By Cassidy Dover: "What Do They Talk About When A Coach Visits The Pitching Mound?"

I've watched more than my share of ball games in my life.  Really, it's a hazard of my marriage.  I find myself saying I won't go to every game, but more often than not I end up thinking that the game would be a great distraction from everything else going on in my life.  Anyway, how often have I seen the pitching coach go and speak to the pitcher?  No change is made but the coach goes out, usually when the pitcher is off stride or struggling, and says something.  Usually, the pitcher starts throwing strikes soon after.  If not, the manager comes out and makes a change.  But what does that coach say?  

What are those magical words that get the pitcher back on track.  Maybe you don't wonder, but I always have.  Clearly, the coach wants the pitcher to start throwing strikes.  But how does one handle that goal when all the time you get is what it takes for the umpire to walk the strip between catcher and pitcher?

There was a season in which Ray had been with his pitching coach for the off season in winter ball.  They had a great rapport.  Heck, even I had a great rapport with the man.  After all we had been in a foreign country with odd food and customs we were unfamiliar with.  We had cleaved to each other as only Americans can do in foreign countries.  As we were more similar to each other than those around us we became a group. 

Ray was pitching in a game during the season.  He wasn't having a stellar game, but was doing all right.  I believe it was the top of the sixth inning and he had a one run lead.  He hit his first batter.  Then he got a pop out.  Then he walked the next guy.  Things were shaky at best.  Was he tired? What was going on?  I mean, what is the expectation for a starter. Should you google the question, the result you receive is six innings giving up three runs or less.    

So what was going on with Ray? I noticed the manager made a move towards the bullpen and the pitching coach took the walk to the mound.  I knew Ray had at least one more batter.  If not, they would have just sent the manager in.  However, the bullpen was up and throwing so if he couldn't find the strike zone he'd be out of there soon enough. 

Ray's coach went out there and said something to Ray. Then Ray had this look on his face.  I couldn't imagine what his coach had just said to him.  Ray shook his head.  His coach turned away and was still talking.  Uh oh.  What just happened?  The pitching coach seemed a bit put off.  Then Ray struck out the batter.  He got out of the inning with a ground ball.

After the game I asked Ray, "What did Chick say to you?"

"Oh my goodness, Cassidy, I almost forgot to tell you!  Chick came out and said, 'Ray, my wife and I had an argument tonight.  I needed you to tell me I was right. Here's what happened...'.  I just said to him, 'Are you for real Chick?  Is that why you're out here?' and he said to me, 'Oh,  everything has to be about you.  I can't just come out and talk about my issues with you?  It's all about Ray, don't bother Ray with anything about anyone else.  Just throw a d*mn strike would ya?'" and he walked away!"

"Ray, you're kidding aren't you?  He didn't do that" I said.

"Oh yeah he did.  Just wanted to get my mind to refocus on the issue at hand rather than what I had done with the other two guys that got them on base"

"It seemed to work" I said with a smile.

"Of course it did!  I needed to get into the dugout to hear about what was going on!" Ray said.

Of course, Ray was kidding.  So apparently the pitching coach sometimes doesn't give any advice about how to pitch to a batter or about an adjustment that needs to made.  Sometimes he just wants to talk.  Think about it, usually the pitching coach is stuck sitting in the dug out next to the manager and doesn't say anything for the entire game.  That's not much fun.

Thanks for reading, 
Cassidy 

Cassidy Dover has been a baseball wife for more than 10 years.  Her husband Ray, currently in the minor leagues, has spent part of 7 seaons in The Show.  To read more of her columns, just click HERE.  Cassidy lives somewhere in America with her daughter Sheridan.  Right now, they're probably waiting for Ray to come home.