Advice needed

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Oct 3, 2011
3,478
113
Right Here For Now
DD is going to have to switch teams as her team has imploded after fall ball. Question one how hard is it going to be to find a team for spring? I don't know. How many teams are in your area that she could compete for the starting catcher's spot? If it's the coach's DD, forget it.Question 2 she turned down one of the three teams she tried out for in fall because they had three catchers and I was worried she wouldn't get enough plate time (my mistake). She has played against this team a couple of times in the fall and did pretty well, and I think they are still looking for players. Is it bad form to go back and see if they are interested. No, It's not. But be prepared to be rebuffed. Some coaches are just A-holes and take rejection personally. Finally in words of wisdom or caution would be appreciated.Practice, practice, practice. Good catchers come from the proper mechanics taught by a qualified coach or a parent that went to The Catching Camp , downloaded the video and spent countless hours at home to perfect them. Oh the basics she is 11 late may birthday played 12u c, this fall was her first in travel ball (competitive). I don't think she is quite ready for b level, maybe as a hitter but not as a catcher. Are you sure about that? It never hurts to tryout and not make it. At the very least, your DD could see the level of player she needs to surpass in order to play at that level. Thanks for any help.

I posted my opinions in your quote.
 
Last edited:
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
We found that we like to have 3 catchers (12U TB). #1 and #2 get a large majority of the time behind the plate, but an injury can leave you in a tough spot if you don't have someone else that is ready to step in and help carry the load.

I understand what you are saying about injuries but since she would be joining a team mid-season that already has several catchers, I would be very hesitant if that is her primary position. If it was the beginning of the season and all the kids tried out and there was three catchers, I think it could work if the coach buys in to spreading the playing time around, but its different if the team has their core group of starters. I look at DD's past several travel ball teams and only 2 catchers got 90% or more of the game time. It difficult to get better at catcher by being number #3 with limited playing time; the position is too specialized, similar to pitching. If you are a #3 pitcher or catcher and have no real shot at winning a starting slot, its time to move on. There is a finite amount of time to develop your game and you don't want to be sitting on the bench at 12u.

If it's my team with a small roster (say 12 players), I take 2 catchers and have a back-up catcher who's primarily plays another position in case of an injury. If you have a roster of 16 or are a showcase team, you can carry more position players.
 
Last edited:
Sep 4, 2015
70
0
Georgia
We've never been on a team with 3 catchers. Not sure I would either unless one was clearly a back up/last resort catcher. If you can pick up with teams from now until January, I would say that would be the best plan to find a new team. As I was told once by a coach, "if your kid can hit, she's got a spot on my team". Coaches will always make room for good players.
 
Feb 15, 2013
650
18
Delaware
DD is going to have to switch teams as her team has imploded after fall ball. Question one how hard is it going to be to find a team for spring? Question 2 she turned down one of the three teams she tried out for in fall because they had three catchers and I was worried she wouldn't get enough plate time (my mistake). She has played against this team a couple of times in the fall and did pretty well, and I think they are still looking for players. Is it bad form to go back and see if they are interested. Finally in words of wisdom or caution would be appreciated. Oh the basics she is 11 late may birthday played 12u c, this fall was her first in travel ball (competitive). I don't think she is quite ready for b level, maybe as a hitter but not as a catcher. Thanks for any help.

SMS90: What's your location? you can private message me if you don't want to share publicly.

I'm in the Delaware/MD area. Don't take your DD to a team with 2 catchers and where 1 is the DD of the coach, your child might be better but that's not going to make a difference. Once they hit 16U this point doesn't really matter anymore as winning isn't as important and showcasing is so time is shared better.

In the MD/DE moving from C to B isn't something to fear, the only difference is you play more good teams each weekend and the team might not do as well. But your DD will benefit from PLAYING not being on a team at the highest level possible.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
We have an 18 u team with three players capable of catching.

1) High school junior currently in the recruiting process. Wants to be a catcher and works hard at it. Will catch a high percentage of games for us.
2) High school junior currently in the recruiting process. Wants to play 3rd base but catches for her high school. Will play mostly 3rd for us, but will spend some time at catcher. Will find a spot somewhere just because of her bat. Fun to watch...
3) High school senior committed to play in college next year. Plays catcher in high school, but her college coach wants her to play outfield. She will play mostly outfield for us, but is a nice luxury to have available if needed.

I can see the pros and cons of the 3 catcher system, but I think our current roster provides us a great deal of flexibility without hurting anyone's recruiting goals.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
I understand what you are saying about injuries but since she would be joining a team mid-season that already has several catchers, I would be very hesitant if that is her primary position. If it was the beginning of the season and all the kids tried out and there was three catchers, I think it could work if the coach buys in to spreading the playing time around, but its different if the team has their core group of starters. I look at DD's past several travel ball teams and only 2 catchers got 90% or more of the game time. It difficult to get better at catcher by being number #3 with limited playing time; the position is too specialized, similar to pitching. If you are a #3 pitcher or catcher and have no real shot at winning a starting slot, its time to move on. There is a finite amount of time to develop your game and you don't want to be sitting on the bench at 12u.

If it's my team with a small roster (say 12 players), I take 2 catchers and have a back-up catcher who's primarily plays another position in case of an injury. If you have a roster of 16 or are a showcase team, you can carry more position players.

Agreed on all of it.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
We have an 18 u team with three players capable of catching.

1) High school junior currently in the recruiting process. Wants to be a catcher and works hard at it. Will catch a high percentage of games for us.
2) High school junior currently in the recruiting process. Wants to play 3rd base but catches for her high school. Will play mostly 3rd for us, but will spend some time at catcher. Will find a spot somewhere just because of her bat. Fun to watch...
3) High school senior committed to play in college next year. Plays catcher in high school, but her college coach wants her to play outfield. She will play mostly outfield for us, but is a nice luxury to have available if needed.

I can see the pros and cons of the 3 catcher system, but I think our current roster provides us a great deal of flexibility without hurting anyone's recruiting goals.

Sounds like an ideal situation, but I would characterize it as a "1-catcher with 2 capable back ups" scenario. A 2-catcher scenario is workable if both can play other positions well enough to be in the line up when not catching, but a 3 catcher scenario is a train wreck waiting to happen IMO/IME.
 

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