Case study for softball coaches and other sports.

[sluggers]

Suzy is your #2 pitcher, and she is your 3rd best batter. She could be the best pitcher and the best batter on your team if she did individual work during the off-season.

Suzy will practice during softball season, both with the team and on her own. During the softball season, she will work as hard or harder than any other player. However, during the off-season, she will attend any team practices. But she will not do individual work on her own.

She is fully aware that she won't develop to her full potential in softball, but would rather play other sports.

What do you do?

 

[WinThemAll]

How old is Suzy? What level is she playing at (rec, TB)?

 

[Coach JV]

Is flogging legal in Suzy's country?

Seriously-talk to Suzy and parents about potential and see what
happens leaving the proverbial ball in her court. If she wants to realize
full potential all is on the table

 

[Ivy's Dad]

Suzy is your #2 pitcher, and she is your 3rd best batter. She could be the best pitcher and the best batter on your team if she did individual work during the off-season.

She is fully aware that she won't develop to her full potential in softball, but would rather play other sports.

What do you do?

Respect her choice. Since she is fully aware of what she is doing and has chosen to enjoy other sports knowing it will limit her softball development, the only reasonable thing to do is to respect her decision. There is nothing wrong with being a #2 pitcher and a #3 batter.

 

[starsnuffer]

Is Suzy a kid on my softball team or a personal pet human that I paid good money for and own as property?

I'd tell Suzy exactly what you stated above, that she has value to the team but could be even better if she trained in the off-season. Suzy would then take this information and make her own choice. When next season's tryouts occur, Suzy would probably be good enough to make the team and I would use Suzy to assist the team as best as possible with her given skillset while attempting to increase that skillset as much as possible.

Really, what other option is there?

-W

 

[sluggers]

Suzy is 15 YOA and prefers volleyball to softball.

 

[WinThemAll]

As long as Suzy is still contributing to the team and attending practices, and is fully aware then there is nothing to do.

 

[BB875]

Its none of my business what she does away from team practices...

 

[EP Dad]

Respect Suzy's choice and move on.


Someone on the team will pass by her eventually. There are girls that will work year round and even though they start out less talented or less gifted at softball than Suzy the proper coaching and time will get them past her.

 

[Sparky Guy]

Suzy is 15 YOA and prefers volleyball to softball.

It sounds like Suzy is a very good natural athlete and can play any sport she puts her mind to. If she has made it clear about volleyball then it's time to change the way you view Suzy. She is a Volleyball player who also plays softball for something to do. When given a choice she will choose volleyball every time if there is a conflict.

View her as expendable and try to find or develop a softball player to replace her. Not being mean here, but you have the rest of the team to worry about.