14u Pitchers Not Allowed to Bat?

[InsidePitch]

It's totally different when you have a group of girls working toward a common goal rather than their individual statistics or innings.

I guess I look at it from my perspective when I played sports and what DD tells me and that is sitting the bench is no fun. DD catches so she doesn't play every inning of every game when it's 95F outside but she often hits or runs or plays OF. I can't imaging it being much fun pitching one game on Saturday and knowing you are a cheerleader the rest of the day. That said, there are a bunch of MLB guys eating seeds day after day in the bullpen waiting for their couple of innings.

 

[Rocketech1]

RT- How is your parent happiness meter looking these days with the team? Almost two months in I would think a few girls would have already dropped because of the roster size. I am sure you are not alone, really no way to divvy up PT with 18 and not piss about half the team off but you know that. I'd be asking the coach what the plan was at about this point and seeing when he thought it was going to thin out and what was the plan if it didn't.

The team has only been together for about 6 weeks and they have only played a few friendlies with some same org teams and their 1st tournament this weekend. With that said, the parents have not openly been critical of playing time, yet.

Personally, the HC has been very fair with DD. He has given her plenty of circle time, centerfield and batting during the firiendlies and practices, only real issue (until this weekend with no batting) has been pitch calling but I'm going to have DD bring that up with the catchers and coach.

Trying to stay positive and if my DD enjoys the team it's ultimately her call on the type of experience she wants to get.

 

[MNDad]

I guess I look at it from my perspective when I played sports and what DD tells me and that is sitting the bench is no fun. DD catches so she doesn't play every inning of every game when it's 95F outside but she often hits or runs or plays OF. I can't imaging it being much fun pitching one game on Saturday and knowing you are a cheerleader the rest of the day. That said, there are a bunch of MLB guys eating seeds day after day in the bullpen waiting for their couple of innings.

I know what you're saying. It's always more fun if you're playing. On this particular team she just had a different role. I doubt it would have been as much fun if they hadn't done quite as well. It was a good experience to get used to playing less in college too.

 

[sutherlandfinch]

Back to the original post:
at 14 years old, each girl is still learning how to become a softball player.

The restriction,of course, has become common play in exposure-based 16 and 18 to get as much time possible for large travel teams who's parents pay big $ for limited innings. Especially when games are on the clock and seldom see 7 innings.

Many TB coaches emulate rotations they see at a higher level and it's a common way to squeeze a couple of more bodies on the bench.

Traditionally,old school college coaches have sought out pitchers that just pitch and that approach will not die. At this level, the position usually represents a huge part of the defense as well as a financial commitment that is simply not worth the risk of injury unless the skill set is undeniable a difference maker. Can't blame them there.

However, there is a new school. And coaches within it are looking for ball players that can help. Period.
Pitchers that can hit and play in the field. This approach is on the rise and also includes, unfortunately, a skilled position that is disappearing- the catcher .......sorry, I've digressed.

Interestingly, primarily because of recruitment,14s have become the new 16s. Rather than developing possibilities and figuring out what the player could be, it's all done and time to hit the road and showcase..... Kids that aren't even in their adult bodies yet, crazy!
All too fast,too serious, and incredibly premature.

I hope the new school wins )Except for the catchers) but I highly doubt it.

Interestingly, many of the collegiate position players I know pitched at 14u. ( today's 12s if you're following me down the rabbit hole). I've always found that interesting.

Anyway, ....at 14???? let her hit!

 

[aec4444]

Not sure what level or age group your TB your team plays, and I have no problem with a team batting their top 9 in tournaments they are playing to win (qualifiers, nationals, ect). When teams start playing true A-level TB no one cares about the won/lose record, they only care how you finish at nationals (PGF, ASA or ASA Gold) at the end of the season. And the best way to finish high at nationals is to be prepared. And the best way to be prepared is to get every girl as many at bats as possible and cross train girls to play multiple positions.

When you get to Nationals and your superstar gets hurt in her first bracket game do you want another girl ready to "step up" and take her place or do you want to pack your bags and go home?

I agree... I assumed we meant tournaments that are being played to win.

 

[JAD]

I guess I look at it from my perspective when I played sports and what DD tells me and that is sitting the bench is no fun. DD catches so she doesn't play every inning of every game when it's 95F outside but she often hits or runs or plays OF. I can't imaging it being much fun pitching one game on Saturday and knowing you are a cheerleader the rest of the day. That said, there are a bunch of MLB guys eating seeds day after day in the bullpen waiting for their couple of innings.

Fixed it for ya!........That said, there are a bunch of MLB guys eating seeds, making a ton of $$$$$$$$$$$ while fulfilling every little league players dream, day after day in the bullpen waiting for their couple of innings.

 

[Cannonball]

Though this might sound selfish, if that were the case when my dd pitched, she would have been looking for another team. How do you know that your dd will be a pitcher later on? If she is a hitter, that alone will get a dd looks for college and 14U is where it most often starts.

 

[chinamigarden]

I guess I look at it from my perspective when I played sports and what DD tells me and that is sitting the bench is no fun. DD catches so she doesn't play every inning of every game when it's 95F outside but she often hits or runs or plays OF. I can't imaging it being much fun pitching one game on Saturday and knowing you are a cheerleader the rest of the day. That said, there are a bunch of MLB guys eating seeds day after day in the bullpen waiting for their couple of innings.

Yeah, but... Thats a job and its a well paid job. A guy who hardly plays in the MLB is making, what? 10 times more then the guy playing full time in the minors.

Its got to be tough sitting on the bench at any level, but sitting on a fat wallet makes it tolerable.

 

[CoogansBluff]

What was the strategy behind the head coaching choosing to have a 16-player roster? Was his hope that the best 12-13 would emerge and the others would leave? If so, that's exploiting kids and families. I would like to see the gameplan for how he expected to provide a good experience for 16 players and families.

 

[JAD]

I agree... I assumed we meant tournaments that are being played to win.

One of the biggest problems, especially at the younger age groups, is too many head coaches "play to win" games they should be "playing to get better". We were guilty of the same thing when my DD was younger. When your DD get older and starts attending nationals, you realize that her team could go 10-50 in the regular season and as long as they earn a berth to Nationals and finish in the Top-20, the season was a success. The best teams do not look for tournaments they think they can win, they seek out the best competition.