What is the ideal number?

I'm curious as to the preferred number of players at the 18U showcase level veteran coaches like to carry on their roster and why.
Dad

 

Atleast 12, could be up to 3 more. Depending on how many pitchers you carry. Like to have atleast 2 catchers, who can also play another position typically a corner. If you play strong schedule typically you will have tourneys where atleast one will not be able to make it for various reasons. Then there are injuries that happen during the season, as well as in the middle of tournaments. So if you carry 12, one is taking SAT's that weekend and one gets injured you still have 10 to play with, if you go less then that your living on shaky ground. Now some might say this to many to split playing time, not really if you plan in advance. Also if you are a legit 18u showcase player you should be able to perform at multiple positions and be ready to go when the coach calls your number.

 

Depends on what your team plans are

Everyone thinks we're crazy. I used to think Ray was crazy too, for the number of players he would would carry. I now understand why. Now I have followed the same path he took. I base the total number on the number of graduating seniors on my team. We all know that kids who have spent 12 years in school will take some time off in the early part of the summer. You have to carry enough younger players to get you through. I carried 18 last year and still had to pick up players to make the first 3 tournaments.

A couple of injuries, some vacation plans, ect... gets you in the 14 player range for the most of the tournaments. I think the most I had at one tournament was 15 or 16 with at least 3 being pitchers and two catchers.
This year I will carry a 20 player roster. We see it a lot with the larger organizations we play against around the country.
The Corona Angels had 24 kids in the dugout in Boulder. (On Tyson's team)
The Batbusters carried over 20. Most colleges try to carry 20 or more.
There are reasons.
In TB, there are going to be injuries. There are going to be vacations. There are going to be college orientations.
With all this said, I think 14 to 15 would be the perfect number with 3 pitchers and two catchers, if every player was younger and would commit to every weekend. But that ain't gonna happen today.
So to answer your question, it depends on your particular team and your particular plans. There really ain't an incorrect or correct answer.

 

Rick has some very valid issues. As a parent with the travel going farther now and other kids to think about, sometimes you just can't go. She will either go with another parent or have to take a weekend off sometimes.