u/Seesaw-Commercial

This year is the first year our little league has run a summer 8 selects team (typically we have 11/12 all stars, 11 selects, 9/10 all stars, and 9 selects).

My son tried out, was ranked 4th in the tryouts, and made the team of 14. I'll start by saying I realize that summer select ball is going to be different than the regular season...that the batting order may not be continuous, that players won't spend equal time in the infield and outfield; however, what's happening seems to be quite unfair, and I'm not sure if its appropriate to politely address or not.

My child always sits first, so ends up in a group sitting ​the most, and bats 13th every game, so ends up with far fewer at bats than the top of the order. If it was based on performance, I would understand, but in game changer (I also think its insane to have public rankings for this age group, but it is what it is) my son's batting average is 7th and the coach's son who bats 2nd is 11th. My son's fielding is #2 on his team, and yet the coach's son and his hockey friends consistently get to play coveted positions like first and catcher.

If my son was oblivious, I wouldn't really care, but unfortunately he's pretty bummed. I told him it was okay to gently advocate for himself and ask if he could have a turn playing catcher, but he was quite sternly told 'if you ask to play a position, you dont get to'. I dont want to rock the boat, as we've had awesome experiences during the regular season each year and baseball remains my children's favourite sport, but I dont really look forward to the games and leave each one just feeling kind of sad for my son. And again if decisions were based on performance, it would be easier to allay his disappointment. Any advice?

My ten year old loves his PowerClose, but its too small and falling apart. He loves how easy it was to break in. A larger one is a possibility, but hes a pretty decent player (mostly pitches, usually ss,1st, or rf when not pitching) so I wonder if its time to move up. He's pretty stubborn about his 'perfect' glove - it literally has a zapstrap holding it together - and will likely find the breaking in process a little frustrating.

Also, what size are most of your ten year olds wearing? His current one is 10.5

Our regular little league season begins early April and runs until mid-June, after which post-season select and all star teams begin. We usually have 8 selects, 9 selects, 9/10 All Stars, 11 selects, and 11/12 All Stars. That being said, there are many solid athletes who would love to play summer ball, but end up cut. In my eyes, having two teams per age (maybe an A team and B team) provided there are enough coaches just makes sense, as it allows more children to keep playing the game and only serves to strengthen ball in the regular season as more athletes get developed. I'm a divisional coordinator, and I would love to help advocate for more children able to keep playing, but am wondering if anyone has advice on widening post-season ball in their local little league. We have the field space and in most cases would have the coaches. Does anyone do this, or do most leagues just stick to one post season team per age group? If it were children who were weaker or not committed being cut it would be one thing, but we end up with some awesome, awesome ball players who want to play not getting the chance.