Without knowing all the details of the talent on your team, I think I would have the LH girl split time between 1st base and CF, that would be best for her long term develpment. I think you could argue that 1st base at the 10u travel level is just as important as SS for most teams. Her game sense can be used on ground balls that are hit near the 4-3 hole, I see it all the time where the 1st baseman comes to far off the bag on a ground ball in the 4-3 hole and the first baseman gets to far away from the bag to get back for the force out at the 10u level. At 1st base her game sense would come in handy on bunt defenses also. At 10u you also see right fielders throw out hitters at 1st more often because the outfielders don't play very deep, her game sense would be beneficial in that situation also. Honestly from my experience there are more balls hit to the 2nd baseman at the 10u level than any other position.
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Without knowing all the details of the talent on your team, I think I would have the LH girl split time between 1st base and CF, that would be best for her long term develpment. I think you could argue that 1st base at the 10u travel level is just as important as SS for most teams. Her game sense can be used on ground balls that are hit near the 4-3 hole, I see it all the time where the 1st baseman comes to far off the bag on a ground ball in the 4-3 hole and the first baseman gets to far away from the bag to get back for the force out at the 10u level. At 1st base her game sense would come in handy on bunt defenses also. At 10u you also see right fielders throw out hitters at 1st more often because the outfielders don't play very deep, her game sense would be beneficial in that situation also. Honestly from my experience there are more balls hit to the 2nd baseman at the 10u level than any other position.
It's 10U - you give them both the opportunity.
This 'hurting her long term development' talk is garbage. There are plenty of reps to get good at all sorts of positions. And elite talent and athletic ability will overcome an awful lot over time. I don't care if you are left handed - if you can find a way to do the job, then you get the chance to do so.
One of our 16U teams has a LH Short Stop. This team is VERY good - college coaches know they are very good. When they see a LH player is holding down the SS position for this team, they knew immediately she is a special talent (and she is). He college team will move her wherever they need her. College teams are FULL of ex-SS's playing every other position on the field.
Real 'A' teams in any division are not 100% pigeon holing their players. My players ALL can play multiple positions - and they do. Is there a 'best' lineup - there sure is - in fact we have 3 best lineups which depends on who is pitching. We start those best lineups on elimination days - but we are constantly rotating girls in and out even then. Every single player on our team wouldn't bat an eye no matter what position they are put in. And it makes them more valuable when they play HS or go to college. If asked they will tell you "Coach, my best posiitions are X, X and X but I will play anywhere you need me and do a great job for you."
This 'hurting her long term development' talk is garbage. There are plenty of reps to get good at all sorts of positions. And elite talent and athletic ability will overcome an awful lot over time. I don't care if you are left handed - if you can find a way to do the job, then you get the chance to do so.
One of our 16U teams has a LH Short Stop. This team is VERY good - college coaches know they are very good. When they see a LH player is holding down the SS position for this team, they knew immediately she is a special talent (and she is). He college team will move her wherever they need her. College teams are FULL of ex-SS's playing every other position on the field.
Real 'A' teams in any division are not 100% pigeon holing their players. My players ALL can play multiple positions - and they do. Is there a 'best' lineup - there sure is - in fact we have 3 best lineups which depends on who is pitching. We start those best lineups on elimination days - but we are constantly rotating girls in and out even then. Every single player on our team wouldn't bat an eye no matter what position they are put in. And it makes them more valuable when they play HS or go to college. If asked they will tell you "Coach, my best posiitions are X, X and X but I will play anywhere you need me and do a great job for you."
I agree with the last 3 posts. Let the players play multiple positions. It's the best way to make them the best players they can be.
Here's another thing to consider...If all you've played is OF, from 10U on, you might just get burned out by time you 18....mix it up for these kids.
Here's another thing to consider...If all you've played is OF, from 10U on, you might just get burned out by time you 18....mix it up for these kids.
Good consensus emerging. MacLobo makes good point about playing OF from 10U onward. Not just burnout, but stunted development. My biggest regret in 10U is not shuffling players around defensively more than I did. Having a set infield does give you a better chance of winning in the short run because players get better at their positions if they specialize at them. But that doesn't serve them as well in the long run. And girls who get stuck in the outfield at early ages and don't get more varied opportunities are being given two messages - Coach doesn't trust me in the infield, and softball is boring.
Agree 100%
One thing to add, at 10U and even 12U you are doing a great disservice to the kids if you don't have them all work some in the OF. Unless they just are not athletic there is always a chance they might be needed there at some time. For kids who play SS, it's not really that hard to teach them another position if they are willing to work at it.
- Jan 22, 2011
- 1,633
- 113
My DD had a coach that played her some at SS 2nd year 8u and 2nd year 10u All-Stars, when she wasn't pitching. Not a lot of innings and my DD wasn't thrilled about it because she knows lefties don't play SS, but she was the team's best SS.
My DD has watched a lot of softball since she was born and enjoys playing outfield because she knows she has something to do on every play. First defensive play she made in an 8u tournament was throwing a runner out at 2nd from right-center when the ball got past 2B. Last defensive play of that tournament (we won) was her making a great stretch to catch a ball at 1B that got into right field and the right fielder throwing it to her.
My DD has watched a lot of softball since she was born and enjoys playing outfield because she knows she has something to do on every play. First defensive play she made in an 8u tournament was throwing a runner out at 2nd from right-center when the ball got past 2B. Last defensive play of that tournament (we won) was her making a great stretch to catch a ball at 1B that got into right field and the right fielder throwing it to her.
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- Jun 12, 2015
- 3,848
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Whenever girls get upset about playing outfield I tell them to go look up videos of the best plays in baseball or softball and see what percentage of them are outfield plays. A very high number of the plays that make your jaw drop or make you yell out "HOLY CRAP, WHAT A CATCH!" are in the outfield. That is not to say infielders don't get to make their fair share of awesome plays, but the outfield gets plenty of those too!
