Having been an all-star coach or manager for four seasons on both sides of the change, I thought the old rules were better. The lineup really drags with 12 batters. The special pinch runner rule in the old rules gave you a little more flexibility on how to get kids playing time. Teams would usually take more players (13-14) under the old rules, since you got an extra coach for doing so and didn't have to bat them all. Now everybody takes exactly 12 players. I think the new rules also further disadvantage smaller leagues that don't have to depth to bat 12 strong players.

Anonymous wrote:My son’s team last year played it competitively and so my son and two other kids sat. For 36 consecutive innings. They each got 1 maybe 2 at bats, so technically they played, but as a parent it wasn’t fun to watch. Did a number on his self esteem, honestly made him want to quit playing baseball. I would have been fine with it, but the other kids who did play a lot weren’t significantly better.

Same here. The same 3 kids sat every inning of every game- through pitching changes, blowout scores, etc. It was really discouraging for my son given he committed his whole summer to play on this team. A few kids were standouts in the field for sure but defensively there wasn’t much difference between the rest. It isn’t as if these 3 (or nearly all kids who make a LL all star team) were unable to catch a fly ball or field a grounder and make routine plays FFS- all 3 play on travel teams as well. I think the newer rules are actually worse in terms of playing time…

Anonymous wrote:I'm a lower division AS manager this year, and very much appreciate this discussion. My expectation is that because we selected kids that can do the basics, we should be able to get everyone in for at least 2-3 innings. I'm grateful for pre-tournament scrimmages to see where people can best succeed. I also recognize the sacrifice the kids and families are making for their summer to play so much baseball - and riding the bench doesn't seem to honor their hard work or commitment to team.

I wish all AS coaches at LL level had this same mentality--thank you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What have people’s experiences been with the continuous batting order, no minimum playing time in the field rule change in LL All-stars? We had a child play prior to the rule change and not again until this year.

I’ve got one playing softball and one playing baseball and am curious what to expect. Both coaches noted the rule at the parents’ meeting. Then, they mentioned how they’d try to get all players in the field, but it could depend on game situations.

Isn't this the first year they are doing it? What do you think it will be like? I mean, every kid will at least get to play even if it's just a couple of at-bats. That's better than riding the bench on a team you earned a spot to be on and watching other kids strike out or get out when you don't even get a chance to bat. It's not that hard to put someone into RF, and come all-stars at the older LL ages all of the all stars can catch a fly ball. And I doubt anyone was selected to all stars who didn't demonstrate some ability to get on base during the regular season.

It started last year.

Ah, my bad

I'm a lower division AS manager this year, and very much appreciate this discussion. My expectation is that because we selected kids that can do the basics, we should be able to get everyone in for at least 2-3 innings. I'm grateful for pre-tournament scrimmages to see where people can best succeed. I also recognize the sacrifice the kids and families are making for their summer to play so much baseball - and riding the bench doesn't seem to honor their hard work or commitment to team.

My son’s team last year played it competitively and so my son and two other kids sat. For 36 consecutive innings. They each got 1 maybe 2 at bats, so technically they played, but as a parent it wasn’t fun to watch. Did a number on his self esteem, honestly made him want to quit playing baseball. I would have been fine with it, but the other kids who did play a lot weren’t significantly better.

Babe ruth is so much better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What have people’s experiences been with the continuous batting order, no minimum playing time in the field rule change in LL All-stars? We had a child play prior to the rule change and not again until this year.

I’ve got one playing softball and one playing baseball and am curious what to expect. Both coaches noted the rule at the parents’ meeting. Then, they mentioned how they’d try to get all players in the field, but it could depend on game situations.

Isn't this the first year they are doing it? What do you think it will be like? I mean, every kid will at least get to play even if it's just a couple of at-bats. That's better than riding the bench on a team you earned a spot to be on and watching other kids strike out or get out when you don't even get a chance to bat. It's not that hard to put someone into RF, and come all-stars at the older LL ages all of the all stars can catch a fly ball. And I doubt anyone was selected to all stars who didn't demonstrate some ability to get on base during the regular season.

OP. I thought the change started last year. I remember the previous rules requiring playing time in the field and at least one at bat. I could be getting them confused with our local league rules and all stars required either field play or an at bat.

Either way, a kid could still find themselves on the bench while the same kids play the field the whole game. It sounds like it greatly depends on the coaching staff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What have people’s experiences been with the continuous batting order, no minimum playing time in the field rule change in LL All-stars? We had a child play prior to the rule change and not again until this year.

I’ve got one playing softball and one playing baseball and am curious what to expect. Both coaches noted the rule at the parents’ meeting. Then, they mentioned how they’d try to get all players in the field, but it could depend on game situations.

Isn't this the first year they are doing it? What do you think it will be like? I mean, every kid will at least get to play even if it's just a couple of at-bats. That's better than riding the bench on a team you earned a spot to be on and watching other kids strike out or get out when you don't even get a chance to bat. It's not that hard to put someone into RF, and come all-stars at the older LL ages all of the all stars can catch a fly ball. And I doubt anyone was selected to all stars who didn't demonstrate some ability to get on base during the regular season.

It started last year.

The same 3 kids pretty much sat full time in the field, just batted- even in games with lopsided scores. One of them was my DS. I think the old rules were better and allowed more playing time for all TBH. But my kid’s head coach was kind of a jerk- many coaches would handle better.

Anonymous wrote:Previous years were pretty competitive all-star games but this year it was less fun and obviously designed to showcase one team. My son's team didn't focus on playing everyone even when ahead of the other all-star team 13-1 and continued to bomb on them. Happy for my son, but there was a lot of "fun" missing and don't think having uneven all-star teams is good for the league. Basically only showcases the coaches kids and the a few other players about to go to select.

Same coach as prior years or different? Because coaches who are like this find ways to be like this regardless of the fair play rules. I'd blame the coach not the rules.

Previous years were pretty competitive all-star games but this year it was less fun and obviously designed to showcase one team. My son's team didn't focus on playing everyone even when ahead of the other all-star team 13-1 and continued to bomb on them. Happy for my son, but there was a lot of "fun" missing and don't think having uneven all-star teams is good for the league. Basically only showcases the coaches kids and the a few other players about to go to select.

Popularity contest and dad coaches.friends group clique.
Pure and simple.
Been like that for years.

Anonymous wrote:What have people’s experiences been with the continuous batting order, no minimum playing time in the field rule change in LL All-stars? We had a child play prior to the rule change and not again until this year.

I’ve got one playing softball and one playing baseball and am curious what to expect. Both coaches noted the rule at the parents’ meeting. Then, they mentioned how they’d try to get all players in the field, but it could depend on game situations.

Isn't this the first year they are doing it? What do you think it will be like? I mean, every kid will at least get to play even if it's just a couple of at-bats. That's better than riding the bench on a team you earned a spot to be on and watching other kids strike out or get out when you don't even get a chance to bat. It's not that hard to put someone into RF, and come all-stars at the older LL ages all of the all stars can catch a fly ball. And I doubt anyone was selected to all stars who didn't demonstrate some ability to get on base during the regular season.

What have people’s experiences been with the continuous batting order, no minimum playing time in the field rule change in LL All-stars? We had a child play prior to the rule change and not again until this year.

I’ve got one playing softball and one playing baseball and am curious what to expect. Both coaches noted the rule at the parents’ meeting. Then, they mentioned how they’d try to get all players in the field, but it could depend on game situations.