Question

cbullard · Sep 30, 2015

DD is currently playing left OF when she's not pitching. She likes OF, but wants to play 2nd as well. We currently have a hole at 2nd. If the ball isn't hit directly at 2nd...she has no range to come close to the ball. Multiple parents have said DD is the best athlete on the team. She has range to cover 2nd. With that said, she needs some work on things as she's never played 2nd (her previous team had her pitching 90% of the time and playing 3rd when she wasn't).

She asked the HC if she could try 2nd and said we'd try it in practice. So, she asked in practice and he said they would later on...never happened. Should she keep asking?

Two weeks ago...DD pitched a shutout. The current 2nd baseman is one of the pitchers (used to be the #1 arguably #3 right now). She looked upset. I asked DD is everything ok with 2nd....DD said something like "Dad, I think I figured this out. I joined the team and took her spot as the pitcher. Now, I'm coming for her spot at 2nd. I don't think coach wants me to take all of her positions." Now, who knows if that's true. But, 2nd's mom is the team Mom and does a lot for the team. And he's loyal to the 2nd baseman (cares about her feelings because she's very emotional and been with the team since day 1).

Not sure how to handle it. I don't want to bother the coach or annoy him. DD just wants a shot at it (kid loves competition). Her goal is to learn as many positions as possible because as she says "I may not pitch my whole career so I better be great at something else too"

Eric F · Sep 30, 2015

I would guess that the best you can hope for is your DD at 2B while the other girl is in the circle.

Your DD has a great attitude about her future in the game.

gophert · Sep 30, 2015

If you she wants it, I say go for it. However, to me, it's easier to track a ball in the outfield than it is to work on fielding drills and hard ground balls. I'm not sure how old your DD is, but as they get older, and the girls hit it harder, she will need to give more time to fielding drills, which means less time working on pitching. To me, pitching and outfield is a good combination. Sounds like she will succeed at whatever she puts her mind to.

cbullard · Sep 30, 2015

Thanks Eric. DD loves pitching and she's good at it. But, she understands that one day she might end up on a team with a couple of freak shows at pitcher....and she's OK with that.

Gophert, DD is 12. Honestly, I think she sees a hole and feels she can fill it. But, a few weeks ago she said her goal by her senior year is to be the best CF in the state. So, her position goals are fluid. Haha....I think she just wants a shot at 2nd

chinamigarden · Sep 30, 2015

cbullard said:
DD is currently playing left OF when she's not pitching. She likes OF, but wants to play 2nd as well. We currently have a hole at 2nd. If the ball isn't hit directly at 2nd...she has no range to come close to the ball. Multiple parents have said DD is the best athlete on the team. She has range to cover 2nd. With that said, she needs some work on things as she's never played 2nd (her previous team had her pitching 90% of the time and playing 3rd when she wasn't).

She asked the HC if she could try 2nd and said we'd try it in practice. So, she asked in practice and he said they would later on...never happened. Should she keep asking?

Two weeks ago...DD pitched a shutout. The current 2nd baseman is one of the pitchers (used to be the #1 arguably #3 right now). She looked upset. I asked DD is everything ok with 2nd....DD said something like "Dad, I think I figured this out. I joined the team and took her spot as the pitcher. Now, I'm coming for her spot at 2nd. I don't think coach wants me to take all of her positions." Now, who knows if that's true. But, 2nd's mom is the team Mom and does a lot for the team. And he's loyal to the 2nd baseman (cares about her feelings because she's very emotional and been with the team since day 1).

Not sure how to handle it. I don't want to bother the coach or annoy him. DD just wants a shot at it (kid loves competition). Her goal is to learn as many positions as possible because as she says "I may not pitch my whole career so I better be great at something else too"

Tell her to get great at outfield.

CoogansBluff · Sep 30, 2015

cbullard said:
....DD said something like "Dad, I think I figured this out. I joined the team and took her spot as the pitcher. Now, I'm coming for her spot at 2nd. I don't think coach wants me to take all of her positions." Now, who knows if that's true. But, 2nd's mom is the team Mom and does a lot for the team. And he's loyal to the 2nd baseman (cares about her feelings because she's very emotional and been with the team since day 1).

Your DD might be right in her speculation, but it's also a dangerous game to speculate without really knowing, IMO. I would not encourage it (not that you did).

Coach might have other valid reasons for sticking w/ the girl at second. I coached a 12U team where I had potentially my best 2B and 1B in RF. I also had a girl who could've been a solid SS in LF. That's because these were also my 2 catchers and one of my 2 main pitchers. I felt this particularl team needed a set infield. I felt that platooning at SS and 2B would produce 2 mediocre middle infielders. I wanted to have 2 good middle infielders by the end of the summer, and they needed lots of innings to become good. And I needed my pitchers and catchers to become the best they could be at their main positions.

So while your DD has every right to want to compete for any position, it's also important to realize that her goal of wanting to learn all positions is not as important as the coach's goal of building what he/she feels is best for all the players and the team as a whole. As a coach, one thing I don't want is players and parents suspecting favoritism or thinking badly about another player or second-guessing the coach without knowing the facts.

Again, not saying you or your DD were going there, but just felt the need to say that.

cbullard · Sep 30, 2015

I really appreciate the feedback Coogan. I think her mind is racing about it because the coach won't really tell her what he's thinking in regards to the position when she asks if she can try it....China, we practice OF fielding a lot. And she likes it. I just think she wants to try 2nd. Who knows...she may not like it.

djcarter1966 · Oct 1, 2015

cbullard said:
Thanks Eric. DD loves pitching and she's good at it. But, she understands that one day she might end up on a team with a couple of freak shows at pitcher....and she's OK with that.

Gophert, DD is 12. Honestly, I think she sees a hole and feels she can fill it. But, a few weeks ago she said her goal by her senior year is to be the best CF in the state. So, her position goals are fluid. Haha....I think she just wants a shot at 2nd

If she can just switch with 2B when she pitches that would be easiest. But to your point if she is one of the best athletes on the team come 16U coach will be REALLY happy if she can play OF well, so learning to track down balls now is a plus.

cbullard · Oct 1, 2015

Thanks for the feedback Dj.....a college coach told her that the OF is really valued by college coaches.

quincy · Oct 1, 2015

Why 2nd? Does she just want to play IF a little bit or as you mentioned there is an issue at 2nd she thinks she can solve?

Problem is with solving 1 issue is sometimes it causes another, OF problem in your case.

If there is a political problem at 2nd go after SS or 3rd.

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