actually, if the partial/pinch runner school overall is a better fit for her, it might make sense. do not lose track that all our DDs need to pick their school based primarly on the school part, not the softball part. when their 4 years are over, they will likely need that education and degree to open doors for them to careers that will last much longer than 4 years.
Paying for DD to ride the bench....Not My Thing
- Thread starter tamss13
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I totally agree. Getting back to the OP, if we assume the education is equivalent, the point that tamss13 is making, I think, is that the goal for now, is to develop DD through getting playing time, letting her have fun while the game SHOULD still be about having fun (12U). If you want the DD to play for you (since you came to me, I presume that is the goal), then you have to offer something comparable to what we currently have, playing time. If you can't/won't discuss that, then we have nothing more to discuss. But, thank you for the offer.
- May 29, 2019
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The initial post gave me flashbacks to "that parent" who would agree with the coach about rotating players, and starting kids at secondary positions. Then that same parent would storm in the dugout and threaten to pull their kid off the team the very first time their kid wasn't starting at shortstop. We all know the travel ball world is full of "those parents"
I agree that I would not send my DD to go to a team and sit the bench. However, I feel that players should compete for their positions. If a parent came to me and demanded that his kid should not have to compete, I would tell them that "I think the Hittin' Kittens' are still looking for another player. I can get you their contact info if you would like."
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- Jun 8, 2016
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What if instead of playing 95% of the time on her current team, she is only going to play 60% of the time but the competition is going to be a lot better...?
Now we are at least discussing.
"Let me ask you coach, did you commit to giving that other 35% of playing time my DD will be getting on her current team to the other player simply because they show up and pay their dues? Or is playing time strictly awarded on talent/work ethic/effort? IF the DD works harder/develops faster than the other player are you going to limit her to 60% simply because of your commitment to a formula? I am not asking you to GIVE the DD playing time, I am saying that I know her work ethic and in her current situation she is getting the bulk of the playing time, can you say it will be the same playing for you, IF she puts in the work and shows she is the deserving player? "
It comes down to at least discussing it, talking about what you as the team head-hunting the DD are offering. Some of the reactions in this thread sounded like tamss13 shouldn't have even brought the subject up...... Just my take.
Ok, so what I think this really (and obviously) comes down to is the type of team and type of coach.
As a 12U coach myself, there has to be a somewhat fair distribution of playing time. I personally do not believe in equal rotations unless the talent from top to bottom is equal (and other things like attitude, attendance, etc.. is met).
I suspect that many teams who have a roster of 11-12 girls (typical 12U roster size) have 2-3 groups of tiered skill levels (the gap of talent may vary). Tier 2-3 should probably be rotating in an effort to get everyone of those players near 60% on innings (I mean true offensive/defensive innings, not pinch running). That is generally a good area to have happy players/parents.
I would say that if your daughter is not getting this then yes, look for a new team. If she is getting this and you are not happy then you need to find a new team because either the coach is not evaluating your daughter properly or YOU are not evaluating your daughter properly.
As a 12U coach myself, there has to be a somewhat fair distribution of playing time. I personally do not believe in equal rotations unless the talent from top to bottom is equal (and other things like attitude, attendance, etc.. is met).
I suspect that many teams who have a roster of 11-12 girls (typical 12U roster size) have 2-3 groups of tiered skill levels (the gap of talent may vary). Tier 2-3 should probably be rotating in an effort to get everyone of those players near 60% on innings (I mean true offensive/defensive innings, not pinch running). That is generally a good area to have happy players/parents.
I would say that if your daughter is not getting this then yes, look for a new team. If she is getting this and you are not happy then you need to find a new team because either the coach is not evaluating your daughter properly or YOU are not evaluating your daughter properly.
To your point -- true story
My full ride track runner called me back in the day and said she was not getting a chance to participate in the track meets...and asked me to talk with her coach.......I told her: ensuring her team mates were properly hydrated is team participation especially when the team is paying over $80k a year in scholarship money....
If the coach tells you to wash the uniforms you better use the good soap when you do it.......
If a kid is the kind of player that should “play the entire game” and they are playing B level I think it’s time to reassess the situation.
But in reality it doesn’t matter because NOBODY is guaranteed playing the entire game, every game no matter the age or level of play. If my DD was SITTING the entire game, game after game then that would be an issue. But to throw a hissy fit because she is not playing the entire game is ridiculous.
Edit: The OP’s DD is a catcher. So he expects her to play every inning of every game. Is the team supposed to not carry another catcher?
My DD is the number one catcher on her team and she in no way expects to or wants to catch six or more games during a tournament.
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But in reality it doesn’t matter because NOBODY is guaranteed playing the entire game, every game no matter the age or level of play. If my DD was SITTING the entire game, game after game then that would be an issue. But to throw a hissy fit because she is not playing the entire game is ridiculous.
Edit: The OP’s DD is a catcher. So he expects her to play every inning of every game. Is the team supposed to not carry another catcher?
My DD is the number one catcher on her team and she in no way expects to or wants to catch six or more games during a tournament.
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You may have just missed it in the shuffle but OP clarified that she does sit some and doesn't actually expect her to play every pitch of every game. It was hyperbole.
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