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In a little more than three weeks, my 10U travel team will play its first tournament. I've been thinking about how to manage the pitching staff. We have a 10-player roster right now. Eight kids are pitchers. Two are in the development phase but will need a few months.
As most of you know, the TB circuit usually requires two games per day for two days. I've been thinking about how we'll cover all of those innings. My first priority is protecting kids' arms from overuse/abuse. For the sake of simplicity, let's assume that none of these kids play rec ball.
I've read about coaches who simply throw each of their top 5-6 kids for approximately 20 pitches. But that would require having each kid throw 40 pitches per day for two straight days. That is going to ruin some kid's arm.
So, I decided that the best approach is to have my top four guys start the four tournament games. My idea is to have my top two start the bracket games on Sunday. I'm looking to get 4 innings out of each of them. That puts them well over 50 pitches. This is over the ASMI recommendations but within the limits of most youth leagues.
I plan to have four other guys throw one inning per day. Two will throw in the first game and two will throw in the second game. If one of my starters can't make it four innings, I'll have to use one of my two developing pitchers for an inning here and there. And, if necessary, I have a few reserves on the roster who can come out on Sunday if we run into a pitching bind.
Do you think this is a good way to approach it?
Now, as for the rec ball factor, I recognize that this is a serious concern. If you go only by the mandatory rest rules for Little League, none of the four starters would be able to pitch rec ball games for 3-4 days. Plus, I have to factor in their pitch counts and rest periods for the days prior to the tournament. If a kid throws 50 pitches on Thursday, he would be able to start on Sunday. If he threw more than that, he would not be able to pitch in the tournament. If a kid throws 50 on Wednesday, he could pitch on Saturday but would not be available until Sunday if he goes over 50 on Wednesday.
We're only going to play a few tournaments during the fall ball rec season. So it shouldn't be a major factor. But it's something I want to monitor. Another concern is that some kids will lie to me, and their parents will not correct them. How often does that go on? Obviously, they're paying to watch their kids pitch. But I can't let those kids get hurt just because mom and dad are willing to risk their health.
As most of you know, the TB circuit usually requires two games per day for two days. I've been thinking about how we'll cover all of those innings. My first priority is protecting kids' arms from overuse/abuse. For the sake of simplicity, let's assume that none of these kids play rec ball.
I've read about coaches who simply throw each of their top 5-6 kids for approximately 20 pitches. But that would require having each kid throw 40 pitches per day for two straight days. That is going to ruin some kid's arm.
So, I decided that the best approach is to have my top four guys start the four tournament games. My idea is to have my top two start the bracket games on Sunday. I'm looking to get 4 innings out of each of them. That puts them well over 50 pitches. This is over the ASMI recommendations but within the limits of most youth leagues.
I plan to have four other guys throw one inning per day. Two will throw in the first game and two will throw in the second game. If one of my starters can't make it four innings, I'll have to use one of my two developing pitchers for an inning here and there. And, if necessary, I have a few reserves on the roster who can come out on Sunday if we run into a pitching bind.
Do you think this is a good way to approach it?
Now, as for the rec ball factor, I recognize that this is a serious concern. If you go only by the mandatory rest rules for Little League, none of the four starters would be able to pitch rec ball games for 3-4 days. Plus, I have to factor in their pitch counts and rest periods for the days prior to the tournament. If a kid throws 50 pitches on Thursday, he would be able to start on Sunday. If he threw more than that, he would not be able to pitch in the tournament. If a kid throws 50 on Wednesday, he could pitch on Saturday but would not be available until Sunday if he goes over 50 on Wednesday.
We're only going to play a few tournaments during the fall ball rec season. So it shouldn't be a major factor. But it's something I want to monitor. Another concern is that some kids will lie to me, and their parents will not correct them. How often does that go on? Obviously, they're paying to watch their kids pitch. But I can't let those kids get hurt just because mom and dad are willing to risk their health.
and sh*t happens.
.
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