Parents threats to coach

[oth6]

I need to vent just a little. A kid starts with a new team in December as a utility player. The new kid plays short and 2nd very well and likes the infield positions. One of the team’s pitchers, probably 2 or 3 in the pitching skills likes the infield positions when not pitching but has some real problems with catching and throwing to first base so the coach has been rotating the new kid at these positions. The pitchers parents give the coach an ultimatum, keep the new kid in the outfield and their kid bobbling balls in the infield or they will pull her from the team. I guess my question to the coach is who is running the team? Am I wrong to think the coach should find his back bone and put players into positions they are best suited at for the overall good of the team?

[Sftbll4ever]

HAHAHAHA.....the coaches response should be, "Grab your stuff and go!!!"

[SoftballSoccerDad]

I need to vent just a little. A kid starts with a new team in December as a utility player. The new kid plays short and 2nd very well and likes the infield positions. One of the team’s pitchers, probably 2 or 3 in the pitching skills likes the infield positions when not pitching but has some real problems with catching and throwing to first base so the coach has been rotating the new kid at these positions. The pitchers parents give the coach an ultimatum, keep the new kid in the outfield and their kid bobbling balls in the infield or they will pull her from the team. I guess my question to the coach is who is running the team? Am I wrong to think the coach should find his back bone and put players into positions they are best suited at for the overall good of the team?

Hi parent of new kid!

[sportykids]

I would say c-ya. The sad thing is that many parents don't have to threaten they just have to ask and their daughter gets a spot where she wants. Some coaches have no backbone. Too bad parents can't remember it's a "team", it's not all about them and their daughter.

[1softball4life1]

You have no control over the coach, and venting might single you out as a non team player. My suggestion to you is not to focus so much on the fact that one kid is playing in the spot that your kid may or may not be better at and focus on skill improvement, confidence and respect with your child. Things will shake out in your favor eventually.

[Iluvblue]

You need to have a coach that doesnt care if the best player on the team leaves. Coaches coach because they like to coach, not just because they want the best team.

Once they reach that point, they will then be able to control the team based upon what is right, and not based upon the desire to keep parents happy.

If a parent comes to me to discuss positions, I will listen and then point out the reasons why their kid isnt playing that position. It is pretty clear IMO. If a kid isnt playing a position, it is because I dont feel they can play it well enough to help the team. No real need to have a discussion about it. if they threaten to leave...... they wont even have the option to stay, i would remove them right then whether they wanted to go or stay. Just the threat to me would mean that kid was gone, no matter how good she was.

[Bleacher bug]

Have you asked the coach why your daughter is not plying the infield. What age are we talking about? Parents tend to forget you can talk with your coach and get their point of view. Maybe he feels he needs a strong athletic center field who can track a ball, catch and throw. Did you here this first hand that the pitcher was leaving if she did not get more infield time or did this come from the Dad on the team who coaches his DD from the stands and loves to stir crap with the parents? Talk with your coach first hand could be a very valid reason.

[oth6]

The girl is not my daughter so I really can talk to the coach, her parents probably will though. They are just worried about causing waves on a new team.
I just thought it strange a coach would buckle and give in so fast.
Many of the other parents have commented about the difference in the two kids infield skills and have talked to the coach or so they say, we will see.