Pitcher takes all the credit

Ultimate Reward...

as Guru stated, it is all about hard work, regardless of the position. The ultimate reward after high school, is the day that you sign that letter of intent to attend the college of your choice with your education partially or wholly paid for...a dream that is very attainable for the hard workers.

THEN THE REAL WORK BEGINS....ask anyone playing at the next level.

One last word on the pitchers...a lot of the pitchers that I know who were successful in high school and travel ball are being used in other positions on their college team. College coaches are looking for athletes and in most cases on the high school team, the pitchers are one of, if not the best player on the team and can play multiple positions and hit the ball. Coaches like to have players that are versitile and can help out anywhere. My advice...be the best at what you do...outwork everyone else and let your accolades come in the way of a college education or the satisfaction of knowing that you did your job and left it all on the field.

 

Very well stated.
My DD has a work ethic that has just about killed me at times.
She's not a pitcher, but works as hard at her position as anyone I have seen.
After many bruises and scratches, I see now how much her work has paid off. (She's had a few bruises herself).lol
The real reward comes by way of her achievement... moving on to play at the college level, and the remarks overheard at the field.
I was at a game this year and overheard a spectator, who just happened to be the Varsity baseball coach from the opposing school, talking to one of his assistants. What I overheard was worth all the hard work and countless hours. "Man, watch that shortstop. She throws the ball harder than most of my baseball players." All I could think was, you're telling me.
That is what makes a father proud.
Can't wait to see her college games.

 

Agree
This kid is one of the best ss around and a cannon for an arm, but she is also a great kid and will be missed very much next year.

 

Publicity of a DD is awesome!.....

......., parents, me included want to see our kids get the 'ol pat on the back. But, at some point along the way, the "law of diminishing marginal return" kicks in. For you youngsters, that means its cool up to point and then more press is not quite as good, and then, Bam!, next thing you know, one article, etc. later, and people start yacking. Don't blame the kid. ......more later.

 

Pitching does take more dedication...

To be a pitcher (top competetive pitcher) it takes a lot of dedication up and beyond, they can certainly make a huge difference in a game! People do look at the performance of the pitcher as a huge piece of the outcome of a game! It takes special dedication from not only the player, but her parents and family as well. To play TB in itself, takes a lot of dedication from the family in general. A lot of weekends spent on the ballfield instead of the beaches, mountains, lake, etc., or even your home!
I will not say that pitches necessasrily work harder, but it does take a special amount of dedication (and money) because of all the time and practice, drills, lessons, travel to pitching coaches, trips to ER for Dad's ankles & knees, etc... LOL Any player who wants to be the best, has to earn it by working hard! Like someone else posted, if you want to make it to the next level, you better work harder than the rest!
Remember, there is always someone else willing to work for that position!
I do not feel that any pitcher should take all the credit for anything! Win or Lose! This is a team sport, period! As far as the pitcher getting the interview, that is the luck of the draw, I guess! Some players have all the luck! At my DDs HS it was a centerfielder that got most of the attention of the media! You never know on that one! I don't think a parent should complain to a coach or AD about who gets interviewed by the media!
I will say, it gets easier when they reach the next level! Maybe not that easy for her, but you can really start to just enjoy watching your DD play ball!

 

Working hard?......

.....is what? A pitcher throwing in 3 games on Sat. in 95 degree temps. like Morgan peeler has gained a rep for doing? A catcher catching for 3 games on Sat.? etc......Cmon. To be at the top of your game in any sport a player has to work. Oh,....yep, theres a kid in Iowa, or Texas, etc that is working their butt off to take a spot at UNC, or NCSU, or Tex, whoever! Parents need to spend more time with their kids on the field, in the cage, or taking low pitches on the knee from their DD pitching!!!!! Lastly. and I'm off this thread, I know about the kids at WJ, and I know the pitcher. Since day one, this kid has been one of the best at every level shes played. Defense????, Bam! the most solid group of A+ ballplayers around. They deserve to be recognized too, so, come out and see them play for the state championship 4A in Raleigh! East can play ball too!!!!!!!!!

 

...they sure can

 

Interviewing skills for pitchers

My daughter gave her first TV and newspaper interviews at age 12 as a result of being a pitcher on the 2000 12u Babe Ruth World Series Champions. She was taught then that first words out of mouth should be the same that she used this past Saturday when interviewed by a sports writer for the university paper of the opposing school. Here is her quote:

"Julia [Dominiquez] called a great game behind the plate both times," said Felts. "I had great defense behind me and I felt better today than I had in a long time."

All pitchers should memorize this! It will save them a lot of pain down the road.

 

Truth is . . .

sometimes it is virtually all about the pitcher. As a pitcher's dad I'm on risky ground here but, for better or worse, its the nature of the game. When my daughter played rec ball a decade ago she would often account for every out (all K's) in a game (and sometimes all our offense). Look at North Pitt HS, 2A state champs last year. Sure Faith Sutton had teammates but, honestly, she was the team. Check them out this year if you don't believe it. I bet there are 50 other 2A teams in NC that could have won the state with Sutton pitching for them.

Even in college ball this can be true. Go to the VA Tech website and look at the the box scores from yesterday's DH vs ECU. Game 1 VT wins 11-0 in five innings. Angela Tincher records 15 K's. AT doesn't pitch game two and ECU wins 4-1. Many observers feel VT is much like North Pitt. They are ranked 18th nationally but almost solely because of AT. I wonder if there's any jealously on that team?

The point is that it's called fastpitch for a reason. For better or worse there may be no "team sport" in which the teams fortunes are as dependent on one player as the pitcher in our game.