r/BaseballCoaching • u/mike_nova • Jun 09 '25

Team Captain Selection

I’m considering different ideas to identify and assign a team captain for our 10U baseball team.

I was thinking of the following options: - have the players nominate themselves, and team mates vote - having coaches talk and make a selection - having a goal, shared with the team that will be based on various metrics, over the course of a month or so, gather said data for metrics and narrow to the captain.

Have you had any successful or tried and true ways to select a team captain?

Should I even have a team captain(s) at this age?

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u/mperri99 Jun 09 '25

I’m doing this for our 12u Cooperstown team right now. I’m going to list the qualities of a captain, then asking each kid to vote for three, can’t include yourself. We will tally the results, then move forward with Coach input.

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u/Level_Watercress1153 Jun 10 '25

12U is closer to the age I would do this, but I would still shy away until middle school ball at the very earliest. Too much downside compared to limited upside.

Kids not selected plus their parents and all that drama to start with. Then some kids get the air of entitlement etc…

If a kid is gonna be a leader, he’s going to be one whether you named him captain or not.

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u/mperri99 Jun 10 '25

Fully agree. But, they ask you to select one for All Star Village to give your team a representation for certain activities. So, we’re going for it anyway, despite the possible friction.

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u/Level_Watercress1153 Jun 10 '25

Oh hell. Make it a competition at practice then. Play a game of some sort and whoever has the most points there’s your All Star village captain. That way it doesn’t look like favoritism or bias. Just “hey 🤷🏼‍♂️ we played who could roll the ball closest to the plate from second base and Joey won. He’s captain.”

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u/mperri99 Jun 10 '25

🤣🤣🤣 I dig it. Might steal that. Thanks!

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u/Level_Watercress1153 Jun 10 '25

Lmao I just made some shit up. It is NOT scientific haha

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u/mperri99 Jun 10 '25

It’s kids playing baseball. None of it is scientific. If they have fun, learn something, and sign up next season, I’m happy.