Coaching a team with a lot of talent

Some may say if you have 10-15 girls that can really play you're blessed. That may be, but it's a double edged sword. High school season gets 36 games if we are lucky and don't have any rain outs then it's post season. My team is loaded from top to bottom. About 14 of the 25 girls can play on any varsity team. I've already signed 3 of my 5 seniors and the other two have received multiple offers. I have a junior class or 2 that can and will probably play at the next level. Out of the 10 sophomore I have 1 has already had discussions with SEC schools and about 4 more will play college ball. On top of that I have a middle school kid who is the cream of the crop. Has 5 SEC schools who are foaming at the mouth to get her. This year we have the ability to go as far as we want to go. However, the issue I've ran into and the issue that I knew was coming and tried to head it off at the pass is how to manage this talent without causing problems. Eventually I'll have to pick a set line up which may include playing a middle school kid who is a phenom over a senior who has started 3 straight years. Or, moving upperclassmen around in a different spot. I've already caught hell over it and I have also overheard players trying to talk smack about other players. I'm to the point where I know I have to do what I have to do to win but how do you convince upper class men that in order to win we have to play the best regardless of age? I mean I can't just play them all and this game isn't a game where you can sub in and out. The line up has to be consistent at some point to get in a rythem

I've never had to deal with that problem, but sounds like an opportunity to enforce some good ole fashion values.

Who works hardest in practice? Best attitude? Most coachable? Who buys the coach the nicest gift? (I jest).

Stats aren't necessarily the best indicator all by themselves, but who's got the best "numbers"?

As hard as it sounds, don't make pleasing players a priority. I would even sit the team down and explain what they already know - the team is stacked with talent and every player is going to need to fight for their spot.

Challenge the upperclassmen to be leaders, even if they aren't starting. If you are getting an attitude they shouldn't be playing and if it is a real problem it is ok to not carry them on the team. Team cohesiveness should be a priority but not to the extent of letting the loudest complainers have their way.

I mean I can't just play them all and this game isn't a game where you can sub in and out. The line up has to be consistent at some point to get in a rythem

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Huh? Travel teams do this all the time. 36 games is a lot in a HS season and should provide plenty of opportunity to get your second tier players in the game.

I've already caught hell over it and I have also overheard players trying to talk smack about other players.

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Caught hell from who? Parents, players, the AD? If players are talking smack you tell them they better back it up on the field or they will be shagging foul balls. Be the grown up in charge.

Is it common practice to have middle school girls playing high school varsity ball? How does that happen? Just honestly asking because it just doesn't happen here in our area, no matter how good the player is.

It sounds to me as if you are trying to put the best players on the field to win. It also sounds as if you have a solid bunch of individual players that could take you a long way towards States if not, win it all. However, the last time I checked, there was no "I" in team and softball is a TEAM sport. As a coach, it is your job to form these individual players into that team. That means coming up with a team philosophy and a way to get your players to buy into it. If they don't, then maybe they shouldn't be on the team.

Another thing, teammates do not necessarily have to like each other, yet, for the sake of the team, you must DEMAND, that they respect each other, especially as players of the team. If I overheard what they had said and being demeaning towards other teammates, I would put a stop to it and quickly too. With me, I don't put up with it. They get one warning only and the next time, they are no longer part of the team.

As for the parents, you need to put your foot down and hard. If that means their "talented" DD rides the pine or is cut, so be it. Just because their DD put in their time for the previous 3 years doesn't guarantee them a starting spot if others are better.

Drama (either parents or players), the "me" attitude and the disrespect of other teammates will see your team failing quicker than anything else that you can do. If you let others, whether the parents or players have their way and you tiptoe around hurt feelings and let discontent rule, then you're not doing your job. You are the coach, take control of the team and lead it...period.

Most college teams are loaded with talent also but how many college coaches do you see letting stuff like this happen? If they have problem players, they're gone. You should be the same way if you truly want to win.

ETA: One other thing that will help alleviate some of the problems. You should let the team know that the line-up is fluid. The ones that work hard, have a good attitude and improve their skills above another player at a position, then they get the nod. Just make sure that the players understand that the only opinion that matters as to who is better is yours. JMHO.

Yocoach you read my mind. You put my thoughts on the page almost word for word.

Unfortunately, I would bet, these players never had to compete for playing time on their other teams. Fighting for a spot is foreign to them. I will be a big adjustment for them. You'll have to dig in an expect the BS from the parents and possibly from the players until you have them convinced that type of nonsense will not sway you. You are there for the team and the team comes before EVERYONE!!

If the talent on your team is a good as you say, and they are headed to good DI schools, they better be able to handle fighting for a starting spot or being happy sitting. HS is one of the few places you can actually enforce the rule because it is such a PIA to transfer districts. Lots of players are transferring in college because of lack of playing time and being impatient or unwilling to outwork the players ahead of you. It is a learned behavior that started in travel ball. Not playing? Go to another team. Not pitching? This other team needs a starting pitcher. You have a unique opportunity to provide a valuable lesson for the upperclassmen who think they are going to walk onto a college softball field and play.

Vertigo said:

Is it common practice to have middle school girls playing high school varsity ball? How does that happen? Just honestly asking because it just doesn't happen here in our area, no matter how good the player is.

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We are doing it this year. Our middle school could not find a coach. The principle said it came down to hiring a good softball coach that was a a decent math teacher or hiring a great math teacher. I'm glad the academics won out. Our middle school girls basically became our HS JV team. It is a advantage long term as our 7th/8th graders are playing better competition. Our top two pitchers for the varsity are in 7th and 8th grades but they are not the norm and are very good. My DD is in 7th and had made a varsity start and travels with the varsity on days the JV is off. She will wind up staying with the varsity once the JV schedule wraps up.

The school district about 5 miles away from my DD's has a stacked Varsity team with the chance to win state for several years. The districts best player might actually be an 8th grader who has to play MS ball because of rules. The coaches cut the player after the first day of tryouts because of attitude. I would think in school ball there wouldn't be the attitude their is, but some just can't let it go. I don't think the MS coach will be employed in the district for very long if they don't win as that is the main focus of their softball.