Guest Players and Playing Time

riseball · Jun 26, 2017

This is one of those no-win situations for a Head Coach. If you bring in a guest player you need to give them playing time, sometimes at the expense of regular player(s) and it does not sit well. Unfortunately the real villain in this is the kid who is not there and is the reason you need to use a guest. You know the same one with the parents who complain when you carry 14-16 players to make sure you have enough. We are now running with 12 players and I will only take on a very strong 2020 or 2021 pitcher. If we do not have enough, we do not play as I refuse to deal with the BS. So I am basically done with guest players with the possible exception of a pitcher. I have 2 starting pitchers and 1 kid that "can pitch". If I do not have one of my starters it can make for a long day, so I may bring someone in. The will get circle time but probably will not hit. If I cannot cover a hole in the infield or outfield because 1 or 2 players are out, then I have not done my job as a coach.

quincy · Jun 26, 2017

I also do not mind playing with 8 players, not ideal because if one goes down you are in trouble.

CMMom1740 · Jun 26, 2017

I've got to run and can't read the whole thread right now, but to me the key is to only pick up a girl for a position you need filled. Don't pick up a catcher if you already have two catchers just to have a warm body there in case of injury (unless, of course, you tell the girl that's what you're doing and she agrees to it). The best pick-up experience we've had is where the coach said "she'll catch at least three games Sat. and bat every game" and she did exactly that. Don't say "she'll get plenty of playing time" and then she only bats and warms the bench. Waste of guest player's time.

Easton33 · Jun 26, 2017

With us, pick up players pay no fees and they play every game unless they are terrible. I set the rules early on that if I am put in a position to use a pickup player, the team will pay for everything and so.eone is going to sit. The Villain truly is the girl that doesn't show and I let them all know that in advance. I don't have problems with kids missing tournaments because they don't want to be "that" player. If an injury forces me to use a pickup, same rules apply. Bottom line, if not for the pickup player we either wouldn't be playing or we wouldn't be as competitive. As a result, I have girls regularly asking if they can pickup with us, pretty sure that wouldn't be happening if I benched my pickups. Kinda nice to have several top tier players that want to play with you if and when you need them.

grcsftbll · Jun 26, 2017

riseball said:
This is one of those no-win situations for a Head Coach. If you bring in a guest player you need to give them playing time, sometimes at the expense of regular player(s) and it does not sit well. Unfortunately the real villain in this is the kid who is not there and is the reason you need to use a guest. You know the same one with the parents who complain when you carry 14-16 players to make sure you have enough. We are now running with 12 players and I will only take on a very strong 2020 or 2021 pitcher. If we do not have enough, we do not play as I refuse to deal with the BS. So I am basically done with guest players with the possible exception of a pitcher. I have 2 starting pitchers and 1 kid that "can pitch". If I do not have one of my starters it can make for a long day, so I may bring someone in. The will get circle time but probably will not hit. If I cannot cover a hole in the infield or outfield because 1 or 2 players are out, then I have not done my job as a coach.

Yesss. I really don't like having pick ups. I'm just a parent so it's not my call, but our coach only gets them when they're really needed (injuries, kids traveling - we only carry 10 though we will probably carry 12 next year in 12U). Our team has really good chemistry and it just feels like pick ups throw everything off, in addition to all the drama that can sometimes come along with it. Of course, the flip side is DD really enjoys guest playing with other teams.

CMMom1740 · Jun 26, 2017

If they're coming on as semi-regulars or rostered players late in the season, they go in the mix and duke it out with everyone else for playing time. If they are a one-time player filling in for someone specific, they need to be playing that position and batting. That's my bottom line opinion.

gdc03120 · Jun 26, 2017

CMMom1740 said:
If they're coming on as semi-regulars or rostered players late in the season, they go in the mix and duke it out with everyone else for playing time. If they are a one-time player filling in for someone specific, they need to be playing that position and batting. That's my bottom line opinion.

In my case, they came on Sunday and are lasting the entire season - my first game is tomorrow night (Tuesday). They've already been told they would likely play outfield (with the rest of my young outfielders), except one may get some time catching (I only have 1 catcher) depending on the circumstances. They have understood and are aware of my decisions. My regular players are in the same boat - they know they're likely to see more of the playing time BUT are subject to substitution where I see necessary.

Guest Players and Playing Time

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