Coaches - Allow Players to pickup?

[riseball]

Amazing that some coaches think what a kid does outside of their team practices and games is somehow their business. This attitude is driven by the ego and insecurities of the coach. If this is an issue you need to find another team ASAP.

 

[bmakj]

It's not that we are trying to be dictators. We are a small town single team 14u organization this spring. They all have played together since rec day's then moved on to travel ball at 11. Seven of our girls are all from the same school and picked the other 3 up from neighboring towns. Batesville indiana isn't that big so we dont have the luxury of a big pool of girls to choose from like the indy's of the world. Our first year 12u we struggled to be expected record was 10-29-2. Second yr 12u huge improvement. record was 30-17. The girls have a blast with each other playing together and the continuity of our team was spoken highly of this past summer by other teams. We explain to parents from the get go that during our season even when we are off we would not like for the girls to be out subbing for other teams. Not because we are worried about them getting offers to join other teams. It's because of the getting injured playing for someone else and missing games for us because of it and then we are down a player. All parents were totally fine with it and expressed the feelings we did about it. Now with that being said once our summer ball ends in July go sub all you want till fall ball starts if you want just not during the season.

do you also insist they not participate in PE at school? what if they wanted to play rec as well ? are they not allowed to play in own or friends' backyards? All 3 of my kids played youth sports, and my two DD play competitive club/travel in their respective sports, none have yet to be injured in a game that required anything more than coming out of that same game (and normally went back in later). they all have however broken bones on trampolines, sliding down dirt piles in backyards, setting their bicycles down, once simply standing in a room (sibling sitting next to them adjusted folding chair position, but foot of chair right down on DD2s foot). @#$% happens. Girls should be free to do what they and their families want on off days (exception might be guesting for mulitple games day before your team has multiple games).

 

[FP26]

I have never seen anyone check rosters, etc. prior to a game, or question if the player really is part of a given team. does this happen?

Yes. Rules vary by sanctioning body. Typically there are "pick up player" rules that can be followed. Honestly, most of the smaller local events we played didn't bother with rosters, although they would typically check our insurance forms. Most of the larger events checked both, but I cannot say how closely they were watched. I only remember one event in which a roster was challenged. We happened to be waiting for the field and noticed two coaches arguing with each other. Apparently one challenged a pick up player from the other team. The TD reviewed the roster and found that the pick up player was not legal. TD disqualified that team for the rest of the event.

 

[bmakj]

TD disqualified that team for the rest of the event.

while I like seeing rules enforced (otherwise why have them), seems a bit harsh, all past games should be forfeit, HC and player tossed for remainder, let the other girls (not their fault at all) play on.

 

[Indiana Gators South]

Ahh, the old "We don't want you to get injured playing for someone else". Hey, whatever works for you and yours. As for me and mine, no one "owns" her. We pay the coaches/teams, not the other way around.

You are correct no one owns anyone. As Gunnershotgun said it depends on the organization you play for. Bigger organizations have contracts for you to abide by and this specific topic is on their as well as no playing rec league or on any other teams while you are playing for for them. And if found out to be doing so the 1200 dollar or more fee you paid is non refundable and you are let go from the team no questions asked. I saw it happen this year to an acquaintance of mine and his daughter because he wasn't happy with her mound time so they started subbing they found out the were let go . They have this in the contract because of injuries not because of their ego or thinking they own someone

 

[AnotherSoftballDad]

Yes. Rules vary by sanctioning body. Typically there are "pick up player" rules that can be followed. Honestly, most of the smaller local events we played didn't bother with rosters, although they would typically check our insurance forms. Most of the larger events checked both, but I cannot say how closely they were watched. I only remember one event in which a roster was challenged. We happened to be waiting for the field and noticed two coaches arguing with each other. Apparently one challenged a pick up player from the other team. The TD reviewed the roster and found that the pick up player was not legal. TD disqualified that team for the rest of the event.

I've seen teams get booted from tournaments twice for picking up illegal players where a coach challenged the roster. Both times were orgs that had a older age teams and were playing them down on a younger team.

 

[riseball]

This is absolutely the case.

And coaches often ask players to be at one of the showcases on their schedule so they can watch in person - and if your team isn't going, you go, even if your team is playing that weekend somewhere else. Your team will either have enough or will pick up a replacement for you. One of the reasons many HS age teams have larger rosters to accommodate recruiting activiity.

My players often do this and we accomodate players from other teams. I do not care who a kid plays for if I like them I will do all I can to help them. Had 2 kids out of Raliegh N.C. guest with us. Long story short one is signed with College Of Central Florida and the other is verbally committed. The one that is signed is a 6'-1' RHP that Jake and I will spend some time with over the summer. Cannot wait!

 

[AnotherSoftballDad]

You are correct no one owns anyone. As Gunnershotgun said it depends on the organization you play for. Bigger organizations have contracts for you to abide by and this specific topic is on their as well as no playing rec league or on any other teams while you are playing for for them. And if found out to be doing so the 1200 dollar or more fee you paid is non refundable and you are let go from the team no questions asked. I saw it happen this year to an acquaintance of mine and his daughter because he wasn't happy with her mound time so they started subbing they found out the were let go . They have this in the contract because of injuries not because of their ego or thinking they own someone

I would guess in a large metro area where there are lots of teams to choose from if someone tried to pull this the team would disintegrate overnight. Softball is a small world even in a large city. It would ruin the teams reputation.

An exception might be a top level team in a large org.

 

[FP26]

while I like seeing rules enforced (otherwise why have them), seems a bit harsh, all past games should be forfeit, HC and player tossed for remainder, let the other girls (not their fault at all) play on.

I don't disagree. While I don't know all of the specifics, I believe the TD had previous issues with this organization, which may have played into his decision.

 

[Indiana Gators South]

do you also insist they not participate in PE at school? what if they wanted to play rec as well ? are they not allowed to play in own or friends' backyards? All 3 of my kids played youth sports, and my two DD play competitive club/travel in their respective sports, none have yet to be injured in a game that required anything more than coming out of that same game (and normally went back in later). they all have however broken bones on trampolines, sliding down dirt piles in backyards, setting their bicycles down, once simply standing in a room (sibling sitting next to them adjusted folding chair position, but foot of chair right down on DD2s foot). @#$% happens. Girls should be free to do what they and their families want on off days (exception might be guesting for mulitple games day before your team has multiple games).

You are correct

do you also insist they not participate in PE at school? what if they wanted to play rec as well ? are they not allowed to play in own or friends' backyards? All 3 of my kids played youth sports, and my two DD play competitive club/travel in their respective sports, none have yet to be injured in a game that required anything more than coming out of that same game (and normally went back in later). they all have however broken bones on trampolines, sliding down dirt piles in backyards, setting their bicycles down, once simply standing in a room (sibling sitting next to them adjusted folding chair position, but foot of chair right down on DD2s foot). @#$% happens. Girls should be free to do what they and their families want on off days (exception might be guesting for mulitple games day before your team has multiple games).

You are correct but why run the risk of something happening to your dd playing for another team and missing games for her own team. If your dd plays travel ball why on earth would she play rec ball? All that is going to do is mess her timing and rhythm up. After all you left rec ball because dd's skills were beyond that level why go back to it? All I am trying to say is why take the chance when the team you sub for means nothing to you