The Right Number

[SoCal_Dad]

Younger age groups 10-13u - 11 girls. 14u & up - 12-14 girls. Jobs, boyfriends, school activities, and type of schedule are all factors. If you listened to the podcast, western teams carry almost a full roster (20+) girls. I'm seeing more teams in Ohio carry 12 and I think we will see that number rise in the coming years as coaches learn how to manage the larger size rosters.

Teams do carry larger rosters out here, however 20+ is rare. It is also fairly common for SoCal teams to pick up some players for Nats, so you really need to look at their website to see their normal roster. Corona Angels is the only org I know of that regularly carries 20+, but they also know how to manage them.

Here is a 2 minute video where a couple of tOSU recruits talk about how it pushes them - Corona Angels' Taylor White and Ashley Goodwin.

The roster on Marty's website shows 19 players (all committed) and his PGF roster has 20. Comparing the rosters, his 4th pitcher left and he picked up an IF and an OF. The PGF stats for 2 bracket games over 2 days show 17 players have batted and 2 of his 3 pitchers have pitched (click here).

Roster size really comes down to the ability of the players and the coach to manage it. Coaches shouldn't simply add bodies to have a larger roster. They should only take additional players that are capable of playing at his team's level and will push the other players. They also shouldn't take additional players if they're not comfortable setting up player rotations.

 

[SoCal_Dad]

Does the type of team play any role in this? A showcase team vs. a team that is focused on ASA or PGF.

Type of team does play a role.
- Younger teams (10-12U) should carry smaller rosters (11-12) so everyone can get substantial playing time.
- Teams with multi-sport athletes may carry a larger roster due to schedule conflicts.
- Older teams (14U-18U) should carry larger rosters (13-15) because injuries happen more often.
- Showcasing teams with a lot of committed players can carry a larger roster than ones with few committed players.

 

[FastBat]

11 committed players. Easy to rotate.

 

[ech92]

We took 12 girls one season and it was not fun as a coach . I'm a believer that if I selected you on the team then you deserve to play ( unless you show me you are not committed to the team ) . I did my best to play everyone every game , even made sure if a girl didn't start game 1 then she started game 2 . Even after doing this I still had upset parents after every tournament . I'll never go over 11 girls again . It is way too easy to find subs at any point in the season if needed . Just my opinion .

 

[Dawgsdad]

Great debate. Good arguments on both sides between 11 and 12 players. Definitely not 10!

 

[JoeA1010]

As SoCalDad and others said, it depends on what type of team.

If it is a younger team or a team that doesn't care about college exposure, then carry 11 or so maximize playing time.

If it is a 16-U, 18-U or maybe even 14-U team that is trying to get its players recruited, then carry at least 13 and up to 16 players. In tournaments where the sole purpose is exposure, make sure the girls play when coaches are there to specifically watch them and divide up the playing time so everyone plays. In tournaments such as qualifiers or Nationals, it's time in bracket play to try to win, just as a college team would play. In the summer, with multiple pitchers, probably two catchers, injuries and multiple games in a day, most of the team is going to be utilized by a decent coach. But having to compete for playing time is a good thing, as it will happen to the girls in college. The toughest adjustment that college players face, in my opinion, is all of the sudden having the pressure to compete for playing time.

Also, for the travel team itself, as I am seeing over and over here at 16-U ASA Nationals, if you have 10-11 players, you're going to find yourself in trouble. I have seen it twice just today with Ohio teams and injuries. Teams play maybe 100 games between summer and fall these days. A girl who plays 70 of those games is playing a ton of softball.

 

[FastBat]

Now that's some serious math!

 

[coachjwb]

I do agree that you can probably get by with 11 at the younger ages if they are all super committed and healthy. I also believe that some of the parents/coaches on these younger age teams think we are crazy when we say you need to have more when the girls get older. I have coached softball, baseball, basketball, flag football and soccer, and travel softball is the only sport I know where parents often demand that teams barely carry enough players to field a team.

 

[CoachP]

Commitment is the key. 11 has had the fewest issues for me at all levels. Planning is the key. Put together a team vacation schedule as soon as you set your roster. It may vary some, but the sooner you get it out there the better chance players/parents can plan ahead.

 

[Dawgsdad]

We are going to be a true 12U this year. One coach wants 11 and the other wants 12. Having 12 sounds like it might be tough for playing time, not giving playing time but enough earned playing time.

 

[Coach32]

12 is a great number if your willing to use all 12 girls. On our team we have the belief that if your good enough to make our team then you should be able to play. Now if there is missed practices or issues that is different. We also take full use do dp/flex and EH. If your team is a very wide level of talent and to be competitive you must play top 7-8 then you run into issues with your bottom 2-3. If your in that position then 11 might be better number and easier to handle. Again as has been stated communication is key, with players and parents.

If your playing deep on Sundays and bigger tournaments it then becomes easier for playing time. We carry 2 catchers 3-4 pitchers so on hot weekends we rest them or split games so that helps also. But it really comes down to usage of your players, player flexibility and confidence in your group top to bottom.