Hello! New poster, but I am a long-time lurker on these forums. I'm the HC of a 12u TB team. Quick background: I have my main AC as my 3rd base coach (that's another story) and he has a fixation with bunting. His philosophy is that if a girl generally isn't doing well at the plate, he gives them at least one bunt attempt per at-bat. He does this without fail unless the bases are loaded. He has done it with 2 outs (not that this is always wrong), with no real strategy behind it.
His main goal here is "avoid a strikeout" because his main goal overall is "win the game". My main goal is to develop the girls into solid ballplayers. So, I'd like to check my own ego because I am far from a perfect coach. Am I wrong in disagreeing here? I don't think a struggling hitter should be made to bunt just because she's struggling. I want them swinging at the plate. Bunt if the situation calls for it, otherwise SWING AWAY. Softball gurus, what are your thoughts? How can I be tactful about this?
His main goal here is "avoid a strikeout" because his main goal overall is "win the game". My main goal is to develop the girls into solid ballplayers. So, I'd like to check my own ego because I am far from a perfect coach. Am I wrong in disagreeing here? I don't think a struggling hitter should be made to bunt just because she's struggling. I want them swinging at the plate. Bunt if the situation calls for it, otherwise SWING AWAY. Softball gurus, what are your thoughts? How can I be tactful about this?