I've watched the discussions for some time, and decided to jump in with a request for advice.
DD is on a competitive team that generally performs well on the field. Among the players, she would fall middle-of-the-pack with her season performance at the plate currently being better than the team average.
Overall, playing time isn't the issue, but where she keeps showing up in the lineup is becoming one. Her coach likes putting a better batter at the bottom of the lineup, and this year, she's elected. Being the bottom of a 9 or even 10-batter lineup in a bracket game is a bit irritating, but she accepts her role there. However, she's also often down there in pool games when up to 12 batters are in the "everyone bats" lineup. This results in her getting one AB per game when most everyone hitting above her, some who she significantly outperforms, are getting two. It doesn't sound like much for one game, but it adds up over the course of a tournament.
This is a kid who, on previous teams, batted anywhere from lead-off to fifth, and frustration on both our parts is building. I've repeatedly told her that where you show up in the lineup isn't as important as what you do with it, but this is wearing on her confidence and ability to find some rhythm at the plate.
I'd like to address this in a non-confrontational way with the coach. It's obvious that he likes her personally, and just this last weekend was complimentary of her play this season, so I don't think there's anything malicious. I'm debating between talking to him myself or letting DD do it. I'm interested in the thoughts of the parents and coaches of older players on how to handle this. Thanks much!
DD is on a competitive team that generally performs well on the field. Among the players, she would fall middle-of-the-pack with her season performance at the plate currently being better than the team average.
Overall, playing time isn't the issue, but where she keeps showing up in the lineup is becoming one. Her coach likes putting a better batter at the bottom of the lineup, and this year, she's elected. Being the bottom of a 9 or even 10-batter lineup in a bracket game is a bit irritating, but she accepts her role there. However, she's also often down there in pool games when up to 12 batters are in the "everyone bats" lineup. This results in her getting one AB per game when most everyone hitting above her, some who she significantly outperforms, are getting two. It doesn't sound like much for one game, but it adds up over the course of a tournament.
This is a kid who, on previous teams, batted anywhere from lead-off to fifth, and frustration on both our parts is building. I've repeatedly told her that where you show up in the lineup isn't as important as what you do with it, but this is wearing on her confidence and ability to find some rhythm at the plate.
I'd like to address this in a non-confrontational way with the coach. It's obvious that he likes her personally, and just this last weekend was complimentary of her play this season, so I don't think there's anything malicious. I'm debating between talking to him myself or letting DD do it. I'm interested in the thoughts of the parents and coaches of older players on how to handle this. Thanks much!
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