"So this is the great debate: Is it right to call pitches as a youth travel baseball coach? When I first stopped playing and became a coach, I was highly against calling pitches for my players. I was using my experience as a player to make this decision. I felt like guys should have confidence in what pitch is being thrown. Also this is a way for them to develop and learn the game. Into my first season as a head coach, I realized I was missing a great opportunity. I have been through college as a very successful starting pitcher going 30-3 in three years and playing for 3 years with St. Louis Cardinals as left handed specialist. I certainly learned how to attack hitters and adjust to hitters and the many signs they give to help you efficiently get them out. There are subtle signs that can give a pitcher an edge. These signs are meaningless and pitch selection is meaningless without Execution! Once my pitchers understand and believe in execution before selection, paired with a small edge in a hitters flawed approach that can be exposed, the game becomes easier. Baseball is a game of adjustments. You must use the tools you have to get the job done and stay one adjustment ahead of your competition. With that being said, I do stress if you are calling pitches for your players, you must also walk them through the process so they can learn the game. We are not developing robots. We are looking to develop pitchers with an advanced approach to the game. Do not waste pitches; attack with purpose - early and often! Challenge hitters and expand the strike zone. This make hitters adjust to you, and when they do, you will see it and be one step ahead. If you're a coach and have a wealth of experience and actually played, I’d say start calling pitches, but with caution. Remember it takes focus and attention to call with purpose and know your pitchers abilities." - Coach Jason Galbraith, Former St. Louis Cardinals Pitcher and Head Coach at Suffolk Community College, Owner of the Eastend Baseball Academy.
EEBA Chalk Talk: Coaches Calling Pitches
