Cannonball
Ex "Expert"
- Feb 25, 2009
- 4,881
- 113
BB's teams had 13 players.
Roster Size - 16/18U Exposure Team
- Thread starter RichK
- Start date
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- Oct 10, 2011
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We'll have 14 in the summer. This fall with 11, it was tough and ended up in one tournament with 9.
We are very similar for my 18U SHOWCASE TEAM. 11 position players and up to 4 pitchers. This gives me my starting 8 with an extra IF / OF / Utility player in reserve. I run my pitchers on 2 inning rotations in Showcases so we typically get 3 pitchers in per game, then the 4th starts the next, unless we are asked by a coach to let them go longer or come in to the game in relief.
- Nov 18, 2013
- 2,258
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"Them" meaning individual players. An example would be an Exposure Team with a number of players already committed. If they're at strictly a showcase their uncommitted players will see more playing time and committed girls/parents can't be throwing a fit. Likewise if you're at a tourney such as Boulder it's more about showcasing the team as a whole. Wins count so the best lineup plays and everyone needs to embrace that. It's simply about recognizing the benefit of putting the team ahead of the individual.
Boulder IDT is a high profile event, however I disagree with only playing your best lineup there like it's a straight championship tourney. The 6 pool games should provide some exposure opportunities for others by mixing them in, especially anyone that has a school interested in seeing them. Pitchers should have a short leash on them so games don't get out of hand. Teams should be able to mix in 1-2 other reserves at a time without a noticeable drop-off.
Teams do need to keep an eye on securing a return berth by winning a couple games out of 7+ and/or keeping their losses close, however there's not much gained beyond that unless you can contend for the championship. Everyone should expect things to tighten up for the bracket games, especially in Louisville where the top 6 earn a return berth to Boulder.
- Nov 18, 2013
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- 113
Agree. I should have specified bracket play.
- Jun 1, 2015
- 501
- 43
I've coached a 16U summer rec-league team (we play 5-6 area teams through July - double round robin with playoffs, no tournaments), and we had 12 players both years, and it was miserable. We play by modified HS format (meaning 10 in a lineup/field, 11 with DP/FLEX), but this player has work, this player has league basketball, blah blah. I think 14 is a good number because then you have options depending on what player(s) will/won't show up at any given time, plus the dreaded injuries. In the summertime, there's also vacations, other sports camps, etc.
We couldn't even field 9 this fall. Had to always borrow players from other teams inside and outside the org. Really limited what we could do/play.
Still mulling over the impact of it this fall....
I would also like to point out that if a team has several "pitch and sit" pitchers, it is much easier for the coach to manage a few additional position players on the roster. My DD was put in that situation last season, but she was not happy with only playing @ 25% of the time (we had 4 pitchers). So this season she moved to another team where she will get to hit and play some 1B and OF in games other than qualifiers.
I range from 12-16 on my 16U team. Right now I am actually low at 11 because I kicked 3 off the team 2 weekends ago and not looking for any until after our last fun tournament. We are honest and tell them best 9 on the field and others got to work for it. I will bat 11 if allowed. Others just have to work harder or wait patiently for their turn.
