Tips for finding a team that wants a slapper

[nightskiier]

Hello,

DD is a 2nd year 12U player. She’s a lefty and can get on base often. She’s been working on her slapping since she saw it while she was a 10U. She slaps in school/rec games (14U rules) from the lead off spot as her default.

We’re on a good b-level travel team and we can win with our pitching and hitting, but she never gets the OK to slap even when we’re ahead by a lot, or more recently when we need to grind out runs and my DD could drag bunt. Coach and his wife (our scorekeeper) have made some off the cuff remarks that if she slapped, she’d get benched. Not going to upset the apple cart with only a month and a half of tournaments left, but DD is disappointed. I’ve told her we’re sticking it out now, but if the current coach takes over the 1st year 14U team in the organization, we’re not staying even if it’s one of the premier ones in the area.

That being said - does anyone have any tips for figuring out which teams/coaches actually value slapping skills? I’ve been asking around in our travel ball area and haven’t found a team that values or uses slappers. The only time we’ve run into them in tournament play was a team from out of our area and they out ran us and jumped on our left side defense.

Back to looking at tryout schedules in August.

Thanks!


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[Vertigo]

Typically from what I’ve seen, the higher level orgs will always have an experienced slapper or two in their lineups. These are the A or Gold level orgs who play in high level tourneys and showcases. Haven’t played B level since 14U and honestly didn’t come across any slappers until we moved on to a higher level team.

We played in a friendly yesterday where two college coaches came to watch. When I went to discuss our players with the one coach asking what she was specifically looking for, she said an OF slapper. College coaches do want them.

ETA: Honestly, your coach sounds pretty clueless if he won’t allow a 12U player to work on her slapping, and doesn’t see use for it. Guess he hasn’t been watching any of the WCWS games.

 

[nightskiier]

Typically from what I’ve seen, the higher level orgs will always have an experienced slapper or two in their lineups. These are the A or Gold level orgs who play in high level tourneys and showcases. Haven’t played B level since 14U and honestly didn’t come across any slappers until we moved on to a higher level team.

We played in a friendly yesterday where two college coaches came to watch. When I went to discuss our players with the one coach asking what she was specifically looking for, she said an OF slapper. College coaches do want them.

ETA: Honestly, your coach sounds pretty clueless if he won’t allow a 12U player to work on her slapping, and doesn’t see use for it. Guess he hasn’t been watching any of the WCWS games.

The coach is OK, but he’s a baseball guy and agreed to coach the team right before fall ball because the previous 12U coach went and started his own travel ball team.

It’s very possible we have lightning in a bottle right now and while winning is fun, it’s not helping DD’s development.

The one bright side is my wife coaches the 10U town travel team and after seeing this - all the lefties are learning slapping and drag bunting now.


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[Vertigo]

The coach is OK, but he’s a baseball guy and agreed to coach the team right before fall ball because the previous 12U coach went and started his own travel ball team.

It’s very possible we have lightning in a bottle right now and while winning is fun, it’s not helping DD’s development.

The one bright side is my wife coaches the 10U town travel team and after seeing this - all the lefties are learning slapping and drag bunting now.


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Ah - yep. The whole “baseball guy” coach. Been there, done that. Dd had one coach who played college baseball and since she was not a power hitter, did not want her in the lineup hitting. He didn’t believe in bunting or slapping either. This team wound up folding anyway so we moved on and found a permanent home with a team that loves slappers and speed.

Seems that the baseball crowd doesn’t like it because they don’t understand it (unless they’ve been around softball for a while and are willing to learn).

 

[Vertigo]

Does your dd see a slapping coach? If so - maybe the coach has students on teams who would gladly welcome another slapper?

 

[nightskiier]

Does your dd see a slapping coach? If so - maybe the coach has students on teams who would gladly welcome another slapper?

Really good point. She actually just left her D1 coaching position so we can see her again without the 7th grade no-contact rules.


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[uncdrew]

Might need to market her a bit (when the season is over). Facebook groups, local softball forums, etc.

Of course the second you do word will get back to your coach and you're done there.

 

[ang2bmd]

I agree with what others have said here. The other pitfall to avoid is to make sure she continues to work and becomes a really good skilled slapper and isn't just on base due to poor defensive skills by the other team or she will get killed when the defense is better. She also shouldn't abandon learning to hit because a triple threat is more valuable

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[uncdrew]

I agree with what others have said here. The other pitfall to avoid is to make sure she continues to work and becomes a really good skilled slapper and isn't just on base due to poor defensive skills by the other team or she will get killed when the defense is better. She also shouldn't abandon learning to hit because a triple threat is more valuable

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Fine point. I've had a few "slappers" on our 10U and 12U teams. And honestly, it's an automatic out as they learn the skill. A tad frustrating but I do understand they need game reps to learn the skill.

 

[So Cal Seth]

Move to southern California. Seems everyone wants a slapper who is fast.