One of the teams I am coaching this year has a rather wide talent/age spread. In past years, with talent more even, we were able to freely substitute players and positions and still be competitive. Some of my new coaches don't believe we will be able to have that same sort of success using that strategy this year and have requested I consider more "regular" positions for the boys. We are talking about a U10 "local" travel team. BTW I consider a successful year around a .500 record and all the players continue playing ball the following year. Any thoughts ?

From my very limited experience, I would say move the kids around. I mean, you wouldn't want to put a fairly slow catcher in center, but you know - reasonable movement.

Son played 3rd forever. He is playing 1st now as a HS freshman. He pitches, and the throw is too much after pitching. He doesn't like it, but he is working hard to learn the position. Wish he had had more opportunities there.

Yankeelover,
Please move them around. My favorite saying is "the clumsy chunky kid at 10 can be the ballerina at short at 12. You will never find out if the kid gets bored in the outfield and quits the game!"

We always ask the kids where they would like to play. We then work with them at practice and give them a shot in a game. The kids love the chance, even if it is only an inning or so. Most of them fall in love with 4 or 5 positions over the course of a season. Why not let them play?

P.S. I love your goals!!

quote:

Originally posted by Yankeelvr:
One of the teams I am coaching this year has a rather wide talent/age spread. In past years, with talent more even, we were able to freely substitute players and positions and still be competitive. Some of my new coaches don't believe we will be able to have that same sort of success using that strategy this year and have requested I consider more "regular" positions for the boys. We are talking about a U10 "local" travel team. BTW I consider a successful year around a .500 record and all the players continue playing ball the following year. Any thoughts ?

Great question, sure you'll get several different ideas, but here is mine.

Its easier at any level to learn one position and know the resposibilites and nuances that one position offers. The real issue is getting on the same page with your coaches though. If winning ballgames is going to be the goal, players settling into positions gives your team the best chance to do that. If getting kids the opportunity to experience different positions is the goal, you all just need to agree with what approach best suits your team.

An easy compromise would be to move them around once the game is in hand, either way.

I played outfield all of my life and when one kid would pitch in high school, thankfully not very often, I had to play second base. Man, all that thinking that went on in the infield gave me anxiety, so I'm a little biased about finding one spot and letting them get comfortable. I could field fungo's with the best of them, but I locked up in games and didn't make anything look easy.

IMO, this is about developing players but also putting the kids in position to be successful. Meaning...I wouldn't play a kid in a certain position unless he could handle it. We started this at an early age and our kids are now 14. We only turned over 1 kid per year and all 15 of our players made their school team this spring. As far as I know, we are the only team in VA that did this.

At this age I think the important things are that they play the game and learn as much about the whole game as they can. And no matter what the level, if the games not fun for them then they need to do something different.

The one thing I notice is that many parents and kids all want to be the SS. Usually the best kid on the team and pitches as well. Here is where I think many people miss the boat.

Throughout the kids youth pre HS, the kid has played exclusivly at SS. Now he gets to HS and their is another boy who is as good but a bit quicker at the school now. Then when its time to go on to College there is another guy who is quicker and has a better arm. My point being, if your not allowing your kids to play some other positions I beleive you are limiting their growth as a player at the higher levels. When its your Freshmen yr in College and its recruiting time, I sure know its easier saying, Yeh he is a 3.5 student and plays a few positions well. Its called getting into a position as fast as you can. Learn them all, it can only help...