Utility Player?

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What exactly is a utility player? What role do they play on a team? Is it a good thing to be a utility or better to be a regular player?

 

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if you can hit the crap out of the ball (see bigtrain's post on freshman impact on 2007) - it really doesn't matter.

Utility players can play any position. kids sometimes get "stuck" in that spot because they can play any position so they get moved around to try and fill holes.

Personally I would love a whole team full of utility players - as long as they can hit the crap out of the ball.

 

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The other side of that coin, in reality, is that there really not good enough to be a starter anywhere, but good enough to play anywhere. ?
Don't get me wrong, the utility player is invaluable to there team. ?Its just a harder role that most don't want, or understand. :-X

Have to edit my post before I take a tongue lashing.

One other thing, your role can and may change from a starter to a utility player, based upon your performance. It can also change, when or by, changing teams. A player may not be good enough for one team to be a starter, then changes teams, and becomes a starter. If you are a utility player on a team, it may not be glamorous, but it is still an important position.

 

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Lady_Knights

I think your definition reflects more of a Big League definition than that of Travel or High School ball.

[sup]"in reality, is that there really not good enough to be a starter anywhere, but good enough to play anywhere"[/sup]

Putting it that way, I can see how a lot of people would not understand this position at the lower levels.

Do you feel that your starters need to only play one position?

 

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Coach Pack
I really don't see the difference, in how it relates to any sport or any level. ?You are either a starter or a utility player. ?At times my starters will play other positions, and at times my utility players will start. ?
But when the game is on the line, your starters will be in there and your utility players will not.
Am I missing something? ?What is your translation of a utility player? ?I believe there are many interpretations, of a "Utility" player. ?It has been my observation, that the role of "Utility" player, largely, is a sugar coated word used to define a bench warmer or a sub. ?It is a lot easier to tell little Suzies parents that she is a "Utility player," instead of the truth, that she is just not quite good enough to crack the starting lineup.

I am not taking a side on this either way, but merely, offering another opinion or side, that most would stay away from. ?

 

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I'll go to the one who started the thread.

EHY2488, what is your interpretation of a "utility player", as it relates to you?

 

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LOL
I guess your right there must be different understandings of this caliber of player.

"It has been my observation, that the role of "Utility" player, largely, is a sugar coated word used to define a bench warmer or a sub."

Have never used in such a manner. No bench warmers, if they are not able to be a productive team member they do not make the roster.

Our Utility player(s) are probably the most talented or athletic player on our roster. We tend to look for athletes that we can teach the game of fastpitch to. We try not to limit our roster to just softball players.

 

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I want my utility player to be one of the most gifted on the team. I expect them to be able to play any position except pitcher and catcher. In order to do that, the player needs to be quite good in my opinion.

 

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I would say a utility player could be utilized to play anywhere that they were capable of at any time in any situation. I would not consider it a bench player, but one talented enough to do what was expected even of the starter caliber and sometimes could be more valuable than a one position starter. That is one thing I love with my DD's summer organization, as it is expected that you be proficient at more than your normal position. This also helps keeping the roster size down and get more playing time.

Just an opinion that's all

 

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All,

This may rub some the wrong way but if I am a select coach and I am picking my team then all 12 of my players are starters. I personally picked them and it is my responsibility to make sure they improve and perform at that level. Its important to consider this as a coach because you want all 12 to go to the next level if that is what they desire.

Having said that in my mind the ultimate utility player is one that can do the following. Play any and every position with the complete knowledge of how to play that position. Except pitcher. This individual can fill in for and can be moved into the position for any player injured during a game.
Generally they are your best athlete and player(S).

It is the coaches responsibility to recognize those individuals and develop them for just that application. They are of THE MOST VALUE to your team and often become the team leaders because of their skills. They are often the most coachable of all your players and are willing to play anywhere you want them to and will learn the position.

I have had at least one of these types of players on the teams I have had the opportunity to coach. At the same time I have taught at least every player a backup position. So the whole team is utility player. Also, EVERY PLAYER IS AN OUTFIELDER. Why. There are 3 scholorships sitting out there. Another reason for player development. Its also the best place to play your pitcher who can hit and not tire her out too much.

Just my thoughts on this one.

Elliott.

 

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lady_knights- I would consider my DD to be a "Utility Player" ......She is one that STARTS every game and plays multiple positions very well 3rd,SS,all 3 OF positions. Her favorite is CF-LF but she will play all 3 since she just wants to play! She is also a lead-off hitter with speed and a high on base percentage.

She would remind me of in "Major League" terms of a Ryan Freel of the Reds who is listed as a "Utility Player" in their Media guide, does that make him a "Bench Warmer"?? He plays all out all the time, not gifted in size, but gifted in Heart .

You don't have to be a ONE position player to be considered good, and actually that hinders most players, ESPECIALLY in Travel ball. You can't have a team of 3 pitchers, 2 catchers, and 8 Shortstops now can you :????? I for one would take a team of utility players after the 3 pitchers, and 2 catchers................A utility player is a player who can play multiple positions.

 

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I guess I would have to agree with both Lady_Knights and retired_coach. I think you are both right, it is just a fine-tuning definitions and arriving at a choice of which word(s) to use.

retired_coach - My daughter is in a similar situation and I guess I wouldn't call either of our daughters a "utility player" as most people use the word in a tryout or "teams looking for player" point of view. I would say that your daughter is a starter, and in any given game, she is the best on her team at 3rd,SS,or any of the 3 OF positions. My daughter is in a similar spot. She plays catcher mostly but also gets plugged in at 3rd or 1st when she is not behind the plate. You could put her anywhere including out in the grass and she would be fine. She just likes to play and if that is where the coach thinks she would most benefit the team she would grab her glove and go and not give him one bit of lip. Like your daughter, if she is not on the field the reason is not due to ability but more than likely to just get a break.

Lady_Knights - I see your point and agree with you. Most times when I see of teams looking for players and say they are looking for a "utility" player(especially after tryouts or this time of year), I read between the lines and think they are really looking to fill an 11th or 12th spot on a roster by someone who better be happy being a sub.

My personal opinion -

"Utility Player" = someone who can play at least 3 spots and is the best on her team at one of the spots and one of the top 2 on her team at any of the other given spots.

"Sub or Role Player" = a kid with a great attitude who works her tail off even though she is not the best on her team at any of the positions. Happy to do whatever she is asked to do whenever she is asked to do it. Someone who might be above average everywhere but perhaps not starter caliber anywhere.

In my opinion both types of player are essential for a healthy and well-rounded team. Neither type of player is better than the other, they just serve a different purpose.

 

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shortandsecond- Very good summary on the difference between Utility & Role/Sub Player. I believe that is where alot of people get it confused about an Utility player.

 

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Lady Knights-You asked what I thought a utility player is and how it relates to me...Well, I'm in high school and want to play in college but listed as a utility. I have always thought being a utility player means you can play wherever (pitching included) you are asked but the coach doesn't see any hope for you in the future so why bother helping you to become a star in one positon. When college coaches see you are a utility player then there goes any chance you have a making it to the next level.

 

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ehy2488- First, I'm sorry that you have such an outlook, second and more importantly SHAME on the coach who made you feel this way. I have a couple of girls who play for me that I know I could have them start anywhere and they would be stars with no drop-off in production. Do they neccassarliy start where they want to: NO, but it's a team sport where a coach must put their best possible line-up in the field to win. My opinion, if you can play all positions and you are good at them, this should give you more reason to be optimistic about your future, and a good bat will help you to. Please remember to that, a college coach may need a good utility to complete their roster.

 

[zelishmekhi]

What exactly is a utility player? What role do they play on a team? Is it a good thing to be a utility or better to be a regular player?

Being a utility player helps you learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. Playing different positions puts you into different parts of the field and exposes you to the places you need improvement in each of them.

 

[Captain_Thunder]

Being a utility player helps you learn more about your strengths and weaknesses. Playing different positions puts you into different parts of the field and exposes you to the places you need improvement in each of them.

Congratulations on joining the group! And for making your first post!
Bringing back a post that is almost 17 years old - older than 85% of the girls on current rosters - is def an accomplishment!

 

[yocoach]

Congratulations on joining the group! And for making your first post!
Bringing back a post that is almost 17 years old - older than 85% of the girls on current rosters - is def an accomplishment!

It was a sneaky attempt to generate traffic to the embedded link I edited and unlinked earlier.

 

[narinejyani]

Player who can play several positions is referred to as a utility player. Many teams depend on utility players because they can play a variety of positions. An experienced player can fill in for an injured or struggling player. The skills and abilities you develop by playing utility player can be improved in many ways.v

 

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Coach Pack
I really don't see the difference, in how it relates to any sport or any level. ?You are either a starter or a utility player. ?At times my starters will play other positions, and at times my utility players will start. ?
But when the game is on the line, your starters will be in there and your utility players will not.
Am I missing something? ?What is your translation of a utility player? ?I believe there are many interpretations, of a "Utility" player. ?It has been my observation, that the role of "Utility" player, largely, is a sugar coated word used to define a bench warmer or a sub. ?It is a lot easier to tell little Suzies parents that she is a "Utility player," instead of the truth, that she is just not quite good enough to crack the starting lineup.

I am not taking a side on this either way, but merely, offering another opinion or side, that most would stay away from. ?

Both my D1 players were labeled Utility players as Freshman in college. One started in 6 different positions , 50 at 3b, 50 at RF , 10 at Catcher, 7 at 2b, and a few in LF & CF. 120+ starts with another 100+ game played. The other pitched her Frosh year with a 3.06 era &.220 BA against in 11 starts & 14 total Appearances but then shelved for two years tge started 97 games in RF leading team in HRs, RBIs and Total bases for two years. True 5 tool player who actually sat for two seasons until coaching staff figured things out. Point if my post is, most kids that make it to college almost always EVs up playing somewhere other then what they’ve been starting at their entire career. Most SSs end up at 2b or OF. I would advise age group players/parents to seek the “U” and develop as many skills as possible as college coaches Valye that far more then any other position player outside of P,C, & a real deal SS. Everybody else better be multi-dimensional or an absolute Stud at the plate. .