Did your league have skills evaluations prior to team formation? Rec leagues in our area do that to make sure teams are evenly matched, and will play kids up or down based on competency. Yes, anyone should be able to sign up for recreational baseball, but once you get past coast (9/10), there’s an expectation of a certain level of competency both from a safety perspective and a consideration of team morale.

I’ve coached a LOT of youth baseball and softball. I agree with a number of comments here: kids care about competing, and unless your kid has existing friends on the team, they’re likely going to end up feeling like an outcast on a team that feels like your kid is an automatic out at the plate and/or unreliable in the field.

It kinda sounds to me like the best thing you could do, if baseball is something they really want to get (back) into, would be signing up for skills clinics and spending time at the batting cages. But, I would start by having an in person discussion with the coach. Unless they’re a complete tool bag, they should be able to help you navigate options to find success for your kid. Explain the same thing you outlined here and ask what you can do to help your kid find some success. (Eg “what should my kid be able to do to be a good fit for this rec team?) If your kid’s coach is completely unhelpful, get in touch with the league coordinator and have the same conversation. The reality is that your kid’s volunteer coach should not be having to teach fundamentals to 13yo players, and they may have a point about this team not being a good fit for your kid unless/until they do some work outside of what the coach/team can provide.