Elimination games v. pool games strategy?

[playball13]

One thing I like to do with Pool games is be the vistors. That way we are assured an extra AB where we can put more runs against our opponent. If we lose our opponents have 1 less chance to score more runs on us which helps on the Runs Allowed tie breaker. It also is one less inning our pitchers have to throw and our catchers have to play particularly if it is really hot or we are looking at 3+ games in the day.

 

[Coach JV]

Pool games are important for game start time/opponent strength on Sundays.
If you do not play to win in pool, you will be at the field for an 8:00 vs a strong team,
you will be headed home by 9:30-Is it really worth it?

One tournament this summer, some pool games were rained out late Saturday so
sunday was based on 2 instead of 3 pool games. We had lost the 3rd game badly
but due to rain, we drew the #1 seed and an 11:00 start on Sunday. We showed up at the field and TD
informed us that he accidentally scheduled us as #2 seed, thus no bye, we could have thew choice to
play or sit for re-seeding. The team that had beat us in pool #3 got the bye. We elected to play
the extra game and met the team that beat us badly in the Championship game. We won the tournament with
a comeback 6-4 victory. The 'extra game' was against the bottom seed, we started our #3 pitcher
and played the bench players in an easy victory.

Soooo, if you play to win pool games, you draw a weak seed in 1st elimination and this affords
an opportunity for bench players to have the spotlight and my #1 pitcher does not have to throw that game.

 

[SoCalSoftballdad]

The 'extra game' was against the bottom seed, we started our #3 pitcher
and played the bench players in an easy victory.

Soooo, if you play to win pool games, you draw a weak seed in 1st elimination and this affords
an opportunity for bench players to have the spotlight and my #1 pitcher does not have to throw that game.

I also like this strategy, to play your best players in pool play so you are a top seed for the first elimination game and then you can rest the starters and give the bench players more playing time. Have you ever been burned by this? For example, in 1st elimination game you underestimated the competition and your team really struggled? If so, did you substitute in some of your better players (e.g. #1 pitcher) in the middle of the game to make sure you won it? It seems like it is always a struggle between wanting to field the best team possible vs. giving others players the opportunity to perform while resting the starters for future games.

 

[coachtucc]

Hey Folks:
What age group are we talking about??? Do parents pay to be on the team?? Shouldn't every young lady play at least one game in pool play especially at the younger age ( my former 16U team everybody played in pool play)?? Don't we turn off players to the game if they don't play??? Juist some thoughts from an Asst HS coach and Head 12U Coach!!

 

[Coach JV]

SoCaldad: Of course we will substitute out immediately if the need is there.
Generally, there are 10 or so teams/division in a weekend tournament. We are normally
either familiar with some teams, or thru the USSSA site, we can get an idea of a team's
strength when looking at common opponents. During the summer this year we only had 11
girls and one was injured for the majority of games, thus it was easy to get everyone
lots of playing time

 

[playball13]

It all depends on the rule set. Then to make it more confusing many tournies have 'modified' rules.
Typically when you have 9+ batters you can sub them freely on defense but the batting order must remain the same. Some rules have a DP and a FLEX, the FLEX is a defense only player. The FLEX who is linked to the DP's slot in the batting order but the FLEX does not hit unless substituted in for the FLEX. The DP hits for the FLEX and in most rule sets the DP can play the field at the same time as the FLEX.
Be sure to have a clear understanding of the rule set before the tourny.