New team not working out

I'm looking for some advice. I created a new ID just for this thread, mostly because I'm embarrassed to even be thinking this, but also I don't want to be called out from anyone on our team who may be seeing this. But I'm looking for some advice from you coaches and parents.

This is our second year of travel ball. When we decided on our present team, all but one girl had travel ball experience, and they mostly seemed (in the tryouts at least) to have the talent. The coaches stressed that all positions would be earned. And girls who didn't practice outside of team practice, or take lessons and actively improve their game, would find themselves riding the pine. It was stressed that you had to perform to play, every day, all the time.

In reality it's been something quite different. There is a core group of girls from a team that decided to build this team. The parents of the girls, and the coaches are real chummy. The team has not done well at all. Mostly because the girls from this core group are playing their chosen position. In many instances, wanting to play a position, and being good at that position are not the same. Girls have been put in positions in tournament games when they've not practiced at that position at all. These are some coaching decisions that just leave me speechless. It's happened on several occassions. The assistant coaches are in awe as well. I've overheard some talk here and there, but have refrained from saying anything. I don't want to introduce that kind of poison to any other parents, or my dd. I've seen it ruin teams before.
My dd has been moved from her primary position to make room for another girl to play that position. This other girl is absolutely horrible at it. I'm not looking through clouded glasses, I truly fear for this girl's safety there. The coach told my dd that he'd like to try her at some other positions because they are weak in those other spots. My dd was devastated. She is one of the few on the team who actively works on her craft. Hitting and catching lessons each week. Working on our own a few times a week, in addition to team practices. She nearly has a pitcher's schedule.
Why on earth would you take someone who performs well at their primary position, and remove them from that to play other positions, because the other players aren't cutting it? We were told that if the players weren't 'cutting it', they might be replaced by adding players to the team, or dropped altogether. None of this is happening. I hear parent's of girls at the coaches ear every practice and game. "Susie has really been working on this, and i think you ought to play her at this position today". WTH???

Moving along... I'm starting to think we made a bad decision. There are teams that are still looking, and I'm wondering if we shouldn't pursue those other opportunities. I don't want to teach my dd that you can just quit if you don't like your situation, and go somewhere else. But we (parents) feel that we were sold a bill of goods, and we're not getting it. We feel, that if a girl is not performing on the team, then the coach should confront the girl and her parents and tell them that they need to step it up. It seems it's being coached like rec ball and daddy ball combined into one big cluster. We've participated in enough league games, and tournament games now, to know who can and cannot do what.

Is it wrong to think about moving on at this point? We're not happy to even be thinking about it. My wife and I both think we should speak to the coach, and we plan to, first and see what happens. It's just that based on how things are going, I can't imagine any change happening.

Is it wrong to consider moving on? Should we wait out the season? Just not sure what to do.

Is this Fall Ball? I know when we play Fall we tend to throw girls into positions they have never played before. We do this to see how they react for one, and also you never know when a kid that hasn't played a position before suddenly becomes your stud at that position.

As I always advise, do what YOU think is in the best interest of your child because that is what everyone else is going to do, regardless of what they say.

CoachKevin...
Yes, this is fall ball. We've had a few tournaments, and a short double-header league. We're just about done, before our winter hiatus starts. I understand about moving around to see what happens. But there seems to be alot of parent involvement with this. The coach has moved only a few girls around . Every girl was supposed to have their primary position, and they were going to be moved around in their secondary position to see the best fit. I have no problem with that, and agree with it. I'm second guessing the coach I know. But that is based on his words. If parents are having this much involvement now, what's it going to be like in May when we're neck deep in tournaments? I don't think it's right for parents to approach the coaches about this. I never would. I think talking with the coach about areas needed for improvement is good. Suggesting that their dd should play at whatever, is certainly not.

I'll give an example.. a girl's mother suggested she play at a certain position. The girl had tried out at this position, but coaches decided she wasn't up to it. Never practiced it or played in any games. The mother brought it up again, and suddenly the girl starts a game at this position in a bracket game. The girl had no business being there, based on ability. She was subsequently injured in the first inning, and sat the rest of the game. The next weekend the mother is suggesting to the coach that her daughter play another position. This is the kind of thing im talking about.

Parent involvement in that way is never a good thing. Parent involvement in their DD's progression (practicing with them on off days) is what is needed. I would have a face to face with the Coach and lay it on the line. BTW I agree you must do what is in your DD's best interest.

People always say do what is best for your child but softball is a team sport and part of that is teaching about doing what is best for the team. Not just your child.
It is very sad that your child is "devastated" by your coaches decision to move her from her "primary" position. Part of that comes from what she is being taught at home.
Instead of being devastated, she should take advantage of every opportunity she has on the field and make the most of it.
That's part of being a team player and part of doing what is best for the team.
If at the end of your commitment you no longer want to play on this team, then go and find another one.
But finish your season and learn what you can from it.

Coachmom your correct it is a team sport, but when the coaches do things that don't help the team (playing girls in positions because of parent influence), then what commitment is the coach giving? If they don't hold up their end of the bargin, then why should a player suffer?

I agree getting the opportunity to play other positions is a good thing. Friend of mine's kid is probably going to start at a D1 this spring in the one position she has never played. They need her bat and that's the spot that is open. So you never know. On your commitment to the team, I agree there is an implied contract between the team coaches and each player. Sounds like you think that contract has been broken by them. If that's true, no one is required to keep their end of a contract the other party is not honoring. Daddyball can suck the life right out of a kid's interest in the game. I can't say who is at fault here since I'm not there. Maybe it's really all your fault, but if the situation is truly as you say, I'd be gone assuming DD agrees.

I have a lot of growing pains in this sport - about 45 years.
And, I still learn stuff. Try to take a positive away from the game. And try to stay out of the nit picking stuff.

Listen to your DD. Agree with her, but encourage her to try other things. And above all tell her to hustle and smile, no matter what else is going on.

Don't let the nay sayers drag you down.

Yeah, lots of life lessons to learn in this stuff. That's the more important part of sports anyway.