I have a couple of questions and concerns that I would like some opinions on. My DD is 3rd year travel, local only, no showcase or nationals. First season 14u finishing in next couple of weeks. We went with new team ( new to us, existing team ) for fall, because org dropped all teams under 16u. Overall opinion has been, meh? The team is all 07, all pretty avg players, no superstars, no slouches. HC has daughter on team, but does decent with that aspect. AC not so much.
My concerns are these,
The coach is loyal to the players that have been with him. While I understand that, and even appreciate it, it seems those are the starters, and the few newer players are the ones rotating in and out of 2 or 3 postitions. Team had 11 when we joined, then he added 1 more after us. So 13 now. Coach seems content to keep rotation as is. Most starters play entire games ( pool and brackets ) in 7 or 8 positions, so other 4 girls rotate for last spot. Usually bats 10 in lineup, so may or may not get to bat.
His team, his lineup, his rules. Completely understand that. But why add more players just to sit them? And why not try newer players at different positions, especially when way ahead or way behind. The end goal is to 1-improve, 2-get players ready for next level, 3- win. He has told me that he likes competition at all positions. Maybe I misunderstood what he meant by that, but it should mean the better player plays. For the record, my DD is not always better, trying to be clear on that. This is not a "why is my daughter not playing every inning" type of post. The one thing most everyone on this board agrees with, is that you improve by playing, not watching.
Which brings up my question.
Where should we want our DD to be? Is it better to sit on a good team, and play sparingly, or play on worse team and be full time starter? She has already started mini fall season for school. Again, she is avg player. She is not a D1 prospect, but hopefully good enough to play at some college level one day (mostly for my ego, not expecting scholarship). Quick , good arm, above avg outfielder, avg infielder(mostly 3rd or 1st), below avg hitter. She was offered on 3 different teams for fall, one rejection, one come in spring 21. I'm worried if we stay for spring, it will be more of same, and first full 14u season will be lost. I'm worried if we move to lower level, she will not improve like she should, and get tired of losing, because losing a lot sucks (been there, 0-18).
I'm not loosing sleep over this, and I'm not looking for troll responses. But like most of us, I do want to do what's best for my DD. I have read a ton of great ideas and opinions on this board, so I'm asking for advise.
Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading and any input you may offer.
My concerns are these,
The coach is loyal to the players that have been with him. While I understand that, and even appreciate it, it seems those are the starters, and the few newer players are the ones rotating in and out of 2 or 3 postitions. Team had 11 when we joined, then he added 1 more after us. So 13 now. Coach seems content to keep rotation as is. Most starters play entire games ( pool and brackets ) in 7 or 8 positions, so other 4 girls rotate for last spot. Usually bats 10 in lineup, so may or may not get to bat.
His team, his lineup, his rules. Completely understand that. But why add more players just to sit them? And why not try newer players at different positions, especially when way ahead or way behind. The end goal is to 1-improve, 2-get players ready for next level, 3- win. He has told me that he likes competition at all positions. Maybe I misunderstood what he meant by that, but it should mean the better player plays. For the record, my DD is not always better, trying to be clear on that. This is not a "why is my daughter not playing every inning" type of post. The one thing most everyone on this board agrees with, is that you improve by playing, not watching.
Which brings up my question.
Where should we want our DD to be? Is it better to sit on a good team, and play sparingly, or play on worse team and be full time starter? She has already started mini fall season for school. Again, she is avg player. She is not a D1 prospect, but hopefully good enough to play at some college level one day (mostly for my ego, not expecting scholarship). Quick , good arm, above avg outfielder, avg infielder(mostly 3rd or 1st), below avg hitter. She was offered on 3 different teams for fall, one rejection, one come in spring 21. I'm worried if we stay for spring, it will be more of same, and first full 14u season will be lost. I'm worried if we move to lower level, she will not improve like she should, and get tired of losing, because losing a lot sucks (been there, 0-18).
I'm not loosing sleep over this, and I'm not looking for troll responses. But like most of us, I do want to do what's best for my DD. I have read a ton of great ideas and opinions on this board, so I'm asking for advise.
Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading and any input you may offer.