New to Travel-Is This Modus Operandi?

[txfpcoach]

Unless of course he's a crappy softball coach. Which would once again, be your own fault.

Nice post and great points

[Blind Squirrel]

New to 14Utravel. DD chose to exclusively play softball (easier on all of us), wants to excel. Been dedicating basically 4-5 nights/week last 4 months in strength training/practices. Half of team not involved cuz they're doing other sports. Now that tourneys will be starting and others so dreadfully behind, coach says he likes to put them at top of order cuz they'll get more at bats and they need it. Last friendly dd (one of the few getting hits) was put last and it ticked her off. She's bustin it but then not rewarded? How does it help the team if batters 1-6 can't get on? Do I approach coach about this or let it ride? We got killed in our first official tourney and with entry fees as high as they are doesn't seem to make sense... what do you think?

In a perfect world, the harder workers would always be the best players. Doesn't work that way. Not in 14U travel. Not in the workplace. Not in any human endeavor. Only works out that way when greater time/effort is combined with superior natural talent. Your situation may be due to one of the things others have posted. Or the cold, hard truth MAY be that your kid is not as naturally gifted as others on the team. I have no way of knowing as I don't know your kid. But I have known countless delusional parents.

John

[coolstuff]

I don't have a problem early in the season when coaches give a less capable player more playing time or more at bats to help develop them, and in return, the team. Especially at the younger levels. Later in the season and definitely when you're trying to qualify or win nationals, the better players should be up front.

[Sam]

If the tournament wasn't an ASA National Qualifier, I would keep my mouth shut....but you really haven't done that, have you? How else would you know that the coach wanted the kids that "are behind" to get more at bats. Coaches don't just say that stuff.

In regards to Daddyball....if you aren't willing to run the team yourselves, just shut up. If it weren't for the Daddyball coaches, your kid wouldn't have a place to play. Do you spend on average 20+ hours per week for the benefit of somebody else's kid? The travel coach does. Do you spend over $2,000 per year in support of somebody else's kid? The travel coach does. Do you have to listen to the criticism of a group of whining primadonna parents every week? The travel coach does. If the Daddyball coach's daughter plays every inning of every game a SS, hits third every game, and bats a robust .120.....so be it. If you don't like it, run your own Daddyball program.

[whatever]

"I would keep my mouth shut....but you really haven't done that, have you? How else would you know that the coach wanted the kids that "are behind" to get more at bats. Coaches don't just say that stuff."

Actually, I have kept my mouth shut and that's why I just mentioned it on this forum to get objective opinions as I don't want to tick anyone off. The coach did just say that to me at BP the other day. And for the record I just told his wife how amazed I was with their time and dedication - how I really appreciated it.

Wow - are all softball forums this brutal? I'm not a maniacal parent living through my child, just had a question and thought this was to place to throw it around.

[Sam]

"I would keep my mouth shut....but you really haven't done that, have you? How else would you know that the coach wanted the kids that "are behind" to get more at bats. Coaches don't just say that stuff."

Actually, I have kept my mouth shut and that's why I just mentioned it on this forum to get objective opinions as I don't want to tick anyone off. The coach did just say that to me at BP the other day. And for the record I just told his wife how amazed I was with their time and dedication - how I really appreciated it.

Wow - are all softball forums this brutal? I'm not a maniacal parent living through my child, just had a question and thought this was to place to throw it around.

Uhh...the coach just came out and said it....to you....amazing that he would just come out and say something like that without prodding. And you appreciate the time and dedication, but certainly not to the point where you wouldn't complain about the batting order in a meaningless tournament. Right.

Nobody said you were a maniacal parent...but your complaint was one typically made by a maniacal parent living through their daughter.

This wasn't even close to brutal. Consider it "tough love."

[whatever]

Wasn't complaining - didn't understand the logic. And it was an NSA tourney with a berth to the Series. Are you a coach?

[Sam]

Wasn't complaining - didn't understand the logic. And it was an NSA tourney with a berth to the Series. Are you a coach?

Been coaching for quite a while. You can go to the NSA World Series by just paying to get into the tournament....very similar to TCS, USSSA, and even AFA.

[whatever]

Thanks Sam. Didn't know that. Appreciate your perspective and will sit back and let the coach, coach.

[Sam]

Thanks Sam. Didn't know that. Appreciate your perspective and will sit back and let the coach, coach.

If your DD is not happy with her spot in the batting order, it is completely acceptable for HER to ask the coach about moving up. The coach should appreciate the player's assertiveness and aggressiveness....could score her some extra points. He should gain respect for you also, since he didn't have to deal with an unhappy mom or dad...he got to deal directly with the person effected by his decisions. Good luck.