Better to keep less or more than 16 on varsity?

I always wanted to keep around 16 because that is just a good number to work in.  But the number of games you play could also be a factor.  Play a lot of games probably need more players while fewer games means fewer players.  Never keep anyone who won't play becuase they will become disgruntled.

IMO, it really depends on the roles of the players involved.  You don't want to stack a certain position.  But, I can site my son's V coach as an example...this coming spring season he will keep a lot of non-essential players on V, simply because they have come up through the program since they were freshman.  I think most of them realize their "role" and will either accept it or choose not to play.  I disagree with keeping a lot of kids that will not be able to contribute, however, I don't mind the occasional player that just shows a lot of heart and accepts it for what it is and is positive and nice to be around

At my son's HS, he kept 22 at Varsity all four years. Usually a few sophomore studs, the rest juniors and seniors. He'd keep about 18 at JV and as many as 25 at freshman.

 

Playing time was earned at varsity, semi-earned at jv and equal time at freshman. Every varsity player got to play, but some would only get one or two at bats all season. The leverage it provided the coach was to replace any player at any time for any reason.

 

My daughter's softball team at the same HS struggles to field three full teams. Varsity 12 or 13, JV 12 or 13 and freshman as few as 9.

 

Nothing like a 15-17 year old young lady with an attitude who knows there's no sub left on the bench to take her place.

 

I always thought 22 was too many and 13 wasn't enough. I would think 16-18 is probably the best number but it would depend on the health of the rest of the program.

My son's HS coach seems to be the type that can't bear to cut anyone so his varsity team had 22-25 kids on it.  

 

Like JMoff stated more numbers means someone can replace you at any time, but from what I saw most of the bench players had no chance to supplant one of the guys on the field so for the top 11-12 kids that wasn't much of a concern.  They knew they weren't coming off the field.

 

So in my son's case all the large numbers lead to is a bunch of guys on the bench either goofing off or griping about playing time.  

 

 

Same at my son's HS.  I understand the reasoning, but don't completely agree with it. 

 

I do know that all of the bench players are asked, pre-season, if they are ok with that assignment.  All that choose to remain have said they are fine with it.

 

The problem develops when the team suffers a loss and the players, and their parents, gripe that they would have done better.

My son's high school coach kept as many players that allowed six pitchers. So roster size depended on how many position players pitched. Then he would keep seniors who never gave up as long as they understand they're cheerleaders. There were sixteen or seventeen dressed.

My daughters softball team only kept twelve. The team only needs one pitcher. All twelve would go on to college ball. They lost two regular season games in four years. Pitcher had about thirty no hitters.

At some point I've kept every single type of player - stud, role player, cheerleader - and I've kept very few and a lot.  The things that seem to make a team work is around 16 - 18 players with roles clearly defined but also giving them the option that they can change their role from good practices. 

 

Is everyone still happy over this - heck no.  You still have guys on the bench who will get unhappy so it's the coaches job to try and find some way to make these guys feel good about themselves.

Yeah, this is one of those topics that has so many variable factors.  How many in the total program, potential eligibility issues, how many two-way players, how many character role players, individual evaluations (will player benefit more from heavy V reps but little play time or more play at JV), positional depth, coaching style and quantity, number of games per week (may dictate need for extra pitching), etc., etc.   Heck, for some schools, you may even have to factor budget and how many can fit in two vans.

 

We are a small/medium school.  Most years, we run with fifteen or sixteen.  The closest neighboring school is bigger and typically carries 20+ on V.  They certainly seem to have more disgruntled players and parents as numbers would predicate.

Depends entirely on the situation. When our school lost all Fr sports, everything changed. Now the HC gives players the opportunity to remain on the team so they can practice with the team, even if they won’t be playing much if at all. The majority of the kids who really want to play take the opportunity. The hangers on, usually just go away. I suspect that if there were a decent alternative, many of the players that choose to stay knowing their roles would be very limited, would opt to go elsewhere and play.

I used to think there is some magic roster number, but if a kid wants to wear the school's uniform, practice every day, lift weights, and be a part of your program, why would you cut anyone in HS (unless they were never going to play at all)?

 

Little Sultan had 25 on his team last year.  They didn't all start, but they all played.  The state champs had 22.  Champs from the year before had 23.

 

So in my son's case all the large numbers lead to is a bunch of guys on the bench either 1) goofing off or 2) griping about playing time. 

 

1) That's not a roster problem, that's a coaching problem.

2) The 'extra' players must be told in advance that they will not start.  But, they will make a contribution to the team.

Sultan-

I agree completely with your assessment on point 1. 

 

I think to point 2 that conversation is had but I think as in most cases the player hears something different than what the coach communicates.  The players hears that I am going to contribute which means I am going to play some in their mind.  The coach means you will get 1 or two ABs all season at some point and maybe an inning or two in the field. 

 

My guess is your son's coach has a different definition of "playing" for players 18-22 or whatever it is than what my son's coach does.  I would characterize 1-2 ABs in a 25+ game season to be "not playing at all", but that may just be me.

Another thought on those players that the coach will keep knowing he has no intention of playing them, or like was pointed out, maybe an inning or two and 1 or 2 at bats....IMO...keeping 6-10 of those type of uniform fillers is just stealing reps away from players that will actually be used.  While I doubt that affects the everyday starters as much,  it will absolutely affect the back-up guy who needs more

 

I like to have at least 2 quality guys at every position (on varsity) to breed competition.  I have noticed that it is always good to let the players know someone is coming for their starting spot. 

I would say keeping around 18 is a good number for varsity leaving a couple of spots open for jv call ups.

The good thing for players that do get cut from their varsity team is there are always rec leagues to play for.  If a kid loves the game and doesn't make their varsity high school team then at least they have that option.

+1...  this is absolutely a factor.  Also, having the right bench combination is so important.  A good bullpen catcher and smart/fast pinch runner is so valuable, as is having a few decent options that give you versatility in the event any starter goes down or struggles.

Getting non-starters to know their role and buy into the importance boosts the whole team tremendously.

 

Having 2 quality guys at every position(as Passion stated) would be awesome but usually not realistic except for some of the large programs.  Even then, the one that loses out may be better served playing games down a level.