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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I coached softball. Here’s what I found and what I told parents:

This is travel ball. It is a select team. Yes, we are developmental, but playing time is neither even nor guaranteed.

In doubleheaders and pool play on Saturdays I bat the roster and rotate the defense evenly. Everyone gets an opportunity. That doesn’t mean your kid starts at their preferred position if there are other players better in that spot, but I will look for opportunities to put them there to give them a chance to prove themselves.

On elimination Sunday, however, only the best 9 are starting. And that “best 9” is situational — [b]who worked hardest in practice that week, [/b]who produced on Saturday, who hits fast pitching better versus slow pitching (and vice versa). A lot of variables. And that “best 9” might change game-to-game if we advance, depending on the opponent. If your kid is on the bench, I will try to get them into the game, either as a courtesy runner or as a pinch hitter, but it’s entirely situational.

One time we lost our first game and were out of the tournament early. One kid didn’t play in that game. Parents start screaming at me. I looked at them evenly, told them they signed up for this and reminded them of the player contract they signed that, among other things, had a 24-hour rule.

I cut the kid the next day. [/quote]

This is hilarious. It is NEVER about who worked hardest in practice. It is annoying that coaches say this. They give false hope to parents and kids that if they were amazingly hard at practice they are going to get to start.

It is a catch-22 for bench players. They don't play much so don't get the opportunity to demonstrate if they have progressed. When you only get one shot to bat, players have more stress on them. The kid that knows they are going to bat three times every game doesn't have to worry about striking out one of those plate appearances. They can be more aggressive and take chances. The bench player might not get a good pitch, might have to sacrifice bunt, might be told to take pitches to try and walk.

Let's be honest -unless a bench player has a pretty big growth spurt or their parents starts coaching chances are they are NEVER going to play much.They are there to be filler players and help subsidize the team financially.  Most coaches don't care and like this obnoxious coach will cut the player if the parent complaints. It doesn't matter because they can string another bench player on for a year or two. [/quote]

+1 generally agree with this

At 11U and below (maybe even through 12U)[b] it is developmentally inappropriate to have “bench players” or kids who get only “token playing time” or sit full games.[/b] At that age, this is completely absurd, and I have never seen this on even the most elite baseball teams. That doesn’t mean playing time will be equal- not at all- but typically they will bat the roster in all games through at least 11U and every kid will get some defensive innings in all games. If a kid is being benched at 11U, you have a bad coach. Period.  Finish the season, thank the coach sincerely for his time, don’t badmouth, and find a new team.

For older kids 12U/13U/14U- yes things get more competitive and rosters expand. Usually lineups will be shortened to 9 or 10 on Sundays/bracket play. But weaker players should be getting quality playing time on Saturdays at minimum- and good coaches usually find a way to work them in situationally on Sundays too. If at these ages, your kid is getting only token playing time- he is on the wrong team. Period. It isn’t going to change based on “who has a good practice” etc. Hilariously unrealistic.. Barring a roster change, injury, or crazy growth spurt- your kid’s role as “token player” is NOT going to change. A kid’s role is his role, and that role is usually pretty obvious after 2-3 tournaments or 10ish games. Heck, it is usually obvious after watching a few practices. Also playing in such a role at this age level is not good for development - for so many reasons. Finish the season, thank the coach sincerely for his time, don’t badmouth, and find a new team.

And make sure to follow the “don’t badmouth” advice. Never speak negatively to anyone about the situation no matter how unfair you feel it may be. Coaches all talk. And with new teams- asking about your player’s expected role is a good idea. Especially at the younger ages. Most coaches will tell you honestly. [/quote]

The thread topic is "when coaches lie." The situation I described involved no lying and no promises. Expectations were made clear up front and in writing.  If you want equal playing time, go play rec ball. It's a better experience for many.  But what you DON'T do is accept the terms and conditions and then complain about them later if they negatively affect your child.

No one has lied here. [/quote]

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