Number of players on a team

[salderman#19]

I am sure this has been asked many times on this forum, but what is the "right" number of players for a given team? I know as age increases there are a lot of variables to take into account but what are "rules of thumb" you or your teams have used in the past? Are there actually rules of thumb??

 

[Rolling Hard]

11 to 16 max. Aged dependent.

 

[flash277]

I would say 13 is the ideal number.

 

[Eric F]

Generally speaking, for tournament play...

Starting 9 + DP (often the #2 C) + 2 Courtesy Runners + Additional Pitchers = 13-15

This will vary depending on your mix of actual players.

 

[erniekru]

what is the goal of the given team? Sliding scale winning at all cost on one side, fun on the other. 11 for fun, 20 for winning at all cost. Add or subtract a couple when you are considering recruiting/college softball

 

[texasheat]

some say match the number of players to the age division, ie....12 players in 12u, 14 players in 14u, etc...

But I really don't see the need to ever have 16 or 18 players on a roster. IMO 11 or 12 players is the right number at 12 and 14u while 13 or 14 players is the right number at 16 and 18u.

 

[Vertigo]

We typically carry 16 for 18U showcase team. Reason being we are a good mix of HS sophomores through seniors so if the seniors have events like prom, graduation, etc the team can still play without them. It also helps when camps, college visits, and SATs come into play on the weekends.

 

[uncdrew]

some say match the number of players to the age division, ie....12 players in 12u, 14 players in 14u, etc...

As I undoubtedly learned here at DFP, I'm a big fan of this system. Certainly at the younger ages.

So many problems occur with a 10U team with 12 girls on it. Parents griping about playing time, girls don't get enough reps/at bats in games, parents griping about playing time, parents griping about playing time and parents griping about playing time.


At the younger ages, girls simply don't miss games. Fewer injuries, fewer conflicts, etc. I love having a lean team.

 

[texasck1]

It depends.

As a parents, I say 9 on a team is perfect. Maybe 10 long as the 10th doesn't play DD's position.

Not a coach, but if I were, I would think as many as it takes to win.

Seriously, 14U and under I think the 11-13 is about right. Just left a team (12U) with 13 and it was pushing it with playing time. The coach has to not have favorites and share the time. No experience with older teams....yet.

 

[Towny9]

As I undoubtedly learned here at DFP, I'm a big fan of this system. Certainly at the younger ages.

So many problems occur with a 10U team with 12 girls on it. Parents griping about playing time, girls don't get enough reps/at bats in games, parents griping about playing time, parents griping about playing time and parents griping about playing time.


At the younger ages, girls simply don't miss games. Fewer injuries, fewer conflicts, etc. I love having a lean team.

We carry 11 at 10U and it’s a perfect # for us.