My coaches want me to focus on pitching, saying " that's your meal ticket kid.", but I really want to keep focusing on hitting and playing third base, because that is the position I enjoy the most, and I am one of the best hitters on my team. Should I just focus on pitching? By the way, I am a Freshman.

Do what you want to do. Life is too short to live it the way others want you to. Keep working on your pitching as just another option to make you more valuable but if you love hitting and playing the field and you are having success, then keep it up! Gary Sheffeild was told he should be only a pitcher. I bet he's glad he didn't give in.

yanks i have the same deal....i know in the end i will end up only pitching but hit and play the field as long as you can...i was like that a year or so ago when all i wanted to do was pitch and completely disregarded my hitting...now i focus on both again and i am still able to do them both well..just pitching after awhile gets boring too. don't sell yourself short.. if you are good at 3rd and hitting play them there is no reason why you shouldn't

I am going to play third in our USSSA tourny, but It's only because he thinks I have a good arm. BUUUUUUUT, he is going to stick me at second and pitch me a lot during the tourny. We only have one person that isn't hurt on our team that likes to pitch and can get outs... and right now that's me. We have a kid that throws 75+, but his arm gets sore after 7 pitches or so (coming off arm surgery). It's not like I am going to just stop practicing other positions, but my coach is discouraging it and may keep me at a lower level because of it.

Hey Yanksfan,

If he throws 75+ and his arm is sore after 7 pitches then he shouldn't be pitching? In the long run he may get hurt again or ruin the team because his arm will be gone in his next outing?

My son focused mainly on pitching last year and even though he excelled at it his hitting was dipping a bit. He currently works on every single aspect of his game. I'd say do them all and do them all well. Good luck!

Yanksfan,
This is a very good topic. When we talk about a position we need to understand we are basically talking about hitting. Yes fielding, speed, and strong arms are great tools, but hitting and hitting with power will always be the most sought after tools. Like they say, if you can hit you will play. Few players are legitimate two way players in college but in high school the two way player is common simply because there are never enough pitchers. Many solid position players are “forced” into pitching during high school. I think this leads some position players into thinking they are pitchers and their hitting suffers and they ultimately end up hurting their chances to continue at the next level. Not so with pitching. The opportunity to pitch will follow the two way player around for the rest of his career. I would even venture to say that just about any position player in college that has a live arm could get a shot at pitching if they asked, but once you give up the bat it is tough to get it back. Give it up for just an instant and you suddenly find yourself a one dimensional player …… a pitcher only. That’s not necessarily bad if you’re a very good pitcher.
Taking all my rambling into consideration I still think the player that has the ability to contribute on the mound and at the plate should continue to do both, especially at the high school level. If done properly it can provide more opportunities down the road. My son was a pitcher and a catcher and while this is the most difficult combination, it can also be done.
Fungo

well I want to stay 2 dimensional, but My coach is going to keep me at frosh/soph if I stay 2 dimensional... should i just stick it out as a 2d?

Yanksfan,
Deff stick it out at second, as you never know what might happen during the season. If he wants you to only play 2nd, that's because he know syou can play there, and there are guys in the other positions that he can count on. Besides, next year, when the group of seniors graduate he may need you in a different position. Any place that you can play at the highest level and start, deff do so.