Softball Draft

Today is the draft for the "majors" softball league I'm coaching this spring (11/12 year old girls).

I went a tad overboard with my "draft card" giving each girl a ranking of 1-5 on 5 different categories. I can do this because I know most of the girls from coaching for so many years now! The categories are fielding, throwing, batting, pitching and catching. I assigned a score of 1-5 in each and added them up giving me an idea of who to try to draft. While that may give pitchers an unfair advantage in terms of numbers, I believe it is reflective of how you should think about building a team at this age level.

I've learned the hard way, but here are my keys to this season...

• I must have 2 pitchers who can throw strikes (speed does not matter, that will come with practice). At this level it's still possible to develop a girl, but it is not easy.
  
• You must have a catcher (or someone willing to learn fast!). I would guess that at least 50% of the runs scored will be on passed balls with no play at the plate!
  
• You must draft girls who have the "right" attitude. This means finding "good kids" who will work hard and allow you to develop and find their talents.
  

As for attitude, that is an intangible category during the draft that earns a girl 2 asterisks (**). For example, my #1 pick for 3 years running has been the shortest kid in the league. She's a natural leader and a great, great kid and happens to have a great bat and can pitch. Last year, I lost my temper during a game and she told me to chill out... while she was on the pitcher's mound! That's my kind of kid.

I typically try to draft for attitude and figure I can dramatically improve every kid on my team by the end of the season by providing a lot of one-on-one time during practices. It's a lot of work, but totally worth it. By the end of the season, I plan on having the best all-around team, even if we've sacrificed wins during the regular season to get there. It pays off in the playoffs.

I'd recommend that you carefully consider your draft picks with attitude in mind... if you are like me, you realize that having a good group of girls who are into the team will also come with great parents who share that same attitude.

One last tip... at younger levels, you don't have to worry about catchers as much, which is why last year I spent time cultivating and developing 2 girls who have potential at catcher... that's my little secret for you coaches who plan to coach for more than one season.

I'm already working on my seasons goals and a specific practice plan, which I will share over the next few weeks.