Posted by: Chris (chris@amiassetmanagement.com) on Mon May 4 11:29:00 2009

> I moved my 5 year old up to coach pitch this year because he was ready. He throws he ball hard and hits well. I coach softball at the high school level. At my son's practice he isn't throwing hard to the other players because he is afraid he is going to hurt someone. I told him to throw it in the air to the first baseman. Later his coach told all the players to throw it and make sure it is on the ground before it gets to the first baseman because it is easier for the first baseman to get it than it is if it was in the air. this infuriated me. I don't want to step on toes, but I brought my kid up from t-ball so he would get better and play with kids who could handle the ball. He was put on a team with all new players to coach pitch. I don'twant to contradict the coach with my son, because I am a coach and I wouldn't want anyone doing that to me nd I don't want to be "that" parent. However, i don't want my son getting into the habit of throwing bad and not in the air to first. I don't want him to kill any kids, but i want him to do what is right as well. Help!

I coach my son in 6-7 year old coach pitch T-ball. I have a similar problem in that my 6 year throws to me quite hard but is afraid of hurting his teammates so he will sometimes hold back. I agree with you that teaching to throw on the ground is wrong and i would rather teach the 1st baseman to catch. I also only use kids at 1st that can catch well enough that they aren't likley to get hurt. I would ask the coach in a non threatening way for his reasoning but as you say you wouldn't want another parent questioning your coaching so there isn't much you can do. Next year, volunteer to coach your son and you won't run into this again.