little leaque substitutes

Question
Hi I have a question on how the substitutes are chosen?  Is the coach suppose to rotate all the outfield players each game to substitute if they are needed? My son and one other boy are the only ones always chosen to substitute.  Is this right?  Also, what is going on when a player is called to bat and they call him back in not just once but this has happened several time?  I am no expert on baseball so I hope you can help me understand.  I get so frustrated at the games and so does my son he may play on the field twice and bat once.  The rest is in the dug out.  We have addressed these concerns to the coach but he really did not give us a answer on anything.  He states he rotates but everytime its the same.  This is my sons first year playing and I don't feel he is getting a fair chance to experience the game.  His interest has fallen because of this.  He does hit very well when given a chance.  I hope you can give me some answers or advice.  Thank you Amy concerned Mom.

Answer
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Amy,  

I forgot to answer some of your questions:

Your local baseball association should have some rules regarding substitutions and player rotations. Our league wanted to reduce the amount of parent competitive arguements.  They designed rules that all associations had to follow. One such rule was the mandatory rotation of all players on B and C class teams.  Except for pitchers and catchers, no player could be in one position for more than two (2) innings.  BUT associations got around this rule by limiting the size of a team.  10 player teams became popular; many weaker kids were cut from teams because the team "could only have 10 players".  

As for your batting question, this has me puzzled.  If a batting order has been made, it cannot be changed.  Depending upon your leagues rules, either the entire bench gets a chance to bat OR those players who are about to play defense have the right to bat.  Our league has a long-standing rule that ALL players on the bench must be written into the batting order REGARDLESS if they are playing on defense or not.  

I don't understand how a child can be 'called back' from batting UNLESS he approached the plate in the wrong order.  This really puzzles me and I don't know the situation enough to accuse someone of cheating.  I have seen coaches who deliberately slip in the wrong batter in order to gain a better advantage.  I don't know if this is the case here.

The next time this happens, make a point to ask the coach.  If you find he/she is too evasive, go to the umpire (when the game is finished) and ask why.  If you still do not understand, contact the local baseball association and voice your concern.  You have the right ... you paid for it!   Explain yourself calmly and rationally.

I sincerely wish you well in this.

JohnMc

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Hello Amy,

as a parent I can understand your concern.  When my son was first starting out in baseball, he was one of the weaker players.  The coach was drawn between playing him whenever possible and dealing with other parents who's only interest was winning with stronger players.  The coach wisely played my son in positions that would help the team and managed to juggle the batting order to get him at bat at least 3 times during a game.

That coach was me.  I had other kids who were even weaker on the same team.  I know the importance of gaining self-confidence thru experience.  For kids just starting out, its important to rotate them around until they are comfortable with the difference positions and the rules of the game.

HOWEVER:  The pressures put on coaches by parents to play only the best players can be enormous.  Likewise, those parents who's children are weaker or new to the sport, want their children on the field as much as possible.  Its like juggling knives!!!

Here is my advice to you.  

Have your child practice as much as possible during the week.  If at all possible, invite some of his friends over and get them to help him out.  Usually, coaches will place the newer kids in the field since they are not strong enough for infield action.  SO...help make him stronger.

Batting order is very important in a baseball game.  Weaker batters are often found in 7th or 8th place (bottom of the order).  This unfortunately means that the number of "at bats" are less than those who are at the top.  This is normal...even in the major leagues.  SO...get him to practice his batting during the week.  T-ball batting against a fence is as basic as it gets.  Batting cages are the best.

Talk to the coach.  Be patient and ask him/her for their help.  I hope your son's coach is not one of those who's interests is WIN, WIN, WIN.  Ask him what you can do to help strengthen your son's game.  

Look for baseball camps in your area.  A good weekend baseball camp can improve a child's ability by 50% or more.  Week long camps result in a totally new player!!  I've seen it.  It can be expensive but the smile on your child's face makes it worthwhile.

Amy, I can understand your fustration in watching your son learn the game. I had a mentally handicapped child on my team and spent the entire season trying to find a place for him.  With 16 players, I could have easily benched him for every game.  I chose to rotate the kids into as many positions as possible.  It was twice the work for me, but I organized team practices twice a week AND 1 special practice just for the weaker kids on the weekend.  It paid off:  we became regional champions that year!

Ask your coach if this is possible.  Maybe there are other kids who need more intensive practice sessions.  It is within those practices that your son will gain his confidence and ability.  

Let your coach know that his rotation is not working.  Maybe extra practice with the coach will help.

I hope so.


JohnMc