Looking for "utility" players??

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #1

I've noticed a few posts in the Tryouts and Coaches Looking For Players sections of this forum looking for "utility" players to fill out their roster. I read those posts to mean that they are looking for back up players because they already have their starters locked down. Does anyone else decipher those posts as I do? If you have a DD with decent skills, do you or would you even bother responding to those posts knowing that your DD does not initially have an equal opportunity to capture a starting spot?

Len

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #2

IMO a utility player is a kid that can play most positions well, probably with the exception of pitch and catch, not a bench player. You need kids that could cover at: short, 2nd, first, third and outfield. Any kid who can do that is very valuable, not a bench player.

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #3

Have to agree with wgman. A good utility player will most likely play EVERY pool game, so that key position players can get a break. They will see action in bracket games as strategy dictates.

If they have a special skill, such as killer speed, the ability to always get a bunt down, or they can hit from the left side (and not just swing at it) then they can be a key situational player too.

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #4

wgman21 said:

IMO a utility player is a kid that can play most positions well, probably with the exception of pitch and catch, not a bench player. You need kids that could cover at: short, 2nd, first, third and outfield. Any kid who can do that is very valuable, not a bench player.

Click to expand...

You might be right.

If you are then "utility player" has a different meaning in softball than it does in baseball. A utility player in baseball is a servicable backup that gives starters a rest or they play because a starter is injured. Example: Players like Ryan Freel and Juan Castro are utility players, not starters.

Len

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #5

A good utility player in softball can play every inning of every game. We had a girl this past summer who could play short, 2nd, and anywhere in the outfield. Played every inning. It was always interesting to see where she was going to play. She was also our number 4 batter. On a side note she's not even playing softball next year. She'd rather play volleyball and run track. It's a shame.

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #6

sideliner said:

Have to agree with wgman. A good utility player will most likely play EVERY pool game, so that key position players can get a break. They will see action in bracket games as strategy dictates.

If they have a special skill, such as killer speed, the ability to always get a bunt down, or they can hit from the left side (and not just swing at it) then they can be a key situational player too.

Click to expand...

It sounds like you actually agree with me. Am I wrong in thinking this?

The bold areas above tell me that you think a utility player is not a starter, rather a bench/situational player. This is actually along my line of thinking.

Anyway, it looks like the term "utility player" can mean different things to different people.

Len

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #7

Statistically, I think you will see your "starters" playing in 90%+ of all innings, and "utility" players getting at least 75% of all innings - that is based on a team that carries no more than 12 girls.

For the championship game, I think most coaches have a #1 player for each position. They get that start. Up to crunch time, the "utility" player will get plenty of starts.

Those utility players are perfectly capable of starting and playing just about every game. They may just lack one component of being the top player for a specific position.

Maybe there are teams that follow the "starter" and "bench player" philosophy, but I think most teams are more fluid. The BIG difference is that a bench player may be competent in several positions, rather than specializing in a few.

My DD pitches, and plays second. She could play first if we needed her. She would not be a good utility player. I don't think she would make a good left-side infielder, and she does not have blazing speed, so in a 16U game, the only outfield position I would even consider would be right field, and that would be if no one was better. Another pitcher on the team has better speed, and could play left side in addition to the outfield. Except for the pitching, she would be a good utility player in her versatility.

So maybe that is the difference. A utility player is expected to be more versatile than a the next player.

I don't agree that a utility player is a second-class player. They are just used differently on many teams. They get plenty of starts.

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #8

Lenski said:

I've noticed a few posts in the Tryouts and Coaches Looking For Players sections of this forum looking for "utility" players to fill out their roster. I read those posts to mean that they are looking for back up players because they already have their starters locked down. Does anyone else decipher those posts as I do? If you have a DD with decent skills, do you or would you even bother responding to those posts knowing that your DD does not initially have an equal opportunity to capture a starting spot?

Len

Click to expand...

Being that Pitchers Normally Play Other positions... You need players who Dont have and Every day spot but are Competent at a Variety of Positions to Fill a Spot while that kid pitches. Or For the 2nd Catcher when She is spelling the Starter. So in Tournaments A Good UT player cna Play about Every Game. In Fall league its different , only 2 games in a day so ...the Better that UT PLayer Hit...the better shot she has at significant PT.

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #9

wgman21 said:

You need kids that could cover at: short, 2nd, first, third and outfield. Any kid who can do that is very valuable, not a bench player.

Click to expand...

Exactly right. UT are key and there are not enough of them. especially ones with speed that pinch hit and table set.
My UT's are starters, they just make the whole team strategy more versitile.

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #10

On my teams a utility player generally plays as much a "position" player, and will at times play more because I can move them around to fill gaps as necessary.

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #11

Here's an editorial from EHow.com on how to become a utility player. I read it and I think it has some useful information for someone in this position.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2093201_become-utility-player.html

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #12

Yes

 

default

Member

• Aug 30, 2008

• #13

When my team posts for a utility player, we're looking for a player that can play any position on the field besides pitcher, and in our situation we're looking for a backup catcher to spell our number 1 catcher, that can hopefully fill the role of a utility. When i think of a utility player in softball im thinking of a versatile player who can field more than one or two positions. This is a valuable asset to any team to add to a managers flexibility and open up more options. I agree though that the term utility player in baseball is thought of differently.

 

default

Member

• Sep 1, 2008

• #14

The thing with being a utility player is that they know that going in. My daughter was picked up for 3rd last year and became the utility player for the team. Playing all 9 positions throughout the year. She did start/play 90% of the games. She felt like she didn't belong or wasn't good enough for awhile being moved around all the time until the coach explained what he was doing. After that she was ok. Every team needs them, but just make sure the kid knows that! Besides isn't that what college coaches want?!

 

default

Member

• Sep 1, 2008

• #15

Great subject. IMO I think each coach is looking for something different and they are caught using baseball terms. In football they list good multi positional players as Athletes, web sites like Rivals. That is what I normally think of.

Its interesting to read others thoughts and opinions, its clear from reading the various posts that maybe teams should list what they are looking for. Team x looking a girl with speed that can play OF, SS and catcher (just an example).

 

default

Member

• Sep 1, 2008

• #16

Uber

That's exactly my point. My perception of a "utility player" means a player that is not top tier. I perceive it this way because of the definition of the adjective "utility".

Utlity - adj.
1. Useful or useful to some degree
2. Not top grade
3. Of lower grade
4. For use or service rather than high quality
5. Usable but inferior

I personally would not consider a team looking for only utility players, unless I felt my dd was nothing more than a spot player or specialist. Because of my perception of the term "utility player", I believe a head coach already has their starting lineup set, regardless of the inquirer's ability. I was just wondering if anyone else felt this way.

Len

 

default

Member

• Sep 1, 2008

• #17

I do agree the term utility can mean different things to different people but with a roster of 11 girls I think you need several of these players. I like the comparison made to football playes listed as an athlete. My dd played in probably 98% of the innings last year. She would have probably been considered the utility player as she was not picked up untill october. She played 3rd, SS, LF, CF, 1b and hit 2nd most of the year because she has good speed and can bunt from both sides of the plate. She actullay enjoyed the variety and was used at different spots depending on what the opponent's game dictated. After the last tournament her coach actually thanked her for playing where ever she was needed. I think this utility player had a blast.

 

default

Member

• Sep 1, 2008

• #18

Stingrays10u

Your dd sounds more like a most valuable player (MVP) to me than a utility player.

 

default

Member

• Sep 1, 2008

• #19

WGMan21:

Maybe your excellent utility player is quitting because they let her play even more positions in volleyball!

 

default

Member

• Sep 1, 2008

• #20

I would run from a team like this! The starting jobs are already set. The opening is for the last "utility" player that moved on to another team. You see this alot on daddyball teams in smaller organizations. RUN!. You will waste an entire year and your dd will not improve playing a variety of postions. Jack of all trades, master of none.