Building a Team

Jeff,

I like the idea of playing with as few players as you can get by with and still have a great team. I think 11, possibly 12, very committed players would be great. If you are playing tournaments only and aren't filling a roster for a regular season and you can have a great team with 10 - then do it. The kids want to play, not watch the game from the bench. The manager of the team I am helping coach decided to take 13. I think that is definately 1or 2 too many for the 10U age group if everyone is committed and shows up to every game. ( and I would definately stress committment at the first parent meeting)

My feeling is if you pick them - you play them. The parents and players should be told ahead of time that the best will most definately play more, but everyone plays. I don't expect a 9 or 10 year old or his parents to travel all over the city and out of town to sit the bench. No one will gain anything by benching a player you selected too much.

The manager of our team is now a little concerned about signing 13. He said if one drops he won't sign any more. One he signed is only for pitching and the parents are fine with that. So that may help a little.

I guess we will see what happens. If it were my team I would stress more committment with fewer players and work hard to select the right players in the beginning. As the kids get older bigger rosters are fine, but I have a hard time benching a 9 or 10 year old much.

Kathy