GAAAHHHH!!!! Daddy Ball!!1!

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Jun 10, 2018
19
3
Been reading for a couple of years but finally had to join to vent!

Coach's DD plays 2B exclusively and she struggles to make plays. She makes at least one mental or physical error per inning on defense. She is a below average hitter and base runner.

She played 100% of innings at 2B this weekend and plays much more than she ever sits.

Meanwhile my DD(who is good) and 2 other kids (who are also good) are rotating at SS. My DD played less than 50% of the innings this weekend. Any one of the three would be a huge upgrade at 2B. Other kids are playing OF exclusively who could possibly also be an upgrade if given a chance.

End rant.

Thanks, I feel a little better now!:mad:
 
Last edited:
Jul 19, 2014
2,390
48
Madison, WI
Well, that is not a great situation. Probably the main reason my DD 3 never played 3B is she played on too many teams where the coach's DD played 2B.

That being said, you may wish to start scouting other teams.
 
Jun 10, 2018
19
3
Yup. A bunch of parents were giving each other funny looks at the tourney due to the glaring mistakes and playing time discrepancy. Everyone is polite but I can tell nerves are getting raw.
 
Jun 10, 2018
19
3
Your kind of lucky, normally at SS or pitching walking everyone.

SS would be better! We have 2 pitchers who throw pretty hard. Most opponents can't catch up to them and lots of balls get hit to 2B!

And she tried pitching last year. It went just as you described.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,132
113
Dallas, Texas
Some things never get old...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wnAsE9AnCSY?start=87" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
When DD first started playing travel ball I had no intention of being a coach. However, it didn't take long before the head coach was asking for help, and since he knew I had prior coaching experience, he came to me rather quickly. A few days later I attended a coaches meeting with the president of the organization. He started the meeting by thanking us for our willingness to dedicate our time as coaches. He explained that as coaches the experience would cost us more than other families in regards to time and money, and that some of the people that we currently consider friends, may not be our friends much longer. He added that our daughters would also face some of those same changes. Some people will claim that they do not deserve the playing time they get regardless of their statistics, experience, etc. It's just how it works. He finished by stating that he expected our daughters to play. His comment was "With all the sacrifices each of you are making, the least we can do is make sure your daughters play". While I understand the theory behind his comments, I also view this as a dangerous process. Not many outside the coaching staff are going to agree with this type of philosophy. Therefore I have never chosen this method. That said, I know first hand the amount of sacrifice that is involved. I enjoy coaching and do not regret my decision in any way. But when I attend a tournament when DD is a guest player for another team, the entire weekend is completely different. Almost feels like I have a life outside the sport. And it is honestly the only real time I can relax and simply enjoy watching DD play without all of the other 'stuff'...

In my opinion, it is the coaches duty to manage these things as best they can based on the goals of the team, and any goals that have been announced to the players and parents. But if a volunteer that is dedicating time and money to the sport wants their daughter to play a little more, I have trouble finding fault in that. But I also realize this can very easily go too far. Have a realistic view of your DD's ability, and play her accordingly. No matter how bad she is, she still deserves to play. But if she is one of the weaker players on the team, make sure she sits just like the others. If she is one of the better players on the team, make sure she plays, even if some of the parents don't agree with your assessment of her ability.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Hi-Tech - Knowing that this situation probably won't change, are there other compelling reasons for keeping your DD with the team? If so, you're just going to have to accept coach's kid at 2B as part of the package, and deal with it the best you can. If not, find your DD another team.

Also...Welcome to DFP! :)
 
Aug 10, 2016
686
63
Georgia
DD is a coach's kid but she actually should be out there for every play - not being biased but if she could get her hitting better, she'd probably be the best player on the team - (I know I have to say that as she's my daughter) - But sometimes there's a reason the coaches' kids play the most. DD has only ever been on one team with a HC whose daughter wasn't super great and she played OF the majority of the time. DD played circle the majority of the time (that was back in 8U)

Also our HC's daughter is actually one of our fastest/most consistent pitchers. But she can be "hard" to coach. This last tournament, even though we were struggling, she played OF the majority of the tournament. We only had 9 players so she had to be out there but he is definitely willing to sit her when she's not playing well or listening. Just sucks because she is really good when she's on... I feel like our HC is more willing to sit his daughter than other people.

That being said - the only team DD has ever been on where DH wasn't AC was her MS team but the HC actually really likes her and she has always played - also the HC did not have a kid on the team.
Our TB team is essentially a rec turned travel team so all the same coaches she's used to and has played with for almost 6 years - so if she actually tried out for a diff TB team with unknown coaches, I have no idea what would happen.

Edited to add: DH was HC for DD's rec basketball team and although DD and her friend were the two best players on the team, he still made sure they sat during quarters. He's never been one to play favorites - esp in rec (in TB, I assume it's different)
 
Last edited:
Jun 10, 2018
19
3
Eric F,

We are staying with the team because it's too late to join another. I'd rather she get some reps instead of no reps. The AC is the HS coach and is giving my DD some great coaching.

I have accepted it but I finally needed to rant and picked this forum to do it. This wasn't a new thing for this tourney. It's been going on all season. I just reached my boiling point.

Thanks for reading my rant!
 

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