What is better and why - #1 player on a Bad team -or- #9 or !0 player on a good team

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I'm sure this has been asked here before but...

What is better for development of a player; To be the #1 player on a Bad team, to be the one everyone counts on to make the play

-or-

To be the #9 or 10 player on a good team and be pushed by better players.

I think I know the answer but I'm curious why people feel one is better. I can see some benefit from both.

 

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You'll never get better playing with or against inferior players.

Of course the I could brag how awesome my kid is and check out SEC or PAC10 schools at age 10 because my kid is the best. Since I base my DD's future school based on how great softball program is.

 

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In my opinion it depends on the coaching. If 4 dads are coaching sometimes your daughter gets sat because of their motivation of daughter before team. If their is a high quality coach then you may be better off as a role player on a good team as long as you see opportunities. But I don't believe a player gets better without playing time.

 

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I really don't see any benefit of being the #1 player on a bad team. I am not even sure you need to put a number on them if they try out and make a team that is able to get out there and compete. Each girl brings something different to the table so if she is good enough to make the team there really is no reason to think of a player as a number. A good coach will find a way to make sure everyone is getting their playing time. JMO...

 

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I say being the 9th or 10th on a good team if they also get their chances to play. I feel a team should carry 11 to 13 anyway and everyone has a specific duty and you know that going in. You only get better playing against the best you can and also by playing with the best you can. If you do not get pushed everyday then your mindset will change and once you think you are the best then it is all over for you. Just my opinion.

 

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Neither. Find a team where you will play alot with the best players available. I wouldn't want my kid to be the best on the team and I wouldn't want my kid to be on a great team where she sits. Find a happy medium.

 

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Neither. Find a team where you will play alot with the best players available. I wouldn't want my kid to be the best on the team and I wouldn't want my kid to be on a great team where she sits. Find a happy medium.

I agree completely. If your daughter sits a lot then how can she get any better. Also, If no one is there to push her she can't get any better either. I think the ideal scenario is to find a team where she is right about in the middle. Not the best player but still gets on the field a lot. Having said that... Coaching is the wild card. She needs to be with a coach that brings the best out of her and since every kid is different then you really have to look hard for that "perfect fit"

 

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I say be a good player on a competive team with, and KP can play with us we still nned a catcher

 

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my youngest DD is a middle of the road player on a team that's not what I would call very good...however, the team is playing some very good tournaments and since last fall it has gotten better and she has gotten better. I think what is most important is coaching and competition.

 

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The original question said for development. I assume that means younger ages 10U-12U-first year14U. Development to me means developing skills as well as a love for the game(can't stress the importance of this). Because of this my answer would be try and find the highest level team where you will get quality playing time and be challenged for it. This probably means you will fall somewhere in the middle, not the best player on the team, but not on the bottom end either. Some people are very concerned about coaching. I place less emphasis on that as long as the coach is a good person who treats the kids well and they enjoy playing for him/her. If your kid is going to develop into a college level player, it will not happen because of the work of other people. It boils down to your daughter's desire, natural ability, along with your willingness to put in the time with her. No coach has enough time to put in with your kid to help her reach her full potential, so don't expect them to. Now if the question was about recruiting level ages my answer would be entirely different.

 

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Being the top player on bad teams doesn't promote development. Any player that is satisfied with that role won't reach their potential. They need to be continually challenged in order to fully develop.

True high-level teams at the development ages (10u-14u) are usually the product of good coaches. They know how to recognize talent and foster it's development via team practices, private lessons and working out on their own. Most importantly, they teach players how to play together and compete at a high-level as a team. Good coaches also guide players on how to take what they've developed on their own to perform well in games.

 

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Since almost no one saw the bennifits of being #1 on a bad team here's what I could see younger girls can get from being the big fish in a small pond:
Self-confidence: "I am a better player than a lot of girls"
Self Reliance: "If I want this done I will have to do all I can"
Leadership: If they have a will to win they will try to drag the rest of the girls up with them and do all they can to encourage them.
Reps: you WILL get the ball you WILL get field time.
PLUS - Losing builds Character: But only if they have positive attitude and try to improve.

But...on the other hand often girls in this situation (and their parents) don’t realize how truly BIG the pond really is and they start to believe their own hype. This is the kiss of death.

The girl who at 10 says;”I am the best player in my whole Slow Pitch Rec League so I don't have to practice" or the one at 14 who says of her team mates "We would be at nationals if everyone played like ME" is probably not only not playing D1 (Or D2 or D3 or Community Collage) they wont be playing anything competitive in a very few years.


I think I agree with everyone who says be in the middle of the pack - That seems to be the best of both worlds.
Pulled from the top pushed from the bottom.
Although I 'm sure it will depend on the girls mindset and the team, every girl is different every team is diffrent.

I also think coaches can make or break younger girls. At 10, 12 and to some degree 14 a good coach can make all the difference weather its a great team or a Bad team.