Playing up?

[weasal3]

I would like to hear from experienced coaches please regarding playing up. My DD playing for a pretty good 96 team.(played 14U this summer,won a couple tournys ,didnt fare so well in the stockton ones)
anyway the team is about 60% 96 and 40% 97s
So the coach wants them to play up in 16s this fall (low level "A" and "B)
Would it be better to play the tougher 14 tournaments or better to play in 16s to get the 43 ft. experience. And I think he wants them to stay 16u next summer...thoughts
thanks

[Iluvblue]

No reason to be playing up unless the team was kicking arse. How about the kids learning to WIN. And yes, they need to learn to win. 16u in Fall is a strange place, and with 43ft distance now, probably a place a 14u doesnt need to be. I use the Fall to try and get that swagger into a team. If the coach can keep that team together from Fall into the following Summer, that team will be ready to go.

Play up and do so so, and that team will probably be so so in Summer.
Good is good, and a top notch 14u will whomp 90-95% of the 16u teams. If the team is in that category, probably playing the best 14u teams in an area is a better option.

But I dont know much about much:)

[ThreeDDs]

See mid way through the "14U Fall Rankings" for the same points. Several pros and cons, sort of depends on the team and thier capabilities. We all argee to disagree

Altough I will say this, our girls playing up this past weekend at Regional sure did remember how to fight, we ended up in a decent pool going 4-1.

[ThreeDDs]

Hey Blue, for the fun of it, that is not me pulling a huhnow and huhnow2 trick..that was a good one though.

[Iluvblue]

I said I dont know much.... so what does a huhnow trick work?? I am not sure what you are talking about?????

[ThreeDDs]

read page 6 of the 14U rankings...

[watchtonsofsoftball]

play tough 14s , dont move up. However if he is bound to play 16s in the summer , you might as well either get used to it or move on. Blue/spaz is right...16s littered with 2014s. Always have hated that. As someone who has been through it, I'm telling you waaaaaaaaaaaaait as long as you can. It sucks (watching) at 16s and 18s where the competition falls by the way side. However, the end result is nice, if you can save some cash and get the dd into college ball.

[HAZEFAN1]

I would like to hear from experienced coaches please regarding playing up. My DD playing for a pretty good 96 team.(played 14U this summer,won a couple tournys ,didnt fare so well in the stockton ones)
anyway the team is about 60% 96 and 40% 97s
So the coach wants them to play up in 16s this fall (low level "A" and "B)
Would it be better to play the tougher 14 tournaments or better to play in 16s to get the 43 ft. experience. And I think he wants them to stay 16u next summer...thoughts
thanks

Weasal you sound like I might know you??? hmmmmm did we play with you this summer??? If this is who I think it may be we are doing just fine playing up and the girls are winning, and losing just like other fall teams, and the 43' distance & older pitching is getting the HS kids ready ...is ASA sacramento team tournaments low level A and B??? tell Rudy I said hello if this is you and hope to see you soon...

[weasal3]

Lots of different opinions on this one.Both sides make an excellent case.
I guess once ASA moves the 14-U to 43 feet it won't be an issue anymore.Thanks everyone for your perspectives.
BTW ,I am the one you think I may have could be that person you are thinking that I am.
If you are who I think you are.....your DD is one of my all time Fav players

[HAZEDAD]

well good luck this weekend in Stockton, we will be in the Roseville tourney...but I think the girls probably already told each other...and yes Rudy is ready for 16's...hope to see her soon ..