Debate: Pitching or Quarterbacking

[diesbudt]

Quaterback. Hands down. Because they have many more things and variables to worry about outside just throwing it well.

 

[vi edit]

Not comparable. A pitcher is more closely related to a golfer than a QB. An NFL QB has to process and react to an incredible amount of information in a 5 second window that a pitcher or golfer would never have to.

 

[darkewaffle]

I think a pitcher requires greater precision personally, though that's not to say a QB doesn't but they have a lot more leeway in a lot of situations and can rely on their receivers to compensate as well. A catcher can't turn a ball into a strike though.

I think QBs need a broader skillset but pitchers need to be more highly skilled at their specialty.

 

[yllus]

Apples and oranges, but a pitcher has a much more precise and specialized set of skills than a quarterback needs.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Brandon Weeden.

Drafted as a pitcher. Played in the minors and never made it to the majors.
Now a starting NFL quarterback.


It really is impossible to say which is more difficult. In Weeden's case, pitching was more difficult since he couldn't make to the majors.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

and that doesn't change anything i stated.

it's still harder to get a QB job since there are only 32 of them as opposed to 100+ pitching jobs out there.

But that wasn't the question. The difference in the number of available starting positions (at QB and pitching) has nothing to do with how difficult it is to perform at those positions. It just means that less starting QB positions are available than starting pitching positions. It also fails to take into account the fact that there are number 1 starters in baseball (akin to a starting QB), number 2 starters (akin to a second string backup QB), etc.

Put in other terms, your argument suggests that playing QB is more difficult than playing an offensive line position, simply because there are more offensive line positions than QB positions. That rationale doesn't make any sense, though it may come to the correct answer.

 

[Red Storm]

You don't have to be in shape to be a professional pitcher.

The same cannot be said for professional quarterbacks.

I don't think it's a debate at all. Even being a college quarterback is tougher.

 

[diesbudt]

I think a pitcher requires greater precision personally, though that's not to say a QB doesn't but they have a lot more leeway in a lot of situations and can rely on their receivers to compensate as well. A catcher can't turn a ball into a strike though.

I think QBs need a broader skillset but pitchers need to be more highly skilled at their specialty.

Well said Dark.

 

[Uppsala9496]

You don't have to be in shape to be a professional pitcher.

The same cannot be said for professional quarterbacks.

I don't think it's a debate at all. Even being a college quarterback is tougher.

So you don't have to be in shape to play offensive or defensive lineman? By that line of thinking playing shortstop is more difficult.

Pitchers are in shape. Some of them have more fat than others, but that doesn't mean they are out of shape. Unless you have ever pitched at a high level (college and above), you have no idea what kind of strain it puts on the body. Weak legs, then forget about pitching.

I pitched in college. Played 2 years of minor league ball. About a decade after hanging it up I attempted to play some organized 30+ year old baseball. Holy hell did I suck pitching because my legs were not used to it. It was beyond horrible. Lack of pitch speed, movement, etc. Just wasn't in shape to do it.

 

[vi edit]

This question is like asking what is harder - being a world famous concert pianist or a world famous opera singer. Both are incredibly difficult and something that only a handful of people can do, but require two very different skillsets.

 

[Red Storm]

This question is like asking what is harder - being a world famous concert pianist or a world famous opera singer. Both are incredibly difficult and something that only a handful of people can do, but require two very different skillsets.

If you keep it general like "playing a professional sport in front of thousands of people" I can agree, but IMHO actually playing the quarterback position is physically and mentally more difficult than pitching.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

No question -- NFL QB.

Not comparable. A pitcher is more closely related to a golfer than a QB. An NFL QB has to process and react to an incredible amount of information in a 5 second window that a pitcher or golfer would never have to.

This. Pitchers aren't running for their lives half the game like Andrew Luck, nor do they have to make split second decisions using lots of variables in a very short window.

 

[96Firebird]

Quarterback. Pitchers very rarely get tackled by 340 pound men.

Same could be said for quarterbacks.

 

[GobBluth]

As a former pitcher, I am bias but... Pitching requires such strength, precision, mental toughness, skill, etc. (loneliest place in the world - The Mound)

A QB has the option of bailing out if the play doesn't feel right. A pitcher does not. When you are on the hill, you have all eyes on you. Both dugouts, the fans, the umps, the batter, the cameras, etc. Scrutinizing your every movement. That is a lot of pressure. At the big league level, its ^10.

Pitcher, hands down.

 

[vi edit]

If you keep it general like "playing a professional sport in front of thousands of people" I can agree, but IMHO actually playing the quarterback position is physically and mentally more difficult than pitching.

The only similarity between the two roles is that they "throw something". Outside of that the mechanics, margins of error, psychology and impact on the game are entirely different.

There are many people that believe that hitting a major league fastball is one of the hardest things to do in any of the major sports. Who's responsible for delivering that fastball?

There's no question that a QB has to be a much more "complete" athlete in terms of mental and physical conditioning and that the role is a much more complicated one.

But you can't objectively say one is harder than another. They are so dissimilar and require a widely different set of physical and mental abilities.

 

[purbeast0]

As a former pitcher, I am bias but... Pitching requires such strength, precision, mental toughness, skill, etc. (loneliest place in the world - The Mound)

A QB has the option of bailing out if the play doesn't feel right. A pitcher does not. When you are on the hill, you have all eyes on you. Both dugouts, the fans, the umps, the batter, the cameras, etc. Scrutinizing your every movement. That is a lot of pressure. At the big league level, its ^10.

Pitcher, hands down.

so you are saying none of that applies to a QB in the NFL?

i'd say it does, and more so, since the stadiums, teams, and viewing audience are much larger than in the MLB.

 

[Red Storm]

But you can't objectively say one is harder than another. They are so dissimilar and require a widely different set of physical and mental abilities.

Yeah that's why it's IMHO.

 

[soulcougher73]

Id say QB is harder overall because of the situation they are in. Not that pitching is not hard and requires a ton of talent, but they get to throw the ball when they decide to. Not when a LB decides you better or die

 

[SP33Demon]

Pitching is a god given talent - you can either throw hard in conjunction with other pitches to learn or you cannot. QBs as well, but they need other talents such as speed and mental ability. In baseball, the catcher/manager more or less calls the game in most situations so the thinking (mental ability) is outsourced. The pitcher just has to execute what others tell him to do.

The QB not only has to play manager/catcher, but throw the ball accurately to different distances and run as well. So difficulty is definitely moreso with QBs. However, could a QB be a pitcher? Not unless their name is John Elway.

 

[Uppsala9496]

QB's are told what plays to run, so that argument doesn't work.
If there is a baserunner, the pitcher has to make sure they keep them close to the base. That alters their pitching style, selection, mechanics, etc. Not easy to do a slide step for one runner because they are fast and a regular set position when it is someone slower.

 

[Pens1566]

QB

 

[SP33Demon]

As a former pitcher, I am bias but... Pitching requires such strength, precision, mental toughness, skill, etc. (loneliest place in the world - The Mound)

A QB has the option of bailing out if the play doesn't feel right. A pitcher does not. When you are on the hill, you have all eyes on you. Both dugouts, the fans, the umps, the batter, the cameras, etc. Scrutinizing your every movement. That is a lot of pressure. At the big league level, its ^10.

Pitcher, hands down.

Also as a former pitcher noone is saying that it doesn't take mental toughness to execute the pitches. However, the same can be said for QBs. Also, a pitcher is never really scared, in fact the batter is more scared than the pitcher. I cannot tell you how many hearts I've struck fear into with my fastball and how many (more than a few) bench clearings I've caused by hitting a kid and making them cry (although I've never headhunted). A baseball is a weapon and the pitcher holds the power. It's the opposite in football though.

 

[Ns1]

QB's are told what plays to run, so that argument doesn't work.
If there is a baserunner, the pitcher has to make sure they keep them close to the base. That alters their pitching style, selection, mechanics, etc. Not easy to do a slide step for one runner because they are fast and a regular set position when it is someone slower.

A great QB can and will change plays on the fly.

Besides, doesn't a catcher tell the pitcher what to pitch? =P

 

[Perknose]

QB

Pay closer attention when the cameras go down to field level the next time you're watching football on TV. The speed of the game is INSANE. It all looks so clear and obvious from the bird's eye view we get from up above, but . . .

 

[SP33Demon]

QB's are told what plays to run, so that argument doesn't work.
If there is a baserunner, the pitcher has to make sure they keep them close to the base. That alters their pitching style, selection, mechanics, etc. Not easy to do a slide step for one runner because they are fast and a regular set position when it is someone slower.

"Finding the open receiver" means they still have to execute when the set play fails (not their choice). Pitchers, this never happens. They are always told what to do unless they want to audible by themselves (still their choice). Big difference that requires thinking fast on your feet.