New player to the team

[Alsmygal]

My friend and I were discussing this situation the other day and we both were curious as to what other coaches would do in a similar situation. Keep in mind, this is hypothetical, but I'm sure it has actually happened to some teams out there.

You've got a spot open on the team...no specific position (all positions considered), mainly because you want to have a roster of 10 players. You find the girl you want to offer a spot to and she's a pitcher. You've already got two pitchers on the team. Your ace is definitely the dominant pitcher and the number two is pretty decent. This new pitcher comes along and she's every bit as good or maybe even a little better than the ace, and is definitely much better than the number two.

Both of your existing pitchers have been with the team (now 12u) since it started when they were 8u. Both families have been loyal families. The ace pitcher's dad is one of your assistant coaches or even the head coach's daughter. You know if you put the new pitcher in ahead of the number two, that family is going to be upset. You don't want to lose this new pitcher to a new team because she is definitely a huge asset to bring aboard. This new pitcher is definitely looking for some quality pitching time.

How do you keep everyone happy?

 

[GatorGirl]

You have to do what is best for the girls and the team, which is let the pitcher go to another team. Since she is just as good as your ace, then you are covered. That girl needs circle time and in order to get it, you have to bump other people. Doesn't sound worth it to me. To take her on sounds like it would upset the whole apple cart and a no-win situation.

GG

 

[chinamigarden]

The fastest way for your ace to get better is to have competition for her job. If she is comfortable that she will always be #1, she will never feel the pressure of needing to get better. Same with #2, if she is happy to be #2 and coast along with no pressure to have to work for her circle time, she will just keep pace.

This happened to my dd this year, she is the #1, has been since forever. Plays with the same girls... New pitcher came on board, and she is good. Forces my dd to be better.

If I am the coach I stop calling people #1 #2... They are all pitchers, they will all get time in the circle. They will earn additional time...

This makes the team better, its not about 1 or 2 kids. Its the team. Besides if the current #1 goes off in a huff and quits, you already have her replacement and she is better.

 

[sluggers]

At some point, an athlete has to realize that has to get better or get out of the way for other players.

If it were a 14U team, it would be a no-brainer. You take the new kid, and tell the other pitchers that they have to step up their game. At 12U, it is not as clear cut.

A lot depends on the purpose of the team. If the team's goal is to be a competitive team, the coach has to take the new pitcher and tell the #3 pitcher that she has to improve or find another position to play. If the goal of the team is to give the kids something to do, then you don't take the new player.

If I am the coach I stop calling people #1 #2.

Of course, it doesn't take a whole lot of effort to figure out who is the #1 and the #2...you only have to look at the lineup during the "big" games.

 

[sluggers]

her arm is already falling off. The gold coach cannot find another pitcher, so not coach's fault. She is a senior and it might ruin her senior year.

How do you figure it is not the coach's fault? Does someone have a gun to her head?

It is not acceptable for a coach to harm a player. If a kid is hurting, the coach puts someone else out there to pitch.

 

[TorontoCFE]

Saw this last year. A team brought a 1 in to a team with a 2 top
Pitchers and 2 developing pitchers.
There weren't enough innings to keep the pitchers
Happy and progressing.
The original 2 and 3 pitchers left and the
Top two position players left because
They were worried about loyalty
So the team ended up gutted. The 1 brought
In ended up having to play the infield to
Cover the new holes and the team was left with
It's original 1 and 4 pitchers mostly.

Sad to see from a distance

 

[SCDad]

The best travel teams have two (2) ace pitchers.

The next best travel teams have one (1) ace and a decent back-up, where everyone gets along, sticks together and wins.

It is now 12U ... the last bastion of rah, rah, fun in the game of travel softball.

Before you can blink an eye, the true aces will be off to 16U softball, probably for big org's. Other true regular playing studs will follow.

Only the coaches and parents can decide what is best. The great players skip 14U for the most part. Once a player is a great 12U player, they soon figure out and decide they need to face the grown up, big girls, to get better faster. That is 16U.

Soak in all the 12U softball you can. Everything will change very soon, even for the most loyal families.

 

[CoogansBluff]

So the team has only two pitchers? I'd want to have three. I'd keep the new player/pitcher. I'd also let all three get decent innings. It's still developmental at that age, IMO. I wouldn't banish whoever becomes the third-best pitcher. I'd use them all significantly if they are working hard and taking lessons.

Adding a pitcher who is better than your ''incumbent ace'' benefits the team as a whole in many ways. Aside from the added competition to the two pitchers, the new player strengthens the team and allows it o compete against tougher competition, which will make the whole team better in the long run.

 

[starsnuffer]

You don't try to keep everyone happy. Softball at the higher levels is a competitive game, you try to compete.

There are plenty of B teams and neighborhood leagues that are designed specifically for socialist experimentation and the joy of playing the game outside of a pure competitive environment. It sounds like your team is having difficulty deciding which it is. Make that decision, and happiness will follow. Until that decision is made, only misery. It's just like a relationship. You'll never be happy until you commit 100%, but after you do, the little things don't bother you so much.

-W

 

[Alsmygal]

So the team has only two pitchers? I'd want to have three. I'd keep the new player/pitcher. I'd also let all three get decent innings. It's still developmental at that age, IMO. I wouldn't banish whoever becomes the third-best pitcher. I'd use them all significantly if they are working hard and taking lessons.

Adding a pitcher who is better than your ''incumbent ace'' benefits the team as a whole in many ways. Aside from the added competition to the two pitchers, the new player strengthens the team and allows it o compete against tougher competition, which will make the whole team better in the long run.

This is pretty much what I said. Better players make a better team and it never hurts to simply have a pitching rotation for pool games. I love the idea of an even better pitcher coming in and giving competition to the two that are already there. Truly competitive teams should want the best players possible on the team. And I think they should then look to play the best competition out there.