Discussing Concerns With Parent

[Coach11]

Coach
I have to ask how good a pitcher is she? If she is getting nailed that often it sounds like she does not have any spin and is just firing the ball down the middle. If thats the case she needs some help with her pitches - because while it is important for a pitcher to be protected - it is unusual to get that many shots straight back at her. Maybe talk to her pitching coach?

She's actually a very good pitcher. She's not overpowering, but her control and placement are outstanding.

Overall, she's a weak athlete.....but pitching seems to come naturally.

She wears a mouthguard, but I'm afraid her teeth aren't the only facial feature in jeopardy.

[Mom2softball]

One way to get a good reception is to create wearing the game face as "cool", as if all the good pitchers use them, and it's the latest trend.
I did this with my daughters a couple years ago when they saw the girls 2-3 years older wearing them. It worked for me.

[Scoop n K]

Coach
I have to ask how good a pitcher is she? If she is getting nailed that often it sounds like she does not have any spin and is just firing the ball down the middle. If thats the case she needs some help with her pitches - because while it is important for a pitcher to be protected - it is unusual to get that many shots straight back at her. Maybe talk to her pitching coach?

Wow, Really? Tell Hideo Nomo of the Dodgers that he doesn't have enough spin on the ball (maybe that's why he got hit around so much??) . That man was almost killed a few years back by a shot to the temple. It does not matter how "good" she is. If you are willing to play roulette with the kid , regardless of skill level, send her out there. It only takes one hitter to take advantage of one slightly missed spot to drill her in the grill. You sure as heck don't see many "really good" race car drivers choosing to take a chance and leave their seat belt off once in awhile.

[etx bd]

Coach
I have to ask how good a pitcher is she? If she is getting nailed that often it sounds like she does not have any spin and is just firing the ball down the middle. If thats the case she needs some help with her pitches - because while it is important for a pitcher to be protected - it is unusual to get that many shots straight back at her. Maybe talk to her pitching coach?

She's actually a very good pitcher. She's not overpowering, but her control and placement are outstanding.

Overall, she's a weak athlete.....but pitching seems to come naturally.

She wears a mouthguard, but I'm afraid her teeth aren't the only facial feature in jeopardy.

Coach
She should not be getting that many come backers. She may not have any spin on the ball if that is the case she will be getting hit regularly and a mask is only the start why not a heart guard, shin guards - she can't wear anything on her pitching arm...
What I'm trying to say is you need to fix the problem not just deal with the symptoms. A good fastpitch pitcher throws with enough spin on the ball and proper location that the chances of it coming straight back at her are very small. I'm not arguing against protecting the pitcher I'm saying that this pitcher may have a problem that if addressed can reduce the number of times she looks like Charlie Brown on the mound.You should talk to her parent and/or her pitching coach about that issue.

[Demonboy]

Let me play devils advocate...

The coach is not going to tell me or my kid what equipment to wear, other than the required team uniforms. Especially, at 14U. That decision is the sole responsibility of the parents, not the kid and not the coach. You can choose to mandate, I can choose not to play with your team.

I do feel it is your responsibility as the coach to bring up your issues with the parent, whether they become offended or not.

What if the coach mandated shin pads, knee pads, elbow guards, heart guard chest protectors, and ankle braces?

Actually if that's his decision then that's exactly what he'll do. And if he's a man of his convictions you'll get in line or play elsewhere.

It may or may not be reasonable but that's irrelevant. It's his team. The market will decide if he's out of touch (see Bruder or Dodd).

[Pridefpsb17]

I remember all the arguments back when players first started wearing masks on batting helmets. Now it's mandated.

I have seen the aftermath of a couple of hard shots back to the pitcher and the corners. I would not want any child to experience those type of injuries.

In our organization (at least from 10s to 14s) it will be required this year. Even when practicing.

All it takes is one pitch. . .

Read this article. . .

http://www.register-news.com/local/local_story_256220139.html
Capps, a 16-year-old hurler playing for the St. Louis Esprit 18-and-under travel team, stared down a Missouri Wicked Elite batter.

Capps hurled a curve ball — high and outside.
“It was a pitch no one should have grabbed,” said her mother, Leslie.
The Wicked Elite batter reached for and cracked the ball, hitting it approximately 125 miles per hour — right into Capps’ face.

As a result of her injury, Alisha suffered fractures which resulted in little to no solid bone remaining in the right side of her face. Her jaw was broken in two places, the bone along her eye socket had been shattered, and her cheek bone was crushed.

[Demonboy]

Donnie where the heck are you? You're f****ing late! It's time for the "why dont' you liberals put them all in bubbles" tirade.

There's a comfort in being able to count on certain things. Don't let me down man.

[Coach11]

<<She should not be getting that many come backers.>>

While I'm certainly not saying that weaker pitchers don't get rocked harder than better ones, I don't believe 3 or 4 hard line drives back through the circle over the course of two seasons is an inordinant amount.

I do not believe it's the regularity of comebackers that is the issue here. It's her inability to protect herself when it happens.

I will certainly be working with her (and my other pitchers) on reaction, and being ready to field balls hit back at them. I'm just not convinced she has the skills to do it 100% of the time, which is why I'm hoping I can convince her/parents to wear the mask.

[etx bd]

My bad I missed the 2 seasons part of your OP. You're right that is not excessive.

[Cannonball]

I thought I posted this but here is another try. Here is a video of a game my dd pitched. We are the team in red. My dd was 14 this past spring and so, pitched on our varsity in this, the championship game of our conference. If I've posted this before, please accept my apologies. Watch at the end of the video. #20 will be hitting and she will foul a ball off. The next pitch you will hear the sound of the bat hitting the ball and the next sound is my daughter's face. You can hear the crowd moan. This is the second time she was hit in the face last year while having an outstanding season. Point, even if they have talent, sometimes they miss their spot. She now wears a face mask. Naturally, some of you will argue that she has no business in the circle. I might agree.

http://varsity.thetelegraph.com/video/index.php?source=gsa&v=1.0&bcpid=1184866084&bclid=1184473608&bctid=1554446292[/url]