MS Ball

I have a DD that could not wait to play at her middle school. Well, after 2 weeks on the team her shoulder has gone out on her due to the coach using her for pitching in practices every day and then her pitching double header games. Do they not send these coaches to clinics or something?? I am a little mad because she also plays TB, and she is not supposed to throw or pitch for 3 weeks. There is no talent at all on her team and she now thinks it was a waste of her time. Not to mention the expense of ortho dr., PT, and chiro visits. Just had to get that out!

 

I don't know any of your DD's coaches so this is not a judgment of them.

I would get someone that you are sure knows the game and have them evaluate her regular throwing fundamentals and her pitching fundamentals to be sure it's not a problem with fundamentals. Of course, the overuse question should be a part of that evaluation.

You are not entirely at the mercy of her coach by the way.

 

Her pitching caoch is used by a lot of the girls in this area, and at her last lesson we tried to have last weekend, she was throwing side-armed but it was due to pain, and she was instructed not to do that by her pitching coach and her ortho dr. I feel very confident in her pitching coach, and her husband is my DD chiropractor. I just hate to see my daughter having problems at so young. Her coach at school is always asking me questions at their games, and I am the last person to ask!! Just frustrated that this has happened. She has been fine until MS ball started. She is in her 3rd season of travel ball.

 

I think I know your pitching coach--Kim. She knows what she is talking about. She will give you good advice and that advice should be heeded. You, as a parent, make the final decision.

 

I know a D1 signee who over this past summer was pitched so much in TB that her shoulder is inflamed and is having to sit out her hs season as a pitcher.
I spoke with the college coach , she is not worried, just needs rest...
So you see thing like this happen at all levels.

 

Middle School Ball Can Be Disappointing

Middle School ball is sometimes frustrating. On our TB team, we have three varsity players and the rest are on MS teams. I have had several of the MS players tell me they didn't even want to play for their school because the MS team was so lacking skillwise. I insisted that they play to keep their skill set in line with others playing for their schools.

It's just unfortunate that there are so few 'good' MS teams around. Sometimes it is coaching (just as it is at the TB and HS varsity levels). Sometimes it is a lack of kids who really want to play. In any event, I am sure it is disappointing to the girls because school ball is supposed to be something you do for school spirit - not something that you dread.

 

MS ball in most areas is not at the level it could be. There are a number of reasons. I guess they are fortunate when you think about it to even have a team and a coach.

One of the things that help at the MS level is the various community programs. Programs like GAYSL in Garner do a really great job of helping develop players.

TB players are a big plus in MS and HS. TB players actually help non-TB players become better players. For those reasons TB should be encouraged to play in MS. They may be playing at a less-skilled level but they will be playing; and they will be having a positive effect on their teammates and maybe even their coaches.

The greater the interest in the younger kids the stronger the sport will be at the older level. For those TB coaches, players AND parents who are reaching the end of their TB age this is a golden opportunity to be involved for a really rewarding and fulfilling cause.

 

you cant have a good MS team unless you have a good rec feeder program. In fact you cant have a good HS team year in and year out without a good rec and/or TB feeder program. I have seen discussions on here from time to time about MS being some sort of means to "devlop" players.. no way no how.. not enough time.

I would strongly urge good MS players to play TB during the spring and avoid MS ball (controversial I know).. the player will be better for it.. . especially if there is limited talent surrounding them at the MS level. I understand the need and desire to support your school and everyone who goes into it in NC in the 7th grade has the same feelings but many come out of that first year disillusioned.

Frankly, there is nothing more irrelevant in the development of an athlete IMHO than MS sports.

 

You need to read thru this thread

Mom:

I suggest you click here and read through this entire thread. It should be required reading for any pitcher's parent. The bottom line that softball pitchers are misused (to be kind) because there are no $$ millions dollar contracts awaiting them. In general, even the best are done at 21 years of age. Don't buy into the myth that "because they throw underhand they can pitch unlimited innings" or "if their mechanics are right they can't get hurt" this defies logic and human physiology. For every Monica Abbott there are three or four kids who are no longer pitching because of overuse injuries. Travel ball can be worse than school ball as 12U pitchers are throwing 30+ inning in a weekend. There's only one word for this . . . . stupid.

 

NEED 3 PITCHERS

Every TB team good or bad needs to have about 2 or 3 pitchers and try to be on the same pitching level. With other girls being developed. Everyone wants to WIN in TB. But at what expense. If you have 2 12u or 2 14u don't put a good pitcher and a bad pitcher on the same team. The good one gets all the work. Put the 2 better ones together on the A team and the others together on the B team. B team may not WIN as much but all 4 will then see an equal more amount of work. The team my DD is on is a middle of the road type of TB team, not quite up to the top A teams but well better than the C teams. We have 4 pitchers. My DD is #3 but can hold her on with the #1. She needs more focus and concentration...... Our #1 will not pitch any more than #2 and my DD will close out games if we are winning big or loosing big and gets experience with less pressure. #4 just joined the team..........