HS Ball question

[RAZORWEASEL]

DD is an 8th grader, was on the varsity roster last year as a 7th grader, got to pinch hit 3 times, otherwise played JV, then came over for the last part of the varsity game.

She also plays TB for an elite program and primarily is the pitcher or 1st base. She does OK...right at 60MPH for her fast and drop, decent screw, change and a very nice rise. Pitches well, so I've been told.

DD makes the varsity roster as a starter, takes primarily reps at pitcher and 1st base, in all honesty, she is probably the #2 pitcher, but was told that she was the #4 (which is a joke) and won't get to pitch at all. She also was placed in right field as the starter. For our opening day, she is a better infielder than three of the starting 4 we had starting.

With no pitching time, and her being relegated to right field, I'm tempted to ask the coach to move her down to JV so she can pitch and play 1st. Is this wrong? She is OK with it. Though I know she would rather stay with the varsity, but understands why it might be more important.

Our TB coaches expect her to hit the ground running at the start of June and we honestly cant take a month and a half off and play outfield...

Any thoughts are appreciated.

R

 

[James Smith]

I do not know if moving her down will get her the positions she wants. I also do not think there is a one size fits all answer. If your DD wants to move down so she can pitch and play more, see if you can move her down. I would let her make the decision and talk to the coach.

6 weeks of playing OF is not going to kill her and you can practice pitching on your own at home.

 

[SoCal_Dad]

DD makes the varsity roster as a starter, takes primarily reps at pitcher and 1st base, in all honesty, she is probably the #2 pitcher, but was told that she was the #4 (which is a joke) and won't get to pitch at all. She also was placed in right field as the starter. For our opening day, she is a better infielder than three of the starting 4 we had starting.

With no pitching time, and her being relegated to right field, I'm tempted to ask the coach to move her down to JV so she can pitch and play 1st. Is this wrong? She is OK with it. Though I know she would rather stay with the varsity, but understands why it might be more important.

She's a starter, so stay on varsity because they need her. The only reason to move down is if she isn't playing. Besides, the ABs against varsity pitchers will more than make up for playing out of her normal positions. Things can change over the season, so be patient.

HS coaches don't get the luxury of putting the best fielder at each position, so they have to put together the best configuration overall. They evidently think they're better off with your DD in OF than one of the girls playing IF. A bad infielder can hurt you, but a bad outfielder can kill you.

The OF experience may be good for her in the long term if she wants to play in college. It's not unusual at a showcase for a college coach to inquire about a good athlete's ability to play OF and to request the coach put her out there so they can see.

 

[riseball]

First and foremost you need to take care of the needs of your DD. If her needs and the needs of the HS team are not aligned you need to do whatever it takes to take care of her. If your daughter desires to play college ball you have only 1 opportunity to get it right. Let nothing stand in your way.

 

[CoachKevin]

She's a starter, so stay on varsity because they need her. The only reason to move down is if she isn't playing. Besides, the ABs against varsity pitchers will more than make up for playing out of her normal positions. Things can change over the season, so be patient.

HS coaches don't get the luxury of putting the best fielder at each position, so they have to put together the best configuration overall. They evidently think they're better off with your DD in OF than one of the girls playing IF. A bad infielder can hurt you, but a bad outfielder can kill you.

The OF experience may be good for her in the long term if she wants to play in college. It's not unusual at a showcase for a college coach to inquire about a good athlete's ability to play OF and to request the coach put her out there so they can see.

This is gold... And remember, maybe your DD is better in the IF than most, but maybe, just maybe the infielders are worse in the OF, so what is a coach to do?

 

[starsnuffer]

Since she's an 8th grader on Varsity, her team is not very deep so I'm sure her coach is putting her where he thinks she will help the team the most. Your kid is part of the entitled generation, not you, don't be so selfish.

-W

 

[SCDad]

Your DD is an 8th grader. She is on varsity at your high school, is getting every AB, and every defensive opportunity in the outfield.

And you decided there was such a problem that you needed to write into a national softball forum for an evaluation? ... sigh.

You do not want my opinion.

 

[riseball]

Is pitcher her primary position in TB? If so it sounds as though she would be better served pitching on JV than starting in RF on Varsity. If she is not getting adequate pitching reps her pitching skills are degrading. If her pitching skills are degrading why is she there? If she is getting the reps to keep up her skills then don't sweat it.

 

[coach james]

8th grader on HS varsity.... and your upset?
What's wrong with you people?

 

[SCDad]

Is pitcher her primary position in TB? If so it sounds as though she would be better served pitching on JV than starting in RF on Varsity. If she is not getting adequate pitching reps her pitching skills are degrading. If her pitching skills are degrading why is she there? If she is getting the reps to keep up her skills then don't sweat it.

me ... me ... me ... travel softball.

It is 3 months. Who knows, maybe the HS coaches know something the parents are too blind to see.

The other 9 months are about me.