WHAT POSITION TO PLAY, Who Decides?

[radness]

What position to play, who decides?

Was asked this week by a dad with a 12 year old who has been playing softball since she was 8, travel ball for one and a half years.
The dad asked "Will her coaches always decide what position she will play? She wants to play 1st base."

This is an important question!
Who decides what position we play?

It can be a complex answer depending on what level we are talking about. College or?
*Lets talk travel ball !
Many teams and different goals are a factor.
Will ask this of the fastpitch community to share your thoughts....
WHO DECIDES FOR YOU?

My perspective,
The decision is the player/athletes.
Their goal, hard work and above everything its their life to live! Their talent will earn the spot!
Many choices in softball,
Enjoy it!

LETS ALL LOOK FORWARD TO REACHING OUR SOFTBALL GOALS!

 

[BigSkyHi]

Would communicate with the coach her feelings and then be the best at 1st base coach has seen.

 

[riseball]

At her age I would encourage her to learn multiple positions. In order to play first base you need to have one of the very best bats on the team and typically the inability to play another position better than someone else. Unlike some positions you are not going to get the slot in the order based on your glove and a .250 batting average. Coaches fill their lineups with hitters and then put them in positions. Most college players end up playing somewhere else other than what they played in TB.

 

[Orange Socks]

What position does the coach have the kid playing instead 1B? You don't want to be a one trick pony. It is primarily based on how she fits in relatively to the other players on the team is my first answer. Maybe she is better at other positions compared to the players on the team. At the younger ages, you need to have a player that can catch anything at 1B. As they get older they may be better suited at other positions. My DD started in 8U as a 1B, then 10U SS, 1B. 2nd year 10U Catcher because none of the 4 "catchers" I had could get the job done, so I tried my DD there. Catcher suited her well. Her primary position became catcher, but would play other positions as well when the coach needed her to. HS Team-played Cather and SS. TB team-primary catcher, then started playing a lot more 1B and a little at 3rd. College-Catcher and 3rd and one game at SS. This is all based on the strengths and weakness of the other players on the team.

 

[radness]

Who decides for YOU what position to play?

Does the coach make that decision or the player/family?

Does your dd get to play the position SHE wants?

How might that affect wether she wants to play at all?

Who decides for YOU ?

Goals are a factor....which as those are different seems to bring different responses to this.

Enjoy

 

[heman1202]

The coach decides what is best for the team. If a player really wants to play another position, it is up to them to make that known to the coach and to put the work in to get better and show why they belong at that position.

As a coach, I would never let a player/parent dictate to me where they play. A good coach will help that player develop at the position they want to play while putting them at the best position to help the team.

There is not a simple answer to this question. You have to have a good coach and a player/family who understands the team/individual goal and development dynamic. It’s not all about winning and it’s not all about the individual player. There is a middle ground that benefits everyone.

 

[NBECoach]

Looking at this from the players stand point they should be prepared to play any OF/IF position. OF's field ground balls, and IF's field pop flies so outside of defensive strategies and physical limitations they need to be as interchangeable as possible.

Looking at this from the coaches view point I need flexibility in defenders and shame on me if I get in a position where I am trying to "hide" some one on defense. I know that some kids need extra work, but that's what coaches are for.

 

[Gambler Bob]

Does the coach make that decision or the player/family?
The coach decides what position each player plays

Does your dd get to play the position SHE wants?
Yes, only because no one has beat her out at SS. She also pitches

How might that affect wether she wants to play at all?
If she did not play SS that would not affect the situation at all. If she was not one of the top 3 pitchers that would be an issue. We would leave the team after the season is over. If I did not believe that she would be a top 3 pitcher we would have never joined the team to begin with.


Who decides for YOU ?
No idea what that means.[/QUOTE]

 

[BigSkyHi]

The 1st thing I ask them is where they like to play. Helps me to learn who they are and they learn to communicate with me.

 

[radness]

Hmmmmm?

There are many different levels to play in.
There are always teams looking for players.

The coach only makes decisions for those who choose to play or stay on that team.

If a young developing player wants to get good at a certain position, they will need playing time at it.

I was going to post this in coaching softball forum, but coaches generally tend to think of making decisions for there team. Not the same as parents making a decision for their dd.

Like a coach picking up a player who IS a fantastic 2nd baseman, knowing she tried out at 2nd base at tryouts. Parents hand over a check. Coach only plays her in outfield because thats what coach really needed.
Just a scenario....

*Travel ball coaches can be different every season.

Is travel ball about what coaches want?
Or about the players ?

Choices, choices, choices