Player not showing up for practice due to mom

The tragidy is that the girl knew the rules, as well as the consequences, well in advance, but did nothing to deminish the known outcome. I always feel bad when consequenses come due to someone, even my DD. But that does not mean that they should be overlooked. She had every opportunity to prevent the outcome, but it was not important enough for her to make an effort to abide by the rules. Ignoring the natural result of failure to follow the rules will not help this girl. She has to take responsability for her actions, in doing so, hopefully, she won't turn out like her mother. Life lesson time.

A lot of diverse opinions in this thread. As a rec coach myself I think the punishment of sitting a whole game for not coming to practice is too harsh. For me it would be batting at the bottom of the order, playing more in the outfield, or sitting extra innings but probably not the whole game. Then again our rec rules on participantion are likely different from the original poster.

But the rules were clearly spelled out in advance and the the girl only needed to call to say she could not come to avoid the punishment. So I can't really find any fault with the coach for enforcing the rules.

As an aside, how many girls were on the team?
Were there other girls missing practice without calling?
Is so, did they all receive the same treatment? (I think this is yes because I think I saw a post where the assitant coaches kid was sat for a game for missing practice without calling).

11 girls on the team and yes, our starting first baseman, the manager's daughter twice and the team sponsor's daughter twice. All sat the required number of games. Just to be clear, these girls were sat by the team manager for NOT NOTIFYING either one of us via text or phone call. They could have told me that they just didn't feel like practicing for all I cared. What the excuse was didn't matter. But if they had needed a ride, they all knew I would have picked them up as I often do.

You sound like a very good, dedicated coach who made some more than reasonable accomodations that the player and mom chose to ignore.
If the girl comes back to the leage next year though it might be best for all concerend if you ask that she be placed on a different team.

I have already made provisions, should she return, to be placed on a friend's team as I am moving up next season. He's a great coach and cares about the kids as well.