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Thoughts

L lodi14100+ posts
My son has been a catcher since he was a 10yo. Starting catcher on Varsity since he was a Freshman (2013) Starting catcher every game of his HS careear to date.His summer coach(reds birddog)has been having him pitch his past summer and he will be in the rotation this fall. Told me at tryouts for next years summer team that he will not catch a whole lot next year as he thinks that he will be recruited as a pitcher. Son is like every other kid and wants to pitch.His concern is having the bat taken out of his hands as he has always been a hitter 1st. With 17U season being the primary recruiting time for him , I am a little concerned for him recruiting wise as he only started pitching this summer and is definatley not as developed as a pitcher yet? Your thoughts?
"Winners practice until they can"t get it right anymore.-Champions practice until they can't get it wrong anymore"
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jemazjemaz1,000+ posts
Depending on his velocity and effectiveness on the mound and depending on his talent behind the plate and an upfront assessment of his hitting capabilities, I would think very seriously about finding another summer team while there is still time to do it the right way both for your son and for the team.
justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
True, but then again maybe the coach is right?

What is his size? How about velocity?

Can you get him to a college camp and get their opinion? Do you know a scout in the area?

Your question is a good one heading into an important evaluation and recruiting time. We can't really answer the question on here. I think you need a baseball-wise, honest 3rd person who can see him in person to give an evaluation.
Last edited by justbaseball
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
I know a lot of catchers that due to their arm strength and accuracy have become pitchers.

Reality is the coach probably has a better catcher who can hit better. And reality is that your son may be better on the mound than behind the dish.

You don't have to be developed as a pitcher to get a coach to want or need you on his staff. I know players that were converted to pitchers and done well for themselves.

Who is more upset over this, you or him? He seems to want to do it, let him, get his soem good instruction, all will work out, there are a lot more spots open for pitchers than catchers in college baseball.
YoungGunDadYoungGunDadHSBaseballWeb member since 2005
My take on it is this....

You seem to have a long history on this team with some probably long friendships and respect for the coaches. I can appreciate loyalty like that.

The coach just may see something in your son. If he's a proven coach and has success at putting kids at the next level then I would most likely be open to his suggestion. IMO

Good luck.
PU Pop Up Hitter dad1,000+ posts
Hello Lodi, your post is the opposite of what happened to our son. Was doing well pitching for his summer team, but summer coach decided he was more valuable as a catcher (he was a catcher at that time). If you want your son to be drafted, his chances are greater as a pitcher, maybe that is why your son's coach is pointing him in that direction. Catchers have to do it all, keep their pitchers in the game, block, call the game and be able to throw out runners.

Do keep us posted on this issue and how your son is doing.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
lodi,
Someone suggested that your son's chances of getting drafted are better if he were a pitcher, that is not necessarily true and that should not even be a consideration at this point but rather how to attract a college coach's interest.

If your son wants to become a better pitcher working with this team, let him do what he wants to do. Most players have a tendency to know what's best for them, not what we parents think.

Enjoy the ride!
Last edited by TPM
L lodi14100+ posts
Thanks everyone for your posts.I look forward to watching him develop as a pitcher as I watched him develop as a catcher.He is not your prototypical frame as a catcher.He is 6'2" and finally hit 170 .Certainley he has a pitcher's frame or what is currently a pitcher's frame but to me it was a real pleasure to watch him as a reciever and call a game.A good catcher is as good as any indiviual pitcher on any team IMO.
Just trying to make sense of these changes within myself. I know pitchers are the most sought after for the recruiters but I'm going to miss watching his butt sit in the dirt.
PU Pop Up Hitter dad1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by lodi14:
A good catcher is as good as any indivdual pitcher on any team IMO.
Just trying to make sense of these changes within myself. I know pitchers are the most sought after for the recruiters but I'm going to miss watching his butt sit in the dirt.


Lodi, I agree and my greatest pleasure is watching my son make his pitcher smile as they walk off the mound together. The earlier poster was correct, work towards getting on a good college team first. Players who are draft material tend to get better offers if your son has a commitment in hand. You can't beat a subsidized education.

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