concerned mom

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concerned mom

My daughter's softball coach (Bantam age 15) insists on her catching behind a batter while using a pitching machine. She's been hit in the head three times. I approached the coach about it and she said that this was common practice and that my daughter is well protected with equipment and it shouldn't hurt her. I've never seen a pitching machine used with a catcher before is this really common and safe practice?

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concerned mom

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Not seen that before ...
by: Dan

Concerned Mom:

I cannot think of any time in all the years of coaching where we put a catcher in during batting practice with a pitching machine. The girls would go and collect the balls when the buckets were empty. Maybe the coach is trying to simulate a real game situation?

I have heard of leagues that use a pitching machine at the younger ages, like at coach's pitch leagues, but I would be surprised if they did have a catcher in there.

To me, I do not want my catcher getting hit in the head. I don't care how much equipment they have on. It is still a blow to the head. I am NOT a doctor, but I would think that could still cause a concussion.

I am reaching out to someone who sells pitching machines to get his opinion. I'll let you know. In the meantime, would be interested in others opinions.

Kind regards,

Dan

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Hits to the Head
by: Anonymous

Hits to the head should be avoided at all costs. This is clearly a situation where those hits could be avoided.

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Pitching machine & Catching
by: Kevin

In more than 20+ years in Coaching I've never seen, nor have I ever used a catcher behind the plate while using a pitching machine. I have on occassion used a machine to help teach a catcher how to drop and block, but it was never at a high speed setting.

I think it's best to just do it the old fashioned way and have your girls "rack" the balls when you run out. This is my opinion of course.

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