when to specialize?

[thor2173]

My DD catches and pitches. she takes lessons for both. at what age does she need to pick one or the other?

[fasterpitch92701]

A slightly weaselworded reponse: make the move when she figures out what she REALLY want to do long term. Your more versatile athletes are often (be not always, so readers calm down) at shortstop, catcher and center field. ALL IN MY OPINION so don't get your panties in a twist. Being a catcher means practicing with the pitchers and foregoing many drills set up for other positions. The same applies to pitchers. Catchers are subject to knee issues (hardly a surprise) and pitchers shoulder/elbows... Catchers, REALLY good ones, are as valuable as a pitcher. And REALLY good pitchers are a pony a team can ride. Being capable at both likely means your daughter is likely... versatile and talented. There are a lot of kids wanting to be T-H-E pitcher and the good news AND bad is that you are the center of attention. There is also, IMHO, a certain ego aspect by both the pitcher and the parent. Great catchers are hard to find. Durability, the willingness not to be intimidated, the ability to run the field, be the lead on defense and learn how to call pitches is required. Catching is a brutal position but worth it if you are good. Pitching is the QB position, lots of attention, lots of glory, lots of failure. A lot depends on your DD's disposition. I would humbly suggest you be firmly established in one position or the other by 12U. At that point both positions require special attention and training. Football wise, the pitcher is the QB and the catcher is middle linebacker. Both important but worlds apart. Good luck.

[DonnieS]

My suggestion is whenever she wants to. If you suggest it, and it goes wrong, you will hear about it for the rest of your life. I have a fairly talented dd who runs track, plays volleyball as well as softball. Every year, she starts off about 4 months behind everyone else, when its time for the big fall showcases, but thats the way it is. She just figured out she cant play big D1 volleyball - painful as it was for her to realize that there isnt much demand for 5.7 outside hitters in D1 volleyball, but she did finally realize it so thats something. This has cost her a lot but its her choice. She excels in vball, track and softball and her first year of specialization will probably be her freshman year in college. Fortunately , she also is pretty good in her grades.

[DonnieS]

Read FP's post, he/she is dead on.

[Sam]

I wouldn't let any of my pitchers get behind the plate....ever. Pitching is difficult enough without the bumps, bruises and chronic knee pain. If she wants to catch, she needs to learn how to play 1B or OF if she has speed.

If she just wants to pitch, have her concentrate on hitting also. Don't worry about a 2nd position. Most managers don't like for their pitchers to risk injury in the field when they aren't pitching.

[Sam]

A slightly weaselworded reponse: make the move when she figures out what she REALLY want to do long term. Your more versatile athletes are often (be not always, so readers calm down) at shortstop, catcher and center field. ALL IN MY OPINION so don't get your panties in a twist. Being a catcher means practicing with the pitchers and foregoing many drills set up for other positions. The same applies to pitchers. Catchers are subject to knee issues (hardly a surprise) and pitchers shoulder/elbows... Catchers, REALLY good ones, are as valuable as a pitcher. And REALLY good pitchers are a pony a team can ride. Being capable at both likely means your daughter is likely... versatile and talented. There are a lot of kids wanting to be T-H-E pitcher and the good news AND bad is that you are the center of attention. There is also, IMHO, a certain ego aspect by both the pitcher and the parent. Great catchers are hard to find. Durability, the willingness not to be intimidated, the ability to run the field, be the lead on defense and learn how to call pitches is required. Catching is a brutal position but worth it if you are good. Pitching is the QB position, lots of attention, lots of glory, lots of failure. A lot depends on your DD's disposition. I would humbly suggest you be firmly established in one position or the other by 12U. At that point both positions require special attention and training. Football wise, the pitcher is the QB and the catcher is middle linebacker. Both important but worlds apart. Good luck.

You wouldn't want your QB playing two ways...and if you did, you wouldn't want her playing MLB.

[jonriv]

You may also find out that neither position will be her speciality- many players wind up changing and there are a lot of ex-pitchers out there

[DonnieS]

You may also find out that neither position will be her speciality- many players wind up changing and there are a lot of ex-pitchers out there

Very true as well. Mine was put in a place she had never played before, she had played 8 positions on the field - and they put her in the 9th and then switched her from being a right power hitter with a lot of speed to being a leftie slapper. And the next dd coming up, same thing could happen - hey, its their money. If thats what they want you to do - do it. Good training for the mean cruel world.

[NewCoach]

Donnie, I'm glad to see you contributing again.. Hope all is well in your family.

[DonnieS]

Donnie, I'm glad to see you contributing again.. Hope all is well in your family.

Thanks - been a challenging period of time. DW was given close to a clean bill of health, I am working again, and not swinging a pick or an axe, but back on the keyboard where I belong - I pray for a long time. The girls took some hard hits during all of this - but they are tough and are rebounding. They have learned some good lessons as well.