What do you favor when putting together your starting 9? Hitting? Defense? Balance? What breaks a close call?
Do you ride that lineup as long as it’s working? Or do you ever sub to get more kids in game?
12u TB.
Attitude problems aside, at 12U and in early Fall, do everything possible to get everyone into as many games as possible.
Not all bracket games are created equal. If you have solid pitching, there are teams that will give you less trouble than others. Substitute liberally during those "easier" games early in the bracket. Don't get in a position late on Sunday where you've not played a quarter of your roster in bracket play, unless you want to look for some new players on Monday. When it's crunch time, put the best available nine on the field, and use the DP/FLEX when appropriate. If your team is effective at the plate beyond #9, don't be afraid to bat more than nine when allowed. You might be surprised at who comes up big.
For those kids not in the game, engage with them as much as possible when the rest of the team is on defense. Don't let them sit on the bench by themselves. Have them sit near you and talk to them about what's going on. If you can give them a meaningful task, even better. That will signal to both player and parent that you view them as a valuable part of the team, and will lessen the sting of not being in the game.
So that leaves 3 girls for 1 spot - this is the hard decision.
1B2 - best hitter remaining, ball always in play. very slow runner.
LF1/CF2 - very good OF, but can't hit, but can run the bases well and does take walks.
RF/2B3 - struggling, but does take walks, but also strikes out a lot.