Parents of pitchers

What's really fun is when you have a pitcher & catcher that are so in tune with each other, and both share some game-smarts on pitch selection, that the coach just let's them call their own game.

I recognize some coaches don't allow that ... and sometimes either the pitcher or the catcher may not have a good eye for how to pitch to a given batter. But when you get that magic combo, and the coach just has confidence in them, it's fun to sit back and watch them work together.

I know my son certainly changes his approach based upon who is catching him. He has definite preferences on favorite catchers on both his club and HS team where he's in line with their thinking, and he's confident they can stay in front of his breaking pitches. It gives him the ability to expand his zone a bit and work his spots. He's more relaxed with someone solid and smart receiving him. There's catchers where he won't even blink throwing a full-count curve with a runner on 3B ... and others where he (or the coach) won't take that risk.

Oh yeah, the parent thing ... I've learned to just sit and watch quietly, walk around and shoot my still camera if I'm nervous. My wife can't even handle a suspense/thriller on TV, so she's doing contortions in her chair. A few years ago, my son was also a club-level goalkeeper on a s-o-c-c-e-r team ... some games he'd have to handle 25+ shots-on-goal a game. My wife would be hiding her head. He just comes off the field wanting to know what's for dinner .

My son is more of a natural catcher but he pitches as well. I have seen him have off games at catcher but it never seems to bad. I have seen him have off games as a pitcher and IT WAS REAL BAD. As a catchers parent I side with the PMS folks.

FutureBackMom said, "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." Since my pitcher is a college freshman, he's expected to pitch a few spots down in the rotation, so I am looking forward to just watching his teammates and cheering for the team for a few games. Then when it comes to his turn on the mound I'll develop amnesia and not even recognize the kid - just keep cheering for the team, with no thought of who is on the mound. It could work, right?

By the way, YAY for catchers - my son definitely pitches his best when he has a skilled and knowledgeable catcher, and he appreciates it a bunch.

Sure, MN-Mom, and don't forget that the Easter Bunny will be dropping by in just a few weeks... He will be just fine

quote:

with no thought of who is on the mound. It could work, right?

Yeah, right ... now, do you want to buy some swamp land?

A and MA,

Easter Bunny and swamp land . . . sure, it ALL sounds true to me!!!

P.S. I WAS starting to believe my own theory.

I have 2 pitchers, a HS senior and a D1 frosh. Yes, it's nerve racking but exhilarating to watch them. I love to get as close to behind the backstop as possible so I can experience each pitch location/spin, etc. I usually track each pitch, which they like to study after an outing.

I feel very fortunate to have the games revolve around how my guys perform.