Again having players that have been on both sides. My youngest just picked up with a qualified team, her team didn't make it.Her coach was getting calls as well as us. She didn't want to go to just any team. She wanted to go where she would help the team that wanted her, and also, she didn't want to be that player that played while another girl sat that had been there all year long. Mind you, she could play any where and start. She pitches, and is a fourth pitcher on the new team, so if it's to rest others she's aware of that. She plays infield, and easily would give someone some rest on the long week. And she can hit, and if you can do that, well we all know the saying.
So before we picked up, we made it known, she didn't want to be that kid, and we didn't want to be that family, and if she could help then we are in. I think, IMO, if done right, late additions could benefit all involved. We have no egos to be stroked, and the added competition for my dd was well recieved by her.
And on the other hand she would love to pickup on her older sisters team, clean the dugout and be a bat girl, and she would be stoked at that, as long as she didn't have to play against them
I know this is not the case for many, hopefully for a few, picking, up with another team will spark the desire to keep working, and, the late pickup will give them the experience of always having to bring your game, and a open and good attitude.
Oh yeah, an the added dues help the team..LOL nothing free here..and added a hour of travel to the experience. I know PALE Rider, nothing like your 600 miles drive for practice. Your still my traveling daddy hero!!!!