2nd year teams playing "B" at States and World Series

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Apr 7, 2013
54
8
What's everyone thoughts on 2nd year teams (ex: 05 teams playing "B" in 12u), personally I'd be embarrassed to be part of a team that plays B as a 2nd year team. At 16u/18u probably not as big as deal, because girls are pretty much fully grown. So your truly trying to judge skill level, but at 10u/12u and maybe 14u it's a big advantage in my opinion.
 
Last edited:
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
When we signed up for our B world series (we're first year 12U) we predicted which teams would be top 5 just looking at Game Changer and USSSA records. The team that won it had SIX girls on their roster who'd played on A-level teams this year. I don't know how they even got away with that, much less why they'd want to. I don't think much of these teams personally. They can have the plastic trophy since apparently that's their main goal. I think it's kind of sad though.

It's not all 2nd year teams though. We're a very young first year team (one 07, the rest 06s, 4 of whom are 2025 grads), and 2 of the 3 teams we beat last week were 05 teams. Being second year alone doesn't make them sandbaggers or mean they should be playing higher level.
 
Jul 15, 2016
115
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Any coach should have a realistic view of their team. Everyone has seen it on either side of the spectrum...great teams playing in tourneys that are well beneath their abilities, and weaker teams in an A tourney that get run ruled in the 3rd. regardless of 1st year or 2nd year, play where your skill level allows the girls to be competitive and challenged.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
personally I'd be embarrassed to be part of a team that plays B as a 2nd year team.

Why is that? In 20 years of coaching I haven't heard of second year players not being able to play at the "B" level. If you are a "B" team go play "B" softball.

I know people like to throw "chasing plastic trophies" around but one of the top goals of softball is to win. I am OK with it.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Why is that? In 20 years of coaching I haven't heard of second year players not being able to play at the "B" level. If you are a "B" team go play "B" softball.

I know people like to throw "chasing plastic trophies" around but one of the top goals of softball is to win. I am OK with it.

I agree about 2nd year and B. There are plenty of second year B teams. If your record against B teams is 26-0 and you go about 500 with A teams though...
 
Apr 7, 2013
54
8
Why is that? In 20 years of coaching I haven't heard of second year players not being able to play at the "B" level. If you are a "B" team go play "B" softball.

I know people like to throw "chasing plastic trophies" around but one of the top goals of softball is to win. I am OK with it.

Reason I asked for opinions, to see what the "general consensus" was. I've coached for almost 20 years myself and I'd never want to Coach or have either of my Daughters on a team that feel they need to play B at the 2nd year at age group.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
This probably varies based on the region. In our section of PA, most of the local tournaments are listed as B, not open. So if you want to play at those tournaments you cannot be registered as an A team. This makes for quite a challenge when building a team schedule. DD's team has historically traveled (hotel stay) for 3 or 4 tournaments per year. If they want to participate in any tournaments that do not require that type of travel, they have to be B. If there were any A or open tournaments available locally, that would be another option. But there are not many of those available.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Reason I asked for opinions, to see what the "general consensus" was. I've coached for almost 20 years myself and I'd never want to Coach or have either of my Daughters on a team that feel they need to play B at the 2nd year at age group.

Everyone is different and they come to and play travel ball at different times and at different skill, age and maturity levels. I have no problem with 2nd year teams playing B if they are a 'B' or even a B+ team. That they are a second year team is pretty much irrelevant to me. There is no shame in whatever level a team plays if it is the right level for them.

I am a big believer of the 'happy' area - teams that win between 45%-70% of their games. If you are above a .700 team you should be playing more at a higher level and if you are below .450 you may be playing above it. It is also the winning % where it is the easiest to manage parent expectations - you can be building towards a 'big' tournament or event and getting better but without every loss being a disaster and every win being a rarity. You are challenging the team - but not killing them with either wins or losses.
 

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