School/Select

[baseballskipper23]

I recently started coaching softball, and we had a fantastic first year. However, of my 13-15 girls, two play select. It is a struggle to get them to the contact days. They simply will not commit to their school teammates and show leadership and help make them better. I am wondering if anyone has a policy on this. They are two of my best players, but I feel like they should be there. Any thoughts or struggles? With not attending my summer stuff, it really limits the leagues my team can play in. Kind of sad, really. Would you play them in the fall if they do not attend anything all summer? Just curious and want to see if anyone else deals with this problem.

I coach baseball as well, and wanted to post it here, too. To me, this is a growing problem.

 

[tiny1972]

While I respect your efforts to build your programs, these athletes and their parents have to do what's in their best interest. If they have a chance to play with elite players and against top competition, you in all fairness should'nt try and stop them. My son play's at a class3 school where the better players all play on select teams. With those who don't, our HS coach forms a summer team and plays a 20-25 game schedule for them. This way his top players are completing at high levels and he's developing the rest. It's been a good system that has worked at our school in recent years.

 

[KidKarson]

Let them go play select ball. They are seeing better competition probably and you get to develop more kids. Kids that would be sitting on the bench if your select players were there. I think it is a win/win situation.

 

[Willard Baseball]

Anytime you start using subjective measures to determine playing time, your program will suffer. One of those things is participation in summer softball/baseball. If they are 2 of your best players, you have to play them.

We have had quite a bit of success the past 3 years, and that is in large part because all of our players (or at least our starters) have played for us in the summer. Where we have run into trouble is when we have a guy that needs to get reps at a position, and he spends the summer at another position, or plays on a "select" team that is playing at a below average level.

If you are a junior playing JV and are on a "select" team, how select is that team?

Ultimately, you have to play the best players, and if they feel their development is better with somebody else, then they need to do that. In your situation, if they are truly your better players, then you can use that time to develop some other players into bigger roles.

Where this is a negative is when your players in the range of 7-14 don't play for you, it can really make things tough for the next season in evaluating those players and developing them into a role they can help you.

 

[centerfield12]

I don't see why they can't do both. Being a travel team player and coach I can tell you that majority of the tournaments are played on weekends and the majority of these teams don't play mid week games. I don't see why they can't play with you during the week (if you so choose, being it is your program) and play with their select team on the weekends. They are getting double the reps that way and it helps both them and your program. But benching them for wanting to play at the highest and most competitive level they can isn't setting a good example. Some might see it as you punishing them for choosing to better themselves. Select teams arent about the team as much as they are about the individuals especially at the younger high school levels (15,16,17). The 16 and 17 years in select ball are about the players showcasing themselves and bettering themselves as individuals.

 

[baseballskipper23]

I appreciate the feedback. There are no absolutes, I just want my best players leading my players. We do our stuff in the middle of the week so everyone can be there. I guess I just see it as a slap in the face when players choose to not show up when they have the time to show up. Especially, since it is clear we can develop players. I have my whole career. I just wanted to some other opinions and thoughts. Thanks, fellas.

 

[Eyezen]

If this was basketball or football I would have a different take. They are playing select ball and more than likely playing above or at a bare minimum at least even with the skill level of your current team. For the most part, SS is shortstop. RF is right field. Its not like your trying to work in sets, formations, plays etc. As far a leadership goes, you say they are your two best players, it shows the others what it takes to be better. Leadership is not always rah rah and leading stretches. Also with 13-15 girls, with 1-2 playing elsewhere, this gives 10-15 more reps they wouldn't otherwise always get.