College coach and travel coach here. I have 15 girls on my travel team. Everyone has missed at least 1 to 2 practices.
Sat pool play day...every girl plays two of three games (some play one in field and one just hitting). 3 girls play all three. Even sat 2 of my best players last game!!!
We go 2 and 1...play great...girls are happy. Parent at end comes up and says some parents are unhappy with how I do playing time since some girls are always here and some aren't!! And that we all pay the same amount!! Are you kidding me?
Vent over! Thanks!!
Man, I feel for your situation, but I have very different views to most on here. You're the coach, stop looking for validation from the parents. These parents are sharks, they will leave teams where they have no power and will find places where they can exert their influence. As parents, they don't pay for playing time, they pay to have their kid on the team and they are paying you to make them better.
Kids get better from kick rear practices and shared playing time. Nothing motivates kids like seeing someone else play their position. Teams want the kids and parents who buckle down (aka @ericf story above) when the player is facing adversity (new team, injury). Some will fold and find other teams and this is the wrong message to send our kids who want to continue to play the sport.
My DD had similar story.. She plays on a team with a roster of 17. Last year, she came from a bottom of the pack team and made an org's big team in 12u. Was struggling in finding her niche and raising up to the speed of the new set of girls. The worst was 2 weekends in a row she played 2 innings and got 1 at bat in 3 friendlies. Got no playing time and no at bats in a tournament. My DD did not tuck tail, doubled and tripled down on hitting and working hard. Finished out the season as a starter and batting 5th. Never sat an inning in KC and PGF. That is the life lesson that will stay with her.
Just my .02