Academics in 'Select' ball

bear 34,The problem lies in the huge range of academic abilities of girls. How would you feel if the only team in your area required that your daughter carry a 3.5 and no matter how hard she tried all she could accomplish is a 2.9 Is it fair that the travel coach be able to tell your daughter that she can't play? Or how about the fact that it would detrimental to her self esteem (which I believe is way more important for life than academics) to have to sit when she tried her hardest but just doesn't get it. Some kids just can't get honor roll grades with or without softball involved. So just because a girl isn't academically gifted that means that gets shafted from the other lessons to be learned from playing ball and just being a kid playing sports and having fun? I just don't think that someone else who knows nothing about your child should be able to put those restrictions on them. This is a pay-to-play sport and not a school function. Just so you know I am all for ME punishing my dd for her grades when I feel she hasn't put forth complete effort. But how is some coach who just met her at a tryout to know that? Who is he to judge her based on a report card? Parents are the ones that are supposed to be raising their children and setting the guidelines. As a 12U parent I am just enjoying the days as the come. I am not worrying about 14u, high school or farther. They grow up too fast we need to enjoy every day as it is here. Not worry about 6 years down the road. I agree that some 12U's know what they think they want to do in the future but not all and it is crazy to think that they do even the ones that have a dream may still change their minds late in HS. I know a girl who wanted to be a pediatrician her whole life took college prep courses, enrolled in college for pre-med and a week before school started changed her major to pre-k ed. Day by day because it can all change in the beat of a heart.

By your logic, a school ball player with a 1.5 GPA should be able to play on the school ball team regardless. It is solely your responsibility to punish your daughter, no one else? So your daughter would never serve a detention for an infraction at school?Even more along your line of logic of self esteem and trying her hardest, what if she tried her hardest but wasn't the best player, or at least not better than any of the 14 girls that made the team? Should the coach allow her on the team to keep her self esteem intact?

For 12u teams I agree it might be harsh to sit a player for grades, but for the most part, you just have to show up and do your assignments to maintain a "B" average at that age. In high school, the girls need to learn that academics are important and even more important than softball and most everything else. The coaches are an extra tool for the parents, not taking over the parents' responsibilities. Like I said before, the more adults beating into their heads that grades are more important than anything else right now, at that age, the better.

Not being [highlight]able[/highlight] to succeed academically should never be punished. Some kids just can't do the school work. Again school sports and pay-to-play travel are separate entities. Being cut from a sport for being less of an athelete-yes. Because you can't be an honor roll student-no. So what should the school make kids stay for detention because of bad grades? Oh I am sorry little Suzie but you don't comprehend geometry sorry but you need to go to detention until your bring your grade up. How stupid does that sound. As stupid as a non-school related function requiring proof of good (who determines what is good) grades. If my child breaks a rule or law someone else can punish her but just because someone feels that she should be an honor student whoe gives them the right?

As far as coaches reinforcing to do your best in school and make sure you do your school work that is all great. But setting a GPA standard would not be fair to some girls.

Academics and Fastpitch....hmmmm......just my opinion but.....I agree some kids work their tails off just to carry a C average...some get straight A's without killing themselves to get the grade......I think it is all about effort and commitment.......I do believe a coach or organization if stated from the onset can and does have the responsibility to the girl and the team to make sure that the kid is giving their best effort both with academics and with softball. Last thing I want to do is mislead a kid as to what priorities are......school grades first...then softball.....if they cannot commit to their best effort in school how in the world will they commit to their best effort on the field. Ultimately it is the parents responsibility for their childs work in school....but with as much time as we spend together in travel ball aren't we all one big family only hoping for the best for each kid be it a solid C average or a straight A grading period? Some girls clear the fence some are line drive hitters...not all are the same...but the care and effort should be the same for every girl!

Well said Miami! We need to think of ourselves a one big family on the teams. I have always told my ladies that I am there to support them in everything they do. I have always stressed the mental part of the game and self-confidence. I have explained to them to believe in themselves and their abilities and to be confident. I told them that this relates to softball, school, and life in general. I had one mom tell me that her daughter said "That the coach told me to believe that I can do it". That I am a good player and that I can do it." Her daughter said that she started to try it and it worked. The mind is a powerful tool. Confidence helps in all areas. So teach them to be confident and try hard in all aspects of their lives. IMHO

what-to-do said:

Again school sports and pay-to-play travel are separate entities. Being cut from a sport for being less of an athelete-yes. Because you can't be an honor roll student-no.

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I don't think I have read anyone say that a select team should "cut" a player because of grades and certainly not because they didn't make honor roll. ?What I understand from most of those in favor of emphasizing grades in select ball is just that, emphasizing the importance of doing your best, on and off the field. ?If a 'C' is the best your DD can do in a certain subject, then great, they did their best!

My teenage and preteen (already!!) children think I don't know anything about nothing! ?DUH!! ?The more the merrier! ?The more people; ?teachers, youth pastors, grandparents, friend's parents, piano instructors, and yes, COACHES, that emphasize to my children that school work is important, the better they will do! ?

I strive for my children to be the best well rounded people that they can be. ?Besides softball skills, the team we are part of this year emphasizes the importance of school work and also communtiy service. ?The girls are planning community service activities to work on over the winter months. ?Do they have to participate to stay on the team, no, but I am thrilled the coaches care about my DD as a person, not just a glove and bat!

Great comments 3v's. You need to shorten you name it is way too long! So I will dub you the 3v's. LOL ;D ;D

I guess that's better than the three 'B's!!