playing time thread

[guero_gordo]

We're having issues with what I call "Birth-ball", where coach favors the younger kids that are the same age as his kid. If the older kids do exceptional things long enough, they will get opportunities almost equal to what the younger kids get regardless of how they perform. Near as I can tell, coach wanted an "age-pure" team but didn't get it, so he's just filling in with older girls until next year.

DD loves the girls, and unlike the other older girls she gets equal rep's in practice. Coaching and practice leave a lot to be desired, but aren't worthless. I'm finding her clinics and classes to fill the gaps left by practice.

Dilemma is, I'd like her to play in the org. at the next level, but I'm not seeing this as developing her to do that, BUT if I leave the org mid-season, or between Spring and Summer, I expect that to blackball her next year.

All I can do for now is tell her to use the 2 AB's they give her as a tryout, and either they'll step up, or they won't.

 

[iMlearning]

Well, it looks like the playing time is more based on how long you've been with the team. My DD only got 1 inning in all weekend so I had a very long talk with the head coach. He said he's in a tough situation (blah, blah, blah). He even said at least one of the assistant coaches is upset with him over my DD not playing (which I confirmed). He said she has been outstanding in practice, and that even one of the college coaches commented on how well she's been doing. The girl that plays her main position made multiple errors and cost them the game but was never pulled. She even got yelled at for not listening to the coaches.
He mentioned that he had her slated to play but kept in the starters in the close games, and that won't happen again. We'll see. I was told he won't be coaching after the season. My DD was extremely upset, but then got offers to play on 3 different teams in the last week which helped her feel better. She absolutely wants to stay and said she'd just prove that she should be on the field.

 

[Atlantabell]

Let's face it. The only team where every player will get the amount of playing time she and her parents want is a team with 9 players. Any other number and someone is unhappy. And, even if you only have 9, someone will be upset because they are not playing the position they want. With all due respect to parents, they ask the coach to do the impossible. They want to win, but they only want the best nine on the field if their kid is in the top 9. They want equal playing time, but only if the team is winning and their kid is on the field.

Here is my take on things. Tell your daughter to work hard, be versatile, and focus on being a team player. Stop yanking her off every team where she doesn't get exactly what she wants. Remember that for some of these girls, high school and college teams are their future. In most cases in high school and ALL cases in college, playing time is NOT equal. It sometimes takes a kid years to get seniority in order to play even while other players are out there making mistakes. Like it, hate it, disagree with it, that's the way it is. Tell her to learn all she can in practice and make herself the best player she can be. Hustle, have a good attitude, and persevere. That will give her the skills she needs not only in softball but in life.

I know it sounds harsh, but if you want equal time then play recreational ball. At the younger ages, even travel ball should be more even. But, as your kid gets older, this will change.

 

[iMlearning]

Just for the record, she hasn't been yanked off any team, ever. She was a starter on her old team, and moved to a higher level team with the blessing of her old coach who still frequently checks in with us. She also, never complains (except to us), is the loudest cheer leader on the bench, and busts her but off every day.

 

[CoachKevin]

I agree somewhat with Alantabell, however what do you do (as a parent) when the position players are not producing and your DD still isn't even given a chance?

 

[quincy]

Complain on this forum, keep your mouth shut and look for another Team that you think treats players fairly. Spend another year cheering for other players.

 

[guero_gordo]

I would agree with AB if I thought my kid should play all the time, or if I cared about winning.

Quincy, I know you're right, but it's a bitter, jagged pill:
"I'd like to thank you for allowing me to provide the opportunity for everyone else's kid to get better and have a great experience."

 

[iMlearning]

I agree somewhat with Alantabell, however what do you do (as a parent) when the position players are not producing and your DD still isn't even given a chance?

That is the point that the assistant coach brought up to the head coach. Why bring her on, if you weren't going to give her a chance. The talk with the head coach was very cordial and he said he's been yelled at by other parents, so he appreciated the way I discussed it with him (I did take the advice of what many said here). The team is not winning at the moment, so why not give her a shot during pool play.

 

[CoachKevin]

I'm working through the same issue, not TB but HS so just looking for another team isn't the correct answer. Like I said earlier in this thread she isn't a star, but she is a solid player. It's funny, through all this I have learned something. The parent letter I used to send out always said I would not discuss other players, just their daughter with them. Lets face it, you have to compare players. If I coach again, I will have to re-think that statement and be ready to back up my actions why or why not certain players are playing.

 

[Rooster98]

Man oh Man!!!!! this is a topic that comes up all the time. Parents want their daughter to play every inning of every game. But they also don't like losing. I have been coaching for years. I use to take the approach of getting girls playing time during pool play. I don't do that anymore and I am more than up front with the parents that our team is out to do well in tournaments. Pool play is a tricky little game. You want a number one seed to make it easier on your #1 pitcher. Hoping you make it through one elimination game with the #2 or #3 then put it on cruise mode the rest of the way.

I use weekday friendly games to get girls that do not get a lot of playing time in tournaments. You see a lot during those games because they want to play. I have moved several girls to starting positions that did not start in tournaments just based upon how they play during the week. But we play 80+ games a year and have at least two games per week and in a tournament every weekend from April through July. So I have a lot more flexability.