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I think every kid is diffent. Most importantly, if he commits to being only a pitcher he has to be totally focused on that, and not be in the situation where he gives up other things, other baseball duties, or other sports which he may enjoy. My son is going to pitch next year at a D1 school. He pitches from the end of February to the (at least last year) begining of August. He then played football, then basketball and even now in his senior year he plays other positions on his pitching days off. He probably would have been a better pitcher if he had given up all the other sports, and concentrated all year long on pitching, but he would have been unhappy. High School only happens once, now he knows after this season it will be pitching all week long, all year long, and he is ready for that...but he was not ready at age 15, or 16 or this year at age 17....I thought maybe he should concentrate on pitching starting this year, his senior year, but I got some advice from someone who told me "they are only kids for a little while, let him play whatever he wants to play." I think his senior year, and previous years, were more enjoyable because he competed at something all year long. Too much of one thing can cause many young kids to lose interest.
Depends entirely on the player.
Our son knew early on that his arm was what would get him to the next level, not his bat. He was a good hitter (not great), but only average speed.
He started playing showcase ball and was surrounded by players who's future depended on how they did in the field and at the plate. Knowing he was a "pitcher", he didn't want to take AB's away from a teammate who needed them.
After his soph year in HS, he hung up his bat. This senior year, his HS coach presented him with his own "fungo bat" ... nuff said.
You will find that, as soon as they stop hitting on a regular basis, it will take a long time to get their stroke back. Junior doesn't want to hit anymore. He's got a bit of perfectionist in him. It would take him a year of regular hitting to get his stroke back and he knows it.
Our son knew early on that his arm was what would get him to the next level, not his bat. He was a good hitter (not great), but only average speed.
He started playing showcase ball and was surrounded by players who's future depended on how they did in the field and at the plate. Knowing he was a "pitcher", he didn't want to take AB's away from a teammate who needed them.
After his soph year in HS, he hung up his bat. This senior year, his HS coach presented him with his own "fungo bat" ... nuff said.
You will find that, as soon as they stop hitting on a regular basis, it will take a long time to get their stroke back. Junior doesn't want to hit anymore. He's got a bit of perfectionist in him. It would take him a year of regular hitting to get his stroke back and he knows it.
It is an individual thing
My guy threw upper 80's /lower 90's but hated pitching--he swung the bat well and loved playing CF and srealing bases with his excellent foot speed
His choice--he played major Division I on scholarship so who am I to argue with his decision---by the way he pitched up until his junior HS year
My guy threw upper 80's /lower 90's but hated pitching--he swung the bat well and loved playing CF and srealing bases with his excellent foot speed
His choice--he played major Division I on scholarship so who am I to argue with his decision---by the way he pitched up until his junior HS year
Being a pitcher only has some good points and some bad ones. Good advice so far. A few things to consider...
* Will he have a coach that understands time off if he plays a position also.
* If you go 0-4 as a hitter, you can rebound immediately the next game with a 1-3, 2-4 etc.
* As a pitcher you have 1 opportunity every week for success and it takes a solid understanding to wait a week after a rough outing.
* After a tough outing will he get another shot to lead or will his coach lose confidence. Can he go to a reliever from starter or visa-versa.
* If the situation presents itself and he has good coaching I would let him play and pitch...my son does as a senior and he loves everyday out there being able to lead from both sides...sometimes.
* If he can hit his coach will make the decision easy.
Good Luck!
* Will he have a coach that understands time off if he plays a position also.
* If you go 0-4 as a hitter, you can rebound immediately the next game with a 1-3, 2-4 etc.
* As a pitcher you have 1 opportunity every week for success and it takes a solid understanding to wait a week after a rough outing.
* After a tough outing will he get another shot to lead or will his coach lose confidence. Can he go to a reliever from starter or visa-versa.
* If the situation presents itself and he has good coaching I would let him play and pitch...my son does as a senior and he loves everyday out there being able to lead from both sides...sometimes.
* If he can hit his coach will make the decision easy.
Good Luck!
Being a pitcher does have it's drawbacks, I admit. The biggest for my son was having to hang up the bat. He realized early in HS that he was better than most on the mound, it came very natural to him, he would have to work twice as hard at being a position player. Once he realized that, having to play once or twice a week in rotation was easier to accept, rather than playing every game. He accepted his situation early and concentrated on pitching. He did get an opportunity as a senior to hit and play first base (which most pitchers who hit do). What started as just a maybe from the coach turned into a yes all season. But for him it was the first time in three years he was able to do that. There are not too many players out there that are willing to give up the game everyday. Where we live, if you are a pitcher with potential for the next level, that is all you do, in HS and select summer teams. Once in a while for fun (when your team is way ahead), you may get an at bat for the fun of it.
However, my son realizes now that his choice years ago was the best for him. Being a pitcher he had many opportunities to play at different schools, where his friends that didn't pitch did not. He also always loved the fact that on the day he took the mound he was the one who could have control of the game, he set the pace, his performance could be the difference between a win or a loss. He lives for that feeling, so therefore he has made a good choice. Not everyone can do that.
I believe the decision should be what your son feels most sucessful with and shows a greater talent for. The pluses for developing as a pitcher are more chances to play beyond HS.
Funny though, he thinks his teammates who play position are incredible, and the position players think the pitchers are amazing.
However, my son realizes now that his choice years ago was the best for him. Being a pitcher he had many opportunities to play at different schools, where his friends that didn't pitch did not. He also always loved the fact that on the day he took the mound he was the one who could have control of the game, he set the pace, his performance could be the difference between a win or a loss. He lives for that feeling, so therefore he has made a good choice. Not everyone can do that.
I believe the decision should be what your son feels most sucessful with and shows a greater talent for. The pluses for developing as a pitcher are more chances to play beyond HS.
Funny though, he thinks his teammates who play position are incredible, and the position players think the pitchers are amazing.
Sometimes the decision is made for them.....
My son loves pitching and has known for awhile that he belonged on the mound but he loves the game and wants to play. On his summer team, he is given that opportunity and contributes both offensively and defensively. In HS, from his sophomore year on, he was never even given the option. As a junior last year, during practice, he tried to work out at first when he was done with his pitcher's drills until the coach told him that he was never going to play there so he might as well sit down. He sat down and did not ask to practice there again. He was not allowed to hit even in the batting cages.
He has a new coach this year who isn't quite so harsh but the mold was set and he still does not get to play the field or bat although he is allowed to take batting practice.
He, too, will be playing college ball next year as a pitcher. He knows that he will not do anything beyond that for the team. He had always hoped he could do more in HS since he knew his days of playing in every game and hitting would come to end. In fact, he mentioned that he wants to play this summer just so he can play a fielding position and hit in the line-up one more time.
If you asked him, he would tell you to keep playing wherever you can until you are asked to give it up.
My son loves pitching and has known for awhile that he belonged on the mound but he loves the game and wants to play. On his summer team, he is given that opportunity and contributes both offensively and defensively. In HS, from his sophomore year on, he was never even given the option. As a junior last year, during practice, he tried to work out at first when he was done with his pitcher's drills until the coach told him that he was never going to play there so he might as well sit down. He sat down and did not ask to practice there again. He was not allowed to hit even in the batting cages.
He has a new coach this year who isn't quite so harsh but the mold was set and he still does not get to play the field or bat although he is allowed to take batting practice.
He, too, will be playing college ball next year as a pitcher. He knows that he will not do anything beyond that for the team. He had always hoped he could do more in HS since he knew his days of playing in every game and hitting would come to end. In fact, he mentioned that he wants to play this summer just so he can play a fielding position and hit in the line-up one more time.
If you asked him, he would tell you to keep playing wherever you can until you are asked to give it up.
This couldnt be a more timely question for my son.
This year as a soph, is the first year he is really pitching but he's still in every game at 1B when hes not on the mound. But he calls himself a pitcher, never did that before.
He know his chances of playing everyday after HS are slim and he's just not thinking about it. He's having the time of his life.
Coach told at him the end of last year with 3 senior pitchers leaving he was going to have step up. He told him that after he threw only about 7 scattered innings as a freshman. As a freshman it went something like this, walked 9, hit 8, k'd 7
He added pitching instruction to his routine in January and I can't call him "The heart attack kid" anymore. So far this year he's got 2 complete games wins, 10-hits 12-k's, 4-BB ERA-2.0
He still has miles to go mechanicaly but he has become a pitcher. That being said he won't give up his bat until someone takes it out of his hands. Will it hurt is chances down the road if he doesn't specialize before he finishes high school, maybe...maybe not. For him, right now, not playing every game is unthinkable. Whatever happens, he will be fine.
short video clip here -->> http://www.cigarutopia.com/eric/eric.wmv
crummy quality but...
This year as a soph, is the first year he is really pitching but he's still in every game at 1B when hes not on the mound. But he calls himself a pitcher, never did that before.
He know his chances of playing everyday after HS are slim and he's just not thinking about it. He's having the time of his life.
Coach told at him the end of last year with 3 senior pitchers leaving he was going to have step up. He told him that after he threw only about 7 scattered innings as a freshman. As a freshman it went something like this, walked 9, hit 8, k'd 7
He added pitching instruction to his routine in January and I can't call him "The heart attack kid" anymore. So far this year he's got 2 complete games wins, 10-hits 12-k's, 4-BB ERA-2.0
He still has miles to go mechanicaly but he has become a pitcher. That being said he won't give up his bat until someone takes it out of his hands. Will it hurt is chances down the road if he doesn't specialize before he finishes high school, maybe...maybe not. For him, right now, not playing every game is unthinkable. Whatever happens, he will be fine.
short video clip here -->> http://www.cigarutopia.com/eric/eric.wmv
crummy quality but...
I agree with Blue sky in that in many if not most cases the decsion is made for them due to coaches preconceived notions that pitchers can't hit.
My 04 played at same HS as Blue sky. He was selected team MVP his freshman year as much for a hitting a it was for pitching. New coach came in his soph year and suddenly pitchers don't hit. That coach has since been removed as the coach and the attitude seems to have changed somewhat.
However in the big scheme of things at the college level and beyond it is probably to difficult to do both but it should not be the case in HS. Most pitchers that plan move on past HS know they won't hit amymore but I can assure all of them want to delay that as long as possible.
My 04 played at same HS as Blue sky. He was selected team MVP his freshman year as much for a hitting a it was for pitching. New coach came in his soph year and suddenly pitchers don't hit. That coach has since been removed as the coach and the attitude seems to have changed somewhat.
However in the big scheme of things at the college level and beyond it is probably to difficult to do both but it should not be the case in HS. Most pitchers that plan move on past HS know they won't hit amymore but I can assure all of them want to delay that as long as possible.
I don’t think a player should EVER commit to being a pitcher only. That decision will be made for him at some point. Moving up in a player’s “career” may present some unusual opportunities and the more options a player has, the better off he is. To give you an example of how things can change... let me cut and past a piece from my son’s college website about today‘s game.
Go figure!
Fungo
quote:Last year's Sunday starting pitcher, Josh Bell, figures to be the starting catcher this weekend while Saturday's starting pitcher, Josh Sullivan, was the starting first baseman in last year's Friday night game and the starting catcher in last season's Saturday and Sunday games.
Go figure!
Fungo
Sox fan,
I agree with you as the decision that my son made along with his coaches had a lot to do with safety reasons. Everyone knew he would be a pitcher, and everyone wanted to protect his arm. Of course being the biggest daredevil on the team and always sliding to make plays or onto base furthered the cause.
This decsion didn't come until HS, so for your younger kids, let them play for as long as they can.
So if by chance your son's coach desides to make him a PO, it most likely is because he knows where his future lies and is making a smart decision for your son. The adjustment is hard.
In our case, my son tried to go as long as he could playing as much as he could, but from 10th grade on it was pretty much a sure thing he would be a PO.
While spending lots of time on the bench, he eventually became his teams biggest cheerleader, he spent a lot of time helping the other pitchers. Last summer he spent very limited time on the mound, but a lot of time helping out the younger players, just adding a lot of fun for the team.
I do not necessarily agree with any statements that being a pitcher only limits your chances, not in our particular case anyway.
I agree with you as the decision that my son made along with his coaches had a lot to do with safety reasons. Everyone knew he would be a pitcher, and everyone wanted to protect his arm. Of course being the biggest daredevil on the team and always sliding to make plays or onto base furthered the cause.
This decsion didn't come until HS, so for your younger kids, let them play for as long as they can.So if by chance your son's coach desides to make him a PO, it most likely is because he knows where his future lies and is making a smart decision for your son. The adjustment is hard.
In our case, my son tried to go as long as he could playing as much as he could, but from 10th grade on it was pretty much a sure thing he would be a PO.
While spending lots of time on the bench, he eventually became his teams biggest cheerleader, he spent a lot of time helping the other pitchers. Last summer he spent very limited time on the mound, but a lot of time helping out the younger players, just adding a lot of fun for the team.
I do not necessarily agree with any statements that being a pitcher only limits your chances, not in our particular case anyway.
Texan ...
In our household, it was the year he determined that the older they are, the harder they throw, and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of a 95 mph fastball. Somehow those pitches always seemed to land on his backside, seams and all, and he just didn't like that.
All levity aside, as so many have said, it just depends on the player. Ours was mostly a pitcher only on his varsity team, tho he took a few at-bats his soph and junior years. In Connie Mack, he still played a position ... mostly 3rd, occasionally 1st ... but was not as enamoured with batting as he once was. By college, it was a done deal.
Another thing to remember, I think, is something that his college coach told him during the recruiting process when our son asked if the school ever used a player both ways ... on the mound and at the plate ... since he wasn't quite sure he was ready to hang up the bat. The coach's response was "Yes, but it usually only lasts one year ... after they discover that they have two FULL TIME jobs and can't treat each role as a half time job." Made sense to us and to him.
quote:At what age should a player commit to being a pitcher only?
In our household, it was the year he determined that the older they are, the harder they throw, and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of a 95 mph fastball. Somehow those pitches always seemed to land on his backside, seams and all, and he just didn't like that.
All levity aside, as so many have said, it just depends on the player. Ours was mostly a pitcher only on his varsity team, tho he took a few at-bats his soph and junior years. In Connie Mack, he still played a position ... mostly 3rd, occasionally 1st ... but was not as enamoured with batting as he once was. By college, it was a done deal.
Another thing to remember, I think, is something that his college coach told him during the recruiting process when our son asked if the school ever used a player both ways ... on the mound and at the plate ... since he wasn't quite sure he was ready to hang up the bat. The coach's response was "Yes, but it usually only lasts one year ... after they discover that they have two FULL TIME jobs and can't treat each role as a half time job." Made sense to us and to him.
In our area, the coaches or the team usually make that decision. HS teams are usually not so stacked that they can afford to leave someone on the bench that can hit the ball. On summer teams, they often do separate out the pitchers.
Don't give up too early on either unless you are forced to. My son, early on was seen as just a pitcher. He hardly batted in all stars on teams that did very well. Now he is a soph in HS, splitting time between varsity and JV and is hitting .590. He still pitches, but he now is the top hitter (ave. and power) for the JV team and has hit .500 (6-12, 6 doubles) in his limited play with the varsity. I personally think that his hitting has surpassed his pitching, but not all see it that way. If he had to make the choice right now, he would play everday.
Don't give up too early on either unless you are forced to. My son, early on was seen as just a pitcher. He hardly batted in all stars on teams that did very well. Now he is a soph in HS, splitting time between varsity and JV and is hitting .590. He still pitches, but he now is the top hitter (ave. and power) for the JV team and has hit .500 (6-12, 6 doubles) in his limited play with the varsity. I personally think that his hitting has surpassed his pitching, but not all see it that way. If he had to make the choice right now, he would play everday.
This was so true in son's case with both with his summer & HS teams. He use to be a homerun leader and would never have given up his bat if given the choice. But it was the price he paid choosing to play on very competitive teams which had many good bats to rely on. Son still begs his coach to let him hit in BP whenever he can. Just yesterday he hit a few out in practice ... which accounted for the big "see I told you so" smile on his face when he got home.quote:Sometimes the decision is made for them.....
So, IMO, it is never time for a pitcher to give up his bat voluntarily. The time will come soon enough on its own. 
RHP05, I think that your son may be involved with NCB, which really frowns on pitchers going both ways. My son played with them 1 fall, saw all the pitchers and said that he was a outfielder. I know more then a couple of parents that are unhappy that their kids do not get to hit.
Dooer -
No, not unhappy at all with either team, I guess the post may have sounded that way. Actually, it's just a fact that son's summer and high school teams rarely have their pitchers hit. He could have chosen to play for another summer team or to not play up on varsity as a freshman. Different choices would have kept the bat in his hand longer. But, then he wouldn't have faced the top-level competition as a pitcher! So, he knowingly made the choices that meant laying down his bat. Doesn't mean that he does not miss it!
But looking back his choice has probably made him a better pitcher!
No, not unhappy at all with either team, I guess the post may have sounded that way. Actually, it's just a fact that son's summer and high school teams rarely have their pitchers hit. He could have chosen to play for another summer team or to not play up on varsity as a freshman. Different choices would have kept the bat in his hand longer. But, then he wouldn't have faced the top-level competition as a pitcher! So, he knowingly made the choices that meant laying down his bat. Doesn't mean that he does not miss it!
But looking back his choice has probably made him a better pitcher!
I'll be really honest here. My son did not mind giving up hitting (too much 
) when he became a "pitcher only".
But I sure missed seeing him hit!
He said being a college pitcher is enough and he "regroups" between innings and doesn't want to lose focus of what his main job is.
But it sure was fun watching him get on base...And even more fun taking the HR balls home and dating them with permanent marker!
This is why I cheer from the stands and don't question the intricacies of this game!
) when he became a "pitcher only".But I sure missed seeing him hit!
He said being a college pitcher is enough and he "regroups" between innings and doesn't want to lose focus of what his main job is.
But it sure was fun watching him get on base...And even more fun taking the HR balls home and dating them with permanent marker!
This is why I cheer from the stands and don't question the intricacies of this game!