Walk Off

[LetHerRip]

Recently, my daughter joined a new 9u team, after her fall team had a coaching split. We’ve practiced for 4 weeks and had our first tourney this weekend. My daughter was benched for every game - they even pulled a pickup (and let her play in every game while mine sat). She held it together so good but after Saturday’s game - she cried in the car and asked what she had done. I know the coach is trying to push us out, I’m just not sure why. My daughter is a good ball player… she may not be as strong as some of the others on the team in practice, but she’s always been a gamer. My husband and I are drama -free. I also have an older daughter that plays. I’ve never wanted more than to pull her off this weekend. In 20 years, I wonder how many little players this coach will leave in her wake. I’d rather someone just be accountable and say - I made a mistake choosing your daughter than make her watch a girl that’s not even on our team play. By the way - they lost all three games.

Just not sure what to do. But, I don’t think this is our coach.

 

[yocoach]

Recently, my daughter joined a new 9u team, after her fall team had a coaching split. We’ve practiced for 4 weeks and had our first tourney this weekend. My daughter was benched for every game - they even pulled a pickup (and let her play in every game while mine sat). She held it together so good but after Saturday’s game - she cried in the car and asked what she had done. I know the coach is trying to push us out, I’m just not sure why. My daughter is a good ball player… she may not be as strong as some of the others on the team in practice, but she’s always been a gamer. My husband and I are drama -free. I also have an older daughter that plays. I’ve never wanted more than to pull her off this weekend. In 20 years, I wonder how many little players this coach will leave in her wake. I’d rather someone just be accountable and say - I made a mistake choosing your daughter than make her watch a girl that’s not even on our team play. By the way - they lost all three games.

Just not sure what to do. But, I don’t think this is our coach.

Time to move on. Find a team with a "developmental" philosophy. Up through 12U in travel ball, IMO, it's all about player development in skills and game knowledge. That means lots of reps in practice and even more in games. At 9U/10U, this behavior by the coach is unacceptable. Everyone should be playing and learning . Again, IMO, they should be learning 3 positions at his age. They can fine tune their positions at 12U and limit them to 2. At 14U, it's about continuing their development in individual skills as well as starting to develop the team mentality. At 16U it's about developing the team as a whole and starting the process of college recruiting for those that want to move on to playing at the next level. At 18U it becomes all about winning.

It sounds to me like your coach wants to skip all of the steps in between because it's all about his ego needing to win. There's zero reason to play a pick-up player before a player they have on the team unless it's a much needed pitcher/catcher for the weekend. Should the sub get equal playing time with everyone? Yes. I always treated my pick-up players the same as those on my team so that if I ever needed them to sub again, they would want to. But to ride a paid team player on the pine every game instead of the pick-up player? Absolutely not!

 

[Stedman00]

2 different issues here. IMO.

was the sub filling a need for pitching & / or catching help? If so, its reasonable for them to get playing time.

However, at 9u, there's ZERO legit reasons why every girl doesn't get in every game. Unless it's some issue that really needs to be explained to parents.

all get in games, roster bat, and learn.

I'd wait the 24 hrs, and ask the coach for explanation as to why ZERO time for your DD. Do not compare to others, or denegrate their skills. Strictly ask why she got no time in field & zero at-bats. And very likely, be prepared to walk away.

 

[daboss]

Time to move on. Start the process of trying to get your money back if you want that battle. It's easy to make this difficult but to be honest, what would you really gain. You appear to have every right to handle it however you want but taking the high road to get out of this debacle might be in your daughter's best interest.

I'm not saying this to minimize your situation. It is important. I have experienced people like this before and many times they just make it ugly. If you request your money back and they ask why, shoot with both barrels if you choose. There's no need for this behavior at this age group or any age group for that matter. Good luck.