Closer in High School Baseball

[tomcat84]

How many high schools are consistently using a closer? If they use a closer is it one of their top pitchers?

[STRIKE3]

How many high schools are consistently using a closer? If they use a closer is it one of their top pitchers?

It would be difficult at the HS level, to take a top pitcher and relegate him to a closer role, unless extremely deep in starting pitching depth.

 

Many will get relief or closing innings in, if a starter has innings early and want some work, before his next start, after mandatory rest. Open days, may factor in and some part-time starters, get the closing role.

 

Very good question.

[YankeeFan22]

I can't think of many teams who have a pitcher thats just a closer and comes in regular, like a college or MLB one.

[tomcat84]

It would be difficult at the HS level, to take a top pitcher and relegate him to a closer role, unless extremely deep in starting pitching depth.

 

Many will get relief or closing innings in, if a starter has innings early and want some work, before his next start, after mandatory rest. Open days, may factor in and some part-time starters, get the closing role.

 

Very good question.

 

I am struggling with it. I have 4 quality pitchers. I can not decide if it is a better idea to go with a 3 man rotation and a closer or a 4 man rotation. I have scheduled Wed off each week which allows an additional day rest if I go with the 3 man rotation. I have a 5th that I could use for middle relief. What's your thoughts.

[The Great Game]

I am struggling with it. I have 4 quality pitchers. I can not decide if it is a better idea to go with a 3 man rotation and a closer or a 4 man rotation. I have scheduled Wed off each week which allows an additional day rest if I go with the 3 man rotation. I have a 5th that I could use for middle relief. What's your thoughts.

 

I have seen it in the summer but not too often in the spring. That is such a specialized position, both mentally and physically, that it may be difficult to distinguish who could be right for that role at the high school level. What if a team rarely gets in those situations to have to use a closer and you chance wasting a kid with some ability by waiting to use him in those exact situations. On the other side of the coin it may be an opportunity for a young pitcher to find his calling for the next level where they rountinely use a closer. Really good question...

[STRIKE3]

I am struggling with it. I have 4 quality pitchers. I can not decide if it is a better idea to go with a 3 man rotation and a closer or a 4 man rotation. I have scheduled Wed off each week which allows an additional day rest if I go with the 3 man rotation. I have a 5th that I could use for middle relief. What's your thoughts.

If youre playing Mon./Tues. and Thurs./Fri., what would you do for your odd day starter. Would you bring back your Monday starter, with limited innings on Friday or include another player in the rotation. Are you also playing any Saturday games, where you would get 5 instead of 4.

 

Try the closer role, in your two scrimmage games and see how the closer, adjusts to the role. Also the 1st two weeks of the season, set your rotation for match-ups and work on getting a inning or two, for your closer and developing a 4th/5th starter. Pitch counts, will also dictate how you utilize your staff early on and you'll need a 4th/5th arm, to help with middle innings, if you're going to have a closer.

 

If he's not getting any work on Mon./Tues. as a closer, if the games are lopsided, you could still get him his inning or work and then use him, as a closer.

[bobbyearl]

I am struggling with it. I have 4 quality pitchers. I can not decide if it is a better idea to go with a 3 man rotation and a closer or a 4 man rotation. I have scheduled Wed off each week which allows an additional day rest if I go with the 3 man rotation. I have a 5th that I could use for middle relief. What's your thoughts.

Same situation Boyd Co. had last year with

Justin Moore

Tyler Perkins

Greg Bowling

Casey Branham

 

While your situation might be different all 4 of these boys were seniors and it was a use it or lose it case. Boyd made Casey their closer and he probably wound up throwing around 15 innings or so for Boyd. Casey was a 4 yr. starting infielder and could except the role as he was not being recuited as a pitcher but infielder at the next level. The key is to find the kid that can except the role.

HECK.... Boyds catcher threw a inning or 2 at East-West senior game and was clocked at 88mph. and he did not throw a pitch for Boyd, now that is pitching depth.

[ColonelCrazy]

Covington Catholic typically uses a closer.

 

Typically, it is an underclassman who is very talented (see Rob Harmon in '00 / '01) or an upperclassman who is talented but would be the 4th or 5th man in the rotation.

[Homerun]

The problem, I think, is how many teams have 4 or 5 top notch pitchers? But the benefit, ultimately I believe, is keeping pitch counts down. When a pitcher goes beyond 4 innings, the pitch count starts to rise and the time to recuperate increases. There can be a benefit to have a pitcher with a different style come in. Say a power pitcher pitches for 4 or 5 innings. Then a softer throw that throws from the opposite side comes in for the remainder. I think it can be a big benefit as far as results and also save a pitcher's arm. The problem is, though, how many teams have that many quality pitchers?

[tomcat84]

If youre playing Mon./Tues. and Thurs./Fri., what would you do for your odd day starter. Would you bring back your Monday starter, with limited innings on Friday or include another player in the rotation. Are you also playing any Saturday games, where you would get 5 instead of 4.

 

Try the closer role, in your two scrimmage games and see how the closer, adjusts to the role. Also the 1st two weeks of the season, set your rotation for match-ups and work on getting a inning or two, for your closer and developing a 4th/5th starter. Pitch counts, will also dictate how you utilize your staff early on and you'll need a 4th/5th arm, to help with middle innings, if you're going to have a closer.

 

If he's not getting any work on Mon./Tues. as a closer, if the games are lopsided, you could still get him his inning or work and then use him, as a closer.

 

The way it works out every 3rd week someone will get a Mon- Friday start. Only playing one Saturday and was still able to schedule 34 games. The four pitchers are very equally matched and all will be position players while not pitching. Just kicking around ideas as this is my first year as head coach and I noted that last year the kids arms wore out.

[STRIKE3]

The way it works out every 3rd week someone will get a Mon- Friday start. Only playing one Saturday and was still able to schedule 34 games. The four pitchers are very equally matched and all will be position players while not pitching. Just kicking around ideas as this is my first year as head coach and I noted that last year the kids arms wore out.

Your approach is very good and limiting pitches early, will certainly allow you to use a closer and it may be multiple, to get innings from several.

 

Keep us updated, on what you decide....:thumb:

[Homerun]

What about the player that plays outfield, say, and can pitch? The Zach Cox type at PRP (though he plays 3rd base) or Brad Corley who played a while back and played outfield. Wouldn't the closer role fit a player like that well?

[STRIKE3]

What about the player that plays outfield, say, and can pitch? The Zach Cox type at PRP (though he plays 3rd base) or Brad Corley who played a while back and played outfield. Wouldn't the closer role fit a player like that well?

The only problem, with using a Starter in an closing role, is the mandatory rest after pitching:

 

3-5 (1 day)

6 (2 days)

7-9 (3 days)

 

You could certainly use a position player, to get 1-2 innings Mon./Tues and Thurs./Fri. but if you have a starter, they would need the mandatory rest. I can see a starter on Mon./Tues., getting some relief innings Fri. or Sat., in pitch count was minimal and recovery is good.

 

Position players often are starters, in a teams rotation but certainly does work at some schools. Other coaches will tell you, that moving their defense around a lot, in the late innings will make them very nervous.

[KIDS FAN]

With scheduling and weather here in Kentucky, it is a juggling act to get everyone some work if you have the 4 or 5 kids that can pitch. In most of the 13th,14th,15th and 16th, just having 4 pitchers (not kids that pitch) is difficult to find. It would be nice to have a closer and if you do---- FEEL VERY FORTUNATE.

[bellalumni40]

What is the innings per week limit now?

 

I would think you might have a little difficulty finding a kid with that mentality at this level. In high school I thrived in save opportunities, but was our number 1 and 2 starter throughout high school so it was hard for me to be confined to that role. We only had 3 guys that we liked to start until my senior year we only had 2 solid starters. It will be a test to find a kid that thrives in that role, that also wouldnt want to start. In the mountains we never saw many teams with a "closer." We didnt even have any set closers on my Legion ball team. In high school you probably see closer by committee more often than not.