be a hitter then he needs to do everything in his power to prepare himself for when he gets a chance to hit again. He needs to talk to the coach and respectfully / privatelly about what he wants but make sure he tells the coach that he will do whatever the team needs.

I think YGD is right in that you need to stay out of it unless he comes to you for advice. He's still young and needs guidance but he doesn't need pressure (for lack of a better word). Tell him that if he wants it then he keeps at it. It's mostly in his hands now and that's the way sports are - it's never truly in the player's hands completely. Someone else is going to make out the line up but the player can control their performance and effort which may influence the lineup.

Pretty common at D1 than JUCO.

Other notes (and feedback):
- a freshman LHP and former 1b
(Is he not fast enough to compete in the Of)

- throws mid 70's but has some nasty stuff
(a throw to contact crafy lefty)

- not alot of velocity
(May become a lefty one on one out of bullpen)
(May also be a drop down candidate)

- an uncanny ability to get batters out
(In HS maybe, unproven at college, yet
12 Ks in 14 innngs in the fall is a good thing))

- should he keep on taking bp
(Yes)
(Most college pitchers assigned to bullpen, do not take bp
but then, he should inquire, there are exceptions).
(1b from left side typically are bombers or high avg guys (i.e. .350+)

- attending a very competitive junior college
(For that NCJAA region, Hutchinson CC seems to be the team to get thru to advance)

Good Luck and chill

It might be hard to get BP with the team. At my son's JUCO I'm pretty sure the pitchers don't take BP. He might have to do it on his own with other pitchers.

quote:

i am just uncomfortable with the assignment of pitcher only...

this may sound harsh but here goes

at some time you have to let it go. I think college is about time. Coaches at the college level are not concerned about what parents are comfortable with.

bear thanks for the input....actually he is a really good outfielder...not near as fast as what they have for outfielders but reacts well and tracks well..definetly a crafty lefty...gets strike outs on pitches you wonder why the batter swong at that?...not sure what a drop down is but they do use him as a closer out of the bullpen pretty regularly...i realize he is unproven with only 20 college games under his belt and it is the fall but he still is getting the job done...and yes he does pitch to contact..lots of slow rolling ground balls and infield pop flies...every now and than some will hit a single in the gap...but he has a great defense behind him...the baseball program has an indoor facility that all the players have access to...anytime they want to use it...it is very nice...so it is a matter of him finding a spot in his schedule and a teamate to hit with...the juco he attends is in the western side of the jayhawk confrence...and its not hutch.

coach...i have stayed out of his baseball business since he was oh high school age...i am looking to guide and offer suggestions and want to be sure in the suggestions i offer..he is still only an 18 year old kid and we are both in a situation we have never experienced..thus my posting here for the input of those that have been there...i have received lots of great advice from the posters here over the last 5 years...who better to ask?

here is something else i have been wondering about...summer ball..he has several invitations to play...if the opportunity presents itsself does he continue to play first or pitch?...wow and i thought it got easier once they made it to college

If you want to get involved, suggest that he work harder at becoming a better pitcher. Time to start working on developing more velocity so when he is ready he will have interest at the 4 year level.
JMO

tpm
i am confident that is already taking place...he is working hard at making that happen

osage


He is not in HS anymore---let go---his coaches are doing what is best for him and THE TEAM---apparently his pitching is what the coach wants and he is giving them positivew results

The coaches have made the decision on what he is going to be at his school. A situational lefty. He needs to continue to work hard at what he is asked to do and embrace his role on the team. If he likes to hit them by all means he can continue to work on his hitting.

He will continue to be better suited as a situational lefty because of his lack of velo. He is getting pop up's and slow rollers because he throws in the 70's. Guys struggle against that the first time around in an order. After that they usually make the adjustment and its lights out.

If he plans on coming back to this same school next year he needs to continue to do in the summer what he is going to be asked to do next season. So he needs to get on a summer team where he can pitch. I agree with all the posters that say just chill out and let him do his thing. And when he starts to get bummed about not getting to hit tell him to look in the dug out and take a look at all the guys that never see the field period. Good luck

By looking at his numbers I'd say it looks like the coach got it right!!! GC right? Great program, don't worry about him getting lazy... they know what the heck they're doing.

Personally, I'd say he is a better commodity as a lefty pitching unless he is plus plus power as a 1b guy. He'll be a 'rollover' lefty and if he gets in at innings at juco he'll get plenty of looks from several 4-year (for those who don't know there are a lot of 4 year opportunities in Kansas)

hang in there Osage... if they like him on the mound he will grow into the role ... good luck

thanks again fellas for all the input...just a concerned dad that wants the best for his son...i know how hard he has worked for it!...i am working on letting go and just enjoying the ride...be patient with me fellas this is my first goround!...yes skipper he is at gc and loving it...he thinks he is living in a big city!..lol...excellent grades...4.0 at this point i really could'nt ask for more...the input i am getting is helping me put this all into perspective...thanks