Why do players become pitchers

It varies from person to person but here are some, certainly not all, possibilities:

1. Wants to be involved in starting every play when in the field.

2. They've got a good arm and were put in that position as kids and then enjoyed some success.

3. Their dad was the team's coach.

4. They failed as position players (not Rick Ankiel's reason).

5. Teams need more pitchers than any other one position (the question as the answer to itself).

6. Has the mentality needed to be a pitcher.

7. Likes being the center of attention.

8. Their parents were able to stand the stress.

9. Likes to be the one that gets the W or the S.

10. Can handle being the one that gets the L.

They Can't Hit!

quote:

Originally posted by floridafan:
They Can't Hit!

Or run!

Good question. Mine played every position and played them all well, he was always a great hitter, not power but always able to place it where no one expected it. Double Dave is what we called him. I think that being a pitcher, it helped his hitting. At 14 when his body and feet took a huge growth spurt, he couldn't beat out the tag and looked pathetic as a runner. Having a strong arm and his long lanky frame and arms, he was designated "the pitcher". So in looking back, he had no choice. It was apparant he would be a pitcher only. Senior year HS, he was given a chance to hit, playing first when not pitching. He led the team in ERA and HR's. It was his best year in HS. For all county honors he was named as utility.

On a college roster, many of the position players were once good pitchers when they were younger or in HS. But sometime in HS, stengths usually begin to emerge. One of my son's college teammates was a pretty good LHP in HS, they even tried him as a pitcher, but his speed was incredible so his strength was in the outfield and base running not as a pitcher.

He does not like being the center of attention. He is a major competitor and he does like to control situations and help determine outcomes so IMO he has the pitcher personality.

As far as handling the stress, pitcher's parents NEVER handle that very well.

Cuz they can throw hard when they are little dudes....

Maybe mine did because he could hit the rooster almost as much as he missed

That was without the aid of a BB gun.

In my son's case, he was an undersized outfielder. At 11 when he was cut and told his arm was weak, he went to work long-tossing nearly daily and has been doing so ever since. His arm just became better than his peers and when he pitched he had a certain focus and competitiveness that is just undeniable. He was always a good contact hitter--and just this year hit his first homerun--but it's too late, he's going to college as a LHP. He's always been the #1 starter on his teams so they've deemed him "too valuable" to hit. I wish they'd ax the DH rule.

Mine likes to pitch because he likes to be in control.

My freshman and sophomore years in high school I started every game in center field and batted 3rd and 4th in the lineup. I also was our #1,#2 starter as well. I always had a really good arm, and when I got to the varsity level they kind of just dabbed me a pitcher only. I love the outfield and hitting, but pitching gives me such a rush. It's hard to explain, but when you are pitching and you are in the zone, there is a feeling none like it.

T-Skipper hit the nail on the head. They were the guy with the better arm so they were given the opportunity to pitch.

I'm surprised I haven't seen someone else put it yet..

Because they weren't tough enough or weren't smart enough (or both) to be catchers!!!

Bulldog, I like the way you think!

Haha..Catchers just play catcher because they are the ones stupid enough to get beat around all day and still get no credit.

On any HS and above team, there are more pitchers than any other position. Some think it is the fastest way to get to the pros and pitchers get most of the scholarship money at the colleges!

First, when kids, we try to play the position of our hero. Then, after a while, we start to move to the best position we are able to play.
I don't think that the pitcher, at that time, is the one with the best arm, but by sure is the one with the best control.

add to all of the above:
because they throw with the wrong arm
woot!

As for myself, I have no clue as to why I became a Pitcher. I guess it just felt 'natural' to me perhaps?

They can throw a breaking pitch better than they can hit it.

I think it's because they find that it's a position they do well in, they kind of get pushed into it because of some natural ability and come to realize, hey, I can do this and I'm actually kind of good at it!
The same holds true for almost any position in any sport, when you find a position you excell in you love that position, it becomes you!
Personality and temperament also has a lot to do with the position that chooses you. I've been told that most pitchers are a little flaky.

It is NOT #8!

Funny question, great answers - because we have wondered the same thing. I remember the first time our son was put in to pitch. Coach (not daddy) put him in after realizing his son was at the inning limit. He threw well (don't remember the details), so pitched other games. He was 9 or 10.

So maybe kids pitch because they can.

I like your answer 55mom. I think they pitch cuz they can. Most try it and some stick.

For my son it was the challenge. Each time you hit the mound you are duelling with the hitter and trying to out smart him with your pitch arsenal.

quote:

Originally posted by Dad04:
I like your answer 55mom. I think they pitch cuz they can. Most try it and some stick.

Great answer! I can even remember that everyone wanted to be the pitcher when we were kids. As they we got older many found it was the "kiss of death" because either physically or mentally they failed and usually blamed for losses along the way. Then those that do have the god given physical make-up and were lucky enough to figure out the mental side found out that the pitching commitment resulted many times in fewer total innings they played. Even with that said it must be exciting to know that when you do get the rock you're initiating every play when you're on the field.

We can also flip the coin and ask why kids with great arms do not want to pitch---my son is a prime example he threw upper 80's low 90's but did not like being on the mound---he was happy in CF and hitting

It takes a certain mindset for a kid to pitch and for that matter decide to play any position---he has to want it

Most pitchers have a stubborn streak. They want to beat this guy they are facing.

Bobble


If a pitcher doesnt feel that way I don't want him on the mound

I think that Racab hit on something important. It's not always the best arms that become pitchers.

Most young pitchers begin by throwing the ball, learning how to pitch comes second. As a youngster your pitches are limited to 4 seam, 2 seam FB, maybe a CU that is not easily mastered. As the player matures, those that can pitch and have the patience to learn different pitches and successful at it begins to emerge. You don't have to have the strongest arm (velocity), but the ability to have more than 2 pitches in your arsenal.

Most of the pitchers who pitched when my son began pitching gave up pitching, lots of position players who showed ability in HS became successful as pitchers at that time.

quote:

lots of position players who showed ability in HS became successful as pitchers at that time.

One of my son's former teammates played 3rd ever since I knew him. He now plays for a local University. The 1st 2 years he sat and then they discovered he had a hard throw and he became their most successful closer. Nothing fancy but just hard throw and he keeps it down with an occassional CU. he is a 2-3 inning max guy and has not given up an ER in 14 appearances this year. He also closed for my son's summer team in 06 with equal success. Very determined young man. He was lights out against a D1 team in an exhibition game a week ago.

A catcher I know pitched around 28 innings in college and drafted 4th round as a pitcher. Many convert as pitchers in college and get drafted as pitchers. A position player I know converted to pitching in HS and got drafted first round compensation. Another player I know who has pitched limited innings his two years in college, was a stat leader in the CCBL this past summer. The one thing in common, they all threw hard and successful at their other positions, but willing to learn how to pitch.

I made a statment last week and still stand by it, things change. Yes, pitchers are more valuable, but you can't force it, you just got to let the player grow and mature and eventually his true talent and abilities will determine his future course.

JMO.

Old Pitcher
HSBBWeb Old Timer


... has a great signature line that I can agree with:

Pitchers, like poets, are born not made. ~Cy Young

Remember too that lots of them are lefties. As a big lefty coaches automatically looked for my son to pitch and he liked it. The typical southpaw mindset doesn't hurt either.

This may sound really stupid but I've never understood why lefties (even as young kids) are limited to the outfield, 1st base, pitching. I know that it looks awkward playing the other infield positions, but if you ask me a righty on first looks awkward too and coaches are willing to do that.

Is it really that impossible to play 2nd, 3rd, SS as a lefty? I've seen a few lefty catchers, but I know that we would have had to invest in our own equipment at an early age to encourage it because none of the teams just carried a lefty catcher's glove. As a lefty, he just didn't get moved around to as many spots as the others.

Have you ever pitched?

Nothing else like it imo. I would have pitched all game every game if I could.

Its like, no better than, a drug