The Commish needs help

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Jul 10, 2014
1,283
0
C-bus Ohio
So I've mentioned elsewhere that I'm the new commish for our rec league. As a long time coach here, I've seen the good and the not so good (we don't really have bad).

Last season we had 12 12U teams, and one of the things our 12U coaches universally complained about was talent disparity - between teams and within teams. A few of us thought that there should be A and B subdivisions, and I like that idea. I know it's rec, but at 12U we start to see some talents blossom, and we do emphasize that this is when the girls should start to make a deeper commitment to the sport. We'd have our TB coaches evaluate, and split the girls in the middle, adjusted for siblings.

So, thoughts about A and B subdivisions?

I also want to institute a blind draft for the A division. I know that there will be some wiggling to get DD's placed and adjust draft picks, but that's true of any draft situation. Can anyone point me at software or a website for drafts?
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
Rather than A and B. I would suggest moving the whole league to more like little leagues.

In our little league we have

Tee ball (5 and 6)
Farm (6,7,8)
AA (7,8,9)
AAA (8-11)
Majors (mostly 11 and 12, with some good 10's and once in awhile a 9 year old)

Still can break out by age for all stars.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
Question: Since you have such a large rec league (compared to my experience), do you typically play within the league, or do you play against other communities as well?

Reason I ask is because I have found it difficult at times to convince some parents that their son/daughter should be part of the "B" subdivision. Some will readily admit lesser experience, etc. But if Sally is playing "A" and Sally's best friend is playing "B", there could be some bickering. At least that is how it works in my small community. If you play strictly inside your own league, then what would be the possibility of splitting into 11u and 12u instead of A and B? It becomes more difficult for those parents to argue the structure or rating system when it is age based.

Not sure it is realistic in your application but thought I would throw it out there...
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
DD’s league, which is inexpensive to join, has about 5 different levels from Rec. to A travel. The fee to join the Team is a little expensive because the Team is responsible for ½ the games, fields, umps, etc.

We are kind of in the middle and our farthest drive is about 45 minutes.

Some cities only have A Teams, other only have Rec. teams and pretty much everything in between. It seems to work out OK.

I would be OK having different divisions but I would try to expand the Teams you are playing against.

(Between all your posts, comish of the league, MS coach, etc. do you have any other hobbies? Do you umpire in your spare time?)
 
Last edited:
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
Our rec league commissioner tries to split the teams so they all have 1/3 pretty good players, 1/3 average players, 1/3 dear god they need a lot of help. How successful he is form year to year depends largely on the evaluations he has and which coaches kids pair up to play each year.

You'll never make everyone happy in a rec league but if you can shoot for having 80% of your teams hoover around .500 you've probably done a pretty good job distributing the talent.
 
Jan 18, 2010
4,284
0
In your face
Question: Since you have such a large rec league (compared to my experience), do you typically play within the league, or do you play against other communities as well?

Reason I ask is because I have found it difficult at times to convince some parents that their son/daughter should be part of the "B" subdivision. Some will readily admit lesser experience, etc. But if Sally is playing "A" and Sally's best friend is playing "B", there could be some bickering. At least that is how it works in my small community. If you play strictly inside your own league, then what would be the possibility of splitting into 11u and 12u instead of A and B? It becomes more difficult for those parents to argue the structure or rating system when it is age based.

Not sure it is realistic in your application but thought I would throw it out there...

Good stuff here. ^^^^^^

I would avoid classifying by A/B #1/#2 like the plague. ( example: JV and varsity drama in school ball ) If anything, go with something more neutral toned, say blue teams and green teams. Rec parents go nuts enough on the All-Star pick day, I wouldn't want to deal with "why is my kid in the 'B' division" all season.
 

coachbob

Banned
Apr 26, 2012
543
0
SoCal
I don't know why leagues are reluctant to split into divisions. In our district, you need a minimum of five teams in each for it to be allowed. If you have those kind of numbers, I would give it a try. You might have to share pitcher,s but you might have to do that anyway. The12u rec experience with one division is very hard on the good players. They will surely bolt to travel. Is that a bad thing? I'm not sure, but if you want to have a decent showing in state and nationals, you need to keep those players.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
You should have as many teams as you have pitchers and catchers.

Anything other than that and you will have issues.
 
Jan 18, 2010
4,284
0
In your face
I know little Sally can't make the throw from 2nd to 1st yet but she just needs a little bit of coaching and I'm sure she'll be an all-star!

First 3 years of rec we always had a closing ceremony to hand out awards and announce All-Stars, it was a mad house. About 600 players and double that in parents grandparents in attendance. Instead of congradulating the chosen few, it was yelling and cussing the coaches for not picking their darling. We stopped announcing All-Stars and just called the parents by phone the next day.
 

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