Expert: Dennis Girardi - 7/6/2009

Question
I am a head coach of a small community all star team.  I have only eleven players.  We practice four days per week and play tournaments on the weekends.  I have about nine players equal in talent and two that need work on basic catching, throwing, and hitting skills.  They are clearly behind the rest of the kids.  I have based play time on attitude and skills in practice, but mostly on giving 100% on and off the field always.  The two kids who lack the skills are playing half games.  I have had a hard time with their parents because of this.  Am I making the wrong decision and should I put other players on the bench that give more effort at practice to get the kids more play time??  This is probably the toughest part of little league baseball!  I think these kids are developing their skills daily in practice but are not ready to play a complete game.?

Answer
Hey Steve,

If you are getting complaints about playing time with only 11 players on your roster, you must be doing something wrong. I assume these two are playing outfield and second base.
Are you getting them in when you get big leads or are getting creamed.  I find it hard to believe that the kids that are weaker are also the ones with the worse attitudes and not giving 100%.. Usually they have good attitudes and try extra hard.  I don't want to sound like I am siding with the parents here, but I am showing you another side from a parents perspective.
Usually all-star teams have up to 14 players. Then you have problems.  This should not be too huge of a problem that you cannot figure out.  I'm sure if you let them play a full game now and then, that this will solve your problem. Are you a championship caliber team? Or are you guys about a 500 team.  If your around 500 or less, play the kids a full game here and there, and everything will work out for you..
Let me know how it goes.
Dennis Girardi