How many pitchers is too many?

[_MIA_]

D*mn that's fast. DD's team adjusted to speed pretty well, but I doubt they could touch 66.

She throws hard but does get hit by top teams. She needs to learn to locate a bit better imo. She played on Marcela’s last team (you may have seen her throw in Iowa) I think our coach will be good for her..

 

[uncdrew]

I wonder from the point of view of "growing more pitchers" if certain types of tournaments are bad for the game. I E should we not have double elimination or just limit tournament sizes? I understand that tournaments vary widely between age and skill levels.

Fine question.

We know a team that rosters 16 girls (at 12U & 14U) just because of the occasional double elimination tournament. Not sure why those families want to be on that team, but it's their choice.

 

[_MIA_]

I wonder from the point of view of "growing more pitchers" if certain types of tournaments are bad for the game. I E should we not have double elimination or just limit tournament sizes? I understand that tournaments vary widely between age and skill levels.

Most teams I know have at least 3 kids that can pitch. The coaches just choose to not use them all because it won’t give them the best chance of winning a plastic trophy

 

[uncdrew]

Most teams I know have at least 3 kids that can pitch. The coaches just choose to not use them all because it won’t give them the best chance of winning a plastic trophy

We got a wood one once. Well, part of it was wood. Well, I didn't look at it closely, might have been plastic wood.

 

[tomorrow]

Fine question.

We know a team that rosters 16 girls (at 12U & 14U) just because of the occasional double elimination tournament. Not sure why those families want to be on that team, but it's their choice.

I wonder how many of those teams at the 12U and 14u that have large rosters are able to keep them intact for the entire season? From my experience, those teams end up losing players when you travel and end up sitting on the bench.

 

[radness]

Players/families tend to leave regardless of roster size. Then there is injury and illness.
if a team is to have 16 on the roster and they lose 2,3,4 they have planned for attrition/ enough players to still go to tournaments.

Teams that carry 13 or less coaches tend to call more regularly looking for guest players.
Because they also have players that leave and injury and illness.

 

[uncdrew]

I wonder how many of those teams at the 12U and 14u that have large rosters are able to keep them intact for the entire season? From my experience, those teams end up losing players when you travel and end up sitting on the bench.

Lots of turnover amongst the non-starters. Of course the regular starters and their families love it. But yep, every year 5-7 of the girls leave and are quickly replaced. I can only imagine what the coach says to the families...

 

[uncdrew]

Players/families tend to leave regardless of roster size. Then there is injury and illness.
if a team is to have 16 on the roster and they lose 2,3,4 they have planned for attrition/ enough players to still go to tournaments.

Teams that carry 13 or less coaches tend to call more regularly looking for guest players.
Because they also have players that leave and injury and illness.

At the 12u age, there are very few injuries and girls don't miss games. It's quite remarkable. Most every girl has 100% attendance. I have been told (and believe it) that at older ages that changes.

 

[radness]

At the 12u age, there are very few injuries and girls don't miss games. It's quite remarkable. Most every girl has 100% attendance. I have been told (and believe it) that at older ages that changes.

I've found that injuries are not age dependent and there are plenty of 12u players that get sick also. Also notice poor or un-developed skill sets cause happenstance injuries that may otherwise have been avoided.

(My comment was not opinion rather accumulation of years paying attention to roster sizes. Not advocating for larger roster sizes or anything it's reasons for the way it is.)

 

[uncdrew]

I've found that injuries are not age dependent and there are plenty of 12u players that get sick also. Also notice poor skill sets cause happenstance injuries that may otherwise have been avoided.
Also families are more apt to prioritize family vacations. Because they are not older into the showcasing aspect yet.

(My comment was not opinion rather accumulation of years paying attention to roster sizes. Not advocating for larger roster sizes or anything it's reasons for the way it is.)

As is mine.

When you're a parent, you are at a tournament almost every weekend. Unless you're pattar, you end up knowing almost every family at every tournament. And in 12U, it's very rare that a girl isn't at a tournament. Vacations are planned around softball. Softball comes first. That's why most 12U teams have rosters of 11 or 12. The girls simply don't miss games much and a big roster isn't needed. It's kind of startling.

As girls age, roster size increases because of more injuries, and school events, SATs, prom, etc. etc. It's a known phenomenon.