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walks…

Posted by Rodney Dangerbroke on November 2, 2025, 5:48 am

Why do coaches hate when hitters walk a lot?

Re: walks…

Posted by WALKS on November 4, 2025, 12:45 pm, in reply to "walks…"

Many years ago, we were at a fall showcase, and my daughter's team playing the Bandits, the coach intentionally walks a kid, just so he would keep the game tied before it ended. (Knew in that moment time to go)

Re: walks…

Posted by PBR on November 3, 2025, 1:15 pm, in reply to "walks…"

Sometime between 14u and 16u coaches tire of girls watching good pitches go by into the catchers mitt. These coaches react by going nuts if a player takes a called third. Players then counter by swinging at everything thus driving down strike outs but also driving down on-base percentage.
Next to Runs scored and RBI’s, OB% might be the most valued aspect to evaluate a player value offensively.
Coaches should encourage players to be ready to swing at the first pitch (and every pitch), but to be selective until they get to 2 strikes.

Re: walks…

Posted by @Rodney on November 3, 2025, 7:53 am, in reply to "walks…"

I have a P4 daughter who sees walks and HBP the same as hits. It all depends on who's hitting behind you, who's on base, RISP, etc. You can't ask a kid to swing at bad pitches.

Re: walks…

Posted by Answer on November 2, 2025, 4:02 pm, in reply to "walks…"

Do you want Otanhi walking or hitting?

Re: walks…

Posted by Real answer on November 3, 2025, 12:38 pm, in reply to "Re: walks…"

Very similar to above. All coaches want now are extra base hits. The way the statisticians look at at bats are that 4 at bats with a walk score 1 run where as 4 at bats can mean 4 runs. ITs just like the famous saying in MLB organizations, nobody walks off the island, gotta hit to get on the boat. Actuaries run college baseball and softball.

Go inside a MLB organization and try and get a peak at the algorithms teams use to decide value. Depending on the speed of the runner who walks, sometimes they are considered a detriment. Not at all saying its right but its the truth. Patty Gasso has been quoted as saying something along the lines of never in her life did she ever think a middle infielder would even hit home runs, now she wont even look at middle infielders that dont hit numerous home runs.

Re: walks…

Posted by SB Dad on November 3, 2025, 1:55 pm, in reply to "Re: walks…"

RBI isn't a good indicator...that stat relies on another kid or two being on base. That is an old school stat. BA with runners in scoring position is better. Also, OPS is the number. OnBase plus Slugging. It is easier to get kids who slug rather than trying to string a bunch of hits together. Pitching is too good.

Re: walks…

Posted by @SB Dad on November 3, 2025, 2:18 pm, in reply to "Re: walks…"

This is a "no shit" conversation. Is a multi-base hit better than a walk? Of course it is. It's also infinitely harder to accomplish. So you're saying if your OPS isn't high, there's no place in the game for the player?

Re: walks…

Posted by SB Dad on November 4, 2025, 9:10 am, in reply to "Re: walks…"

Well look at the stats from the teams in the college WS last year. The OPS for most of those kids was incredible. They are doing it against the best pitching. If you are not getting on base at a high percentage, and are also not slugging what are you doing? OPS needs to be at least .800 to be average. Slappers aren't going to necessarily have a high slug, but they better have a high on base pct. Some sluggers may not have the highest BA, but they should walk more and have a very high slug.

Maybe the kid with a low OPS can be a great defensive player that gets hit for, or a pinch runner.

Re: walks…

Posted by @SB Dad on November 4, 2025, 10:55 am, in reply to "Re: walks…"

College World Series? C'mon, there are over 1000 softball programs across the NCAA, and those are the 64 best. While aspirations are commendable, the vast majority of children will never reach that level. Make the best of the skill set that's unique to your child. Maybe the kid with the low OPS can contribute at a mid-major or DII, etc. Quit acting like the only success is P4, because most of you aren't even sniffing that level.

Re: walks…

Posted by @@SB Dad on November 4, 2025, 12:03 pm, in reply to "Re: walks…"

Just because a player isn't going to make that level does not mean they should not train to get there. Emulate what the best players in the country do. Not what lesser player do.

Besides, who are we to say where a player is capable of ascending to?

Re: walks…

Posted by SB Dad on November 4, 2025, 1:20 pm, in reply to "Re: walks…"

That is my point exactly. TRAIN to be a high OPS hitter. No matter where you end up playing a high OPS is going to get you on the field playing the game you love.

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