by PitchersDad99 » Wed Jul 16, 2014 1:38 pm
I think rec. ball is the perfect time to cross that bridge. If players come out of rec. with bunting skills and the knowledge of how to cover a bunt they would make the transition to travel ball much less mystifying. As a coach of a 10u team I could always use 9 players who could bunt (offense or defense). Simply because, if the other team has a good pitcher (in 10u that means she throws fast) I could always switch to small ball and get the other teams defense moving. Conversely if my team understood how to cover bunts then we could minimize the possible damage. Note that in 10u generally having any defensive players moving around can make for opportunities no matter how good they are.
As far as defense, it matters more of what the situation is. Things like lefty or righty, where or if any runners are on base, score of the game, how much time is left, is it an elimination game, can my pitcher effectively throw in on the hands or up in the zone, can my pitcher cover the bunt on the first base side, what the tendencies are of the other coach in that type of situation, etc......
The best teacher is experience and that experience is cheap in rec. The move to travel will hold more scrutiny for every decision you make as a coach.