12U Coaches: A poll about how many errors are acceptable

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Feb 14, 2014
160
16
I don’t know if it’s possible to create a true poll. I’m not seeing the option on my iPad.

Anyway, how many errors do you allow your players to make in an inning before they are replaced at that position? I’d also love some feedback about your philosophy on errors.

A. One
B. Two
C. Three+
D. My players don’t make errors
E. Unlimited if they’re a coach’s kid or my buddy’s kid


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Jun 29, 2013
589
18
Not the coach, but two seems to be our rule, if they are the first two of the game. But some errors lead to an immediate replacement, and if there was one in an earlier inning, the first made in the subsequent inning may also lead a replacement. There is always a second chance, though, the kids didn't earn the position in the first place without good reason, so the coaches are good about building them back up after they have a chat about why the errors might be occurring.
 
Jul 9, 2016
240
28
Not a Coach but from my limited experience in this sport, 5 yrs, C level my answer would be..........E
 

ez_softball

Life at the diamond...
Apr 14, 2017
158
28
"E" is absolutely the best answer for those specific players. After that for a normal player that isn't "favored" I would say maybe 2 errors in one inning and definitely 3 errors would get you moved or pulled but it wouldn't be in the middle of an inning. Now that being said I'm a firm believe in setting a line-up and allowing players to get comfortable at those positions. It's a balancing act to allow players to settle-in and play relaxed, playing the game without fear of being jerked around vs. allowing a player to boot balls and cost the team games. When one of my "proven" starters has a bad game that gets them moved/pulled, I don't let that ruin the chance for future opportunities. I simply tell them that I need them to get ready for the next game and will begin to rebuild the player/coach trust. I'll let them play through things as long as it's not going to cost the team an opportunity to compete. Oh and we're talking about "bad" errors here, not tough plays that were ruled as an "E". My $.02
 
Last edited:
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I'm not really one to change positions in the middle of the inning unless the player's attitude/effort is a problem (she makes an error or two and then decides to quit) or I'm trying people in different positions.

If my normal 3B has a bad inning, well, bad innings happen. There's value in getting through it. There's value in showing confidence in her ability to make the next play. There's value in not embarrassing her by yanking her off the field. If the 3B has a bad inning and her body language gets real bad and she looks like she doesn't want to be there, maybe send a message. If my normal RF is playing 3B out of necessity or I'm trying something new I might make a change because the experiment (at least for that day) is a failure.

That doesn't mean that player won't be pulled after the inning if she's just having a rough game. But for me, there's something worse about pulling someone in the middle of the inning, which was the implication I got from the question (once she hits X number of errors, you take her out).
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
It depends on the errors and the situation for my DH. If it's lack of effort or hustle the rope is a lot shorter. If it's lack of skill but not lack of effort/hustle, it's longer. He's more likely to swap them after the inning is over in general. He's had to swap them mid-inning a few times but it was after 2-3 errors in a row at the same position.
 
May 20, 2015
1,094
113
only time i pull a player is when i think it is best for them between the ears, barring necessary attitude and effort adjustments

sometimes errors happen.....bad hops, tough plays......if i feel a kid is in their head and needs a break, i might move them or pull them......i think it has happened once, and it was my own daughter......she came back in to stroke a bases loaded double to clear the bases and pull us within 1, and made defensive plays the rest of the way.....

sometimes THEY need a step away.....but usually i trust my players, and i let them know that, and let them work through it



you get one shot to fix your attitude or effort, though.....then you're hanging with us in the dugout
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
F: Infinity

Pulling a kid from a position for physical errors, in the middle of the inning, is ridiculous imo. The kid is probably embarrassed enough already and you are just compounding the situation by pulling them. I don't
care how "important" the game is, you can wait till after the inning to do that.

I watched/played baseball for 35+ years and never saw that happen until I started watching travel softball.....
 
Jul 9, 2016
240
28
Not a Coach but from my limited experience in this sport, 5 yrs, C level my answer would be..........E

Thinking back now, a few teams that had A level inspirations...would make quicker changes say at certain positions.

If 1st baseman couldn't handle the throws, they were replaced sooner than later.

It is definitely a juggling act for the good Coaches to keep the girls on track for a win.

Never going to keep the parents happy, but that's another thread.

My 13YO DD Pitching walked a few runs in last year, but got a no hitter win for the game.

I think it depends on the position and to know when to hold them and when to fold them.
 

Top_Notch

Screwball
Dec 18, 2014
512
63
My daughter plays 12U A. I've seen one error get a girl pulled. I've seen 3+ made by the same player and not get pulled. Part of it depends on whether or not there is a suitable replacement. For example, not everyone can play shortstop. Also, it depends on what's available on the bench.

That being said, if there was no hustle and an error is made, the player is getting pulled if there is a suitable replacement. I'm fairly certain that our coaches do it to help the mental game of the girls. I know my DD almost never got pulled on her previous teams, and if she did she would be in tears. Now, though, she is used to it and she just sees that as part of a larger strategy and isn't upset about it. So, from that perspective, it has taught her a lot.
 

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