Guest Author - Kari Livingston

Fall softball season is over and many girls and their parents are facing a decision- stay with their current team, or begin looking for other options. There are many reasons why players look for a new team:

Lack of Playing Time

This is probably the biggest reason why players defect for another team. Some players leave because they never start, some leave because they never get to play a whole game and some leave because they frequently sit out entire games. Playing time is seldom the entire issue. Usually it is the lack of playing time while another player that is perceived as less talented gets more time in the spotlight. If this sound like a problem that you have come up against, take a step back and truly evaluate your daughter's abilities versus the other player. Your daughter may be a stronger defensive player, but on a team with a weak offense, a weak defensive player with a strong bat will get more playing time. If you are happy with the team and the coaches, call and discuss the issue before making a big decision.

A Losing Season

Many players team hop at the first sign of trouble. Not every season is going to lead to a national title, but it's not fun to stay on a team where each game is a lopsided loss. If your fall team had trouble, take a few minutes to explain your concerns to the coach. Trust me, you coach knows the team is struggling, and he or she should have a plan in place to get the team on the right track for the spring. It's up to you to evaluate the feasibility of the changes. If your coach doesn't have a plan to bring the level of play up, it's time to switch teams.

Incompatible Coaching Style

Maybe your daughter's coach is a screamer and your daughter does better with a more friendly approach. Maybe the opposite is true- your daughter's coach is known as the nicest guy in the softball community, but your daughter needs someone to push her. It can be hard to overcome an incompatible coaching style. If you decide to leave, make sure you call the coach and explain why without using accusatory language.

The most important thing to remember is to never burn your bridges. You may need a coach's reference or even a place to play again somewhere down the road. Getting a reputation as a difficult to please team hopper can damage you daughter's chance to play softball.