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Apr 20, 2018
4,581
113
SoCal
Our 07 14u team has 13 and looking to add one more pitcher. Have 3 now. Pitchers play secondary position and hit most of the time. I think it is the right size roster. Enough players to cover injuries, sickness, or vacations. Enough player to create inter team competition for playing time. And a manageable number to get all some playing time.
As I said in another thread, no better way to get the players (and parents) attention and motivate them is to announce that when we play team xxxxxxxx on Sunday we will only be batting 9. Everybody is on time for practice, attentive and working a little harder.
 
May 27, 2013
2,353
113
We (18U) typically carry 17-18. Pre-Covid it was absolutely needed as most weekends in the fall we’d have at least a couple of girls attending college camps each weekend. Also, SAT/ACT testing, senior events, etc. There were a few weekends we’d be down to 12 players.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,409
113
Texas
DD’s team has 17 - this is at the 18u level. We have 3 pitchers that are pitchers only so that leaves 14. We carry that many because 1) HS girls often have other obligations and 2) that many players fosters an environment of where every girl works as hard as they can to earn their position. There is a added benefit of being able to scrimmage as a team at our weekend practices.

At first we weren’t sure we wanted DD to play on a team with that many but when we realized most showcase teams around this area had that many players we just had to suck it up. Now I’m a firm believer in why they have that many players. It is making my daughter into a stronger player.
Rule of thumb. The number of players on a roster should coincide with the age division and level of play.
14U=14 players
16U=16 players
18U=18 players

There are so many things and events that supersede a showcase roundrobin especially in the fall. Fall college camps, college visits, homecoming, FFA, ACT/SAT, multisport (vball and bball). It seemed that we could never field all 18 players at one tournament even in the summer.
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
Quite a few people here say bigger roster is better for competition for a position. But what if your DD, who's a very good player, yet can't get that starting spot?....You'd be happy with her sitting on the bench all the time because she just "didn't work hard enough" to get a starting position?

My DD's 18U team has 12 players, they all show up every practice and every weekend. Coach hits everyone every game. Everyone plays the field on Saturday, and at least one game Sunday. (if we get more than one). The three tournaments they've played this fall, they won 2 and came in 2nd the other one. Everyone is happy.
 
Feb 3, 2016
502
43
I know one team in a calendar year that had 31 different total kids play for them. Had 11 on roster but would sit and add kids from out of state. 13 or 14 rostered for certain weekends.

If you can't develop enough kids to play and feel the need to add kids every weekend to be competitive. I'd have a hard time calling you a Coach.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
The orgs with rosters that big normally cover much of the players expenses so they’re likely not adding kids for their fees. I would expect several were subs and they had to be added. DD played on a team with about that many girls, but only 15-16 were at tourney’s.

They can still make money from it by drawing paying players on their lower teams and franchising out their org name.
 

inumpire

Observer, but has an opinion
Oct 31, 2014
277
43
Our 07 14u team has 13 and looking to add one more pitcher. Have 3 now. Pitchers play secondary position and hit most of the time. I think it is the right size roster. Enough players to cover injuries, sickness, or vacations. Enough player to create inter team competition for playing time. And a manageable number to get all some playing time.
As I said in another thread, no better way to get the players (and parents) attention and motivate them is to announce that when we play team xxxxxxxx on Sunday we will only be batting 9. Everybody is on time for practice, attentive and working a little harder.
At least a couple of people on here understand what a team concept is. And it isn’t about I paid my money for My DD to be on a team, so she gets to play. Major League sports teams PAY players to be on the team and some don’t get to play.
Growing up, that is the way it was. In HS that is the way it is, best 9 play, everyone else better pick it up!
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
At least a couple of people on here understand what a team concept is. And it isn’t about I paid my money for My DD to be on a team, so she gets to play. Major League sports teams PAY players to be on the team and some don’t get to play.
Growing up, that is the way it was. In HS that is the way it is, best 9 play, everyone else better pick it up!
inumpire post described 2 completely opposite situations.
That really make compairison
non-compairable.
One is costing money the other is making money.
Definitely different.

Let's remember that major league players bounce around and still get a paycheck. Even move from team to team during the season and still get a paycheck.

The difference is could pay to be on a travel ball team and cost you money and never play .... or you could go to another team that cost the same money and get to play.

Roster of 22,
For every player on the field
there is 13 players not playing.
They might as well form a team of there own.

Travel ball we have choices!
 
Last edited:
Dec 10, 2018
34
18
I saw where someone used Texas Glory as an example of teams with large rosters. My DD's Slapping coach is Mike Miller who is one of the coaches for their elite 18u, 16u, We've discussed the large rosters before and I was told that even with all of these players, they pretty much get the same number of AB's and time in the field (not sure how they do that with 30 players).

After hearing about it, you'll never hear me complain about my daughters team having 12-13 players. The Bottom line is if they show up prepared and play with fire in their belly, they'll get the ab's and time on the field.
 

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