my son is on the jv team, starting pitcher how many pitches should he throw in a start?
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Alot to be considered, but generally we set a pitch count of 70 early in the season, 75 mid way and up to 80 max at the end of the season. We try to use 2 pitchers every game regardless, some times three so they all get work.
As i said, alot of things depend on this.
Good Luck!
As i said, alot of things depend on this.
Good Luck!
I know a pitcher that is 12 and on a varsity team. He's one heck of a player and this past Saturday he pitched 114 pitches in one game. Uncalled for and careless, IMO. I don't know if the coach knew that he did pitch that many or if he even cared. The team only has 4 starting pitchers. This kid would make 5. The team also has two more players that have pitched before but are relied upon in the field.
And to top it off, he pitched the same boy again last night. Not sure if he pitched the whole game or not, but after pitching so many on Saturday, the kid should have been kept out of the rotation. I don't think his parents are aware that he has pitched that much.
My question is, would you take it up with the parent's first or the coach? The coach does hate to be told that he has done something wrong or made a mistake. I'd hate to see this kid have his arm destroyed because of a coach that doesn't pay attention to the pitch count.
And to answer the question, who keeps the official book? It is usually a jv player not a coach.
And to top it off, he pitched the same boy again last night. Not sure if he pitched the whole game or not, but after pitching so many on Saturday, the kid should have been kept out of the rotation. I don't think his parents are aware that he has pitched that much.
My question is, would you take it up with the parent's first or the coach? The coach does hate to be told that he has done something wrong or made a mistake. I'd hate to see this kid have his arm destroyed because of a coach that doesn't pay attention to the pitch count.
And to answer the question, who keeps the official book? It is usually a jv player not a coach.
Starzz has given solid advice. Go with it.
tasmit ...
That is interesting. I am pretty sure in California, where the CIF governs high school sports, there is an age limit as to when a player is eligible to play varsity ... at least I remember something about that for the "Southern Section" of CIF which governs the area where our son played. (Each section can have some rules which differ from the other sections.) So we would never have a 12 year old in that position. I agree that Starzz suggestions are good and they really aren't far off of limits that might be set in programs like Little League and Pony for a player that age.
That is interesting. I am pretty sure in California, where the CIF governs high school sports, there is an age limit as to when a player is eligible to play varsity ... at least I remember something about that for the "Southern Section" of CIF which governs the area where our son played. (Each section can have some rules which differ from the other sections.) So we would never have a 12 year old in that position. I agree that Starzz suggestions are good and they really aren't far off of limits that might be set in programs like Little League and Pony for a player that age.
FutureBackMom,
I do not know of any rules of age limits here in Kentucky. I will check into that. I agree with Starzz on a pitcher of that age.
Still, the coach should no better. He's been coaching for more than 20 years.
I do not know of any rules of age limits here in Kentucky. I will check into that. I agree with Starzz on a pitcher of that age.
Still, the coach should no better. He's been coaching for more than 20 years.
quote:Originally posted by tasmit:
FutureBackMom,
I do not know of any rules of age limits here in Kentucky. I will check into that. I agree with Starzz on a pitcher of that age.
Still, the coach should know better. He's been coaching for more than 20 years.
Tas - IMO this is a question about abuse of a player. The coach is jeopardizing this kid's health and future. If he would do it with the 12 yr old, he's probably doing it with the 17 yr old as well.
In KY, middle schoolers are allowed to try out and play for the high school. You don't see many of them on varsity (in the Lexington area), but occasionally one does. A 12 yr old would be in 6th grade!! So while I don't think a 12 yr old should be on varsity, it's allowed.
Our #1 threw more pitches last night than he normally does - usually goes 7. So, he came out after 5. You don't risk the kid's arm if he's your number 1 or number 5. That 12 yr old will probably not make it to play as a junior and senior.
I would discuss with his parents and let them make the decision as to how to handle it. I would remind them that he has many, many years ahead that will be meaningful ones that the kid doesn't want to miss out on.
In KY, middle schoolers are allowed to try out and play for the high school. You don't see many of them on varsity (in the Lexington area), but occasionally one does. A 12 yr old would be in 6th grade!! So while I don't think a 12 yr old should be on varsity, it's allowed.
Our #1 threw more pitches last night than he normally does - usually goes 7. So, he came out after 5. You don't risk the kid's arm if he's your number 1 or number 5. That 12 yr old will probably not make it to play as a junior and senior.
I would discuss with his parents and let them make the decision as to how to handle it. I would remind them that he has many, many years ahead that will be meaningful ones that the kid doesn't want to miss out on.
Just got back from a ballgame. Don't ask. 
Thanks for the advice Lafmom. I was thinking the same thing. I'd hate to see this kid's arm injured. He's a good kid and a very good player. I'll speak to his father about it and see what happens.
Thanks for the advice Lafmom. I was thinking the same thing. I'd hate to see this kid's arm injured. He's a good kid and a very good player. I'll speak to his father about it and see what happens.
same thing happened to me when i was 12 years old. We were in bronco and had playoffs and we played our first round on
sat.-i pitched 5 innings
mon.- 4 innings
tues.- 4 innings
championship (Thurs.)- 5 innings
coincidentally, after the tournement i felt aching pains in my elbow and had to miss out on 2-3 tournements and that was probably the hardest thing in my whole life to do...to sit on the bench and watch my teammates play.
sat.-i pitched 5 innings
mon.- 4 innings
tues.- 4 innings
championship (Thurs.)- 5 innings
coincidentally, after the tournement i felt aching pains in my elbow and had to miss out on 2-3 tournements and that was probably the hardest thing in my whole life to do...to sit on the bench and watch my teammates play.
reeserjames,
My son is just a few years ahead of yours (college freshman RHP). We learned during his HS years that it is not only important how many pitches he throws per start, but also the amount of rest time he has between pitching performances. The suggestions above seem correct to me, about 70-80 pitches max. per start for the younger pitchers, gradually increasing to 90 or so in the Junior and Senior years of HS. This will also depend on the pitcher's mechanics, level of conditioning, weather conditions, etc. But as important as number of pitches is, it is probably even more important to get proper rest for the arm between starts. My son did not throw at all the day after a 70 to 100 pitch game, instead ran right after the game and again the next day. He threw lightly the second day, and moderately on other days between starts. But getting to the rest intervals: Allow at least 1 hour of time between pitching appearances for every game pitch thrown. So 20 to 25 relief pitches thrown in a game equals 1 day of rest (could theoretically pitch again the next day if everything felt fine), while 100 game pitches thrown on a Tuesday means the earliest that pitcher should pitch again is 4 days later, on Saturday. But my son's arm felt healthiest by adding 1 day of rest to those recommendations. And most of all, your son should listen to his body - if his arm feels like it has had enough, it probably has, and if he ignores the warning feelings, he will probably end up with gradual long term damage.
My son is just a few years ahead of yours (college freshman RHP). We learned during his HS years that it is not only important how many pitches he throws per start, but also the amount of rest time he has between pitching performances. The suggestions above seem correct to me, about 70-80 pitches max. per start for the younger pitchers, gradually increasing to 90 or so in the Junior and Senior years of HS. This will also depend on the pitcher's mechanics, level of conditioning, weather conditions, etc. But as important as number of pitches is, it is probably even more important to get proper rest for the arm between starts. My son did not throw at all the day after a 70 to 100 pitch game, instead ran right after the game and again the next day. He threw lightly the second day, and moderately on other days between starts. But getting to the rest intervals: Allow at least 1 hour of time between pitching appearances for every game pitch thrown. So 20 to 25 relief pitches thrown in a game equals 1 day of rest (could theoretically pitch again the next day if everything felt fine), while 100 game pitches thrown on a Tuesday means the earliest that pitcher should pitch again is 4 days later, on Saturday. But my son's arm felt healthiest by adding 1 day of rest to those recommendations. And most of all, your son should listen to his body - if his arm feels like it has had enough, it probably has, and if he ignores the warning feelings, he will probably end up with gradual long term damage.