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Ned is definitely the catcher, ;&but I think Manson is definitely the utility player. Proving my point that the utility player is an important player to the group. Ya see my point? 
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Having coached at a variety of levels from rec ball to HS fall ball I am always amazed when a parent tells me their DD is a single position player. I am always able to point out to them that there will be serious competition for 'their' spot once they get to the next level. It's been a rule on my teams that EVERYONE have a 2nd or 3rd position so that they can be a valuable team member now and in the future. I guess that makes me utility coach.
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There you had to go and do it EagleHeat. "Utility Coach".... Where can we go with this???
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Talk to college coaches and you better be able to play other positions, unless you are the star pitcher or catcher. I see too many kids that played every inning of every game at the same spot. What happens at the next level, if they can't play first and dad isn;t the coach? My dd thinks its neat that she is a utility player. She has played 8 different spots in two years. Last year every inning of every game. Has not caught.,but she can pitch. . But being a lefty slapper , her speed allows her to cover different spots, based on the coaches needs. If your short stop is one of your pitchers and no one else can play short, you are deep trouble. Slappers will take advantage of that weakness at the next level.
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My head it telling me being a utility player is great, learn alot me, but my heart has to agree with Dice. I try to tell myself not to be one of those parents, and no, I'm not looking to DI at 13, nor do I have an agent, but I really believe the stigmas there.
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I searched college fastpitch rosters. Some colleges do not state utility players . The colleges I found that had utility players on their roster used them mainly as Pinch Hitters and some used them as Designated Players. I did find one player listed on a roster as a utility player that started in RF most of the time for their team. My guess is that their regular RF was injured or ineligible. Other than that one instance, utility players on the college rosters were not starters that played in the field. The team rosters I searched were mainly D1 teams like Arizona, Tennessee, Texas, UCLA, Oklahoma, ASU, etc.
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I just checked the two DII schools I know recruited girls as utility players. One lists three players with the position UTIL (but they don't specify infield and outfield positions either - those players are listed as INF or OF). The other lists some players with three positions ([FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]3B/SS/O). None that I could see were pinch hitters, they all had defensive stats, but I can't tell exactly what position they played when.
When I discuss college here, I guess I think about the schools most players in this part of the country will be looking at - in other words, I don't look at Arizona, UCLA, etc. Just speaking from my own experience.
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When I discuss college here, I guess I think about the schools most players in this part of the country will be looking at - in other words, I don't look at Arizona, UCLA, etc. Just speaking from my own experience.
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Thanks Len & Anothersoftballmom for checking up on it.
DD can play catcher, OF and pitch, 1st. (Has played other Infield postions but nothing she stands out in.) I guess she will be OK if she stays healthy. Always working to be better!
Thanks again!
DD can play catcher, OF and pitch, 1st. (Has played other Infield postions but nothing she stands out in.) I guess she will be OK if she stays healthy.
Always working to be better! Thanks again!
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Working camps and clinics and going to college camps. I can tell you first hand from talking to college coaches that they are looking for kids at least in Ohio that can play different spots. The one thing they all stated . . If DD has only played first her whole carrer, she is probably going to have a problem at the next level, unless she is a superstar! I know one heck of a short stop that played for the Lasers. Where is she playing in college. OF! So you can call it what you want, but you better be able to play other spots.
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I totally agree. I believe everyone playing fastpitch should try play multiple positions. There's nothing better than a well rounded player. This does not make them a utility player in my opinion.
A player that can play multiple positions very well is what I call an athlete or a stud, however the position placed on the roster is her main position. If a girl is a servicable player capable of filling in a few different positions, but cannot break the starting lineup, they would be a utl player on my roster.
Len
A player that can play multiple positions very well is what I call an athlete or a stud, however the position placed on the roster is her main position. If a girl is a servicable player capable of filling in a few different positions, but cannot break the starting lineup, they would be a utl player on my roster.
Len
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Len,
When you lock into something, you really lock into something!
When you lock into something, you really lock into something!
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Yeah....I'm sorry. Your're right. There seems to definitely be people on both sides of the fence on this subject.
Len
Len
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the argument here was trying out for a team looking for "utility" player. i think dice hit the nail on the head. hell, my dd has played every postion except pitcher because she can. Yes, this will make her more valuable in the FUTURE to some college coach. but until then i would ask what postions are open first .
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jj - i was thinking the same thing... the question was... would you bring your daughter to a tryout looking for a utility player... my first thought (when i read "looking for a utility player") is they have their starting 9 filled and they were looking for someone that could back up as needed - the more positions the better. That would be my first thought... true or not... Otherwise they would say... looking for a primary outfielder that can back up at multiple positions. Then you could think... OK... my daughter will play left field most of the time and then back up the other positions as they are needed...
there is no question utility players are important... the question is - what is the team looking for...
there is no question utility players are important... the question is - what is the team looking for...
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JJ and Media
That was exactly my question. Are the coaches asking for a starter capable of playing virtually anywhere on the field (read: stud) or do the coaches have their starting lineup already set in their head and are looking for a player that it servicable but not quite the best option (which is what the definition "utility" means) for a particular position?
That was exactly my question. Are the coaches asking for a starter capable of playing virtually anywhere on the field (read: stud) or do the coaches have their starting lineup already set in their head and are looking for a player that it servicable but not quite the best option (which is what the definition "utility" means) for a particular position?
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