Utility player or One girl, one position?

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Okay, I have to ask you all what you think of this philosphy.

At 12U & 14U, there is a local team that the coaches tell the girls what position they will play. They are expected to ONLY play that position. Most interesting thing was last season, a couple of them subbed up for another team in their organization. When the position they needed subbed wasn't the position these girls could play, they were lost. They literally didn't know HOW to play any other position.

Now, when my son started ball years ago, the first visit to his pitching coach went like this, "Son, what postions do you play?" my son answered, "I'm a pitcher". That question was asked of him a couple of more times and my son's answer was the same. The pitching coach stopped the interrogations by informing my son that he needs to be more than just a pitcher. "Look at Griffey, he started out as a 1st baseman"

So the question is, Utility player or a girl who only plugs into ONE position?

 

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A coach that plays kids at one position is not doing them any favors! 1. There is always going to be someone that is better than you and if you can only play one position you are in trouble. Fact Two of the best players I have seen played for the lasers at short and pitcher. Both in college are playing outfield. The point is above, if they had only played short and pitcher, they would be riding the pine in college. I can't count the number of college coaches that point out they want kids that can play different positions . If little karen only plays first base in daddy ball, some day she is going to suffer for this.

 

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10u, almost every position. Naturally the pitchers have to be skilled as well as catchers. We give em' a chance early on in winter/spring scrimmages/league play and work them. I have my coaches help us build a depth chart of 3-4 deep and we practice this way. What this means is we have to ask (and we just did this last week) what 3 or 4 positions can "Sally" play. In reality, this is hard to do but gives us a real shot of developing fundamentals at several positions. Most girls that play for us will see game time in 3 or 4 spots (not just moving them in the outfield) during our season so they can find a comfortable spot. Some girls will "sprout" as they grow into a position and be a dream come true when a starter is sick or not there do to vacation and what not.

 

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Oh man, great question. Now if you ask parents, they'd say one thing, the primary position and I was one of those people years back. The more positions the ladies know they better rounded they are. Even sitting on the bench during a game, they need to have their head in it, so that if they are called to get in it, they know who is hitting where, tendancies, etc. The good coaches will involve them on the bench as well saying things like ok if you get it what would you do? Or what pitch would you throw? things like that.

We are indebted to those coaches that helped and continue to help our dd's and they know who they are, with regards to their abilities today at all the positions they have put them and showed them how to play it.

 

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My dd spent her first three years in travel as an outfielder and a very little bit of third base time b/c she had played third base in rec. ball. This year, new team w/ a new coach one of the first things the coach asked the girls was " what three positions don't you want to play" beside catch and pitch. When they told him the three positions he said "ok those are the first three position I am going to teach you" I thought it was a great idea! The more positions she knows the more valuable she is to not only her coach but any coach she has in the future.

My dd is a Utility player, she plays ss,second and center. That looks a lot better on the resume if you ask me and she is really enjoying learning new positions.

 

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I think the most valuable players are the ones who know many positions. You never know what is going to happen and if you aren't deep at all the positions, you will be in trouble. I'll take a strong player who knows all the positions and coverages over a strong player with one position any day!

 

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I just went back thru my notes from a college recruitment camp/clinc. We recruit athletes first that can play multi positions. They also like kids that play multi sports and are althletic. That they can't teach. We can teach them to play softball.

 

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Always make sure your dd's are versatile at many positions. My left handed dd is only 12 and knows (fairly well) the following positions: catcher, 1B, 3B, and outfield. Teaching kids multiple positions also helps them understand the game a bit better, which in turn keeps them more interested in the game. It's a win-win situation.

Len

 

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I'd say ditto to SBFamily. We had friends dd who went through the recruiting process and the multi-position player is favored, although there are coaches who recruit pitchers and SSs with the intention of converting them to other positions because of their arm strength. Our youngest was a 2b for her first two years and played it fairly well, but was lost in the OF during tryouts last August. During Fall ball, her coach rotated all his players she got a chance at all the positions, and I think, is helping become a better player. She got the invitation to her travel team after the coach saw her play one of her "off " positions during a doubleheader. I remember playing just about all the positions, other than catcher as well. It was fun doing that.

 

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the best answer i ever heard is "where ever you need me coach" I would rather have a team full of utipity players that want to give their all to win, than a bunch of girls that are position players...

 

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"ok those are the first three position I am going to teach you" I thought it was a great idea! The more positions she knows the more valuable she is to not only her coach but any coach she has in the future.

Loove the idea! I have had everyone of my girls at least "try" to pitch. This actually gives them a better perspective of what its like facing a batter. Granted, it was their own player but many were humbled after trying out that mound! They were always cheering on the pitcher instead of rolling their eyes when that pitch would miss for a ball!

 

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SBFAMILY, many college coaches that I have talked to over the years do like players who have played multiple positions. Most of them also have outfields littered with excellent SS's.

I know that on our travel team this year, at every position we have at least three players who could start there and do a great job. The fact is one of them will win the spot and the others will continue to push. Of course during the entire season (and especially the offseason) we work with every player on all skills infield and outfield related. Very few college freshman step right in and take an infield spot. Especially if it is a high quality team. Every player better know how to play multiple positions.

 

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Like our friend Bill likes to remind us from the Slammers, you can't teach speed. Good coaches like you know how important it is to teach players many different skills. Speed is a weapon and if they have it teach them how to use it. Short and Centerfield better be two of your fastest players. I shake my head when I see coaches put a kid in one spot and never move her and never let her play anywhere else in practice.

 

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I believe every player should have 1 or 2 positions infield and know how to play outfield as well. The game is very different from each perspective and it only helps them become better players doing both. On most of those teams that play girls in one position it's usually only outfield. I've always sought teams for my DD's that will give them opportunities at both to give them the best chance for success down the road.

 

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COACH: "What position do you play?"

PLAYER: "I will do my best to play whatever position my team needs me at today."

With few exceptions - such as pitcher, catcher and MAYBE middle infield - this should be ingrained in every softball player that has any plans to play college ball. Then, work on the skills needed to actually do it.