10 Compelling Reasons Why You Need Your Dad to Catch For You
/Growing up, my dad played an integral role in my softball journey. Without him, I wouldn’t have achieved what I did in sports. His support, along with that of my uncle, cousins, sister, and anyone who caught for me, was invaluable. Here’s why having someone, especially a dad, to catch for you can make all the difference. In my personal experience my dad was the one with the best hand-eye coordination, as opposed to my mom, so I’m going to share with you the benefits I got from working with him!
Bonding Time: Since my mom was more of a runner, sports with balls became the perfect way for my dad and me to bond. Structured activities like pitching practice sessions allowed us to connect and develop a unique relationship. My dad catching for me (and coaching my sister's team) wasn’t just about the game; it was about spending quality time together and preparing me for future relationships. Learning to interact positively with him helped me develop healthy habits and communication skills with men. What better way for girls to bond with their dad than sports!!!
Best Practice: To truly practice and improve your pitching, you need someone to catch for you from a full distance with a nice frame every once in a while. Throwing into a net just isn’t the same and doesn’t provide the necessary feedback or interaction.
Tough Love: Dads tend to be less concerned about their bruised shins caused by unruly drop balls. My dad taught me that being tough is cool.
Fitness for Both: Catching for me wasn’t just beneficial for my practice; it also gave my dad a good workout and helped him keep his hand-eye coordination sharp as he aged ;)
Encouragement: I wanted my dad to be proud of me more than anyone on this earth. Dads are often the best encouragers. When my dad praised me, I wanted to keep going and succeed even more.
Habit Formation: The way I learned to practice on my own wasn’t by practicing on my own. It was by creating the habit with my college pitching coach, who was there for every single pitching practice my Freshman year. When the summer rolled around I felt weird when I skipped a day. That’s when I’d practice on my own into a fence by myself.
Re-learning Life Skills: Through catching and coaching, dads can re-learn sportsmanship, teaching, and teamwork. Parents might get some of these skills at work, but it’s never as good learning it through sports.
Reality Check: Dads can poke fun in a way that remains positive and enjoyable. They know when to give you a reality check and when to boost your confidence. My dad knew how to make me laugh and not take myself too seriously.
Role-Model: My dad played slow-pitch as a pitcher until his joints got too creaky and he kept pulling his hamstring running to first. If he was a player, I wanted to be a player, too.
Equipment: Dads really love pitching and softball tools. My uncle, who is still a pitching coach, loved to get the edge in any way possible. The best tool he ever got was just his glove! He had the best catching mitt that made the loudest noise when it snapped into the leather..
In conclusion, having my dad, and others who caught for me, played a significant role in my success, both on and off the field. The bonding, encouragement, and shared experiences shaped not just my skills but also my personal growth. Pitching is one of the most unique positions in all of sports. It requires a parent to practice with you to achieve your potential. So, if you have someone to catch for you, cherish it – it’s more than just practice; it’s a special bond that can last a lifetime.
