There are some ideas in baseball that just don't go away - they are the lingering controversies, theories, strategies, etc., that persist - but not with one 'right way to do things' but two - and usually completely opposite.
So, in the true spirit of Nose 2 Nose, this survey went head to head, one on one, nose to... you get the idea.
Some interesting conclusions from the charts above...
- Tees are favored over coach-pitch at the youngest ages.
- Curveballs are thought to be safer than screwballs although the medical evidence may not support this.
- Almost everyone thinks tracking pitch count makes more sense than innings pitched to protect young arms, but who should track it is a toss up.
- Younger teams want everyone to bat, older teams prefer nine. Interesting number of respondents thought everyone-bats was better for players but nine-bat was better for coaches - and an equal number thought the opposite!
- Far fewer coaches and players like the idea of the 3rd baseman faking the charge in and pedalling back - WebBall is inclined to agree.
- Older team coaches are bigger on the possible tenth player being a rover, young team coaches like to keep it simpler - stay in the outfield.
- A surprising number of coaches favor the old and previously criticized 'elbow up' approach which is coming back into favor.
Comments by voters
Numbers indicate chart number above.
1. Kids should learn to hit the Tee at age 4. By 5 and 6 they should be able to hit a coach tossing the ball from 36 feet! After 3 strikes, you can always give them a cut or 2 off the tee.
3. Innings or pitches. I think that the official rules should stay with innings, because kids are so different. Some 8 year olds tire after 35 pitches, and some can go for 65, no problem. The innings standard allows some flexibility. Of course, the coaches should count pitches and know their pitchers.
4. Everyone bats. For peewee age (7-8), I think this is best for all. Coaches then don't have to worry about kids sitting out and not doing anything. When you get to more competitive leagues like Travel etc, then they can go with 9.
7. Elbow up. I don't like when dads yell at their kids to keep their elbows up. It seems unnatural. I would rather have the elbow be comfortable. I usually don't mention the elbow at all, unless it is way too far up.
- Dave Hester
5: I'd prefer to do it both of the ways you have described, much like you have different ways to defend 1st and 3rd steal situations.
- Sean Gibson
7. Yes it seems most ML power hitters are going to elbow up, HOWEVER they are at a different level of development and can keep the high elbow without it altering the swing path or the grip. High elbow at our level seems to lead to 'bat wrapping', longer bathead path to ball (the opposite of short to the ball) and premature wrist roll due to an incorrect grip caused by the top hand's wrist linked too closely to the elbow's angle.
- Frank S.
5. Regarding sacrifice bunt strategy w/runner at 2B, there are obviously in number of ways to skin a cat that may depend on situation & player abilities. It seems that 2B & SS charging is becoming more popular. I guess I'm more 'old school' & prefer the 3B man to take 2 steps in when bunt is shown & either return to bag if bunt can be fielded by P or 1B man or charge if 3B man must field the ball. The rotation play is a good alternative. I use a rotation pick occasionally whereby the 2B man breaks to 2B when SS breaks to 3B. Another alternative is for the 3B man to hold his position, the P breaks hard to 3B line, & 1B man charges hard to cover middle-to-right side.
- Ron Moore
3. I think that the level I have coached at (juniors and seniors in high school) and the level I play (NABA, MABL) equal playing time is not a factor, only performance. If I had to get kids equal playing time then innings might come into play. I agree as it was stated in the question you could throw 100 pitches in 3 innings and if you planed on giving a 17 year old kid at least five innings he could quite possibly throw 150 to 175 pitches.
- Tony Kerber
