How many is too many?

marriard · Jan 11, 2013

mad hornet said:
I know when we faced the Gold Coast Hurricane's 12u team in Myrtle Beach last year they carried 15 or 16 players and 5 were pitchers. I thought that looked like a parent nightmare and wondered how that worked for them.

Depends if you are a parent of a player who plays or a parent of the ones who don't. A lot of these marquee teams and programs not only carry large rosters, but they also tend to pick up players and replace you in a second.

I much prefer to carry 10 or 11 and have a great relationship/reputation with all the other coaches and players so when I do need guest players then it is not too hard to get them. If we were playing full regulation games all the time where there is a lot of opportunities to sub in and out players then I would want more, but we don't.

And if you think ASA Qualifiers don't allow guest players then you are dreaming. A blind eye gets turned all the time or there is 'special permission' or whatever.

rjnashburnva · Jan 14, 2013

11 is perfect IF everyone stays healthy. We've had 13 and IMHO it is too much. Even 12 is a bit much. The #11-12 players, who typically need development and experience, don't get the consistent game time they need.

fastpitchthunder · Jan 15, 2013

11 is where we are and we are happy with that number, but 12 is ideal for me. You never know what can happen with injuries, illness and life events (weddings, deaths, etc).

doublesteal · Jan 15, 2013

Last year at 14u we started with 13 (it was hard figuring everything out). We lost one girl in December. 12 was an ok number had one girl quit halfway trhough the season (mom & daughter had allstar complex - even though she was far from -typically a sunday bench sitter). 11 was a perfect number when they were all there but with 11 something happens and your screwed. We had a girl go to spain for 2 weeks, an eye injury that had a player out 3 weeks, 2 concussions, a broken ankle, a sprained wrist, and a girl caught drinking .. needless to say we were often scambling to find a pick up player or 2.

This year at 16u we are carrying 14 -- (started at 13 again but had an issue where girl wasn' sure if she could play due to an injury picked up a guest for 2 tournaments and her team folded so we added her).

starsnuffer · Jan 15, 2013

11 is my favorite as a coach. However, the org gets $3000 more to work with if they run with 13. Try to compromise at 12.

-W

Dave619 · Jan 15, 2013

Last year we carried 12 on a 10U team. Even with 12 you run into playing time issues. This year for 12U we are only holding 11 players. As stated in another post, you have to have a few for injuries, illness, etc. and 11 seems to work.

skwinters1 · Jan 16, 2013

dd's new team has 11 looking for 1 more solid girl. there are always family conflicts or injuries. we are blessed with four pitchers, four that can work the plate, and three speedy slappers. all the girls can play multiple spots. remember training and improving is the team goal, playing time is earned.

starsnuffer · Jan 16, 2013

That's the other benefit to having just 11 or 12. It's perfectly justifiable to continue to be on the lookout for that impact player you always want. If you're running with 13 or 14 it's really hard justifying to the parents when you bring her on. Luckily, you usually loose the ones riding pine that you were going to cut at next tryout anyway. Softball isn't a democracy nor some crazy groovy granola eating hippie social experiment. playing time is earned, not given.

-W

Greenmonsters · Jan 16, 2013

Just an observation that probably pertains mainly to U18 and maybe U16 is that besides creating limited flexibility if injuries arise, a limited roster size can promote complacency and limit internal competitiveness and motivation to earn playing time.

Diamond Junkie · Jan 17, 2013

One advantage I like about having 12 on the roster is being able to rest my pitchers and catchers on Saturdays. Especially when its 90+ degrees out. We carry 3 pitchers and 2 catchers. I can give each pitcher one game rest on Saturday and have them all strong for Sunday. My #1 catcher catches 2 games on Saturday and usually ends up catching 2 on Sunday depending how they play. I also have the extra player that I sub during the game at some point. I also have the pitcher or catcher whos on the bench at the ready to courtesy run if needed (#2 catcher runs like she's dragging a piano). It doesn't always work out this way, but its model that I use. Players and parents know this going in, so to this point know has complained about playing time.

How many is too many?

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