Pick up players for Nationals

[heybucket]

Good or bad to pick up players for nationals what do you guys think?

[CB_8]

My initial thought is bad. As a manager I couldn't sit any girl that has been with me all year so another that may gives us a better chance plays, I have a problem with that. As well as asking someone to fork out a lot of money to play in case of injury.

[coolstuff]

Good or bad to pick up players for nationals what do you guys think?

Good if you have a player or players whose families can't or won't give up a week to go to nationals and you're short a few players. I don't understand it but I've seen it happen.

DD's team lost two players to injury just this past week, and they are out for the season. Wouldn't be OK to pick up at least one player for insurance? If she turns out to be a stud, wouldn't you play her?

I think the rules of the various governing bodies require that a team playing in the nationals has to have X number of players who were on the roster when the team qualified for nationals, or something like that.

[SoftballJunkie2]

So you pick up a stud - sit a player that played with your team the whole year. How does that affect other players - with the player who obviously was good enough to get the team there and with the family who committed to play - took off work - and is paying for the trip.

I agree you probably need a pick up player - but how do you make it right with the other players? I really don't have an answer. I'm on the fence.

[TulsaEliteGold]

We address pick-up players upfront before any player joins our team fulltime. We only pick-up players if any injuries already exist or other reasons to prevent rostered players from being available to play; however once we pick up a player, even just for 1 tournament or nationals, that player is treated just like any other member of the team for that tournament and will get adequate playing time to their abilities and the teams needs.

[Demonboy]

Just wait until Gold. More college players are being brought back every year.

[CB_8]

Mine is from a 12U perspective

[Bucket Mom]

My feeling is that you dance with the one that brought you and the only exception to this would be an injured player or a player that cannot attend nationals and the position needs to be filled. If you have a full roster I think it is crazy to try to manufacture a super team at the last minute to win a championship. Stick with the girls that put in the work the entire season and pick up better girls in the fall if you feel you need more talent. Just my opinion.

[Randi Jo]

Participating in ASA nationals is an incredible experience and only 70-120 teams per division earn that opportunity each year. That means at least 1,500,000 girls are sitting at home that week, and I welcome the opportunity to give those players the ASA National experience.

Usually, pick up player knows their role (pinch hit, runner, etc.) ocassionally they earn the opportunity for a larger role. Parents need to keep things in perspective, are your daughters going to remember how many innings they played or how many at bats they had at Nationals? No, personally I only remember the bus ride from Colorado to Cooperstown, NY, opening day, pin trading, watching those amazing California teams play and having fun with my team mates.

And yes, even though I am a coach, my dd sat the bench at Nationals one year for a pick up player. We both surrived and she is a much better player for that experience.

ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE - and if you don't get much time on the field - MAKE THE EXPERIENCE OF THE FIELD THAT MUCH BETTER!

Good luck to all!

[play4fun]

Let's see....

10-11 players from the regular season
1 or 2 only pitch which leaves 9 or 10 to play the field
HOT, nasty weather in Midland which the girls are not use to.
Need someone to run for pitcher(s) so that she doesn't get hurt since we are going to make it to the championship
Make allowances for heat exhaustion and unknown injury
make allowances for someone struggling at the plate or on the field

YES

I would bring pick up players! Teams don't attend nationals because little Suzy gets a vacation; they attend it to win. Pick up players should know their role and the original team members should know that if they don't do the job right or need help that someone will be brought in for them.
This is the same concept that occurs during regular season of "A" ball and nationals should be no different.