12U PGF Platinum National Champs

Seen the picture of the winners with 19 girls and 5 coaches. Tell me this isn’t normal for 12u?!? Maybe I need to get to the west coast but that seems a little over the top. Maybe 12-13 are regulars and the others are pickups to put them in that picture? No idea....no judgement....just wondering if a dugout that full is odd?!?

A lot of the time they pick up extra players. My DD was invited to go with a local big name team a couple of years ago. The coach told me he likes to bring as much pitching as possible. More power to them, but it's my opinion that winning with a bunch of pick ups isn't really YOUR team winning.

for 12U, you don't typically see rosters like that in the "regular tournaments." They do add players for nationals, and the rosters are typically more than 12 during qualifying tournaments (14-16 is what I see most often). All of them are there for one reason or another, be it pinch running, emergency pitcher, power bat on the bench, giving a younger player a chance to see what this is all about, etc. I personally think it's ridiculous to have that many on a roster, and think a) the coaches who put together a monstrosity like that need to be a little less paranoid and b) the parents who agree to pay for the "experience" of sitting on the bench for nearly every inning when they know damn well what they are getting into need to think this one out a bit more.

Elk Grove Hurricane said:

I personally think it's ridiculous to have that many on a roster, and think a) the coaches who put together a monstrosity like that need to be a little less paranoid and b) the parents who agree to pay for the "experience" of sitting on the bench for nearly every inning when they know damn well what they are getting into need to think this one out a bit more.

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Completely agree with that. Hate this win at all costs mentality. Pick your team, develop them the best you can and take what you get.

PGF is not about the best team working their way to a championship, but often which coach can poach the best players from their regular teams. It is an invitational All Star tournament, nothing more, nothing less.

I've seen one of the teams that played in the platinum pgf 12u tournament they have always carried a bigger than normal roster. The particular team I've seen most have been together since 8u they have added a few pitchers through 10 and 12u but they use them. But then again we carry 14 for various reasons we have several multisport athletes this allows us and them to have some leeway through the season especially fall ball when you have several sports going on

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I don't see anything wrong with teams adding to their roster for National Championships. It gives players an opportunity to experience a National event when they normally might not have the chance to do so, and it gives the team depth in their line-up for runners, pinch hitters, etc... (you can only bat 9 in these events). Especially if the coach clearly explains the role the player will have during the tournament and the player and parents are in agreement with it.

A few years ago when DD went to the IDT in Colorado the Corona Angels showed up with @ 24 players. I think they combined two teams into one so all the girls could go. Pickup players for nationals is normal, and since some CA girls are local the travel expenses are less prohibitive for pickup players.

coachbubbles said:

Completely agree with that. Hate this win at all costs mentality. Pick your team, develop them the best you can and take what you get.

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Ran into this during 12U (Regional) Nationals last week. The opposing #2 pitcher had dyed hair from her "regular" team which didn't match the team colors she was playing for. We noticed right away and recognized she was a pickup. The winning team was able to rest their #1 for us, who we saw. Our (regular) pitchers were tired by the time we squared off and our team only lost in the last inning due to fatigue and mental errors. But I still didn't think it was right. Our team was happy with their finish and I was happy with the development. No one would recognize this team from the beginning of the year and we avenged every loss except for one, and that team is comprised of non-local players plucked from multiple other teams so we would have needed an upset. Run what you brung IMO.

was watching the 18U PGF championship the other night and while they had many girls in the dugout it appeared there were just as many coaches. Is there not a PFG rule on how many coaches can be there? I will have to watch again and go back and count but it appeared beyond ridiculous.....