Was this a reasonable request

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Aug 12, 2014
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I'm coaching a 10U rec team. That it's 10U rec is key to the issue. One of our players hurt her throwing wrist Rollerblade the day before a game last week. After getter he checked out, her dad said she was cleared to throw and pitch but could not swing a bad.The obvious solution to me was to see if the opposing coach would allow her to play the field but not. I approached the other team and explained the situation, thinking this wouldn't be a problem because it was a very reasonable request -allow an injured player to play in way that will minimize risk and not provide us with an advantage.

Again this is 10U rec softball, a meaningless midseason game. I talked to to the other coach and he said it would be up to the ump. At the pregame meeting, the ump said if we did it, we'd have to take an out when her spot came up. The coach even said "I'm no saying your doing this, but how do I know you aren't keeping a weaker hitter out to gain an advantage." Because you'd have to be a complete a-hole to not let a play bat in a 10U rec game because you think she is a bad hitter. But I didn't say that. I just let the ump make the ruling that if she plays an doesn't bat, it's an out for that spot.

So we sent up hit with instructions to not swing the bat. The first time it worked and she walked with the bases loaded. The second time whe struk out.

So was my original request reasonable? Again it was a 10U rec league. If it was comp or travel ball, or HS or college, I wouldn't expect accomodations.
 
Nov 25, 2012
1,437
83
USA
Yes, I think your request is reasonable. However, I also think "bending" the rules leads down a hole that just causes problems. If it was a friendly, then fine, I would agree. Rec ball, I would still easily agree as it is REC BALL. But, I would also understand if the UMP wouldn't bend the rules as again this goes down a hole that I don't believe you should go down. Just follow the rules and all will be good IMO.

My hats of to you for doing the right thing and I have been in the same situation before. Send her up to bat and tell her don't swing. Take you chances and it will likely play in your favor or it won't but it is a chance that she will get on base vs. the guaranteed out if she doesn't bat at all. Again, you played it the best way you can and well done! I don't think asking to bend rules is ever a good idea and just have to figure out the best plan of action within the rules.....which you did! Thumbs Up!
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Not unreasonable, though I can understand why they didn't allow it. Sounds like with a 500 OBP it worked out ok for the most part. I remember in rec, at least 80% of the coaches were there for the girls, great people even if not great coaches, etc. Most of them would have said no problem to your request. There were those few though...they would expect you to be cheating because that's what they'd have been doing. It's easy to spot them, they care more about the trophy than the kids' development even in rec ball.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
The fact that your player walked even though the other team knew the girl wouldn't be swinging shows how ridiculous it was
for the ump to make the ruling he did....
 
Last edited:
Nov 27, 2012
197
18
I'm coaching a 10U rec team. That it's 10U rec is key to the issue. One of our players hurt her throwing wrist Rollerblade the day before a game last week. After getter he checked out, her dad said she was cleared to throw and pitch but could not swing a bad.The obvious solution to me was to see if the opposing coach would allow her to play the field but not. I approached the other team and explained the situation, thinking this wouldn't be a problem because it was a very reasonable request -allow an injured player to play in way that will minimize risk and not provide us with an advantage.

Again this is 10U rec softball, a meaningless midseason game. I talked to to the other coach and he said it would be up to the ump. At the pregame meeting, the ump said if we did it, we'd have to take an out when her spot came up. The coach even said "I'm no saying your doing this, but how do I know you aren't keeping a weaker hitter out to gain an advantage." Because you'd have to be a complete a-hole to not let a play bat in a 10U rec game because you think she is a bad hitter. But I didn't say that. I just let the ump make the ruling that if she plays an doesn't bat, it's an out for that spot.

So we sent up hit with instructions to not swing the bat. The first time it worked and she walked with the bases loaded. The second time whe struk out.

So was my original request reasonable? Again it was a 10U rec league. If it was comp or travel ball, or HS or college, I wouldn't expect accomodations.


This being a "meaningless game," why didn't you just take an out. The rules are there for a reason and the umpires should not bend the rules. Play by the rules and everyone will be fine.
 
Nov 4, 2015
320
43
If she hurt her throwing wrist, but could throw and pitch, i'm surprised she couldn't swing. Can understand the other coach's question about hiding a weak hitter. Not saying you were doing that, just saying I understand his reasoning. Was bunting not an option?
 
Mar 8, 2016
313
63
You did the right thing. Back when I coached 10u rec i would always talk to the other coach about situations like this. If we both had 11 players we would talk about playing 5 outfielders instead of 4 so no one would have to sit. I would always bat the enire lineup no matter how many girls I had and what the official rule was. If I knew the other team struggled to pitch I would talk to the umpire about giving her a bigger strike zone than what he was giving my pitcher so the girls would swing the bat if it was close.
I was lucky most of the umpires and opposing coaches were very good to work with. I even had several umpires that would take the time to talk to the girls if they were not getting out of the box on a wild pitch with a runner on third etc.
My goal was to make sure every girl had fun, got better, and wanted to play next season. I was lucky enough to have the best pitcher in the area and I cost her numerous "perfect" games by never letting her pitch more than 1/3 to a 1/2 of the game. Luckily her parents understood.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
So was my original request reasonable? Again it was a 10U rec league. If it was comp or travel ball, or HS or college, I wouldn't expect accomodations.

I'm assuming that your Rec league has a house rule that everyone present must be in the batting order.

Anything else...comp, travel ball, etc...and you could have designated her as the "Flex" and she'd be on defense only.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
I understand your making the request. But the ump has to say no. He/she is expected to follow and enforce the rules of the game. If he/she makes that exception there will be a laundry lists of things coaches want to discuss prior to every game.

Becky has a sore knee, Her doctor said she can swing a bat but can't run, can suzy stand next to home plate and if Becky gets a hit Suzy will run for her? Sounds ridiculous but if umps are expected to change rules due to someone wanting to play with an injury it would come up.

But I must ask. You have an injured pitcher, who can't bat but can pitch. Its a meaningless game. Why not just rest her? The game means nothing, right?
 

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