DD1 not getting courtesy runner

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May 15, 2016
926
18
Is the purpose of the courtesy runner to give a catcher or pitcher a bit of a break, to give them time to get ready for the next inning, or both?

My DD1 is the primary catcher on her TB team. There have been tournaments where she caught every inning. Consistently she does not get a courtesy runner. I would never bring this up with the HC (a former college player), I would like to think I respect the coaches prerogative to make these decisions. I am wondering why she does not get a courtesy runner. Her speed is not that fast, maybe she is a little better than the average speed of her teammates.
 
Jul 2, 2013
381
43
If the coach is courtesy running for others on the team and not your DD, then she probably thinks your DD is a better option on the basepaths than whoever would be running for her. You say she's not really that fast but she could be a better base runner overall.

Even with that said, IMO they should still courtesy for her when there are 2 outs so she has some time to get her gear on and be ready for the next half inning.
 

Axe

Jul 7, 2011
459
18
Atlanta
Is the purpose of the courtesy runner to give a catcher or pitcher a bit of a break, to give them time to get ready for the next inning, or both?

My DD1 is the primary catcher on her TB team. There have been tournaments where she caught every inning. Consistently she does not get a courtesy runner. I would never bring this up with the HC (a former college player), I would like to think I respect the coaches prerogative to make these decisions. I am wondering why she does not get a courtesy runner. Her speed is not that fast, maybe she is a little better than the average speed of her teammates.

Do they have subs? In some TB rule sets you can only have a courtesy runner if there is a sub even if they are allowing you to bat more than 9.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
I'll generally make DD run when she is catching. Not real fast, but a good base runner. If we get 2 outs we'll do it or if there happens to be a real fast runner who can run in those situations. My guess on your DD is that she is that coach thinks she is a good base runner. I certainly wouldn't read anything bad into it.
 
Apr 26, 2015
704
43
My DD caught for the last 4 years and never had a courtesy runner. She has been a courtesy runner for other catchers on teams she has picked up with though. LOL!
I will say - DD is the fastest kid on her team.
 
Jul 1, 2010
171
16
DD is a pitcher and isn't a fast runner, but smart on the bases. Hates to have a courtesy runner in high school. Especially those fast girls with a low base running IQ. Lots of unnecessary outs!

TB is whole different animal.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
Do they have subs? In some TB rule sets you can only have a courtesy runner if there is a sub even if they are allowing you to bat more than 9.

I have seen pitchers on her team get a courtesy runner, but she does not. I guess they consider her good baserunner, even without top speed.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
There is certainly more to base-running than just speed. Being able to read and react quickly can be a bigger advantage than a speedster whose first response is slow. Although my kid would never be classified as "fast", she loves to run bases, and does a very good job on the read/react aspect. That said, she gets a CR pretty regularly when she's catching, which is generally a good thing because she takes FOREVER to put on her gear.
 
Mar 1, 2015
131
0
could be the rules for the sanction you are playing vs what the coach thinks the rules are. In some, you can use a courtesy that is a listed sub, but once they've been inserted into the game (offense or defense) they can no longer be used as a courtesy. In others, it's the last batted out. Maybe neither of these is a good option for your coach? Maybe they are trying to develop your kid's base running.

IMO, if you want your kid to develop as a softball player, being a good base runner is one of the tools they need to work on. My youngest gets irritated when she gets a courtesy runner.
 

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