Friendlies. What are their purpose? Do teams play friendlies to practice for tournaments? Are they to practice scenarios? Do we use friendlies to try players at positions they normally wouldn't play? OR do you treat them like regular games and just try to blow everyone out of the water?
I've always been curious about friendlies. By name, you'd think they were played to help better the skills of every player, to just in one position, but in all positions. I thought you use friendlies to teach them more of the strategic parts of the game and also work on plays like faking throws to get an out and delayed steals.
But it seems like coaches have another thing on their minds. Let's play like it's a tournament and beat everyone, every time! I've seen coaches go crazy as-if it was the championship game of a national tournament! It should always be about improving the skills of everyone on the team.
Versatility is key. If an athlete can play multiple positions, that makes her more valuable. She can play outfield, she can play infield ... she can hit, she can bunt... she can run, she can hook slide. Friendlies should be used to help make girls more rounded softball players.
But that's just me, a regular ol' softball mom talking. I am not the President of Travel softball and can't mandate things. But it'd be interesting to know what others thought about friendlies...
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