TRAINING ROOM 8 THE ECB ACADEMY EDUCATION The 10 Most Dangerous Trends in Youth Today

Let’s assume for a moment that this thought process is logical and by Chance Beam correct. How does a coach designate a benchmark for a particular pitcher? What constitutes a maximum safe ? Is it 50 pitches? 65? Or 90? What should the low water mark be? Aside from raw number of pitches thrown, what other factors impact a coach’s safe Editor’s Note: This is a continuation of the East Cobb Baseball handling of a pitcher during a game? Should warm-ups be considered? Academy Education Series by Chance Beam on the “10 Most What about the weather? Does a coach allow for a lower max pitch Dangerous Trends in Youth Baseball Today.” count in cold temperatures than he does when it’s hot? And if it’s really Trend #2: My kid can really ! He hits all the time. The hot, isn’t each pitch more taxing and in turn lowering his pitch count danger of the specialized youth hitter. max? Does the player’s age matter? Younger kids are often stronger Youth baseball today is overrun with great hitters… true or than older kids so is there really an “age appropriate” pitch count? Does false? the pitcher throw with max effort? What if the starting pitcher threw 30 The truth is, youth baseball has far better hitting today than it pitches in the fi rst alone? Holy cow, I could go on all day! did 15 or 20 years ago, but I would not go so far as to say the The point of all these questions is to illustrate this: Pitch counts do not sport is overrun with great offensive players. This shift is in large exist in a vacuum! We, coaches and parents alike, are often misguided part due to the era that we just exited in Major League Baseball. in relying on max pitch count to speculate on how long a pitcher should From 1998-2008, more home runs were hit than ever before safely stay in a game. Many coaches and parents have the best inten- in major league history. Hitting for power became an epidemic tions by setting these so-called standard pitch counts to protect their phenomenon. My favorite commercial from that era is a Nike players. However, there are just too many variables to consider. So, commercial with Cy Young winners Tom Glavine and Greg Mad- how do we evaluate a pitcher and in turn decide how long to let him dux vying for female attention by hitting the long ball. pitch in a game? I suggest a four-step approach to simplify this critically The problem or danger of this type of thinking (beyond steroids) important evaluative process. Always remember this: The primary goal is that many kids only want to hit and or only want to hit for of any game-day decision should be to ensure a pitcher’s long-range power. We have seen many players who are incredible hitters on health and safety, even when the game is on the line! a national level; however, this same player does not really have 1.) Effectiveness…or in other words, “ How is he doing?” Seems like a position. Most players will spend most of their practice time a simple question, but many times this is clouded by the personal going to hit in the cages, taking private lessons, and taking extra agendas of coaches and parents. Let’s say in his fi rst three cuts with their friends. While I love the extra time and effort that on the mound, a pitcher walked only one batter, struck four, and players are spending swinging the bat, how much time are they was fairly effective, giving up one on three hits. He only went spending on their defensive skills? to a three-ball count on three hitters and at the end of three innings Name the top fi ve best players in the major leagues and you will his pitch count is at 44. Many would say he is cruising, which is true, probably be naming fi ve great defensive players as well. Let’s but as coaches we are always thinking, “What’s next?” The same throw out some names that you may know: Derek Jeter, Alex Ro- pitcher goes back out in the fourth. He walks the leadoff batter on four driguez, Scott Rolen, Joe Mauer, and Dustin Pedroia. All these pitches and immediately goes to a 3-0 count on the next batter. Now players have different body types and play different positions. the question is, Do you pull him or let him work through it? In order to All hit for power, average, and on base percentage. You must answer this question you must… note that all these players have also won a Gold Glove for their 2.) Know his history. As a coach you must keep track of all of your designated position. What this message should tell youth players pitchers’ performances. You should be taking notes on and/or charting is that while hitting is great, great players play defense! To be a every pitch in each and every game. You must use this information to great player and help your team, you must be able to defend. individual pitching trends. If a pitcher is in good shape, has been on To be a great defender you must spend time, effort and focus. the proper throwing program, but is 6-foot-3 and 155 pounds, it would At the youth levels we see this dangerous trend playing out daily make sense for him to run out of gas at approximately 55 pitches. with great hitters who do not have a position! Don’t allow your However, someone using only pitch count would say he should be son to fall into this dangerous trap. Here are some questions you able to go to 90 pitches. need to be asking yourself when you are evaluating your son’s 3.) Watch him? How does he look? When a pitcher is laboring, his practices or workload. mechanics suffer. Is the pitcher pulling his head? Is he staying closed What amount of time does my son spend on his defense? Does on his front side? Is the pitcher able to keep the ball down in the zone he make the routine play consistently? How much range does he consistently? Can the pitcher repeat his delivery? Answering any of have? Is my son a liability or asset on defense? these questions with a NO means it is time to remove the pitcher from Now reread these questions and answer them honestly! Re- the game. member, baseball is like church: Many attend, few understand. 4.) Allow pitcher to self-assess. This is a progressive thought, but if Trend #3: Pitch Counts. How many times have I heard you ask a pitcher how he feels, he just might tell that he does not feel this? “Coach, why are you taking my son out of the game? good! In turn, you would know that you better get someone up in the His pitch count is only 51!” , QUICK! Keep in mind that many youth pitchers are chronic If you’re reading this article, you’ve heard the phrase “pitch liars when it comes to coming out of a game. Therefore, revert back count” used as a measure of a pitcher’s ability to stay in or to the fi rst three rules. come out of a game. A pitch count is the sum total of live pitches There is no wrong or right way of evaluating if it is time to make a thrown (meaning it typically excludes bullpen and between-in- pitching change. However, it is critical that coaches and parents not fall ning warm-ups) by a pitcher at a given point in an outing. prey to relying only on pitch Coaches regularly use pitch counts to base their assessment of count. This is short-sighted a pitcher’s fatigue level, which is critical in deciding how long to and dangerous in its potential let him pitch. to be detrimental to the player and his future.

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