DD Being Forced to Change her Number, might leave team!

[Sparky Guy]

OK... I read all your posts PM, now I have to comment. My daughter went through the same thing 3 times and she survived. The first time was in travel ball. Another player had the number she liked. Notice!!! I did not say "Her" number!!! She chose another. Her freshmen year in HS was the same situation. After that she had her favorite number the final 3 years. The EXCAT same thing happened in college. A senior had the number she liked. She chose another. She then had her favorite number for the next three years.

EVERY organization my daughter has ever played for handled the numbers situation the same way. The player with the most years in the ORGANIZATION got the option of retaining or giving up their current number. If both players had the same number of years the older player got to choose. Tie breaker was a coin flip.

Bottom line is this. THE NUMBER DOES NOT BELONG TO YOUR DAUGHTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It belongs to the organization. If your daughter played for any of the organizations mine did they would have showed her the door if she came up with that kind of non-sense over a jersey number. This is a case of you needing to step in as a parent and tell her to quit whining about "HER" number and choose another.

I saw a very similar situation in HS. There was senior who was upset a sophomore was starting and playing "HER" position. The sophomore was worlds ahead of senior in every facet of the game. The coach told to her in no uncertain terms the postion was not "hers" she had to earn the right to play it. The senior played in a handful of meaningless games and was the biggest PITA imaginable for the rest of the season.

The organization comes first, then the team, then the player. If you or your daughter can't understand that you need to start a DDT and then you can rule your own little universe.

Last thing.. My daughter was the number one pitcher in all of those situations. She never once complained about having to change numbers. It has noting to do with money or any of the other non-sense you cited. It's about seniority and order.

[Demonboy]

Sam, et.al.,

Why wouldn't this same argument be applied to the people joining her team? In other words, if they don't get their way, they'll take their pole barn and go home. What next, my child hits 3rd AND plays SS? I'm absolutely amazed that people elect to attack instead of realizing that the issue is much more than one young player keeping her number. I absolutely agree that this team is in big trouble regardless of whether this young lady stays or goes. Now, if I have a bigger pole barn, can my DD be the #1 pitcher? (FYI, I have my own pole barn! LOL!)

I will acknowledge that this MAY have been handled poorly. I'd probably rather have any team of mine practicing in the snow with orange balls (LOL Sam) than have some rich little snot waltz in and rip my pitcher's number.

HOWEVER,

I am even more shocked at the federal case mom (this can't possibly be a dad. could it? LOL) is making out of it and her princess crying her eyes out as if distraught. If my kid cried over something like this, a team of specialists would have to be flown in from Helsinki to extract my foot from her ass. And don't even get me started on this attitude: "She's only an outfielder. My angel is the number one pitcher! Who DARE they????"

[dustyshoes]

DD will let any teammate have any number she wants but don't mess with her name, Seven

[Cannonball]

Sam, et.al.,

HOWEVER,

I am even more shocked at the federal case mom (this can't possibly be a dad. could it? LOL) is making out of it and her princess crying her eyes out as if distraught. If my kid cried over something like this, a team of specialists would have to be flown in from Helsinki to extract my foot from her ass. And don't even get me started on this attitude: "She's only an outfielder. My angel is the number one pitcher! Who DARE they????"

Agreed! There's more to the story. In the end, it comes down to, "The name on the front of the jersey is more important than the name on the back. (Or in this case number.) Still, I'm guessing more demands from these new parents are in the works. JMHO!

[bradrhod]

Could not agree more. Making a federal case out of this, explains a lot about the way the daughter is taking it as well.

Yes, if a kid off the street has a place to practice (indoor or outdoor) in our area and all they want is a number on the team, I would give it to them in a second. Facilities are hard to come by and are definietly appreciated. We are talking about a #, not a position or other commitments.

As far as retiring a number. If you show up at college and #13 is taken, you would have to switch anyway. I would worry less about the drama over the actual number and spend a lot more time building the character and skill it might take to be an athelete that could be considered for retiring a jersey.

[Judd]

DD should keep number as she was on the team first.

What if the pole barn parents came and posted that their DD should keep the number because she was with the org. longer? Or that they have a pole barn? Would everyone bash them too? I think the OP got a bad rap as she is the one who complained.

But your DD should learn that things are not always fair. To leave the team would be a mistake. Hopefully she realizes this and puts it behind her and has a great season.

Take the sweats and hoodie and have a great season. Good luck

[Sparky Guy]

DD should keep number as she was on the team first.

What if the pole barn parents came and posted that their DD should keep the number because she was with the org. longer? Or that they have a pole barn? Would everyone bash them too? I think the OP got a bad rap as she is the one who complained.

But your DD should learn that things are not always fair. To leave the team would be a mistake. Hopefully she realizes this and puts it behind her and has a great season.

Take the sweats and hoodie and have a great season. Good luck

The other player had more years in the ORGANIZATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The other team folded to the organization moved her into the team. Quit the "ME first" thinking and look at the big picture.

[Blind Squirrel]

Okay this is my opinion and I'll say up front, neither of my kids has ever given a sh*t what number was on their back. It took me awhile to make myself believe this was a real issue that someone was having. A kid crying over having to change her number? Are you friggin kidding me? That is a kid well prepared to deal with life as a teenager and later as an adult. Better have a child psychiatrist on retainer and speed dial because Precious may face future profound indignities like not getting to sit at her favorite desk in a classroom. Wow. And the parent's response provides the reason the kid is in that position.

To paraphrase the great philosopher/linguist Allan Iverson:

We're talking about A NUMBER!!! A NUMBER!!! We're not talking about playing time. We're talking about A NUMBER!!!

Retarded.

John

[Lannie]

It worked out for the best that this kid became the laughing stock of your team? You and DD have had lots of laughs at her expense since then? Wow. Good thing you taught her that material things aren't important.

Sharp, check your manpon.

[Skarp]

It worked out for the best that this kid became the laughing stock of your team? You and DD have had lots of laughs at her expense since then? Wow. Good thing you taught her that material things aren't important.

Sharp, check your manpon.

What are you, 13?