Good evening! I’ll try to keep it short, forgive me if i get long winded!
DD plays on a strong travel team in the area. We joined the team at the beginning of the season to grow as a player by playing with stronger girls and against stronger competition than where we were at the time. Our big season finale tournament is coming up soon and we recently played in a last minute tournament “in preparation” for the big one. Game day comes and we are short a player (since this was a last minute add to the schedule, one girl had already committed to playing pick up with another team). So, we took 10, 1 of which being a pick up player to our team for the day.
I fully understand the need for pick up players and welcome them. Admittedly, I also love to win and expect the best players on the field. However, DD sat the bench the majority of the day. We played 6 games on the day and she saw playing time, maybe 6 innings total. Afterwards, it was mentioned several times how this tournament was for preparation for our big one. I got to thinking, DD has invested time and effort and we payed the entry fee just like everyone else on the team. But, I don’t feel like DD got any “preparation” from this particular experience.
As a side note, as her parents we never initiate conversations about playing time with the coach. DD always starts those with him. We will join in their conversations at times when it is not during active tournament time, never during the tournament day, etc. She again asked him at the tournament in question and his response was “her time would come, she would get there.” I guess my question is, if a prep tournament isn’t time, when is? (Pick up player played every inning, which again, I have no problem with as we have been on both sides of the card. We appreciate them giving their time so that the team can play.
Honest feedback is much appreciated. DD’s confidence is taking a MAJOR hit and it’s affecting her greatly. I just need advice on how to approach the subject.
DD plays on a strong travel team in the area. We joined the team at the beginning of the season to grow as a player by playing with stronger girls and against stronger competition than where we were at the time. Our big season finale tournament is coming up soon and we recently played in a last minute tournament “in preparation” for the big one. Game day comes and we are short a player (since this was a last minute add to the schedule, one girl had already committed to playing pick up with another team). So, we took 10, 1 of which being a pick up player to our team for the day.
I fully understand the need for pick up players and welcome them. Admittedly, I also love to win and expect the best players on the field. However, DD sat the bench the majority of the day. We played 6 games on the day and she saw playing time, maybe 6 innings total. Afterwards, it was mentioned several times how this tournament was for preparation for our big one. I got to thinking, DD has invested time and effort and we payed the entry fee just like everyone else on the team. But, I don’t feel like DD got any “preparation” from this particular experience.
As a side note, as her parents we never initiate conversations about playing time with the coach. DD always starts those with him. We will join in their conversations at times when it is not during active tournament time, never during the tournament day, etc. She again asked him at the tournament in question and his response was “her time would come, she would get there.” I guess my question is, if a prep tournament isn’t time, when is? (Pick up player played every inning, which again, I have no problem with as we have been on both sides of the card. We appreciate them giving their time so that the team can play.
Honest feedback is much appreciated. DD’s confidence is taking a MAJOR hit and it’s affecting her greatly. I just need advice on how to approach the subject.
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