Parents of pitchers

Justbaseball,
Not only is it a FRATERNITY, but a MATERNITY as well! This mom tends to lose weight during bb season!
While some pitchers parents sit behind the backstop, we tend to sit where he can not see us, and sometimes where we cannot see him..
Heard ED got some innings in, but do not know the details.

Just...now this is a funny thread. Wifey keeps a book, helps with her nerves or PMS (Pitchers Mom Syndrome). Me, I pace. All over the place. Pitchers duels are painful, because our defense is so suspect. Root like heck for our hitters to get enough runs to compensate for their errors. Our son starts the first game of the week, so we know when he will pitch. The nerves begin the morning of the game. We are just three weeks away from the opening of the season, and I can't wait. His junior year is a big one, and hopefully things will work out. Eric is doing fantastic this year, congratulations, and as parents of a pitcher, we are extremely happy for him and your family. Good things happen to good people. Can't wait to see him pitch in Omaha!

It is funny when I watch a game I could always spot the pitchers parents. They are the ones looking over my shoulder at the radar gun, pacing around, or just sitting with an uneasy look to them.

When do you feel relaxed?

I saw Ohbaseball's son throw a No-Hitter in October and win 15-1 in 5 innings. In the top of the first his offense spotted him 6 runs, yet in the bottom of the first his mom was nervous as can be. It was too funny!

Evan has a bright future so there will be many more years of fighting that dreaded PMS (Pitchers Mom's Syndrome-as you call it) ahead. Relax.....he will be fine!

I went to the Fullerton/Stanford games on Friday and Saturday. They were both well pitched games. It was good seeing Erik in the Stanford uniform. I wish him luck this year and beyond.

Trombly, you ask, "when do you feel relaxed". I hate to admit this, but when it's over and he's had a good outing. Then the gnashing of the teeth stops!
I like it when someone comes in to close, because than I can actually watch the rest of the game and breathe at the same time. Now, that's just ridiculous isn't it!

amom,
That is funny!

It sounds like there needs to be a support group for parents of pitchers (PPA-Pitchers Parents Annonymous)...

"Hi, my name is Bob and I am a Pitchers Parent."

Come on everyone...
"Hi Bob."

Relax?

How about this- I actually have myself talked into (maybe deluded is a better word) believing that college won't be as stressful as highschool!

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Originally posted by amom:
How about this- I actually have myself talked into (maybe deluded is a better word) believing that college won't be as stressful as highschool!

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My son's college roommate was a pitcher. His parents had similar thoughts. That lasted until the first pitching assignments were announced.

....exactly what I'm afraid of...

I don't relax until the next day when I find out how his arm has recovered. All through his life it's never been a problem, but until he says "my arm feels good" and moves on, I'm still nervous. The game is a small part of the big picture. I'm happy and proud when he has a goood game. I'm elated and relieved when he comes out healthy and is able to continue the pursuit of his dream.

I guess that's kind of strange. But pitching is a different sport within the sport. You might touch the ball 100 times a game, and thats 100 times you have to have complete focus and intensity to do battle 1x1. That doesn't happen at to many other positions. That's not putting the pitcher above any other. It's just a side issue that a pitchers parent always has in the back of their mind.

My wife won't watch my 14 year old pitch, weird she doesn't mind watching the other two. Justbaseball and I had a chance to meet. It was a great series.

Because I am coaching I don't really get nervous, I am thinking about too much. I guess that will change when I give him to another coach. Then I will get to pace and fret, Looking forward to that.

“Pitcher only parents” will disagree with me but...being the parent of a pitcher/catcher/infielder I personally think being the parent of a catcher is more stressful. The pitcher is actually one player of a platoon of players that are selected to pitch on a given day to the opposing team. If a starting pitcher fails to control the opposing bats, there are other players waiting in the wings to assume that responsibility. The starting pitcher in my opinion is one of the least stressful positions on the field. The closer’s job is more defined and to me is more emotion packed. The catcher (and his parents), on the other hand, are in the hot seat and the most stressful because he stands alone between the runner on third and allowing that run to score and possibly losing the game.
AMOM wrote:

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How about this- I actually have myself talked into (maybe deluded is a better word) believing that college won't be as stressful as highschool!

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I actually agree with you because individual pitchers are not expected to single handedly carry the pitching load, because the college level pitching rosters are greater in number and more qualified.
Just my opinion,
Fungo

Mine pitches on occasion as well, but as it isn't his bread and butter position, I can't really claim membership in your ranks. However.....

I gotta stick up for My Guys.

Touches the ball 100 times a game (how about more?) The breathing doesn't restart until the next day when the arm's OK? (how about the knees as well as the arm....and anybody who has been in the Chat with me lately will know of recent concerns with more intimate portions of his anatomy )

As any other position player, the catcher gets noticed for a great play....or a mistake. But throughout every pitch of every defensive inning, he's the "other half" of your son. His skills can dictate what your son can throw and when he can throw it. I'd go on and on here, but I'd have to take a lot of schtick from H3 !

So, if ya'll are that nervous, I'll recommend an activity: seek out the catcher's parents, show solidarity, maybe even pass along thanks for his work and support. The positive vibe just might help the whole Zen of the game!

PS -- Just saw that we were typing pretty much at the same time, Fungo. Well said.

I posted this on another thread last week, but it is relevant here so I copied it below:


These are some great stories!

As reading them, I too thought "I'm glad my son is not a pitcher." (Or, more accurately, glad he's not going to be a pitcher. He pitches regularly like most strong armed kids, and has put me through the paces many times nervous in the dugout or stands.)

But then I remembered: it's pretty tough on catchers too!

Remember the ALCS game Red Sox vs Yankees when Wakefield was throwing dancing knucklers that Varitek could hardly get a glove on? Ninth inning, Varitek let the tying run on with a missed third strike, then passed-balled him all the way to third.

One more miss and its a tie game, the curse probably survives and Varitek lives on in Buckner infamy.

What do you think HIS parents were doing?

When he squeezed that third strike, I remember squeezing it with him, right on my couch.

As a catcher's dad, I felt he appreciated the help.

Fungo and Orlando,
I hear what you are saying loud and clear! I always think of the catcher as the"unsung hero" of the game. My son used to be a catcher and , as a parent you are acutely aware of all the decisions they have to make on the spur of the moment, and then have the skill to execute them! (gotta have "the smarts" and the goods)
I know a good catcher can take a lot of pressure away from the pitcher, and make him look good, even when he shouldn't!
Fungo- good points. Maybe that's why I'm not as nervous- the talent out there is all college level, from the catching to the fielding and the hitting- buys a pitcher a lot of breathing room and confidance.
That being said-I don't think I'll ever be able to relax and be cool and calm. That's why my husband and kids keep inching down the bleachers to sit with people who are more Fun!

Good topic.

I can't identify with Fungo and the catching aspect, but he is right on about the starter vs reliever.

I was 10 times more nervous listening to him trying to close out a game at the Cape than any start he had during the college season. Starter's can get away with a lot more than a reliever can. Not to say I'm not nervous when he starts... When anyone asks where I am when Josh is pitching the standard reply is he's the one over there by himself pacing back and forth.

by Orlando -

"the catcher - - - throughout every pitch of every defensive inning, he's the "other half" of (the pitcher) your son."

you'll have to break it to my wife that she's had it backwards all this time - lol


Fungo - check a PM

Fungo,
I agree with you.
However, as a starting pitcher's parent, I think we are so nervous because we know they only get one shot in a game played every 4 or 5 days. If he messes up, you know you have to wait awhile 'til the next you see him on the mound!
The more confident the catcher, the more confident the pitcher.

It wasn't my intent to put one position over another.

The catcher is the overall leader on the field, he see's things from an offensive perspective, directs defensive traffic, has balls thrown at him all the time, and gets real dirty. I doff my hat

However, many times I think catchers and catchers parents feel that the pitcher gets to much credit and sub-consciously holds that against them, and bottom line they may be right. But, you ask any pitcher who they hold in the highest regard on the team and the catchers name is usually listed first.

Maybe I'm wrong but that is the feeling I've gotten throughout the years.

rz1,
My son holds his catchers in high esteem and we as parents always make an effort to thank the catchers parents when our son "looks" good. And we even manage to thank them when they both had an "off" day.
My son has had two summer league catchers that had a tremendous impact on his game. One is For the Fun of It's son who plays for FAU and the other who plays for UF. He misses them both!

As the parent of a high school pitcher I really don't get too nervous when he pitches. I played alot of baseball and I realize that there is nothing I can do from the other side of the backstop to help him. I really enjoy seeing him pitch - especially those games where he hits well too.

Now, I will tell you when I do feel nervous - when he plays quarterback on the football team. I never played that position so I can't relate to it. And I constantly worry about his physical health and have held my breath many times when he has had to peel himself off the turf. It is hard to remain calm when you have to watch 250 boys trying to annilehate your son and make him hurt. Not to mention when the team is playing on the road and the opposing fans applaud loudly whenever he makes a mistake or gets planted. Now THAT's hard to watch.

I'll take pitching any day.

I too have PMS (Pitchers Mother Syndrome). I hold my breath with each pitch, say a little prayer and hope for the best possible game. I have total faith in my son and his pitching. Now my hubby on the other hand, paces, talks to himself and is the one standing behind the radar guns. Drives EVERYONE crazy. Especially my son.

I'm one who chooses to stand well down the 1st baseline fence...well out of my son's line of sight. Fortunately, that fence in Chapel Hill is only about 5' tall; so, it offers an unobstructed view of the game.

When I find some special way to reduce my anxiety, you all will be among the first hear.

P.S. Don't hold your breath!

P.S.S. I invite any visiting HSBaseballWeber to come say "hello" if you're there.

I've met Prepster down the first base fence line many times.... As for myself, I will do anything except sit. But I prefer to pace. I try to keep my hands busy, so I will frequently keep a book. When I don't have a book, I snack constantly..... I need to find a replacement for sun-flower seeds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a pitchers parent I know I can be a Royal Pain for my son. I start stressing out in November. When his coach tells him he's the teams Number 1 starter, I'm trying not to jump on him about imperfections in his mechanics. When the coach says he looked great in the outfield all I can think about is the one hit that a good dive might have caught. When he hits a hard grounder for a single, all I seem to remember is that he rolled his wrist on the swing.

I drive a race car for a team that has competed for National Championships on TV in front of 50,000 fans in the stands, yet I am way more stressed out when he's on that mound. The reason is I have no control over the situation.

This may not be politically correct, however, I have found that one single beer before the game can be just enough to take the edge off and allow me to enjoy the game a bit more.

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This may not be politically correct, however, I have found that one single beer before the game can be just enough to take the edge off and allow me to enjoy the game a bit more.

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That's why the Good Lord created styrofoam cups.

This is really right up my alley....my son pitches, and I can't watch...oh I am at the game and I do watch our teams' offensive half of the inning, but when my son gets out on the mound, I sit in my chair and I look down at the ground, and I listen...I listen to hear the umpire's call - ball or strike...I can't help it...many of the parents will walk by me and let me know I'm missing a good game...I actually watched an entire game my son pitched without seeing him pitch one pitch...After the game, in the car on the way home, he talked about never having faced a team with seven left hand batters in the line-up...I didn't even know!!!!! Because I wasn't watching, I was listening...I hope next year when he is in college I can out grow this...but I can't help it...its a sickness...but, I have heard a lot of good games that he has pitched (ha ha)

Yesterday, my son came home from practice and told me that the team had watched the video tape of his pitching debut. The coaches graded him out and gave him a rating.

Let's just say while I was watching him, during the game, I saw many more flaws then they did.

But apparently, that's what nervousness does to you.

I can empathize with catcher's parents, being a former catcher and a coach who is usually connected with the catchers. My son is now just a pitcher, though.

Catchers have enormous amounts of responsibilities and expectations placed upon them, but pitchers are held accountable and removed from the game if the opposition is scoring too many runs.

Prepster, good to hear from you again - - wishing y'all & Robert a great season

TPM, BeeMom just believes that pitchers are needed so the catcher has someone to throw the ball back to - lol

I've also had the priviedge and pleasure in college baseball, of meeting some "pitcher parents" who were just great fans and focused on other players on the team during the game more so than their own - - truely great folks to be around

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some "pitcher parents" who were just great fans and focused on other players on the team during the game more so than their own -

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For the parents of starting pitchers, we better be able to focus on other players ... ours are only out there once every 5-7 days whereas the regular starting line-up is in every inning of every game.

As far as catchers and an appreciation for them ... I believe that they can make or break a game depending on their ability to lead. My son loves being part of a "battery" on the scoresheet ... he uses his right hand to pitch and considers his catcher his "right arm" !!!

TigerPawMom:
I wish I lost weight watching my kid pitch, I seem to be putting it on (maybe it's those peanut M&Ms that I shove in my mouth)

Just Baseball: We hear Erik is doing well!!! Wish we were there at Sunken Diamond, too!
Go Cardinal!

Thats a great point about the catchers by all. I was a catcher and thoroughly enjoyed it...and when my sons have played catcher, I have not found myself as nervous...maybe because I played it.

But there is NO doubt whatsoever that a pitcher cannot be at his best without good work by the catcher. Yes, they have my utmost respect.

lhpmom - Less than a year away before yours is there too! YAHOO!

Hopefully we can meet in Omaha this year!!!
In the meantime, make sure you eat some of those yummy garlic fries for us!!!

I love this thread and am particularly glad that the catcher role has been highlighted, too. I have always thought that my son pitches much better when he had a catcher that understands his strengths and limitations, is able to act as the leader on the field, call smart pitches, manage the psyche of the pitcher, and (perhaps most important of all) be a great 'framer' .
In my opinion, a good #2 is equally if not more important than a good #1.

Blue,
Your avatar is KILLING me!

The pitcher-catcher relationship does go both ways. A good pitcher can make a catcher's job real easy.

Actually, grateful, a bad pitcher can make it even easier....the ball never gets to him .