Pitching Mechanics / Illegal Pitches / Teaching Children Properly From Day 1

[wadeintothem]

Dont forget the most important fundamental - and this is an issue that must be stressed to umpires often (especially umpires on this forum )

Let them play ball.

They got plenty of time, you are putting too much stress to even be thinking about this at that age IMO. Dont be one of "those dads" who often ruin the sport for their DD. Even if you want to do that to yours.. dont do it to some other coach, expect that of some other coach, or especially not to someone elses DD. Limit it to just your kid.

IMO, its not even a sport at that age, its a game and you guys are just parents bonding with your kids and its just fun - its hardly coaching.. teaching but not coaching..so

Let them play ball - have fun.

OK off my soap box...

[NCASAUmp]

Finally, someone said it.

[LoRafter]

I completely agree with "let them play and fun." That is our goal as parents and coaches aka teachers. As someone who grew up playing softball surrounded by supportive, no pressure, parents and excellent coaches from my rookie years through attending college on a softball scholarship, all I want to do is give back to my children and others.

I disagree with your statement that it is not even a sport at this age, 7-8, after 2-4 seasons of softball. IMO teaching fundamentals early on is important. It can be done in a fun way through drills that kids truly enjoy. I have seen and have watched the kids improve, gain confidence and become more and more excited as they improve and learn. At what point do you feel it is a appropriate to start teaching fundamental mechanics and basically reinventing the wheel.

Again, I feel completely misunderstood and a bit offended that I people think I need to take a chill pill or whatever. I know I am good with the children, respectful towards other coaches and umpires. I am appreciated by the parents who watch their children have fun and learn the game. My daughter is happy and has fun with the social and learning aspects of the game.

[wadeintothem]

Have you tried heybucket.com?

Those guys get all wild eyed over an 8 y/o illegal pitching. They would be a more suitable peer group for you IMO. For an IP, probably push ups and laps .. For bats, they'd probably recommend a 300 bat for an 8 y/o, me I recommend whatever color the girl likes best and can be found at walmart for under $40.

Give em a shot and good luck as you embark on your new softball quest - the coach!

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

For bats, they'd probably recommend a 300 bat for an 8 y/o, me I recommend whatever color the girl likes best and can be found at walmart for under $40.

Don't you realize how competitive it is these days? If 8Us don't start getting college scouts at their games now, they are way behind the curve.

[LoRafter]

Those of you that have responded to my simple request for a clarification of a softball rule submitted on a forum called Officiating.com with such a degree of close-headed, sarcastic and rude comments should be ashamed. I didn't ask for your personal judgments or attacks. I asked for assistance clarifying a rule.

You are correct. This is not the right forum for me. A forum consisting of people that actually can answer a question with an answer, not a judgment, would be much more helpful. People who actually care about the children having fun while learning fundamentals and rules, would be more helpful.

My experience with this forum has been disappointing to say the least. I am shocked to learn professionals think a child is better off learning to play the game without the benefit of learning correct mechanics. This confuses me. Those of you officials who set aside the rules, simply do not know them, don't think they matter, or don't think softball at this age is a real sport, IMO are not doing your jobs; rather, you are hurting the children. Should there be leniency with the rules at this level when appropriate, yes; however, awareness should be brought to coaches and children involved. There is a lot for the children to learn and work on. Rules of the game are one them.

In closing, if it makes you feel better to judge people who selflessly devote their own personal time, share their knowledge and give to our communities, than continue on with your insults and conclusions. I am very disappointed that so-called professionals are reacting this way.

[wadeintothem]

Oh dont be so but hurt.

If you want to get technical, why dont you check with your league if you are so worried about it? Because GUESS WHAT!! There are NO ASA 6U and 8U Championship play rules rules..none. You can do what you want! Its rec ball so you can make em up as you go along! Some use a machine, some use a coach to pitch, some use a T. So just make up the rule that you can reverse directions and other stuff and there ya have it - no more violations to worry about. I bet your league president A) probably doenst know the rules B) doesnt care for the 6 and 8's.

If its ALL for the kids for you (let me guess you are a coach mommy/daddy and your kid is the only legal pitcher right?) , then let em play and stop sniveling.

[CajunNewBlue]

Originally Posted by LoRafter

Those of you that have responded to my simple request for a clarification of a softball rule submitted on a forum called Officiating.com with such a degree of close-headed, sarcastic and rude comments should be ashamed. I didn't ask for your personal judgments or attacks. I asked for assistance clarifying a rule.

You are correct. This is not the right forum for me. A forum consisting of people that actually can answer a question with an answer, not a judgment, would be much more helpful. People who actually care about the children having fun while learning fundamentals and rules, would be more helpful.

My experience with this forum has been disappointing to say the least. I am shocked to learn professionals think a child is better off learning to play the game without the benefit of learning correct mechanics. This confuses me. Those of you officials who set aside the rules, simply do not know them, don't think they matter, or don't think softball at this age is a real sport, IMO are not doing your jobs; rather, you are hurting the children. Should there be leniency with the rules at this level when appropriate, yes; however, awareness should be brought to coaches and children involved. There is a lot for the children to learn and work on. Rules of the game are one them.

In closing, if it makes you feel better to judge people who selflessly devote their own personal time, share their knowledge and give to our communities, than continue on with your insults and conclusions. I am very disappointed that so-called professionals are reacting this way.

wow, I have no response. except, sucks to be you.
Ok, just kidding.
You gotta take post in here with a LARGE grain of salt. we lack voice inflection and tone and facial expressions (stupid little cartoon face don't count...well they kinda do)
But, thanks for taking the time to bash other umpire who might not have the skill sets of other seasoned umpires, like in here. But that's typical from a coach. (Ok, that's my one cheap shot)
And no... softball at the 6U level is not a real sport. its a RECREATIONAL activity!! designed to instill the LOVE of the game and to LEARN the fundamentals of the sport.

[topper]

Originally Posted by LoRafter

In closing, if it makes you feel better to judge people who selflessly devote their own personal time, share their knowledge and give to our communities, than continue on with your insults and conclusions. I am very disappointed that so-called professionals are reacting this way.

While devoting your time to coach youth sports is admirable, let's not get carried away. It's not quite the same as volunteering at a hospital or homeless shelter. Maybe you do those things too, I have no idea.

You catagorized some responses as insults, but they were kind compared to some responses to your type of post. I'm sure many on here didn't even respond because they saw it as just another coach's thinly veiled rant about a local umpire or group of umpires who did or didn't call this or that. Your second post seems to prove this.

There was an ASA umpire who didn't know that foul tip caught by a catcher on the third strike was an out, that a ball hit in fair territory then rolling foul before passing first base and untouched is a foul ball and that even if the pitch was 3 feet outside, you still need to call a strike if the batter swings, etc.

For rule clarification, I would suggest the rule book. For umpire complaints, I suggest your local association. However, if you expect perfection from every umpire that's calling 8U, you may want to keep a bottle of those chill pills handy.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by LoRafter

Those of you that have responded to my simple request for a clarification of a softball rule submitted on a forum called Officiating.com with such a degree of close-headed, sarcastic and rude comments should be ashamed. I didn't ask for your personal judgments or attacks. I asked for assistance clarifying a rule.

You are correct. This is not the right forum for me. A forum consisting of people that actually can answer a question with an answer, not a judgment, would be much more helpful. People who actually care about the children having fun while learning fundamentals and rules, would be more helpful.

My experience with this forum has been disappointing to say the least. I am shocked to learn professionals think a child is better off learning to play the game without the benefit of learning correct mechanics. This confuses me. Those of you officials who set aside the rules, simply do not know them, don't think they matter, or don't think softball at this age is a real sport, IMO are not doing your jobs; rather, you are hurting the children. Should there be leniency with the rules at this level when appropriate, yes; however, awareness should be brought to coaches and children involved. There is a lot for the children to learn and work on. Rules of the game are one them.

In closing, if it makes you feel better to judge people who selflessly devote their own personal time, share their knowledge and give to our communities, than continue on with your insults and conclusions. I am very disappointed that so-called professionals are reacting this way.

Hey, now I'm offended! Unlike these other judgmental self-important arbiters of all that is good and proper in youth sports (), I only addressed the rules part of your questions (except for the one shot about using umpires at 6U...).

[KJUmp]

Lorafter:
This is the wrong place to slam umpires. You came here, gave us a bunch of BS that you wanted an interp so that "proper mechanics" could be pointed out to the opposing 8U pitcher's coach, and you act shocked that you got flammed. We've all seen your typeof act before, either here on a forum or at a field during the season.