Should He Pitch

Question
I have a 13 year old son who just loves baseball. He's 5'11" wieghs 170 lbs,  very mobile, plays 3rd, 1st, RF, Catcher, & Pitcher. When he pitches he throws hard with a lot of movement on the ball. When he is on he can strike out a lot of batters. But he doesn't like to pitch. I try to keep him pitching just in case, when he's older and plays for a real coach in high school they'll have something to work with. But I want him to enjoy the game. Am I in the wrong?

Answer
Big Daddy,

Thanks for the question.  This is a tough one.

My first thought is: if he has the talent and gifts to pitch, then he should pitch!!!  

My second thought: if he doesn't have it in his heart to pitch, then he should not pitch.

However, I really think you need to explore the thinking that is making him say he doesn't want to pitch.  Normally when I hear this it is a pressure thing.  The kids might not deal with the pressure of the having the big game on his shoulders real well.

I have a boy on my 14 year old team like that. He throws hard and has really good stuff: 4 pitches he throws for strikes.  When I use him against a weaker team, or on a Saturday for a seeding game, he is dynamite.  But put him in a pressure spot on Sunday of a tournament facing elimination, he gives it up. So what do I do with him: only pitch him on Saturday or against a weaker hitting team and he is valuable.

I know this in talking to college and high school coaches, the more a player has to offer, the more valuable he is. If your son can play different positions and hit he is valuable.  If he can pitch, he is priceless!!!

Baseball games are won on pitching, especially at the higher levels.

I personally have a son who is a left handed pitcher and a very good one.  So far in the spring: 15 innings, 36 strikeouts, 4 walks, 0.36 ERA, .128 batting avg against.  This is against the toughest competition we face. That is the only time we use him.  He thrives on the pressure. He is the kid you can bring in up by a run with the bases loaded and no outs and he will get out of it. But we have groomed him for this.  I used to practice in the yard with him and put him in imaginary pressure situations to see if he could throw strikes. It has worked for him.

But some kids handle the pressure differently.  Some can hit under pressure or field under pressure, but have trouble pitching under pressure.

You may just feel him out and see if this is the case. It may just be a little lack of confidence in his own pitching ability.  You may try a few private lessons with a reputable pitching coach.  

Then when it all comes down to it, he may just not like to pitch.  

I would recommend a few lessons and see if that lights a fire in him to be a pitcher.  Talk to him about the mental aspect of pitching.  I have taught my pitchers the whole scenario of getting ahead of hitters so you can set them up for your pitches.  What to do with this type of hitter and so forth.  Make it fun and he may come around.

But whatever happens, love him and support him. It is frustrating at times, but it is all worth it.

I hope this helps.

Mike