all-star baseball 7-8 yr olds

Question
my son just made an All-Star team of mostly 8 yr olds but some 7 yr olds. 14 total players in all made this team. the team has a NO PLAY rule. this means the coaching staff does not have to play a child at all any time. by having 14 players this sits 4 players at all times ( we feild 10 ).
the players no there is this rule , but for those few who made the team and expect to be ALLSTARS at some point and play ball to sit is frustrating, not to mention the parents who see their child sit.the children are told to be part of the team and always try hard, "you are ALLSTARS".sometimes the confidence level drops on those kids who don't get to play so much. as a parent a i feel the 4 kids who sit, at sometime should be put into games so THEY CAN feel the allstar experience. on the no play rule, with 14 kids, 12 which were picked by the coaches of the league and 2 that were given a "free" ride by the mgr., whats your opinion ?
thanks coach dave

Answer
David,

First of all, I believe that having an Allstar team for 7 and 8 year olds is pretty nuts.  Second, I think that the intensity and pressure that the coaches and parents put on the kids is nuts.  I am a pretty intense, maybe extremely intense coach, but with high school age players.  I have gone to games and watched the way coaches and parents act with these little kids.  It is ridiculous and drives a lot of the kids away from baseball in the long run.

With that said, if there is a no play rule, which is ridiculous, then there is a no play rule.  This rule tells me that this 7-8 year old Allstar team is out to win at all costs. Again, as a coach I think that is ridiculous with that age.  But if the rule is there, then it is there.

I know that some players are subs and some are starters and some are stars.  While you may know the few that sit are good enough to play, the manager is the manager and his decisions stand.  You are not the manager and it is your job to honor his decision, not argue it.  I know that little league politics stink, but the manager is the boss.

There are many great players who sit for weeks at a time only to get their chance to pinch hit and they come through in the clutch.  This is what these boys should look forward to.  Work hard in practice and try to improve them.  They are on the team so they are on the Allstar game.

The Spurs are getting ready to win a Title.  Do you think little used Mike Bonner cares that he isn't playing a second of the game.  He is going to win a ring just like Tim Duncan.  An Allstar is an Allstar and you should make those kids understand that, even if they don't play they need to be ready to play, cause you never know when you will get the call. Preparation and readiness is the answer to greatness.

I hope this answers your question.

Coach Boss