re: Youth Coaches - Cutting a Player

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Yes, USSSA. We will start the season as a new AA team and very likely be moved to AAA quickly. IT is a younger age group. No majors yet.

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Since you haven't specified age, Im going to assume you are going into U9 maybe U10.. A piece of advice from someone who's been there.. At that age, unless you're talking majors or a bounce team between AAA and majors, it doesnt matter. You are better off getting a good group of kids and parents who are concerned with enjoying the sport and friendships. The best teams in those age groups will be coached not by parents with emotional ties to the team.

Im basing this off you stating that you are going to start off in AA.

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I don't think kids under 13 should ever be cut from sports teams.

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Football, I would agree but there just isnt enough space on the bench for some sports like Basketball.

Not a touchy feely don't want to hurt kids feelings if they lose person, but until a certain age and level it's about team and learning the game. All Star teams for a 10 year old are just dumb one reason being they really all suck. I remember playing and getting ahead in a game only to have coach put in scrubs and blow the lead and lose. Did I hate it sure, but it taught us a lesson, and that lesson was don't take your foot off their throat and make sure your coach has kids who don't suck and let play just because his wife won't give up the puss if he doesn't. I'm a better man for the lesson today.

im not saying "cut" the kids.

just hold an open tryout for the next season and let the parents know beforehand that you're only going to carry 10-12 players and no one is guaranteed a spot even if they were on the tam last year.

Also, let them know beforehand, for Saturday pool play everyone will play and bat but come Sunday's for bracket play you're only going to bat 9-10 and the rest will be subs and may or may not play.

You play to win the game. Cut them. No room for friendships.

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this is why i love threads like this. it pulls all the coaching gods out of the woodwork

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Ahem.

I'm speaking from a moms point if view.

"Raise your hand if you're ready to play on the team next year!!!"

:everyone raises hand:

"Not so fast billy, javier and Jamal".

One poster has already laid out the plan. You need to have other coaches or someone to tied to the team to provide their reasons as well as your own.

I would still like to know the age of this team. Especially if you are going from coaches pitch to kids pitch. Assuming you're going to be AAA or Major is very lofty expectations.

To the posters ragging on you about cutting a kid(s), they either don't have kids or their kids weren't that good at sports. At 9 years old kids who work hard in practice and want to get rings or hold the trophy don't want other kids to bring them down. They know what winning is and who is keeping them from it.

Let me share with you a parents perspective of a kid who was not asked to return. Maybe this will help you with how to handle the situation:

Background-
Our son played on the same travel team for 5 years. This team was competitive and these group of kids started playing travel ball together at age 6. Won 2 State Tournaments and many other tournaments. my son was mainly an OF and played very little infield over a span of 5 seasons.

Coach decided he wanted to "revamp" the team because he felt there were a few players holding the team back from doing bigger and better things.
So we got a call from coach telling us that our son was not going to be asked to play on the team and that he wanted to go in a different direction. Was I upset? yes. I was upset because some of the ones who were asked to remain on the team were no where near as good as our child. Yes I am biased, but I am also one of my sons worst critics. We parted as friends and stay in contact because his kids and mine are still good friends. No need to let egos get in the way right? Its all about the kids in my opinion.

So just be honest with the parents. Chances are they can and will find another team. Just make sure you have no doubts that they will not blossom into "ballers" because it will come back and bite you.

Our son "blossomed" (grew like a weed) and played mostly infield. He pitched and just this past season played primarily catcher (1st time ever) for the 7th grade school team (also played up on 8th grade team in Tournaments). His team won the County regular season, won the County Tournament and were crowned County Champs. He was selected to the All Tournament team and also earned All County Honors due to his play over the season. Yeah I'm bragging...only because the coach and his assistants who cut our son had kids who also played on this team. as youngsters, they were ballers but now weren't good enough to garner any awards. Really bursted their bubble. So as you can hopefully see...make sure on who you cut.

be honest if they are your friends outside of baseball let them know the kids probably won't make the team unless they drastically improve.