16 PLAYERS AND PLAYERS THAT ONLY PITCH AT 12U?

[DirtyLaundry]

I know most 16U and 18G teams carry 15 or 16 players. I understand that some of these teams also have players that only pitch. Most organizations do a good job getting these girls the college exposure they need and I can see how these numbers work at that level.

One organization is now requiring their 14U and 12U teams to carry 16 players. Each team will carry 5 pitchers and those girls can only pitch. When is it too early to have a player be a pitcher only? Is 16 too many players for a 12U team?

[OCwildcatMom]

I guess it would depend on each family. For me that would not be a good fit. At 12u and 14u I look for a team that carries no more the 12 players.

[hotwheels]

I guess it would depend on each family. For me that would not be a good fit. At 12u and 14u I look for a team that carries no more the 12 players.

Very well said....12 or maybe 13 players at the most for 12U and 14U....Pitchers should have a secondary position at this age as well....The pitchers on our team get regular time at another spot......Granted, our roster is small at 11 players currently but will hopefully reach 12 soon but these girls are all softball players and should get some regular work at a secondary spot in 12's and 14's for sure......JMHO for what it's worth.....

5 full time pitchers means a lot of sit time for those girls.....I like 3 or 4 pitchers at this age level.....If each girl "GETS A GAME" during a 3 game friendly that means you will have 2 girls that don't play at all.......Doesn't make sense to me....

[dodgerblue]

One organization is now requiring their 14U and 12U teams to carry 16 players. Each team will carry 5 pitchers and those girls can only pitch. When is it too early to have a player be a pitcher only? Is 16 too many players for a 12U team?

Money driven, that's way too many players for 12U I don't care what org. you belong to. I think that 16 girls is a lot at any division but that's the norm come 16 or 18G. One reson being in the older divisions it's because as girls verbal they try to get the ones that haven't commited more time than the ones that are committed. 12U and 14U I think 12 is a good number 14max.

[bucndranch]

At 12 & 14's its about playing time. As a pitchers parent and part of running an organization, I would not play for a team with more the 3 or 4 pitchers or 12 - 13 girls. This way each girl gets their game pitching and each girl gets plenty of time on the field playing. What if your DD no longer has the desire to pitch or has an injury that prevents pitching, had she been developed in another postion she could still play.

College coaches are not going to care what the team name is on her resume that she played for in 12's! They are going to look at her ability when that time comes! JM2cents!!!

[Area51]

Agree. 12U and 14U players need to experience game situations to keep developing. A 12U coach with 16 players on the roster has ego issues.

Regarding the other question, I'd be curious to know how many college teams outside the top DI programs have the luxury of carrying dedicated pitchers on their roster. My guess is that an "average" pitcher would be more attractive to an "average" college program if they could also play another position. I've heard college coaches make comments like that about catchers who can also play IF/OF. Unless you're convinced you have the next Cat Osterman, it might be wise to play somewhere else in the field, at least into 14U. I'm sure there are others, however, with better insight than I have.

[J Fierce]

As much as i despise the dodgers , I agree with dodgerblue. It's money driven. An extra 3-4 players is an extra 3-4 dues payments. As for pitchers, gotta have a secondary position that they can play at average or an above average level. Nothings gauranteed.

[NORCALGOLD]

At 14u and lower your DD should be on a team thats gives her plenty of playing time in many positions. If she is getting very little playing time or only pitching she is on the wrong team.
Our 18 gold team is full of ex pitchers right up to 16u and some are still pitching on their High School Team. These expitchers will never pitch on our gold team.
At Gold is when it is more common for your pitchers only to pitch.

[MVPETE]

At 14u and lower your DD should be on a team thats gives her plenty of playing time in many positions. If she is getting very little playing time or only pitching she is on the wrong team.
Our 18 gold team is full of ex pitchers right up to 16u and some are still pitching on their High School Team. These expitchers will never pitch on our gold team.At Gold is when most of your pitchers only pitch.

I agree, let them develope in different positions at 12U! Why limit potential greatness at other positions!

[pitchersmom96]

Not only pitching time but what about hitting? 16 players and only 3-4 innings in a friendly how many at bats is each player getting? I would say not a lot at this age level especially if you are facing a great pitcher. I would be looking for a team with 11-13 girls not only for pitching but for hitting, jmo.