Whats the Best way to develop as a pitcher w/ summerball?

You're going to develop as a pitcher with a lot of work in the bullpen. Playing is just an application of your education. Why would there be no time for work on an elite team. My son's team doesn't have practices during the summer. But he practices with players on their own. Pitchers need a routine even if it's not provided by the team.

Please define "elite". I've seen plenty of parents think their kids are playing elite ball because they play travel. I've seen some horrible travel programs with nothing elite about them.

RJM you have a PM

I agree with RJM that bullpen work is very important, but I think you really improve by facing the best competition you possibly can. When you are facing the best batters, you have to learn to "pitch" and not just get up there and throw. The best hitters can hit almost any pitch when they know what is coming. They will also take advantage of the mistakes you make. You leave a fastball up against a good hitter, he will send it a long way. You will probably be able to get away with that mistake against lesser competition. Learning how to mix up your pitches, hit your spots and keep the ball low can only truly be learned by getting out there and doing it against the best.

There is the whole mental aspect to being placed in tough situations as well. While throwing in the bullpen is important in terms of working on your mechanics and learning new pitches, there is no substitue for game situations. Seen plenty of guys throw great bp's and get in a game and not be able to handle the pressure.

Bottom line, I say play against the best you are able to. It will only make you better.

My vote; Job and start every 5 days. After a year of watching my freshman pitch college ball they want guys who can start, who can go deep into a game, who can throw 125 pitches. Who does not walk people. Who can locate pitches time after time. If you are just going to relieve occasionally and bullpen it won't make you as much better in my opinion as being the go to guy, the guy the team wants on the mound.

It seems that having the job is important to you so I would also vote 'job and start every five days'.

Also, I disagree that you have to pitch against the best in order to progress. You just need to be honest with yourself and understand the level of play. In other words, pitch as if the batter is elite and don't fall into the trap of playing down. Don't be happy just throwing the ball by hitters because you're capable of doing it. Make it a personal challenge to actually get the guy out on a great pitch...

quote:

Originally posted by smalltown:
they want guys who can start, who can go deep into a game, who can throw 125 pitches..

It is my understanding that they want guys who can go deep, in way less than 125 pitches.

Every program is different, the ones that have fewer on their pitching staff will make them go deep, use them so after 2-3 years you are used up and they are onto the next guy. Coaches want players who can help their program, period. Most HS starters begin as relievers in college.

On the HS or college level, there's no substitute for playing the game as much as you can either through relief or starting. Make sure if he starts, he allows time for throwing off days and a BP.

Make sure that the player is not required to be at every game. My son played for a summer coach in HS, you had to show up no matter what, if you wanted to work, that's what you did instead of playing baseball. Times have changed, but make you you understand what is expected.

Definitely would go with the starting gig every 5 days. This way, the work hours are easy to schedule and you know when you're gonna start. Elite don't mean squat if you don't know if and when you're gonna pitch or your head's not into it because of worrying about getting hours at the job. Regardless of the competition, you still have to do the things that make pitchers successful and if these are high school varsity players, they're not chop liver. At this level, they can play.

Sure, you want to play the best competition available but when you gotta weigh choices, you do what you gotta do.

Thanks for the advice, im definitely torn with what to do.

its a pretty good collegiate summer league vs a twilight league