Rec Allstar travel positioning players

I've coached 8U rec ball for 3 season and I stepped up this season to be the All-star coach. 3 practices together and 2 games I'm finding it difficult to put these girls in their positions. I have 6 really talented girls which I plan to play in the infield all the time. Then I have 6 better than average players I plan to play in the outfield, 2 of which on the bench each inning. 10 total in the field. The dilemma here is many of the girls that will play the out think they should be playing infield because they were good enough on their rec team. How do I keep these girls into the games and having fun? Any advice is welcome.

Trying to follow the math. You've got 6 you'd like to play in the infield, 6 in the outfield, 2 on the bench. Do you have 12 players, or 14? If 12, then can 10 play in the field at a time?

12 total sorry. I'll play ten in the field. Yeah, the problem is just keeping the outfielders and bench players content with their positions through the entire all-star season.

For invitationals, I would rotate them To some degree. At districts and state, you play your best team.

Is there a district/state tournament, etc.? In Georgia, when my DD was 8U, most all the parks were independent rec leagues, so all-stars was basically playing a circuit of tournaments during the summer with no real championship to play for on the horizon. If you're part of Little League or some organization like that which has a World Series, I'd agree w/ coachbob, although not really qualified to answer since I never did that and there might be an expectation of your league that has been established over the years.

If you're free to do it however you like, then you're basically asking what any of us might do. I wouldn't make half the team outfielders. I'd rotate them around, but giving the better players the majority of the time at the more impactful positions. I'd bat them all if possible. Many will disagree w/ me on that, especially in elimination games.

Not really sure why coaches feel compelled to "coach to win" REC All-Stars. I would recommend getting all of the girls some infield and outfield playing time and rotate the players who sit each inning. Can you bat all 12? Even if you win every REC All-Star game you coach, Patrick Murphy is not going to call you about an opening on his coaching staff....

JAD said:

Not really sure why coaches feel compelled to "coach to win" REC All-Stars....

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Because they basically aren't allowed to coach that way during the regular season? We ratchet up the competitiveness a little in my league with All Stars - not a lot, but some.

BuckeyeGuy said:

Because they basically aren't allowed to coach that way during the regular season? We ratchet up the competitiveness a little in my league with All Stars - not a lot, but some.

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I have no problem with playing more competitively than REC ball, but it is 8U, and it is All Stars, so I am guessing you already have the top talent in the league on the team and Timmy Lupus in not one of them! I would still play them all in the infield and outfield just to see who rises to the occasion. You are allowed to make defensive substitutions in the middle of an inning if necessary.

ESPECIALLY at 8U, teach them ALL how how to play infield and outfield. Your best players at each position may be clear, but some rotation of those positions is a good idea. I don't have a big problem with playing to win in all-stars (even at 8U), but if the game result is pretty locked down (including getting beat), letting girls get experience at a different position is a good thing.

coachbob said:

For invitationals, I would rotate them To some degree. At districts and state, you play your best team.

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All our tournaments are invitational. We pay $300 per tourney.