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Balanced Softball Teams

From Chad Weidert:

I have been coaching girls softball for 9 out of the last 11 years from a local school that consist of sixth, seventh and eighth graders. This year it is very possible that the number of kids that go out for the team will dictate that two teams be formed.

Should the teams be split up evenly or should the two teams be set up such that the kids who have played together for the last two years stay together and the newer (sixth graders) be put together on the other team? I cannot think of a good reason to keep them together nor a good reason to split them up.

Any suggestions or pros and cons for either keeping teams together or splitting them up?

What is the competition for the girls team - is it other schools? If so, what age/grade is the competition? Is there another coach for a second team? Who will make the decision on how to divide the girls between the two possible teams? Is it possible to field a sixth grade team that competes with other sixth grade teams? If you form a team comprised of only sixth graders, will that team have to play against teams composed of sixth, seventh, and eighth graders? If two teams are formed, in whatever way, would they play against each other during the season?

Important considerations are the level of competition and the opportunity for the girls to play. Balanced competition is important in youth sports (too many coaches want to have all the better players on their team because their sole are focus is on winning) and young players need to be given the opportunity to play not sit on the bench (these same coaches will play only the better players).  If a team is comprised of sixth seventh and eighth grade players but the sixth graders are not going to play very much, that is not a good situation.