Player Development/Playing Time

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Member

• Jul 30, 2009

• #1

A question many parents face:

With tryouts for the 2010 season starting; is a developing player moving up from 14U to 16U better off playing outfield only (probably sharing time with one or two other players the first season) on a really good team or getting more playing time (primarily infield) on a team that focuses a little less on wins and losses? Your DD is behind some very talented girls and unless something changes will probably be relagated to outfield play for the next 2 years.

The ultimate goal is to play at the next level.

What do you do?

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #2

Outfield on a good team. She can always learn from the others. At that age, that's what's more important.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #3

JMHO, If she is looking to get to the next level, play for the better team where she's going to be pushed to get better. If she's not getting the playing time, hopefully she will take it upon herself to work harder, practice better and more frequently to earn more playing time.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #4

I have a problem with someone making a difference between outfield and infield and only good players play infield. That might be the case in Rec ball, but not at travel ball. I have kids playing the outfield that are better on defense and offense than those playing in the infield.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #5

Your dead on SB !!! Why do some people ( dd's / parents) not get the extreme importance of the outfield??

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #6

Outfield is so important in travel ball no place to hide.
Some parents look at it as a bad thing, but I had girls in my outfield that I trusted to make the play.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #7

O.F is very important, without a 1st rate O.F at 16u you will be making early trips back home on the weekends. I think Drillguy is more concerned with playing time though.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #8

The older you get the more important outfield becomes. Hitters become stronger and hit more balls to the outfield. Errors in the green cost you games where errors in the dirt cost you bases.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #9

I agree completely with SB. You might be able to hide players in the outfield in Rec Ball, but not travel. My Daughter plays catch and outfield and I tell her a passed ball by the catcher might allow 1 run. If you miss a ball in the outfield, everyone can score. It is a very important position and I wish more players and parents realized this.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #10

Agree with SB - put some of my better fielders in outfield when teams were hitting some bombs. at 12U, it is still hit or miss in girls consistently hitting balls out there, but am trying to prepare them for when most teams will hit them out there.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #11

SB & Go2, I am not under emphasizing the importance of the outfield positions but let's face reality. You put your stronger players in positions that allow them to make the most plays which is the infield (unless your pitcher is leaving everything up in the zone and over the plate) Statistically, you will get many more opportunities in the dirt than you do in the green. How do you get better in the infield when all of your practice and game time experience is in the outfield?

Further, when it comes to playing at the next level, what are they looking for? Will the kid that is a well rounded player with experience at multiple positions get the nod over the kid that's got experience in the outfield and that's it (hitting and speed being equal).

The question I posed is more philisophical than anything else. You can ask 20 people and you will get 20 different answers.

Thanks for your comments.

 

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Member

• Jul 30, 2009

• #12

Sorry but as a travel ball coach for 12 plus years I disagree with you. My CF gets more action than many of my infielders. At 16U, you are going to find a good outfielders are hard to find, because of this stigma we place on the outfield at the earlier ages. We really have problems at the high school level finding good outfielders. Hard to find a kid that can judge a fly ball, since every one of them played infield in Rec and those that played the outfield, no longer play softball. .

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #13

I have to disagree also. my kid has never played an inning in the infield ( other than catching a wee bit) and i'll be frank --she has some faults . But atheletism isn't one of them . putting "stronger" players in the infield ends about the 12u age group, for the teams that hope to compete nationally. MD

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #14

I have a hand in 2 different teams this year, and we have made an effort to run all players through the infield drills and outfield drills in practices. I have seen major improvement in all girls by doing this. On one of the teams we have 4 middle infielders
and 4 corners, Could put any of them in and not be holding my breath with each pitch. Same goes with outfield very versatile team. We are not at the 16u level yet but getting ready for when that time comes!

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #15

Drillguy said:

SB & Go2, I am not under emphasizing the importance of the outfield positions but let's face reality. You put your stronger players in positions that allow them to make the most plays which is the infield (unless your pitcher is leaving everything up in the zone and over the plate) Statistically, you will get many more opportunities in the dirt than you do in the green. How do you get better in the infield when all of your practice and game time experience is in the outfield?

Click to expand...

Not necessarily true. At 16u it seems the outfielders get as many attempts as infielders.

Further, when it comes to playing at the next level, what are they looking for? Will the kid that is a well rounded player with experience at multiple positions get the nod over the kid that's got experience in the outfield and that's it (hitting and speed being equal).

Click to expand...

They want to see an athletic, softball loving, well rounded player with very good grades and a great attitude.

The question I posed is more philisophical than anything else. You can ask 20 people and you will get 20 different answers.

Click to expand...

Very true.

Thanks for your comments.

Click to expand...

Thank you!
Len

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #16

Unfortunately had some parents who thought it was a demotion to go to outfield.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #17

besides, i have seen only a very small group of girls that learn anything by watching it. The girls need to do it (about) 1000 times before they understand it. How many times have we all practiced something for several practices and a week or two goes by and the girls forgot it already.

This is why most girls dont watch baseball or softball everyday, and why boys are always infront of the TV watching baseball, football etc. Boys see something and think wow I am going to try that frist chance i get...Girls see something and think wow I didn't know you could do that (than they forget it).

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #18

Hi, first time posting. My dd (age 15 moving up to 16U in 2010) was the primary catcher for two years of travel. This past season she was the primary 1st baseman on the JV team. Everyone thinks that she is quite good at these positions.

This travel season the coach put her in CF because balls were getting past other players. With her quickness and judgement of angles, she excelled. Not my comment, but other parents and other teams.

She always loved being a catcher and 1st. After this summer, she wants CF because of the action.

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #19

My dd loves the outfield too!

 

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• Jul 30, 2009

• #20

Dear Caitlin Lowe,

If you are reading this, please don't think that ALL posters on this site think the best athletes play IF, while the lower tier players are stuck in the OF.

Thank you.