Where has all the pitching gone?????

[amazing]

After several weeks of watching HS ball, 14U and 12U select I have come to the conclusion that pitching has gone south in the DFW area. Its terrible!!! Where did all the pitchers go?

[Vess Express]

High school would be hard to say, because they are all over the board. Some schools have a gold pitcher from select, and other schools may have a pitcher that just learned how to pitch that season because no on else could. But, what makes you say that all the pitching in 12U and 14U select is terrible?

Pitchers walk too many batters? Batters getting too many hits, or too many big hits?

I would think there is a shortage of pitchers just because there are a lot of teams out there. Although many girls can move around to different positions in the field, it is more difficult for some to move into pitching.

[softballrulznut]

After several weeks of watching HS ball, 14U and 12U select I have come to the conclusion that pitching has gone south in the DFW area. Its terrible!!! Where did all the pitchers go?

This is not limited just to DFW - this is around the country. Think about it - gone at the college game are the Cat's, Monica's and Jenny's

There are just not these dominate pitchers out there.

Some theory's behind this are:

Advancements in bat technology
Extreme Emphasis being placed on the offensive game (ie players hit for more on their own than working on pitching or defense)
Players do not want to put in the time and effort it takes to be a big time pitcher - it's easier to hit a 100 balls and go sit in the AC the rest of the day
43ft pitching distance and HS, 16u and 18u has certainly changed the game for pitchers over the past 2-4 years

Again those are theory's I have heard coaches discuss - obviously there is some truth and some myth in all of them but I assure you this problem is not limited to the DFW area.

[Vess Express]

I agree that this does seem to be happening all over.

I think it is also the attitude about offense that has changed. Besides the better bats, and longer flight of balls, now the kids around here start with machine pitch tournaments. There are no walks, so you either hit the ball, or strike out. It seems to be a good motivator to swing away. Plus, how many times have you seen someone post for a player that says, "if you can hit, we will find a place for you"? People are very focused on offense.

It seems like a good thing to me. More action going on, more players involved in the field, and I think it makes for a more exciting game. Sitting around an entire game watching strike outs on both sides gets boring quickly. I think there are talented pitchers out there, it's just that the batters have been getting more advantages in technology, and have benefited from the longer pitching distances. Now, a pitcher's main job seems to be keeping the hitters in check.

[TulsaEliteGold]

I think you also have more and more athletes taking full-time batting lessons from better instuctors at younger and younger ages. Whereas in the past Pitchers parents realized the value of pitching lessons, a lot more are starting to realize the value of batting lessons also. Our team's saying is "Hit or Sit"

[huntinwabbitz]

I think pitchers today are spreading there time between pitching lessons and batting lessons because mommy and daddy still want there dd pitcher to bat in the lineup. Therefore taking away from pitchers strictly focusing on pitching. If you want the Cat, Monica, or Finch type pitcher spend your time and money on pitching and forget about your dd batting. Let's face it most pitchers at the upper level of the College game do not bat. However, at the mid to lower level of the College game alot of pitchers do bat. So exactly where do you want your dd to be................................in the dugout between innings resting preparing for the next sequence of batters she will face or putting on a helmet and batting gloves grabbing a bat to make the most of mommy and daddy's batting lesson money.

[slaphitter]

I think pitchers today are spreading there time between pitching lessons and batting lessons because mommy and daddy still want there dd pitcher to bat in the lineup. Therefore taking away from pitchers strictly focusing on pitching. If you want the Cat, Monica, or Finch type pitcher spend your time and money on pitching and forget about your dd batting. Let's face it most pitchers at the upper level of the College game do not bat. However, at the mid to lower level of the College game alot of pitchers do bat. So exactly where do you want your dd to be................................in the dugout between innings resting preparing for the next sequence of batters she will face or putting on a helmet and batting gloves grabbing a bat to make the most of mommy and daddy's batting lesson money.

Jeanie Finch never had a problem Pitching and hitting. Check around there are probably more good pitchers that can hit. 1 reason is because they are athletic. Suppose a girl is a good pitcher but also plays a good first or third etc. etc. , but the parents decide not to send her to hitting lessons or pursue her defense skills. She washes out as a pitcher, for whatever reason. Now she can't pitch, she can't play defense and she cannot hit. A good athlete that goes no where.

Let the girl develope all her skills. The old saying "Don't put all your eggs in 1 basket". I have seen some pretty good hitting pitchers that can really play defense when they are not pitching. Go out to the ball park and just watch these girls play, then tell me again to put them on the bench when their not pitching.

You have to give these girls every chance possible to go to college and play ball. Don't cheat them.

[Hustla]

I think pitchers today are spreading there time between pitching lessons and batting lessons because mommy and daddy still want there dd pitcher to bat in the lineup. Therefore taking away from pitchers strictly focusing on pitching. If you want the Cat, Monica, or Finch type pitcher spend your time and money on pitching and forget about your dd batting. Let's face it most pitchers at the upper level of the College game do not bat. However, at the mid to lower level of the College game alot of pitchers do bat. So exactly where do you want your dd to be................................in the dugout between innings resting preparing for the next sequence of batters she will face or putting on a helmet and batting gloves grabbing a bat to make the most of mommy and daddy's batting lesson money.

Jeanie Finch never had a problem Pitching and hitting. Check around there are probably more good pitchers that can hit. 1 reason is because they are athletic. Suppose a girl is a good pitcher but also plays a good first or third etc. etc. , but the parents decide not to send her to hitting lessons or pursue her defense skills. She washes out as a pitcher, for whatever reason. Now she can't pitch, she can't play defense and she cannot hit. A good athlete that goes no where.

Let the girl develope all her skills. The old saying "Don't put all your eggs in 1 basket". I have seen some pretty good hitting pitchers that can really play defense when they are not pitching. Go out to the ball park and just watch these girls play, then tell me again to put them on the bench when their not pitching.

You have to give these girls every chance possible to go to college and play ball. Don't cheat them.

Great point, some pitchers can flat out hit the ball. It is hard to get both in . My theory, and JMO there are too many daddys that are teaching pitching now that have never been in the game before. Alot of pitchers are being taught bad mechanics or pitching "instructors" are not able to fix the bad mechanics. Just because you have caught your daughter at everyone of her lessons doesnot make you a pitching instructor.

[slaphitter]

Great point, some pitchers can flat out hit the ball. It is hard to get both in . My theory, and JMO there are too many daddys that are teaching pitching now that have never been in the game before. Alot of pitchers are being taught bad mechanics or pitching "instructors" are not able to fix the bad mechanics. Just because you have caught your daughter at everyone of her lessons doesnot make you a pitching instructor.

I agree. Some Dads watch a couple of pitching videos and think. Why pay 40.00 or 50.00 bucks a week/ I can do this. Then later down the line the kid's basic fundmentals or so bad it would take a good pitching coach 2 years to break all the bad habits. The Dad just believes the girl's work ethics and dedication or not there so works harder doing things wrong.

The same applies to hitting and fielding. If your dd has the physical abilities to perform, then get her with professionals that can instruct her properly. Yes there are some instructors that are out just for the money and plod along teaching her very little. It is important that you research an instructor throughly. See how many students of his/her has gone on to college ball. Even check with parents on how they feel about an instructor. Then bite the bullet and get her the good instruction she deserves.

[3Bsnag]

...Let's face it most pitchers at the upper level of the College game do not bat....

Tell that to Lawrie, Arrioto, Henderson, Langenfeld, Traina, Finch, C$, Gibson, Scarborough, Ricketts, Bruins, etc.

There are the Florida's and Arizona's that do not let/want their pitchers to hit and they have better hitters on the roster, but so many of these kids are gamers, not just pitchers.