Posted on 03/19/2015 8:16:15 PM PDT by pallis
This is the biggest problem in Major League Baseball and they’d better figure something out, the high number of injuries to pitchers, the Rangers just lost Yu Darvish for the entire season....they have to figure out why so many pitchers get injured, because it’s ridiculous to pay that kind of money for pitchers that cannot pitch.
Dang, that is kinda harsh isn’t it? Here we have a long time FReeper sharing with us a proud/happy time with his young’n and you bomb him for it?
Thank you for bragging.
I played with seven teammates who made it to the pros.
With care and respect, 87 and 89 mph plus curves at 14 years old is not prudent, since the young arm is still growing. Mark Prior was perfect at 14, pushed it, and flamed out in four years.
Your son can make big bucks with a healthy arm. Guard it.
His skill is very rare. Do research and get him AND YOU some good coaching and guidance. Don’t let the wrong coach exploit him and mess up his arm.
AND
Keep us posted!
Thanks for sharing your excitement.
Some big-league pitchers have trouble hitting the upper 80s. If he’s got effective breaking stuff that he can control (put it where he wants it most of the time), he’s well on track.
Maybe a “grip” pitch like a knuckler but I wouldn’t trust a sharp breaking pitch yet.
True that....
Drinking tonight...?
87 for a 14 yo is amazing.
Some big leaguers throw that, or less.
Don’t let him throw curves.
Phenomenal!!!!! No wonder you’re proud!
But DO keep an eye on his shoulder and elbow. You might even make an apt with a sports doctor to find out what you need to do to keep him from blowing those out at an early age. Better safe than sorry, etc.
Congratulations to your son - you have every reason to be a proud dad! As others have said, be VERY careful of shoulder & elbow problems, however you have to do it. I pitched regularly (and too often) for the first time at age 14-15, threw a decent fastball (not even close to 87 or 89, your son’s speed is phenomenal), curve balls at varying speeds and breaks, a good change-up, and even threw a sharp breaking screw ball. And my shoulder, and to a lesser degree my elbow have never been the same. It was a different era 40 years ago and coaches didn’t have as good of an understanding of potential arm problems as they do now. Go slow with him and be careful! Is he a righty or a southpaw?
I too have a proud dad moment from today related to my son’s first freshman HS baseball game. He didn’t start but played the last 3 innings, played right field, caught the two balls hit his way and lined a 1-1 fastball over second base in his only plate appearance. He’s batting 1.000 - he should quit now....lol...I’m a CPA and wasn’t able to see the game (sometimes I hate my profession), but my wife texted me with the score, his defensive plays, and his hit. He worked hard to make the team and he’s listened to and learned a lot from the coaches (the best coaches he’s ever had) in the past 3 weeks. I was very happy for him!! I’ll get to see Sunday’s double-header. In the immortal words of Ernie Banks, “Let’s play two”.
I’m probably using this as a vanity post, but it’s another proud parent story, with a twist. My mom ( I call her Mommy) passed away this past September at almost 91 years old - I miss her dearly! She liked baseball and was a big Cubs fan. She also sat through LOTS of my park district games in the 60’s and 70’s while I was age 8-15. Five years ago I discovered, as some people call it, “old man baseball”. I play on a 48+ year old team and a 53+ team. During my second year playing, my wife brought my mom to one of my games. I was soooo nervous but pumped up because my Mommy was seeing me play ball for the first time in 35 years. I wanted to make her proud of her baby (I am the youngest and she often called me her “baby”)! She saw me go 1-2 with a walk, 2 stolen bases and a run scored. It got very cool out and she wanted to go home, unfortunately after I struck out on a nasty curve ball, my last at bat she ever saw. Talking to her afterwards, she said she was very glad to see me play and proud of her “baby”. And for me, I was VERY proud that my Mommy could come see me play...
Congratulations to your son. I’m sure he is very excited.
My son is a righty. Your point about not over pitching is well taken.
That’s a great story, and I bet your mommy was very proud of you. Thank you for sharing that.
Impressive but take the advice of others to prevent permanent injury that could screw any chances at a career. A 14 year old body is still developing and needs a lot of attention when pushing the limits. I started lifting weights when I was 14-1/2 and have aches/pains/glitches at 62 because I didn’t have a knowledgeable coach and overdid a= because my body started getting so strong so fast.
Oh yeah. Well, my 14 year-old invented the question mark.
“Stop trying to make up your own life failures through your kid.”
And get off my lawn
You let your kid throw anything other than fastballs and changeups, you are going to ruin any chance he has of a professional career in baseball. In fact, you should strictly limit the number of throws and have him play a field position until he is at least 16-17.
Don’t let your ego screw up his future.
Take care of that arm!
Get him in the weight room. Build up the strength that will help him avoid injuries that can shorten or finish his playing days.
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