Should dad talk or let dd ask?

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Here is my question? My dd is a pitcher and was informed just last week that since she is in every play that she would not be batting, a dh would take her place. The coach told her that way it would be fair to other girls. I was under the impression that the best 9 play. Should dad talk with the coach or allow the 12u dd to address it. (No she isn't the best hitter on team but would fall into the 5th or 6th spot) Thanks for any advice.

 

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Is she the best pitcher on the team? If so is the drop off between her and the number 2 pitcher alot? If so then I can see that as a reasoning but not "to be fair"

 

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You address the coach and tell him that she will be looking for a team that will allow her to pitch and bat. Than ask him which girl is he going to short-change by only allowing her to hit.

The coach is trying to placate parents about playing time by saying that since Suzy is DP'ing, then she is "in the game" and all of the innings of the game count toward her playing time.

 

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You address the coach and thell him that she will be looking for a team that will allow her to pitch and bat. Than ask him which girl is he going to short-change by only allowing her to hit.

The coach is trying to placate parents about playing time by saying that since Suzy is DP'ing, then she is "in the game" and all of the innings of the game count toward her playing time.

Hit the Nail on the Head!!!

 

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You address the coach and thell him that she will be looking for a team that will allow her to pitch and bat.

If your dd is the weakest hitter of the nine on the field, and there is a better hitter on the bench, then yes, I can see the coach using a DH. But if what you say is true, then I suggest follow the above advice from Wvan.....

Len

 

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Let me elaborate on my advice:

At 16U and 18U, I can see this because it is part of the competitive game

But at 12U, it is about development and repetitions. Every girl should be getting equal amount of time at the plate and on defense. It needs to be about everyone getting as many fielding opportunities and batting opportunities as possible.

 

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Dad should handle this one at 12-U ... basically agree with wv on this one as well.

 

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Dad should talk to the coach himself. This is why we only roster 11 players. If you are on a team with 13, or 14 players you should expect this type of thing. You may play for them this year because your have some cash invested, but I would bet you won't be back next year no matter what type of sales pitch the coaches try to sell you.

 

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Let me elaborate on my advice:

At 16U and 18U, I can see this because it is part of the competitive game

But at 12U, it is about development and repetitions. Every girl should be getting equal amount of time at the plate and on defense. It needs to be about everyone getting as many fielding opportunities and batting opportunities as possible.

Agree nail on the head at 12U. 16U and 18U your just a helicopter parent its more about DD proving herself at that point

 

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I say you go as a pair. Let your DD do the talking, and make sure she understands that you are just there for support. This way she gets to stand on her own two feet, but knows you have her back.

Is this a travel team or a community team. Were you of the understanding that the best nine play. Do they plan to hit around the catcher, she is involved in every play as well as lady playing first.

Is the girl that he plans to use as a DP a slapper or a long ball hitter that cant play defense. Every player has a role on the team, but at 12s you have to field the best nine ballplayers if you want to win.

 

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But at 12U, it is about development and repetitions. Every girl should be getting equal amount of time at the plate and on defense. It needs to be about everyone getting as many fielding opportunities and batting opportunities as possible.

Seeing that one very well known coach is back in the spotlight here on OFC, I never once heard anyone admonish him on here for doing this with his team. It was public knowledge that he had girls on the team that all they did was run bases!

My suggestion is back off on the pitching and put some more time into the hitting. No coach in his right mind takes a solid run producing bat out of the lineup, even if its a pitcher. If nothing else he lets them bat and then puts in a courtesy runner.

My guess is she is a middle to lower part of the lineup hitter at this point. There is another player sitting the bench with comparable skills at the plate. I as a coach would make the same call and sit the pitcher and allow her to focus on pitching and not tiring, or worse yet....injury. Don't care if it's 12U, this is travel ball and their is certain standards that should apply from 10U to 18U. This being one of them.

 

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Heres a thought,,,,go work on hitting, get hitting lessons, pitch to your DD. and when her hitting becomes really great she will be in the line up...As far as I was raised, played and now coach, Athelets earn their spot during PRACTICE. Athletes keep their spot in games...If they fail at one or the other playing time will be lost...

 

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At 12U, they should be hitting. It is about development of the players and if they miss a years worth of batting, it will hurt them. Get her some hitting lessons or take her out more and work with her to make her a better hitter, than there will be no excuses on why she doesn't get her at bats. I would seriously consider finding a new team at the end of the season.

 

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Heres a thought,,,,go work on hitting, get hitting lessons, pitch to your DD. and when her hitting becomes really great she will be in the line up...As far as I was raised, played and now coach, Athelets earn their spot during PRACTICE. Athletes keep their spot in games...If they fail at one or the other playing time will be lost...

I agree however, what has she failed, this post stated that she wasn't the weakest hitter nor the best. Unless she is the bottom of the list, she should bat period....

 

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I agree however, what has she failed, this post stated that she wasn't the weakest hitter nor the best. Unless she is the bottom of the list, she should bat period....

Could it be possible that the coach really doesn't think that the player is one of the best nine hitters and he was trying to be gentle in his explanation to the player. I think parents would have a much bigger issue if the coach said, "Your not hitting because you stink at hitting." The parent should ask the coach alone without the player, then maybe you'll get a straighter answer rather than a possible sugar coated player answer...or it could be daddy/parent ball. Anyway, a good rule of thumb is, wherever you think your DD stacks up on the team, drop them down about three places and that's where they really stack up.

Everybody says, "she needs to bat, she needs to bat". Bottom line is you CAN NOT BAT EVERYBODY no matter how much you want to unless the specific tourney rules allow it. Most high level ASA events are bat 9 with DP/Flex. The pitchers are a good choice for a flex. Keeps their mind on pitching and keeps their head from going out the window if they have a bad at bat.

 

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You address the coach and tell him that she will be looking for a team that will allow her to pitch and bat. Than ask him which girl is he going to short-change by only allowing her to hit.

The coach is trying to placate parents about playing time by saying that since Suzy is DP'ing, then she is "in the game" and all of the innings of the game count toward her playing time.

Ding ding... winner.

However make sure you approach in by asking questions first and attempting to share information. If there is not a satisfactory resolution then you can inform him that since she needs to be a hitter you will find another team after this season.

 

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Does she pitch every game? If she pitches every second or third, does she bat when she is not pitching?
Coach should have a master plan and be able to explain it clearly to the players and parents.

 

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Everybody says, "she needs to bat, she needs to bat". Bottom line is you CAN NOT BAT EVERYBODY no matter how much you want to unless the specific tourney rules allow it. Most high level ASA events are bat 9 with DP/Flex. The pitchers are a good choice for a flex. Keeps their mind on pitching and keeps their head from going out the window if they have a bad at bat.

Agreed. Key words are highlighted. I would bet that 95% of the DD playing at 12u will not be playing their current positions IF they get to the college level. How many coaches have heard this line" My daughter is not an outfielder". I think that the best way to approach a coach about playing or hitting time is, parent first then the player. I want to know that the player is concerned about it, not just the parent.

 

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If this player is not on one of those high level ASA teams then she has to prepare herself to get to that level if that her goal. Will it be as pitcher, outfield, or infielder? Who knows at 12U. So she must get time at the plate to sharpen that part of the game.

As others have touched upon much of this depends on the level of ball this team is at and the goals they play under. Using the information that we have and she isn't batting only because she is already in for every play (defensively) I don't like that answer. If she is DH'd for every third game in some sort of rotation with other similar-abilitied hitter then I'd be ok with that.

It is TOO EARLY to take the bat out of a players hands unless you are playing on a top level team and/or that was the way the team was presented.

 

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Everybody says, "she needs to bat, she needs to bat". Bottom line is you CAN NOT BAT EVERYBODY no matter how much you want to unless the specific tourney rules allow it. Most high level ASA events are bat 9 with DP/Flex. The pitchers are a good choice for a flex. Keeps their mind on pitching and keeps their head from going out the window if they have a bad at bat.

Wonder what Doug Finch would have said to little Jenny's coach.