Yeah, right now she loves hitting. She doesn't care where in the lineup she bats, she just wants to be in the lineup and get an opportunity.
But I'm glad to hear that being a pitcher that hits doesn't seem to hinder them for recruitment.
Barely Any At Bats
- Thread starter Smcisme
- Start date
Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch
Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.
But I'm glad to hear that being a pitcher that hits doesn't seem to hinder them for recruitment.
Yep, it's a socal org, currently 13 on the roster but they are still looking to add one or two more I think. I agree that it is unprofessional to not get a response.
I will be talking to him in person about it tomorrow when she has her lesson with him. I am hoping something good comes out of it.
- Jun 8, 2016
- 16,118
- 113
She should definitely be getting more ABs, so this shouldn’t matter much, but realistically where would you rank her in terms of the hitters on the team? If you cannot tell educate yourself enough so that you can tell for future use…
13 is enough players for 12U.
Absolutely! Every team my DD has played on has had pitchers who are a regular part of the batting order. On her current 18U team, the #1 P bats in the 4 spot, and one of the other Ps bats 6. They also play other positions besides P. We only have one P who is primarily just a P, but she bats at friendlies, most pool games, and plays OF when our roster is thin.
If your 11yo is being slotted as a P-only, it's time to find a new team...now! 12U is a time to be developing as an all-around ballplayer.
As you say, it is hard to show what you got if you only get 1 at bat every three games even when it matter even less than 12U tourney game/bracket day games (which also don't really mean all that much). You can work hard - but if your playing time competition is also working hard and in the lineup every game it is hard find a way to get an opportunity.
And yes, my DD is in college and pitches, plays in the infield when she isn't pitching and hits either at either 3 or 6. If you can swing the stick, they find a way to get you in the lineup.
It's hard to show what you can do when you don't get an opportunity to show what you can do.
Many pitchers stop getting ABs in college, but I know of a Div I pitcher last year who was in the batting lineup regardless of whether she was pitching. Don't let anyone tell you that a pitcher doesn't hit at 12U, or even 18U. I can't count how many great hitters I've seen at those ages who were also pitchers.
As others have mentioned, roster batting should be the norm at 12U. As you move along, unless you have a batter who just isn't capable against the competition you'll see, trying to predict which "nine" will be your best is usually crap-shoot. If everyone is competent at the plate, you never know who will have a big game.
As others have mentioned, roster batting should be the norm at 12U. As you move along, unless you have a batter who just isn't capable against the competition you'll see, trying to predict which "nine" will be your best is usually crap-shoot. If everyone is competent at the plate, you never know who will have a big game.
Amen!
Similar threads
