- Apr 6, 2012
- 191
- 0
I don't really like the pick-up player routine. At around 12 the orgs start enforcing the pick-up player can only do so for ONE team only until post-season play (that is the rule). This can cause issues with the other players on the teams (and if the pitcher is really good, with other teams if they notice the kid moving around).
For pitchers, rec does not offer enough of a skills foundation to play occasionally in travel. It is one thing if a coach has an emergency.
No coach should ever disallow a player from playing for another sport. It is ridiculous what is happening with all these demanding coaches who only want 11 or 12 on the roster (even in the fall) who must play softball 24/7. The other side is parents who can't stand a kid sitting, even when there are 4 games a day!. Fall is now as hard nosed as spring.
It is not healthy to play softball year round and it causes burn out. Further, it is a sport with little aerobic, endurance or flexibility components (obviously there are small glimpses of these in softball) compared to other sports. To be a good softball player you MUST play another sport.
I agree with so much of what you have said. The good thing about the Fall is that most tournaments are more relaxed about rosters and the different organizations don't worry about where players are. We will also pick up players from our younger teams to take with us. Our roster is large enough to accommodate players in other sports as well.