10u Travel advice opinions

Hello DFP, MY DD is first year 10u playing on a second year 10u team. There team is B level team but there pretty solid. We joined the team back in January practicing indoors and now starting to play some tournaments. We have played 3 tourneys so far and my DD isn't getting any playing time. I'm not one that thinks my DD is better than everybody else. I know she needs works but she is not that bad to the point to were she shouldn't play. My DD pitches but coach wont give her any opportunity. The team has 2 solid pitchers so that's who the coach pitches. Which I'm fine with. I don't have issue with the pitching but she just don't play much period. She is the new girl on the team and it seems coach is sticking with the core group he's coached the last 4 years. When we play these other teams I cant help but think that my DD can help these teams and get more playing time. We played a team this weekend that could've certainly used my DD on the mound. I see several others that could use my DD. I haven't talked to coach yet about playing time. We like the coach and the team but I'm thinking about switching teams. We certainly are not quitters but I'm having a hard time watching my DD sit the bench when I know she could play elsewhere. I guess my questions are. Would I be wrong in switching teams or just ride the year out and switch later? I want to do this the right way and just need advice and opinions on how to handle this. Thanks

We have no regrets leaving a team giving our DD limited playing time for one where she'd be a starter. There were more issues going on than play time to make us do it, but she is so much happier on a team with coaches who believe in her, where she's not benched half the time. I think it's best to try to earn playing time but at some point if it becomes obvious it's not going to happen, it's reasonable to switch teams imo. At 10 they need to play, not watch. JMO.

As a parent, you really need to get as much information as possible about an organization, team and coach as you can prior to committing. Go see the team play in a tournament, speak with parents who have kids on the team. You need to obtain as much information as possible. I know it's too late for you now, but you can gather information for next season. A conversation about circle time is one that I would have had prior to committing to a team.

Personally, I think that Saturday games are simply glorified scrimmages and as a coach, I would pitch and play kids in a whole bunch of different situations. Then on Sunday, play the best 9.

If this is 10U, and your DD has a good attitude and comes to practice, then your coach is a heel.

Find another team and don't apologize.

Based on the description, I would be looking for a new team where my DD could get regular playing time, even if the team's overall skill level was a little lower. I would also be looking for a team that was built around girls my DD's age so they could continue to move up together (assuming it's a team/org you like).

Thanks for all the advice. I'm going to have a talk with the coach and see how it goes. I have a startup 10u team that is interested in my DD and I think it would be a good opportunity for my DD to see more playing time and pitching. We really like our current coach and team but DD is very aware she would have more chances elsewhere. I just don't want to be a jerk for walking out on a team but feel I need to do what's best for my DD. If her coach says he will play her more then we will probably just stay. Decisions Decisions. Thanks

I'm not a fan of switching teams mid year. This burns bridges and your daughter is very young. Stick it out and mKe an educated move this fall.

I have a couple girls that sit more then others on Sunday's. They could leave this fall and be starters on other teams. The few girls that did leave me end up being the better players on their new teams. But once gone I don't see much improvement from them. Parents need to consider there might be a reason the weaker teams are weaker.

Can you elaborate on what no playing time means? How many kids you have,etc. Does she play anywhere besides pitcher?

I agree with the other coaches that on Saturday everyone should play. We play 14U and every kid plays at least 2 games. We do have a few that hit
in every game, but always get everyone in. On Sunday we'll play our best 9 or 10 but always try and get the other kids in the game if possible.

It's tough to be the third pitcher on a team anyway so I would consider leaving, but doing it on good terms. In any event make sure she is improving at practice.

Just to make sure we know what we've got here, what do you mean when you say the player ''isn't getting any playing time.''

What percentage of the time has she in the field and in the batting lineup so far, in these 3 tournaments?

My DD was also a 1st year 10U on a 2nd year team and didn't play alot. She also wanted catch and got 1 game the whole season. It was tough to watch her not play as much as the others, but she was still getting good workouts at practices and the team was good so oddly enough she actually progressed throughout the season even without much playing time. I asked her one time about not playing much and she basically told me that she was there to help the team any way she could - sub, pick up balls - whatever. And then I realized the lack of playing time was harder on me than her! Sometimes less playing time is not as bad as it seems - depends on how your DD feels about it. We did change to a lower level team the following season so she could catch more and that had its pros and cons also. I'm not sure you can have it all. Just make sure they still love the game wherever you end up.