A Note on Balancing U8 Teams

U8 Boys Coaches:

I wanted to mention my thoughts on team balancing (i.e. ensuring that all teams have equal talent).

This is my third time as U8 commissioner and I will tell you that team balancing is the bane of my existence at this time of the year. I've learned the hard way that it is impossible . That doesn't mean I can't try my best.

So, before I hear any issues about team balancing, keep these thoughts in mind:

• 1/3 of the registrations I received this year had no rating (new players or coaches were delinquent to submit ratings).
• I'm supposed to honor as many coach/player requests as possible. The vast majority of the registrations have requests .
  
• Very highly rated, or lowly rated players, can quit at the beginning of the season, leaving a team stronger or weaker.
• Late registrations can cause a lot of grief with respect to team balancing. I get way too many of these.
• Not all of the kids show up for the games (e.g. a kid is more focused on football during the fall).
• The ratings are subjective.
• A really good player can dominate a single game.

So, what can be done? Not much in the fall. But I can try and rectify things in the Spring when I get another windfall of registrations. So, if you feel your team is too weak, or too strong, then please keep me informed and I'll try to fix things in the Spring.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

--Tony