New to HS ball

DD is a freshman with 3 years of travel experience. HS practice starts in a month. They only have varsity, and it looks like there will be 18 or 19 girls on the team with a mix of experience levels. I know this probably varies quite a bit by school and sometimes politics play a role, but in general, how is playing time determined in high school? Is it usually by seniority, skill level, or something else?

Depends on the coach. I would venture a guess that about 95% of coaches play to win. The other 5% of schools have parents who come on here and claim politics are the reason their kid didn't make the team or play. Your DD will be fine if she has travel experience. Tell her to work hard and have fun. The 4 years fly by!

Depends 100% on the coach
Some it’s a meritocracy, playing time goes to the best player. Others it’s seniority based. Upper class men get more playing time. For some it’s a blend. In the end if a kid can rake. It’s hard to keep her on the bench.

Good luck with a 19 person roster.

I see frustration in your future.

every school is diff. truly depends on the coach, by us there are some coaches who truly are experienced to coach and train the kids, then there are other coaches who are just teachers looking to add some money to their pocket and usually try and put the best team out there. as a freshman of squad of 18-19, might be tuff to crack the lineup on regular basis ... as a travel ball player she truly should be playing for the love of the game and just put her best effort out there and hopefully coach will recognize either the talent or atleast the effort,,, at end of the day if she doesn't get the playing time should like for whatever the reason I would let her use the daily practices and reps as just a warmup to get her primed to go right into travel ball schedule.. best of luck and tell her to just play hard and keep smiling ...and she will be ready for travel ball season and when her number is called this year or next the will be front and center ..

3 years of travel experience should help your DD. She'll come in knowing that 19 can't play at one time. Don't bring trouble to the coach, get your reps in and her time to shine will definitely come.

Thanks for all the input. DDs expectations are pretty reasonable. She understands she might not get a lot of playing time but is glad for the extra practice and playing with friends. Plus she said if she's in the dugout, she'll have extra time to pay attention to the coaches thought process as she'd like to coach someday.

My DD plays at a very small school. They play the best available players regardless of grade or any other thing. YMMV.


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ChrisSB said:

Thanks for all the input. DDs expectations are pretty reasonable. She understands she might not get a lot of playing time but is glad for the extra practice and playing with friends. Plus she said if she's in the dugout, she'll have extra time to pay attention to the coaches thought process as she'd like to coach someday.

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My daughter played junior varsity as a freshman, at first we took the JV team as a disappointment but overall it was a great learning experience for her. She played SS on the JV team, went undefeated, and had lots of playing time. After that and for the next 3 years, she then made the all-district team. She graduated and played 3 years of D1 softball. Your story sounds familiar. The extra time watching and learning will definitely help her.

My daughter is now 30 and coaches young high school age girls who want to pursue a dream.

DITTO up to coach.

Dark horse answer to this
$$$$$ may help playing time.
Often the VOLUNTEER HELPER PARENTS tend to influence the situation.
Say that because it may or may not be of assistance to your goal.