Pick up players for Nationals not such a great thing?

[RACER X]

My DD's team has had what can be easily called a "dream season." We have a GREAT group of of parents and players. The Coaches are awesome and well respected in the softball world. We went into States with a good team knowing we had a chance, but had to play at our best levels. Well, we did...and we're headed to Nationals.
Unfortunately, all of this is now being overshadowed. Soon after we qualified, our coach started posting for pickup players. In fact we have already picked up one player and have had interest from a couple others...though they were not offered postions.
Here's the problem: The player that was picked up has all but bumped one of our original starters. Both players have great gloves, the original player has a great bat and hits for average, the new player hits for power (BIG POWER) but she is also very slow. Both players play the same position. (You can judge which would be more valuable)
As you probably guessed, the original player and parents are quite upset. They have been here from the start and have put in countless hours doing fundraisers and team events. She has always been a starter and hit in the top 5 for the entire season.
Believe it or not, the majority of our problems are coming from several of the other parents and players on the team. Most feel that we should go with the team that got us there. Some feel that we should pick up players to help us go further.
My concern is that the coach doesn't seem to be interested in improving on any particular postion. he just seems to be looking for anyone that may be a little better than what we already have.
As for my DD, I would consider her "vulnerable." One of the players that tried out also plays the same position as her. Coach is in the dark over this and I have never been to Nationals...is this normal?

I see many teams posting for pickup players...how does everyone deal with this? How would you deal with it if you were in my position?

[GSB]

My DD's team has had what can be easily called a "dream season." We have a GREAT group of of parents and players. The Coaches are awesome and well respected in the softball world. We went into States with a good team knowing we had a chance, but had to play at our best levels. Well, we did...and we're headed to Nationals.
Unfortunately, all of this is now being overshadowed. Soon after we qualified, our coach started posting for pickup players. In fact we have already picked up one player and have had interest from a couple others...though they were not offered postions.
Here's the problem: The player that was picked up has all but bumped one of our original starters. Both players have great gloves, the original player has a great bat and hits for average, the new player hits for power (BIG POWER) but she is also very slow. Both players play the same position. (You can judge which would be more valuable)
As you probably guessed, the original player and parents are quite upset. They have been here from the start and have put in countless hours doing fundraisers and team events. She has always been a starter and hit in the top 5 for the entire season.
Believe it or not, the majority of our problems are coming from several of the other parents and players on the team. Most feel that we should go with the team that got us there. Some feel that we should pick up players to help us go further.
My concern is that the coach doesn't seem to be interested in improving on any particular postion. he just seems to be looking for anyone that may be a little better than what we already have.
As for my DD, I would consider her "vulnerable." One of the players that tried out also plays the same position as her. Coach is in the dark over this and I have never been to Nationals...is this normal?

I see many teams posting for pickup players...how does everyone deal with this? How would you deal with it if you were in my position?

I can see how it kinda sucks. Its travel ball baby. On the flip side, the extra competition for spots may force your DD to work harder to improve on her skills, thus making her a better player in the long run.

[PDad]

I'd be interested to hear what typically happens the next year with the pick-up and displaced players. Does either one return to the team or do they both find new teams?

[DDG]

Hang in there Racer X. This is common with many teams once they qualify for Nationals and other players become available when their teams are no longer in ASA Championship play. I think the experience you will get by going, and having the best team possible will be great for your kid. I also bet everyone will get playing time. If the coaches are as good as you say, they will recognize the value of having different tools available (power vs. speed, etc.).

I understand not being happy about it - all the hard work by the girls to get the team there. Hopefully, the coaches make everyone feel they are all valuable assets to the team.

FYI – the work the parents do should not be part of the decision on who plays. Otherwise, people will start buying playing time (I can’t afford that).

[Sftbll4ever]

FYI – the work the parents do should not be part of the decision on who plays. Otherwise, people will start buying playing time (I can’t afford that).

In the instance of a Pick Up player coming in and taking the playing time of a kid that has been there allllll season and whose parents have worked just as hard as any other parents for team for fundraising, I think it is crap to have a pick up player come in and take playing time away from those kids.

I think you go with the team that got you there and have those kids on the bench ready to go incase of injury, dehydration... You use a pickup player in lieu or your original players, you basically have a coach who has no faith in the players he picked and got him there.

[dodgerblue]

I agree go with the team that got you there to begin with. Most pick up players tend to be pitchers because it doesn't hurt to have another pitcher on the bench ready to come in. But on the other hand I know of a couple of people that went to nationals as pick up players and didn't see any playing time and all told me that they would never go to nationals as a pick up players ever again.

[balcaoch3]

Wait till you get to the 18U and Gold level it gets worse!!!

[Sftbll4ever]

Wait till you get to the 18U and Gold level it gets worse!!!

I was thinking the same thing. I know of many Gold coaches who recruit kids to play for them just so they don't play against them in a big game. Those girls than sit the bench.

[pixsguy]

any competitive coach, at any level, is gonna recruit for extra players once they make nationals for 1 of 2 reasons...in case of injuries...jump start on recruiting for next year...lakewood didnt pick up one year and the injury bug left them short...they max out roster every year...american stars did it another year and lost half their team...your kid needs to step up and show the coach she can handle the job...

[Sftbll4ever]

I think it is ok to get the pick up players, as long as it is made clear that they may not play and are there incase of injury. Some kids still want to go, others, not so much.

You still need to play the team that got you there.