Playing time at 12A

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Feb 15, 2016
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I searched and looked for a thread addressing this topic but did not find one so I apologize in advance if there already is one. Another thread about 10U made me want to ask this question, but I didn't want to hijack that thread.

First off, this is purely a hypothetical thread. My DDs are in college/18U and I was thinking back to all the teams they have played on through the years and all the different coaches and coaching styles they have played for.

I am interested in everyone's thoughts on playing time at 12U on a "travel" or "club" team that classifies itself as 12A. This team is not affiliated with any city or other organization other than there are a group of teams in the area that are loosely affiliated and all wear the same colors and team name on their uniforms. For the sake of this thread, there are 12 girls on the roster and they all show up to practice and work hard. Some are better than others. You are the head coach and you had tryouts and you offered all 12 girls a spot on your team. You had a first meeting and handed out a sheet that discusses team philosophy and lets all the parents know that this is 12A and playing time is earned and we are playing to win.

As a coach what is your philosophy on playing time? Does it differ in pool games and/or random weekend tourneys vs a State/Regional, or Nationals? For those of you who have had DDs play all the way up through 18U do you think it really matters one way or the other at 12U?
 
Jan 15, 2009
689
18
Midwest
Yes, it does matter, because at the younger travel levels is where the work ethic is built.

Random Tournaments - Everyone starts at equal on first couple of games especially when able to bat the order. The players who attend all the practices, works hard and did well the last games start the first game of the weekend. In the early games, everyone takes a turn to sit.

We try to use a pitching rotation - start out - try to get everyone 2 innings (based on opponent). Pitchers do get pulled and sent to bullpen to work on whatever it is that they need to fix.

On Sunday, go down to nine (sometimes with DP/Flex) based on performance and attitude. The key is rewarding positive performance, positive attitude and not making it about doing poorly. This is based on WHAT IS BEST FOR THE TEAM. You need to tell the players this each time and stick to it. Players not in the Sunday lineup still get an opportunity with an at bat, or courtesy runner duties, etc.

"Friendlies" -- Double Headers everyone plays -- mostly at secondary positions -- work on developing other pitchers.

Qualifiers/State/Nationals - pretty much the same in pool games, however I weigh a little more on performance, attitude over all the past tournaments.
 

sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,133
113
Dallas, Texas
Does it differ in pool games and/or random weekend tourneys vs a State/Regional, or Nationals?

Pool games--everyone plays.
Elimination tournament: Best performers play, but try to get some innings for everyone.

For those of you who have had DDs play all the way up through 18U do you think it really matters one way or the other at 12U?

Of course it does.

For a kid to be "good" at softball, they have to love the game. A kid learns to love the game in rec leagues and 12U. If a kid isn't playing, they aren't going to love the game.
 
Feb 15, 2016
273
18
For the record, I will chime in with some of my opinions which are not set in stone. I can tend to go back and forth on this one. I don't know that there is a right and wrong.

1) playing time is not equal after pool games

2) If a girl shows up at practice and works hard she should play

3) Nobody who shows up and works hard sits a whole game. Make every attempt to get girls innings in the field and an at-bat

4) Use DP/FLEX whenever possible to get more girls involved. Sometimes you only hit and sometimes you only play in the field.

5) Everyone plays on Sunday. I picked those girls, offered them slots, and their parents traveled, paid for hotels, etc... If they weren't good enough I should have stuck with 11 (yes I understand it is a long season and sometimes the ability level of the girls gets further apart as the season goes on). This is 12U and while they should begin to learn concepts such as being the DP or a pinch runner means you got to play, they also don't really understand and they just want to play some softball. As a coach, understand the fact that what you do on the weekend can impact her attitude and effort at practice. Of course the nine best players have great attitudes. They are playing all the time and are having fun.

6) Explain to the girls what you are doing and why and keep it positive.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I'm not a coach and my dd's only 10U so this time 2 years from now I might see things differently. My thoughts are, in pool games everyone should play. I think this is good not just for the individual players to get time in the game (and hopefully improve by playing more), but for the team. You never know when someone's going to shine. In pool play they get that chance and if it happens, it helps everyone. Bracket games, you play your best (which can vary day to day esp at younger ages IMO). As a pitcher's mom I pay closest attention to the pitching and I've noticed how a normally awesome pitcher can have a really off day; a pitcher who's maybe middle of the road can have a really outstanding day. If you sit your perceived weakest players even in pool games, you never get to see that. JMO.
 
Jan 22, 2011
1,610
113
The way it was explained to me was my goal should be to play 5 games a weekend. You play everyone roughly equally in pool play and use it some for player development. You play your best 9 to win the first elimination game, then get everyone in for the second game of elimination.
 

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