Players sitting on Sunday

[CycloneSoftball22]

I believe that a part of developing players is to let them learn how to sit until they actually EARN their playing time for big games. How about instilling a little competitive spirit in players?

 

[PA SB Dad]

I am not convinced that sitting players on the bench will teach them how to win, or how to work harder. You learn to win by playing and performing in games and playing an integral role in victories. As for work ethic, those batting 11th and playing RF are motivated to bat higher and get more infield time. Those sitting the bench often become motivated to spend their long Sundays doing something else.

I again want to stress that I'm talking 12U. If you want to serve their best interest, let them play, IMO.

I would suggest that you take a Sunday game sometime, and ask your girls to make the lineup for an elimination game. I did that once last year, and they came up with virtually the same lineup and batting order I did, with the same girls sitting. They are more savvy than you give them credit for. I agree the parents are not my main concern, but the girls are not out there on a TB team to share time - they want to play and they like to win.

 

[Sweet Lou]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this question. But which ever way you choose, communicating it to players and parents in advance is always a good idea. Just my $0.02

 

[GunnerShotgun]

I am not convinced that sitting players on the bench will teach them how to win, or how to work harder. You learn to win by playing and performing in games and playing an integral role in victories. As for work ethic, those batting 11th and playing RF are motivated to bat higher and get more infield time. Those sitting the bench often become motivated to spend their long Sundays doing something else.

I again want to stress that I'm talking 12U. If you want to serve their best interest, let them play, IMO.

While I understand and respect your position being a current 12u coach I don't agree with it.

I reserve the right to change my position as I get older and become more enlightened.

 

[CoogansBluff]

I believe that a part of developing players is to let them learn how to sit until they actually EARN their playing time for big games. How about instilling a little competitive spirit in players?

IMO, the kid batting 11th and playing RF will work harder at practice than the girl who does not play on Sundays.

 

[CycloneSoftball22]

IMO, the kid batting 11th and playing RF will work harder at practice than the girl who does not play on Sundays.

IMO , the girl batting 11th is just content with getting to play. If she was working harder , she wouldn't always be the 11th.

 

[CoogansBluff]

I would suggest that you take a Sunday game sometime, and ask your girls to make the lineup for an elimination game. I did that once last year, and they came up with virtually the same lineup and batting order I did, with the same girls sitting. They are more savvy than you give them credit for. I agree the parents are not my main concern, but the girls are not out there on a TB team to share time - they want to play and they like to win.

If I asked the girls on my 12U team last season, they'd say bat all 11. If you asked your girls, they'd say bat 9. It might be their desire to win, or it might just the fact that you've established how Sundays are supposed to be and they are just following the coach's lead. That's what kids tend to do.

When I built my 12U team after half my players aged up a couple of years ago, I asked the players before taking them on the team what they wanted from travel ball. They'd played on some very good teams. One of the messages that came through to me was that they wanted small rosters, and they wanted to play a lot. They were willing to compete and work hard, but they wanted to play. The biggest reason for burnout or wanting to quit was bench-sitting at age 10, 11, 12 when they'd worked as hard as everyone else.

Again, the age here is a critical pice to my position here. I'm not a socialist. Competition is a great thing. But development and enjoyment of the game are more important than winning at this age, IMO, and there are plenty of opportunities for competition just in tryouts, the vying for positions on the field and in the batting order, etc.

And finally, I hope nobody interprets my posts as being patronizing or all-knowing. This is a great debate, one of the more important ones in coaching travel ball. I'm just giving my side of it. I respect the opposition.

 

[Rooster98]

I am sure this has been asked before, but I have a decent catcher who isn't hitting, she misses signs, she refuses to bunt and her mom was the one who came to my dugout to tell me why she couldn't bunt (that was a different Oprah).
She has a private hitting coach that has her all tied up with rotational hitting (which is fine), but she just doesn't get it and I can't change anything from what he is doing. I've even attended her lessons to see how we can collaborate, nothing has worked thusfar.

Anyway, I decided that because this kid couldn't play catcher while having a designated hitter, I had to sit her and use her to pinch run for my pitcher and catcher.

Her parents were livid because she didn't play on that Sunday, but I couldn't just sacrifice that one spot in the batting order for an automatic out.

I told the kids last night that this isn't rec softball and that it is their job to make it difficult for me to pull them out of the lineup on Sunday and that if they decide to give less than 100% on Saturday, then Sunday they are probably going to sit one or more games.

These girls are second year 12U B competitive we have won one tournament and placed second...other finishes were miserable (5-6 and even one 9th place)

I know for a fact other good 12U teams we've played against do this, this is the first time I have not considered batting my lineup of 11.

I have been disuaded by one of our other coaches for doing this but why? ...and what would you tell the parents.

I am not a newbie, but I have always had 11 kids who can get on base.

If she is your best catching on Sunday then use her with the DP/Flex rule in ASA or EP/EH rule in NSA. You can have a girl play only defense, but when you do you tell them why and you work with them to get things straight. I would not tolerate ignoring signs to bunt and I will bench her after and explain why the bunt in SB is needed. If she still does not do it in the next game bench her again she will get the idea. DP/Flex is a great way to play a solid defensive player and keep a good stick in the battting order.

 

[RJY]

You made a mistake IF you didn't say playing time would greatly depend on statistics.....IF you want to develop and uber competitive team.

I am sure this has been asked before, but I have a decent catcher who isn't hitting, she misses signs, she refuses to bunt and her mom was the one who came to my dugout to tell me why she couldn't bunt (that was a different Oprah).
She has a private hitting coach that has her all tied up with rotational hitting (which is fine), but she just doesn't get it and I can't change anything from what he is doing. I've even attended her lessons to see how we can collaborate, nothing has worked thusfar.

Anyway, I decided that because this kid couldn't play catcher while having a designated hitter, I had to sit her and use her to pinch run for my pitcher and catcher.

Her parents were livid because she didn't play on that Sunday, but I couldn't just sacrifice that one spot in the batting order for an automatic out.

I told the kids last night that this isn't rec softball and that it is their job to make it difficult for me to pull them out of the lineup on Sunday and that if they decide to give less than 100% on Saturday, then Sunday they are probably going to sit one or more games.

These girls are second year 12U B competitive we have won one tournament and placed second...other finishes were miserable (5-6 and even one 9th place)

I know for a fact other good 12U teams we've played against do this, this is the first time I have not considered batting my lineup of 11.

I have been disuaded by one of our other coaches for doing this but why? ...and what would you tell the parents.

I am not a newbie, but I have always had 11 kids who can get on base.

 

[Huskerdu]

If she is your best catching on Sunday then use her with the DP/Flex rule in ASA or EP/EH rule in NSA. You can have a girl play only defense, but when you do you tell them why and you work with them to get things straight. I would not tolerate ignoring signs to bunt and I will bench her after and explain why the bunt in SB is needed. If she still does not do it in the next game bench her again she will get the idea. DP/Flex is a great way to play a solid defensive player and keep a good stick in the battting order.

Would this work in USSSA? I believe they have that rule but most USSSA 12u umpires don't know it.