We are in our 4th travel year and we love it. There is a team, level, schedule, rate of fee for everyone. If you want to travel then travel, if you want to play just local teams then there are teams that do that. Find the right level that is comfortable for your family and the competition level is right for your DD and she is happy playing. If you don't like the parents on your team it will make it much more difficult. We have been blessed to have played on teams that we loved the parent group and have made some amazing friends along the way. That can make it hard as the team changes and some families go different directions, but it is part of it, it is going to happen so be ready. We play a pretty high level and play almost all of our tournaments out of state and definitely spend some coin but we try to make it like a vacation as often as possible. We literally drive from one tournament to another sometimes.
Stay and play is ridiculous and everyone hates it.
Wristbands, when used properly, are awesome. We played on teams that used them well and it was very efficient, the girls missed maybe one sign per game, and it moved along smooth. We played plenty of teams that were wristband retarded (no offense to anyone) and it is sooo annoying. This year's team is coached by a former D-1 coach and she refuses to use them and says they need to get used to not having them. It was a struggle at first but they will do fine.
I hate and love softball dads. The stereotypes are funny and I see it all the time and actually catch myself being "softball dad" and I try not to be that guy.
I also can't stand bad coaches. I don't mean ignorant coaches, I mean bad coaches. I know plenty of coaches that are just out there to help, they do not consider themselves great coaches, they are just guys trying to help girls get better and enjoy the game. These coaches may not know everything about the game, they probably played baseball and are trying to learn alongside the players. These guys are great, there is a place for them and they should be appreciated for doing something a lot of guys won't do. I can't stand coaches that think they know everything, try to make the game more about them, try to act like they are Bobby Knight, stomp around the field and bitch at the ump every call. I can't stand coaches that at pre-14u level, have no interest in developing girls just want to get the top players right now and win. I can't stand trophy chasing coaches that go blow out weak teams in a tournament and then post on Facebook how awesome his team is.
I love softball and my favorite part is the time I get to spend with my daughter and family because of it. I love the young lady my daughter is becoming and a lot of it is because she loves softball. She has learned to take on the competition, setting a higher standard for herself in all things, and being a productive part of a team. She has learned to be coachable, she has learned when to listen and when to lead. I teach at a high school and see teens all day that can't deal with life, no direction, no goals, no self respect. One of my favorite things about softball is walking into a ball park and seeing tons of young ladies that won't have those problems.
