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Jan 16, 2020
45
18
I have a couple of questions and concerns that I would like some opinions on. My DD is 3rd year travel, local only, no showcase or nationals. First season 14u finishing in next couple of weeks. We went with new team ( new to us, existing team ) for fall, because org dropped all teams under 16u. Overall opinion has been, meh? The team is all 07, all pretty avg players, no superstars, no slouches. HC has daughter on team, but does decent with that aspect. AC not so much.
My concerns are these,
The coach is loyal to the players that have been with him. While I understand that, and even appreciate it, it seems those are the starters, and the few newer players are the ones rotating in and out of 2 or 3 postitions. Team had 11 when we joined, then he added 1 more after us. So 13 now. Coach seems content to keep rotation as is. Most starters play entire games ( pool and brackets ) in 7 or 8 positions, so other 4 girls rotate for last spot. Usually bats 10 in lineup, so may or may not get to bat.
His team, his lineup, his rules. Completely understand that. But why add more players just to sit them? And why not try newer players at different positions, especially when way ahead or way behind. The end goal is to 1-improve, 2-get players ready for next level, 3- win. He has told me that he likes competition at all positions. Maybe I misunderstood what he meant by that, but it should mean the better player plays. For the record, my DD is not always better, trying to be clear on that. This is not a "why is my daughter not playing every inning" type of post. The one thing most everyone on this board agrees with, is that you improve by playing, not watching.
Which brings up my question.
Where should we want our DD to be? Is it better to sit on a good team, and play sparingly, or play on worse team and be full time starter? She has already started mini fall season for school. Again, she is avg player. She is not a D1 prospect, but hopefully good enough to play at some college level one day (mostly for my ego, not expecting scholarship). Quick , good arm, above avg outfielder, avg infielder(mostly 3rd or 1st), below avg hitter. She was offered on 3 different teams for fall, one rejection, one come in spring 21. I'm worried if we stay for spring, it will be more of same, and first full 14u season will be lost. I'm worried if we move to lower level, she will not improve like she should, and get tired of losing, because losing a lot sucks (been there, 0-18).
I'm not loosing sleep over this, and I'm not looking for troll responses. But like most of us, I do want to do what's best for my DD. I have read a ton of great ideas and opinions on this board, so I'm asking for advise.
Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading and any input you may offer.
 
Dec 18, 2016
163
28
I'm a firm believer in kids don't get better by sitting on the bench. If she's seeing limited playing time, she can ask her coach what she can do to get more playing time, If she gets better and gets more playing time, problem solved.

If there isn't anything she can do to get more playing time and she's not happy....notice I said her....then maybe it is time to look elsewhere.

Good luck .
Dave
 
Mar 4, 2015
526
93
New England
What does your daughter think when you express all this to her?

And not being critical, as this seems to be a well-considered post from a conscientious parent, but I'm curious why that information would not be in the original post, and why it's not in so many posts like this.
 
Jan 16, 2020
45
18
What does your daughter think when you express all this to her?

And not being critical, as this seems to be a well-considered post from a conscientious parent, but I'm curious why that information would not be in the original post, and why it's not in so many posts like this.
100% correct. I should have added that info. Sorry, just started typing and thinking.
In her teenage self conscious mind, she has done something wrong, so he's not playing her. She has talked and asked questions to both HC and 2 AC. The first time, it was "oh we meant to get you in last game" or " yeah we were planning on you going in then time expired". Last tournament, got in car, and said "that was fun, I got to play 2 innings" . In 5 games.
She has not quit on team, has not been very vocal about her frustration, but we know. She has not mentioned changing teams. And again, Im not saying we should. Pretty good team, pretty good group of parents, everything fits ok.
 
Jan 16, 2020
45
18
And again, I'm not bashing coach or team. I'm simply asking advise. Im not im any way saying she is cryingnor screaming over this, or saying she is better than the rest os the team. She is one of the top 3 outfielders, and probably 3rd best 3rd base.
Her hitting is improving, and shes middle of team in batting avg, around .250. But in perspective, the bittom 2 are under .160 and play every game, and almost every inning.
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
That's bad coaching, every team should be playing every girl in pool games, Bracket games are the games where the competition comes into play and the best start. And while I do understand the "competiiton at all positions" view, I really don't agree with it. If you have a stud SS or 3B, positions your DD is very good at, but not as good as those girls, so you never get to play there because of the "competition'?
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
And again, I'm not bashing coach or team. I'm simply asking advise. Im not im any way saying she is cryingnor screaming over this, or saying she is better than the rest os the team. She is one of the top 3 outfielders, and probably 3rd best 3rd base.
Her hitting is improving, and shes middle of team in batting avg, around .250. But in perspective, the bittom 2 are under .160 and play every game, and almost every inning.
Huh? Where is the "competition" when girls hitting .160 are playing every game?
 
Jan 16, 2020
45
18
Huh? Where is the "competition" when girls hitting .160 are playing every game?
I guess thats the issue I have. We were told when offered, competition at every spot. Thats what we expect. Not a guarantee starting spot, not a sit on bench player. The competition aspect of it seems to be geared toward the starters, as in " if you're not good enough, she will be"
 
May 22, 2015
410
28
Illinois
So my DD is in a very similar situation in 18u. She came from a team where she was THE player. Batted lead off for 4 straight years and always hit around .500. Problem was they weren’t very competitive. She attended a tryout last year just to see what else was out there. Got offered on the spot and liked the coach and girls. It is a very competitive team. She had a great last fall and winter then hurt her wrist in the spring. She missed some time and just never got dialed in over summer. Tryouts came and they took on another girl for 13. She’s worked hard and is back to hitting around .400 this fall. Problem is the original girls on the team might get 15 at bats in a weekend while mine may get 6-10 at bats. If she gets in a slump it’s just not enough AB’s to battle out of like she has done in the past and she splits outfield duties with 5 other girls. I wish I had an answer for you lol.
 

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