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As a coach with the younger kids, I keptthe roster at 11 and 12 to keep the kids fully involved in the game andplaying. Playing time was a big concern because it kept parents happy, etc andkept kids committed to the team. However, coaching the upper levels and havingkids that have played from 10U to College, a bigger roster is the norm. At thegold level, we have 16 on the roster for the Fall. In the fall, everyone playsand are evaluated and the uncommitted kids play ALOT more. In the summer,everyone will play, but may not play as much....depending upon performance.Pitcher’s who hit in the fall, may just become “pitchers” and not hit at all.Hot bats and speed for other players will get in the line up or on the basepaths...regardless of position. When games are on the line, and you need speedon the base paths, you need to substitute, so teams usually keep runners whoalso play a speedy position (usually of). Tournaments at the upper level aremuch more expensive than your weekly tournaments. The Colorado IDT tournamentsrun anywhere from 1100 to 1600$. You do not want to run out of players duringthese types of events.
Competition is good. It is the way collegeteams work. Alot of times, kids who have never sat a game, don't handle sittingand working for a position at the college (or travel) level very well....theypout. It is very emotional for players and their parents. It is risky....butthe better teams get better because of it. Playing very competitive summerball, with bigger rosters, with talented kids who work for playing time (byperforming), and understand the business side of softball is one more step to building a better program.
The upper level isn't for everyone. Tons of teams playing competitively without pushing the upper level by playing geographically tough tournaments. Fortunately, there are many types of teams working different schedules and rosters. Some will keep smaller rosters and remain competitive in their area, while others will expand their rosters bya few to meet the demands of the highest competition.
Competition is good. It is the way collegeteams work. Alot of times, kids who have never sat a game, don't handle sittingand working for a position at the college (or travel) level very well....theypout. It is very emotional for players and their parents. It is risky....butthe better teams get better because of it. Playing very competitive summerball, with bigger rosters, with talented kids who work for playing time (byperforming), and understand the business side of softball is one more step to building a better program.
The upper level isn't for everyone. Tons of teams playing competitively without pushing the upper level by playing geographically tough tournaments. Fortunately, there are many types of teams working different schedules and rosters. Some will keep smaller rosters and remain competitive in their area, while others will expand their rosters bya few to meet the demands of the highest competition.
