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11 replies

Pitch counts

obradyobrady500+ posts
I thought I'd take an existing discussion in a new direction!

It seems to me that 140 pitches is becoming more and more common for high school and college. I understand that college coaches "have to" win in order to keep their jobs. They ride the hot guy as long as they can.

What worries me is that I see it more and more in high school, and the comments I hear are like; his arm doesn't hurt!

I understand why the professional leagues don't do it, they have an investment in a guy's arm to see that he can contribute to the team for the long term.

The question; how do we make sure that coaches keep the kid's future in mind? I know most of the kids in high school will never play college ball much less pro, but they will still need an arm to play softball!

Anyone know of college coaches who seem to have the kids over all well being in mind, not just win so I can keep my job?
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N NYdad500+ posts
IMO most H.S. coaches are concerned with WINS to feed their programs and egos and the kids arm and future are secondary.

Facts from personal experiences - last years spring trip first time on the hill for the kid and he goes 140+ pitches. Back from trip first start for school in sub 40 deg temps and coach lets my son go 120+ pitches. Should I mention the one 7 day span where son had two starts plus a relief appearance totalling 270+ pitches.
pull_hair
MTHMTH10,000+ posts
Last Friday night, 3/3, my 16 y/o H.S. Soph. pitches 7 innings, 129 pitches (+ another 11 pickoff attempts) in 40-45 degree weather. This was his first start of the year. He had made a couple of relief appearances, but never more than 60-70 pitches.

I expressed my concern to the head coach before I left the field. Not sure how coherent I was because I was pretty upset.

When my son got home the first thing he told me was that it was "his call" to start the last inning with 100+ pitches under his belt. Suffice it to say this makes me even MORE concerned.

Some days I wish he was just a position player.
goMOgoMO100+ posts
I really hate to hear this kinda stuff. We had a pitcher who did the same thing last year as a junior. he's now recovering from TJ surgery...

I would tell my kids that after 90 pitches (less early in the season or cold weather) to tell their coach that their arm is starting to hurt. Maybe then the coach will take them out.

If it were my kid, I would have a little chat with the coach. If my kid is that good, then I'd have leverage. I wouldn't let a greedy win-at-all-costs coach ruin my kid's future...
B baseballtoday100+ posts
His status will be injured if you dont address it. I didnt let my son pitch last year for the HS team because the coach overuses pitchers. He still signed as a pitcher for a Pac 10 team. yu ruin a pitchers arm and his career could be over. You have every right to be concerned and to be proactive.

quote:
Originally posted by Hakko936:
Overuse is my worst fear as the father of a pitcher. I have no idea how to address it with the coach if it happens. (The only reason I have no idea is because I don't want to impact his status on the team.)
Last edited by baseballtoday

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