There is a huge stigma around what “number” pitcher you are, and “knowing your role.” I have pitchers of all ages come to me for the first time and say things like “Well, I’m not really a pitcher, I only pitch a little bit in games.” or “I’m the number 3.” My favorite is “I want lessons because I want to be the #1 pitcher, I don’t like being the #2.” All this hype and stress over a number.
Pitching has changed a lot since I played. (Which really wasn’t that long ago, I promise!) I was the only pitcher for my high school team. Thanks to the lovely NY weather, I was usually throwing 3 games a week, sometimes up to 5. My travel team growing up had other pitchers, but I still carried the bulk of the innings as the “#1.” As more and more research comes out about the underhand motion and how it affects the body there has been more of a push towards a staff or unit being created rather than a hierarchy of pitchers. Which, for the record, is a GREAT thing. With my college pitchers I push a unit mentality. There is no one else on the field but the three of them that knows what it’s like to be in the circle pitching for the 2017 Rhodes College Softball Team. The three of them relate to each other better than they relate to anyone else on the field, including myself. They make each other better not only through competition but also just by showing support. They help to work drills in the bullpen with each other during a game if the pitcher in the game is struggling with a certain pitch. They talk to each other about adjustments they can make versus certain hitters. They talk about the scouting report. Even something as simple as offering a hug after a really rough day. At the end of the day, it is a team effort but their name is in the win or loss column, whether they deserve it or not. I’ve seen my pitchers this year throw the game of their lives and lose. In the same breath, I’ve seen my pitchers throw maybe some of the worst games of their college careers and come out in the win column. It takes a certain level of crazy to be able to mentally handle this concept. (and I’m allowed to say that as a pitcher!) Pitchers, parents, and sometimes even coaches are programmed to worry about what “number” pitchers are. It is what it is, I was the same way. It’s up to all three parties to change this culture. Players need to change their mentality. Coaches need to foster an environment where unity is valued within a staff. Parents need to push their pitchers, if you want more playing time then work hard and earn it. Coaches… 1.) Talk about it! I can think of three specific times this past year alone where I sat the staff down and we talked about how they weren’t acting like a staff and what we could do to change that. I would also point out positive things they did to act like a staff, or suggest different things they could do throughout practice or games. It was amazing to watch the transformation as my junior and sophomore pitcher started to mentor the freshman. 2.) If you post a line up with a starting/relieving pitcher on it, say starter or reliever rather than 1 and 2. 3.) If you throw live during practice or scrimmage within your own team, switch up who pitches when rather than having the same pitcher “start” every time. 4.) “Practice” how to change pitchers in a game….I know, it sounds crazy. Our head coach does not go out to the circle when he makes a pitching change, and one of our pitchers mentioned that it makes her feel awkward. That turned into a conversation about what she can change when that happens, because he isn’t going to come out to the circle, it just isn’t his style. The conversation evolved into instead of pitchers changing each inning during one of our team scrimmages I would just choose a time when I wanted them to switch and send a new pitcher out mid inning. They became more comfortable with it, and learned how to show more support to each other as well. Parents… 1.) When your daughter starts to talk in numbers, don’t let her! Talk about how she threw during the innings she got that day or weekend. Talk about what she can do differently if she wants more pitching time. Talk about what day that week you can practice pitching after work with her. 2.) If you daughter truly has a problem with playing time, talk to her about how to talk to her coach about it. A conversation that starts with “Why am I not playing?” will probably not end well. Roll play with her if she genuinely does want to talk to her coach about it. Questions like - What can I improve on? - Do you have any extra drills I can do at home? - Can you work with me before or after practice sometime this week? can all help shape a conversation that ends with a coach thinking “Wow, this kid wants to get better” instead of “Ugh here we go again, someone complaining about playing time.” 3.) Be realistic. This might be the hardest thing to do, I struggle with it sometimes too because I want the young pitchers I work with to succeed so badly. Did your daughter just start pitching a few months ago? She’s probably not going to be pitching 3 games a weekend already. Did your daughter not prepare well over the Winter and Spring? She’s probably not where she needs to be to compete and be dominating right now. Is your daughter the youngest pitcher on her team? There are probably/possibly older pitchers with more experience. Talk about all of these things with your daughter! Encourage her that if she works hard good things will come. Pitchers… 1.) If you have the ball, you’re the number one. Let me say it again….If YOU have the ball, YOU’RE the NUMBER ONE. So act like it! I don’t care if you’ve thrown 2 innings all season, if you are in the circle and the ball is in your hand in that moment you are the number one pitcher on your team. Carry yourself with confidence, and if you don’t have it then fake it! There are 7 people in the field behind you who see your facial expression every time you turn around after getting the ball back from your catcher. Do you instill confidence in them, or make them nervous? Each play starts and ends with the ball in your hands…that’s a big responsibility. 2.) Be positive and supportive. So you aren’t getting the innings you want or think you deserve, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t support the pitcher in the circle 100%. Think about how you want the other pitchers on your team to act when you get to pitch. Wouldn’t you feel more confident knowing that the other people who know what it’s like to be in your shoes are excited for you? 3.) Work harder. Work harder during warm ups, during practice, at home, at pitching lessons, just work harder. If you aren’t satisfied with your playing time there is not one pitcher at any level that can’t work harder to get better. Your opportunity comes at practice, not in games. Games are the “extra” part. It is a privilege to step on a field and play softball, you owe it to the game to work as hard as you can.
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