Two way HS players

JD our starting SS last year was also our #1 pitcher. He was drafted as a RHP last year. Early in the year we play three games a week. Our schedule would be Tues , Thurs , Fri. On these weeks he always pitched on Fridays. This way he was on three days rest before he played SS again. When our conference schedule starts we play Tues , Fri. He always pitched the Friday game in conference so again he was on three days rest before he had to play the field again.

Since he was a pitcher his schedule ie running , band work , bull pen etc was his priority over posistion play work. We understood that pitching was his future and we didnt want to do anything that was going to hinder or hurt his ability to be the best he could be at his #1 posistion.

If for some reason he pitched between games during the week he always played 1B. I do not believe it is right to put a pitcher on less than three days rest in a posistion to make those kind of stressful throws in game situations. Plus they need that time between starts to properly prepare for the next outing.

I pretty much agree with Coach May. Our top three pitchers this coming season all play SS and 3B so we have to really watch what they do.

If our SS pitches on monday then he will not pick up a ball on Tuesday and if we play a game he might DH at most. Wednesday he throws to get loose (or whatever he feels like) and if he's good then he goes back to SS.

I like the fact that two of my top pitchers are 3B because we can alternate them still using the above method.

Regardless our pitchers run A LOT. Our pitchers are in really great shape and we think that helps their arms recover more quickly.

In 8 years we have not had a real arm injury with any pitcher. The biggest thing for success is being in condition.

A 2-way pitcher is better off DH'ing in the 2 days following a start. After that playing a position is okay.

Thanks to all for the feedback.

What (if any) positions other than 1b would you consider to be a good secondary position for a pitcher if he was needed to play the field prior to his three days rest?

OF

I agree with SoutherNo1. The OF is preferable (if not 1B). The problem with an infield position is that often a player utilizes a low-3/4 approach to get the ball across the infield, and that is inconsistent with most pitchers' high-3/4 or even overhand throw from the mound. Sometimes pitchers that go back-and-forth from the mound and the infield change their arm slots! That doesn't seem right to me!

Just be careful NOT to let the kid be put in the outfield in the day or two after pitching. We had a local prospect here whose high school coach did that and he totally blew out his arm. Fortunately, he had arm surgery and is back better than ever but it is a real danger you should be aware of.