Preparing for 10U "A"

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Jun 28, 2016
34
6
NJ
We will be a second-year 10s travel team in the Fall. We played all B rules last year -- stealing 3rd only, no continuation, play is over when pitcher has the ball in the circle...

I know there may be minor rule quirks from league to league but in general what should we be preparing for come Fall? Not just rules but style of play? I've spoken to some other coaches in the area and all said to prepare for:

  • Baserunning (continuation, look back, stealing all bases)
  • More bunting
  • Better pitching

But also, I think:
  • More OF action? We typically can "cheat up" and use our short fielder on the edge of the grass as another infielder, and our right fielder plays shallow enough we've had 9-3 ground-outs... I get the sense we need them to play deeper and we need to spend a lot of time on running down fly balls
  • Players with set positions/defined roles -- less rotating players/shuffling line-ups?
  • Parents getting more chirpy about positions, playing time, threatening to jump to club if they don't get their way? (Last three years they've been mostly supportive... mostly)
  • Girls caring more about winning?

What am I missing?
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
First off in real Travel ball there is no short fielder, you play with 9. You should still be able to get some 9-3 outs. We still do in 14U if it's hit hard enough. Y

If it's really A travel you will see some good pitching and a few really good hitters. Some teams will play small ball, but you'll see that. People will run if you can't stop
them, including delayed steals.
As far as you I would still rotate positions, but only those they can play. Don't just put a kid a SS who can't handle it. Honestly I'm not sure what rules you play with because around here they play real softball at 10U. There are no run rules, or anything like that. You can run, d3K,etc.

You need some good OF if not to catch a lot of balls, but to back up some throwing issues.

I would go watch a couple of tournaments if you can to see what you are up again, but just take it one topic at a time. Let your parents know it might take some growing pains to get better. Some will think that is 1 tournament, but just keep improving.

The positive is that most of the good 10U teams will be playing up in the fall so you will see more young teams.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I don't know that the girls care more about winning. I think the adults put that in their heads sometimes. We played 10UA this year and it has been...interesting.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
We have loved the level of competition. The games themselves. My DD is a pretty strong player and she likes the competition. We came from a weak B team in 8U where she was advanced in comparison with the other girls, and she has absolutely loved playing with and against teams that can catch if she makes a hard throw, can get her an accurate throw, etc. That part has been great.

There seems to be, at least in our experience, more drama than B and more conflict. It's possible that's a 10U v. 8U thing, but I don't know. There is a feeling to it that is often really cutthroat considering how old these kids are. It seems to me that it's more about the adults than the kids sometimes. Who coaches the best team, who gets that ace pitcher, etc etc. The parents want their kids on the Best Possible Team, they have them in lessons for various things 4 or 5 times a week. Pitching, catching, hitting, fielding. You start to feel like if you don't practice with your kid 2 hours a day she's going to "fall behind." Behind what? I don't really know. You have parents already thinking about scholarships, and we played first year 10U. It's just all very intense & it's hard to not get caught up in it.
 
May 15, 2015
66
6
You pretty well nailed it imho.

Less walks also...

We will be a second-year 10s travel team in the Fall. We played all B rules last year -- stealing 3rd only, no continuation, play is over when pitcher has the ball in the circle...

I know there may be minor rule quirks from league to league but in general what should we be preparing for come Fall? Not just rules but style of play? I've spoken to some other coaches in the area and all said to prepare for:

  • Baserunning (continuation, look back, stealing all bases)
  • More bunting
  • Better pitching

But also, I think:
  • More OF action? We typically can "cheat up" and use our short fielder on the edge of the grass as another infielder, and our right fielder plays shallow enough we've had 9-3 ground-outs... I get the sense we need them to play deeper and we need to spend a lot of time on running down fly balls
  • Players with set positions/defined roles -- less rotating players/shuffling line-ups?
  • Parents getting more chirpy about positions, playing time, threatening to jump to club if they don't get their way? (Last three years they've been mostly supportive... mostly)
  • Girls caring more about winning?

What am I missing?
 
Aug 16, 2015
129
18
You'll see faster pitching, but more importantly, better pitching. Teams won't walk the ball park.

You'll see a ground ball to SS is 6-3 out much more often than it is in B ball.

Small ball will be played, especially if you show the opponent you can't make the play

OF positions will be much more important, especially with only 3. Girls will need to be able to cut balls off in gaps and the ball will be hit. A fly ball needs to be an out not an adventure.

Teams will have a couple kids that can rake. Our team had 2 girls hit the ball to the warning track today on a fly with 200 ft fences. Sadly, for the second girl, they backed up after the first one and caught hers.

Teams will run and run some more.

Your catcher becomes much more important. Not as much for throwing runners out, but for keeping the ball in front. Can't give up free bases and should be able to throw kids out at 3b. In top level A games, you don't see that much stealing at 3b because it's an out.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Make sure all your fielders get to a base, they will abuse you if you leave a base uncovered. No reason for foot races.

I have never figured out the right position for RF, right now I am going with pretty far in for the out at 1st. Some go over her head, probably more then we get an out at 1st. Oh well,I will change my mind tommorow.
 

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