Thats great RB. I know parents that would be in the coaches ear about that. BTW I agree with play the best player. DD will get little pitching time this year because a "stud" Freshman can throw... good thing she is also an outfielder 
High School Softball ,No Thanks I'll pass
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You are going to an extreme in your example.
Typically, the upperclassman is given the position to lose. She still needs to bat and play defense at a very high level. The proven upperclassman will be given time to work through a slump, it is earned.
The hot shot youngsters will be given opportunities. Spot duty. Her averages, both defensive and offensive will be tabulated. If one of the upperclassman slips bad, is not getting the job done, and the team is losing, midway through the season the youngster will be given a chance. But all the above must fall into place for her. Typically, it does not, especially if the team is winning!!!
News flash ... the high school coaches do not care about how great the next hotshot is according to travel folks. They listen, they are glad, but they also have a formula for working a young player in, a proven formula, and stay with it.
If every coach said at the beginning of the season "all spots are open" no matter what. Guess what happens? The upperclass players will go above and beyond to get into all the youngsters heads. Beat them down mentally because they are so intellectually older, and fighting for survival. Now is that how a high school team should be formed. Great for team chemistry?
On our team, the key is when a young player is brought up to varsity. I have seen them bring up the greatest 7th grader, and usually the best 8th grader. Then these very young players get an early taste of the "culture" so they are good and ready for their "early" regular spot on varsity the following year.
It is not like all these players drop from the sky out of nowhere. The coaches know who they are, and are integrally involved in their development as soon as they start the high school program.
As much as you disagree, given the context I just outlined, I am willing to bet way more high school coaches do it the way I say ... than your way. Deal with it, expect it, plan for it!!!!
Or think of it another way. In baseball here, varsity is almost exclusively juniors and seniors. JV's almost exclusively sophomores and freshman. Sure maybe one or two players may move up early, but that is an exception. How does your "strong will survive" theory hold up for baseball? There is a reason for all of this, for the older boy's are almost always stronger physically and mentally. They will not think twice about beating the crap out of a youngster taking his stuff. That is why. The girls are not too far behind, but they use their mind to do it, and are very good at it. That is why this "caste" system exists in the real high school teenage world.
In all reality, the vast majority of the time, the older players are better. We have been shorted too, and thought our freshman was better than the senior. Maybe, maybe not. We still think we were right, but never got a real chance. So what ... it is life ... happens everywhere, and one of the most valuable lessons to ever learn. Take it like a man (pardon ladies) work your butt off, and get'em next year. That is the right answer. Not crying "mommy, he is not playing fair" or even worse "I quit".
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Cannonball
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When I coached both HS Varsity Baseball and Softball, the best played regardless of year in school. We ran extremely successful programs in both.
When my dd was a freshman, she started every game. In fact, she started every game for 4 years. Freshman year, she played SS and pitched. Sophomore year, she pitched and played OF. Junior year she pitched and played 1B. Senior year, she played CF. Went 29-1 in the circle first 3 years. Held 8 school offensive records. Yet, some of you would not have played her or other dds here at DFP. Interesting.
Edited to add:
My dd was also a VB player her freshman and sophomore years. In fact, she was awarded the underclassman award as best underclass player as a freshman. Sophomore year, she was injured in a softball game during the weekend. She went to practice on the following Monday, was taped up by the trainer and anticipated no lack of playing or effort in practice. It was a minor injury. Coach asked trainer what the tape was for. He said no problem at all for her to practice or play. Coach went off. My dd made every practice and went to every game as a sophomore/JV. She even practiced with the varsity. Yet, she was not allowed to get in to one game. No, not one second. She was the only one. It killed her. My wife and I made every game to support her. She would look up into he stands and we knew how she was hurting. That was a great learning experience for her.
When my dd was a freshman, she started every game. In fact, she started every game for 4 years. Freshman year, she played SS and pitched. Sophomore year, she pitched and played OF. Junior year she pitched and played 1B. Senior year, she played CF. Went 29-1 in the circle first 3 years. Held 8 school offensive records. Yet, some of you would not have played her or other dds here at DFP. Interesting.
Edited to add:
My dd was also a VB player her freshman and sophomore years. In fact, she was awarded the underclassman award as best underclass player as a freshman. Sophomore year, she was injured in a softball game during the weekend. She went to practice on the following Monday, was taped up by the trainer and anticipated no lack of playing or effort in practice. It was a minor injury. Coach asked trainer what the tape was for. He said no problem at all for her to practice or play. Coach went off. My dd made every practice and went to every game as a sophomore/JV. She even practiced with the varsity. Yet, she was not allowed to get in to one game. No, not one second. She was the only one. It killed her. My wife and I made every game to support her. She would look up into he stands and we knew how she was hurting. That was a great learning experience for her.
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I'd have to say most HS's use the "entitlement program". I don't agree with it, but it's a reality. Championship HS's do not use the entitlement program, they play the best they have regardless of age. We've been to State the last 3 years, those teams have plenty of freshmen/sophomore girls playing the heck out of some ball.
Cannonball
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SCDad, I have to ask, who are college "scouts?" Also, you speak for high school coaches. Are you one?
Our best D1 players start as freshman. They are just brought up in eight grade, to .....
So what is your point?
When was your DD brought up to varsity?
Most players D2/low D1 type player. Brought up as freshman, started as sophomore. Again typical for this type. Our team is tops for our area. I have a hard time understanding why folks have such a problem with this? It resembles real life in so many ways. Softball mimics real life.
I am not a high school coach. Just a players parent who happens to like high school softball, its structure, and the life lessons it teaches. Others are spoiled rotten, because daddy thinks she is great, and how dare anyone put a much older, proven, player ahead of her greatness .... wah
College coaches have a strict limit on how many tournaments he/she can go to each year. Other folks are watching, more than anyone knows, who have no interest in the game outcome. I call them scouts, essentially what they are, scouting players to give information to college coaches.
So what is your point?
When was your DD brought up to varsity?
Most players D2/low D1 type player. Brought up as freshman, started as sophomore. Again typical for this type. Our team is tops for our area. I have a hard time understanding why folks have such a problem with this? It resembles real life in so many ways. Softball mimics real life.
I am not a high school coach. Just a players parent who happens to like high school softball, its structure, and the life lessons it teaches. Others are spoiled rotten, because daddy thinks she is great, and how dare anyone put a much older, proven, player ahead of her greatness .... wah
College coaches have a strict limit on how many tournaments he/she can go to each year. Other folks are watching, more than anyone knows, who have no interest in the game outcome. I call them scouts, essentially what they are, scouting players to give information to college coaches.
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Cannonball
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SCDad, my dd wasn't "brought up." When they had tryouts, she was told to tryout with the varsity and yes, parents of older players were angry that she started. She was better. SCDad, I don't believe in entitlements. Some do. I believe you outwork everyone else and so when it comes down to who plays and who does not, she played because she was noticeably better. Those players she beat out knew she was coming. They had choices to make including working harder than her. They did not. My dd is now in college. It is no different. She started as a freshman and has played every game. She knows this year Coach recruited another player that plays her position. Great. That young lady will have to work to beat her out. If she does, that is the way it is.
Per college "scouts," never seen one. I've been at this a very long time. Maybe it is a thing on the coast. So, there are people not paid by universities who go scout talent for college coaches. What can they offer if they aren't on the coaching staff of a school?
Per college "scouts," never seen one. I've been at this a very long time. Maybe it is a thing on the coast. So, there are people not paid by universities who go scout talent for college coaches. What can they offer if they aren't on the coaching staff of a school?
Do you believe a great 8th grader, should be moved up to varsity, so she can learn the ropes, and not make other players/parents "mad". Then start in 9th grade.
See, you are explaining why it is done how we do it. So people don't get "mad".
Or should she stay on JV's in 8th grade, playing full time. THEN move to varsity in the 9th grade, and play full time.
The only difference is our way teaches discipline (life lesson) ... and does not make people mad (bad team karma).
It is not an entitlement. You are purposely using an inflammatory word. Everything is fair, up front, and EARNED.
You ONLY have a problem with a DD getting splinters on her rear end, for the betterment of the team, and at its core a selfish parent, and probably player. Which is essentially why this system is in place. It is a system, with a purpose, and it works. No one is getting anything free.
When it is all said and done, EVERY player on our team has had SOME bench time. Not a bunch, but enough to appreciate what it takes to be a starter for our championship team. And all the parents/players mentor the young families ... telling them that they did it too, it will be over soon. Suck it up and learn how to be a winner.
You obviously have a great player. Understand you are an exception. Here however, as we also have great players, your DD would have been 'asked' to play varsity in 8th grade, battled for a DH spot in 8th grade and probably won the DH spot and played in this role as an 8th grader on varsity. Then started as a 9th grader. At the bare minimum, asked as an 8th grader to be on the team for playoffs, and sit the bench. Would you have turned that down?
Is that OK? ... I am really having a hard time grasping why you are having such difficulty with this.
The ones who wash out are either too selfish to accept any part of this system, and quit the 1st time they see the bench ... or if you think this system all the way through, if you are a sophomore, and still on JV's you have seen younger players jump you more than a few times. A JV sophomore player will probably not make varsity, unless she figures it out and dominates JV's that year. Why is all this so difficult? Older players are not just shuffled along due to age. Many JV players never make varsity, but once you do (and we carried 11 players last year) you have the right "stuff" and can buckle down and win as a team during your upper-class years.
See, you are explaining why it is done how we do it. So people don't get "mad".
Or should she stay on JV's in 8th grade, playing full time. THEN move to varsity in the 9th grade, and play full time.
The only difference is our way teaches discipline (life lesson) ... and does not make people mad (bad team karma).
It is not an entitlement. You are purposely using an inflammatory word. Everything is fair, up front, and EARNED.
You ONLY have a problem with a DD getting splinters on her rear end, for the betterment of the team, and at its core a selfish parent, and probably player. Which is essentially why this system is in place. It is a system, with a purpose, and it works. No one is getting anything free.
When it is all said and done, EVERY player on our team has had SOME bench time. Not a bunch, but enough to appreciate what it takes to be a starter for our championship team. And all the parents/players mentor the young families ... telling them that they did it too, it will be over soon. Suck it up and learn how to be a winner.
You obviously have a great player. Understand you are an exception. Here however, as we also have great players, your DD would have been 'asked' to play varsity in 8th grade, battled for a DH spot in 8th grade and probably won the DH spot and played in this role as an 8th grader on varsity. Then started as a 9th grader. At the bare minimum, asked as an 8th grader to be on the team for playoffs, and sit the bench. Would you have turned that down?
Is that OK? ... I am really having a hard time grasping why you are having such difficulty with this.
The ones who wash out are either too selfish to accept any part of this system, and quit the 1st time they see the bench ... or if you think this system all the way through, if you are a sophomore, and still on JV's you have seen younger players jump you more than a few times. A JV sophomore player will probably not make varsity, unless she figures it out and dominates JV's that year. Why is all this so difficult? Older players are not just shuffled along due to age. Many JV players never make varsity, but once you do (and we carried 11 players last year) you have the right "stuff" and can buckle down and win as a team during your upper-class years.
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Cannonball
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SCDad, we don't have that option in my state. So, have no opinion. I didn't know "entitlement" was an inflammatory word. You gave a scenario of an older player deserving to play because they have been on a team or in a system for a period of time. That is "entitlement." I believe that the best play. From your perspective, my dd and I are selfish because she was better than the others and deserved to play. Any other way, no matter how you want to spin it is "entitlement." Per the bad Karma, that only happens if it is allowed to happen. On my teams, everyone knew exactly where they stood and they knew what it would take to make and stay on those teams. I live in a community that has a 1,100 student HS. We have to play against schools twice our size. The best play. Typically, we win our regional and then have to battle in the sectional. We hold our own. The idea that the best do not play would seriously hamper that effort.
Now, interesting enough, you say that my way does not teach life's lessons. How so? You don't believe that out working everyone else should be rewarded? You don't believe that sacrifice, dedication, tears, blisters, and attention to detail more so than anyone else should be rewarded? You aren't serious are you? Let me tell you about life's lessons. There are three types of people in this world. Those that make things happen, those that watch things happen and those to whom things happen. Making things happen is a life's lesson that I'll take every time.
Now, interesting enough, you say that my way does not teach life's lessons. How so? You don't believe that out working everyone else should be rewarded? You don't believe that sacrifice, dedication, tears, blisters, and attention to detail more so than anyone else should be rewarded? You aren't serious are you? Let me tell you about life's lessons. There are three types of people in this world. Those that make things happen, those that watch things happen and those to whom things happen. Making things happen is a life's lesson that I'll take every time.
Cannonball
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SCDad, I wanted to make sure you understand that my dd is not special. She was very good as a freshman and in our community, everyone knew it. Just like everyone knows this year's stud freshman and next year's stud freshman. Some will start varsity. Some will not as a freshman. The older players know the system. The best play and so, they had better be ready to play or be beaten out by a freshman. In our school, no one sits on last year's laurels and thinks that they have it made. My dd was 29-1 in the circle for her first 3 years and only pitched against the best teams in conference and the area. She knew that there was a young one coming in that was real good. DD knew she wasn't going to pitch in college. So, her senior year, she didn't have to. However, that young one knew that if she worked hard, she'd be given a chance to pitch varsity and so, she was driven and ready to fill the void. I like that kind of system.
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