Pickup player/guest player/sub...

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Some parents and I were talking about when it becomes necessary to pickup a player for a weekend due to being short, wether it be from injuries, illnesses or vacation of regular players. I am curious to know what most organizations rules are on a sub or guest player for the weekend. Do they play all the time? or are they there just in case? Last year, my daughter was asked to fill in for a team for a weekend and it was disastrous for us. I took her to practices with the team at the coaches request, had time and money invested in driving to the tournament and renting a hotel for the weekend. The girls on the team were awesome to my daughter, the parents were cold and unfriendly. She played 2 innings at the position they picked her up for the entire weekend. The rest of the time she sat. She was miserable that she gave up her weekend to sit. I also had to pay a fee for that weekend (a small one for socks and a visor that she got to keep). Before we left that weekend, a parent that had been kind to me all weekend told me there was a big uproar amongst the parents when the coach announced he picked her up for the weekend so he backpeddled and agreed not to play her much. I am just curious what the policy is out there for other organizations when picking up a player for a weekend.

 

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Sounds like if she only played two innings the team was not really short players?

If that is the case I could see why parents would be upset if a coach brought in a guest player.

My feeling is if a coach brings in a guest player it should be because you have a "need" when you have less than 10 or one pitcher/catcher.

If it is just to have an "if needed sub" or pinch runner on the bench it must be made clear on the front end so, the parent/player is not misled as it sounds in your case.

 

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I don't pick up players unless I NEED them and if I do pick one up, she will play the whole weekend. And I NEVER charge a fee for someone to help me out!!

 

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my dd just had a chance to sub last weekend and it was a very pleasant experience. I wonderered if i should ask about paying a small fee to play but i figured if it was common practice someone would approach me. My dd played just about every inning of the entire tourney including a full game at her position (catcher)which wasnt even the position they needed her for. Between games we were both invited to a lunch that the parents volunteer to prepare for each tournament. To top it off, every parent went out of their way to approach me and thank me for allowing my daughter to play with their team and "what a great fit she is with the team"... Sorry your experience wasnt as pleasant as ours. If she is 12u eligible and the 11u Diamond Dogs ever post that they need subs you should jump at the chance. very positive experience

 

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jsoftballdad, you know the above post is only good since Julie has a thing for parents with frosted tips ;&

 

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jsoftballdad, you know the above post is only good since Julie has a thing for parents with frosted tips ;&

lmao..... I dont have frosted tips!!!!!!!!!!:lmao::lmao::lmao:

 

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That's great for you and your dd. My dd has subbed other times also and the experiences have been positive. I actually didn't start this thread to complain about our experience last year, lol. It was a lesson to us to always ask questions. Really, I am mostly curious as to how other organizations handle pickup players and what their rules are regarding them. I understand both sides of the coin..the need for a player as well as the frustration of some of the parents of already rostered players. My dd's organization has a rule that if the need arises to pick up a player then that player will play. This often doesn't sit well with some people.

my dd just had a chance to sub last weekend and it was a very pleasant experience. I wonderered if i should ask about paying a small fee to play but i figured if it was common practice someone would approach me. My dd played just about every inning of the entire tourney including a full game at her position (catcher)which wasnt even the position they needed her for. Between games we were both invited to a lunch that the parents volunteer to prepare for each tournament. To top it off, every parent went out of their way to approach me and thank me for allowing my daughter to play with their team and "what a great fit she is with the team"... Sorry your experience wasnt as pleasant as ours. If she is 12u eligible and the 11u Diamond Dogs ever post that they need subs you should jump at the chance. very positive experience

 

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We only ask when needed...never put the roster over 10...sub plays as a regular (wouldn't have them there if they were not a stud anyway), no fees involved. Normally in pool play, at least at 10U, TD's allow you to bat all 10 (or 11) players. No excuse not to get some real action in when free subbing is in effect (if the coach bats all).

 

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lmao..... I dont have frosted tips!!!!!!!!!!:lmao::lmao::lmao:

Not since Julie got a hold of you

 

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If we pick up a girl, then we need her. She plays and does not pay.

My daughter has been picked up several times and has had mixed experiences. One weekend she played about a game and a half over the course of the tourney. Another time she played almost every inning. I always tell her when she subs that she is a guest on their team to be used however they see fit. She seems to be good with that.

 

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Communication is key in these situations. If everyone is up front & direct about what they need/expect there shouldn't be any surprises.

 

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If we picked up a player it usually was to get our team to 10 or 11 for the weekend. We would not charge the player and she would play just like the rest of our team. My daughter has subbed and was treated similarly- team had 10 with her and she ended up playing just like a regular on the team..

 

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I've done this 3 times now. I tell them 100% of the situation. I will say you may only play 1 inning and bat only... or bat only in pool play... or play all day in every way. 100% open and honest and aaaaaaaalways keep my word. The team (players and parents) give me the thumbs up with a vote before this approach is taken and it always works out. Honor, honesty, and openness is the key and of course it's redundant for me to talk about the communication.

I did pick up for the USSSA WS this year and it's in case of injury, heat, or tired players. She will bat in pool play and be a sub in bracket play. Our players come first and regardless of talent that's what we will do. Hard to do at times, but there is no other choice but to keep your word.

 

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Both my girls have filled in on teams, and have found friends every time. This is a sport that you can use to teach life lessons. I cant think of a better life lesson then being open to meeting good people, and finding friends with common goals and interests.

 

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Communication is always key.
Many times we have to pickup for 2 games or 1 day, we let the player know and also invite them to hang out for the weekend if they would like. We also let them know that there maybe other oppurtunities to play as we may rest players for future games.
We also do not charge a fee, as playing time is unknown

 

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my dd just had a chance to sub last weekend and it was a very pleasant experience. I wonderered if i should ask about paying a small fee to play but i figured if it was common practice someone would approach me. My dd played just about every inning of the entire tourney including a full game at her position (catcher)which wasnt even the position they needed her for. Between games we were both invited to a lunch that the parents volunteer to prepare for each tournament. To top it off, every parent went out of their way to approach me and thank me for allowing my daughter to play with their team and "what a great fit she is with the team"... Sorry your experience wasnt as pleasant as ours. If she is 12u eligible and the 11u Diamond Dogs ever post that they need subs you should jump at the chance. very positive experience

Thanks Jason, the girls loved having Abbi with us!! You know she loved being a dog...I heard her in the dugout barking!! Go Dogs!!!! :yahoo: :yahoo:

 

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Except for attending Eastern Nationals last year, we have not charged anything to our guest players. They are helping us out. We also try to give them substantial playing time. We actually lost a player a few years ago because we started a guest ahead of her. As it turned out, the guest (who wasn't playing travel ball at the time) blossomed and is now hitting in the #4 spot for us. I don't see how you can invite someone to play and then leave her sitting on the bench for the whole time. We have toyed with asking for a younger, speedy player who might enjoy going to ASA/USA Nationals with us as a pinch and courtesy runner. But communications on that would have to be clear.