Importance of Hitting

[SnocatzDad]

I think that many will evaluate players on #1 Speed, #2 Defensive skills , #3 offensive skills. The reason being that speed doesn't have a slump, it's helping you in all aspects all the time, solid mechanics on defense yield solid defensive play most of the time, solid mechanics on offense yield varying results. If you see a fielder field a ground ball crisply and snap off a great throw, your reasonably confident that she will be able to perform that skill from 10 ft in either direction and even on the other side of the field. If you see a kid perform well on offense, you don't really know if that will translate against other pitching (faster, slower, more movement), or whether the kid is just having a good/bad day. Performing well on offense is better than performing poorly, but in a tryout situation it's a universal truth for coaches that results between the batting cage and the games may vary, and vary widely.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

If they can throw, I can teach them to hit.

I work on their throwing before a hitting lesson, even.

I know college coaches that want to see exactly what your MS coach asked for.

 

[mudbug]

I know everyones situation is different. If she is a good player, Id get on a travel team and play/practice year round with them. That would be far superior to any middle school team. If the coach is serious and knows how to teach, and wants to field a good team, he will look for strong throwing arm, speed, and overall athleticism. He can teach basic skills, cant teach ability though.