My daughter was always one of the slower kids on her team, but she was a smart base runner and was on base a lot. She always kept pressure on the defense, and would advance on any ball in the dirt. If the outfield didn't throw the ball on a line she would take the next base (we often giggled at her and her below speed aggressiveness) her job was to hit doubles and home runs, and now that is her job at a 4 year school. Every coach likes speed, but sometimes smart will do the job.