Just an Honest Opinion!

default · Jan 5, 2009

I have coached at the Rec. level for several years; and in 2008 was our first year to partially break away from the Rec. scene at try our hand at Travel, and the team actually didn't do all that bad. You have to understand that the depressed county in which I live has few opportunities for youth players to be exposed to any of type Travel Ball as there are none here, and so another coach and I got our girls together and established a semi-travel team if you will, and the girls and parents enjoyed it, regardless if we won or lost.

I received a phone call tonight from a Travel Team Coach inquiring about my "DD" (13 yrs.) This Coach has seen her pitch in a few games in 2008, because the our team had played them. He was wanting to know if (she) would be interested in joining their Team in 2009 and that she would be the
2nd string pitcher on that team.

Now here's the $64.00 QUESTION? So now do I just pull my "DD" and walk away from the little Travel Team that we have been trying to establish for the girls here in the county, and leave the other team members behind. Or do we stay and try to build a Travel Team Program here. I'm aware of the benefits and knowledge that she could gain by being on a Travel Team.

Walk Away or Stay????

FASTPITCH! Anything else, and you're playing to SLOW!

default · Jan 5, 2009

Wow, that's a tough one. What does she think?

default · Jan 5, 2009

Stay for another year and guide those girls into travel ball, Fastpitch Blue. I saw your team at Goshen. Those girls loved the taste of travel ball and they got in their blood now. Those are some scappy girls that nobody has ever saw before. Take them to the next level and decide in August, 2009 when new teams are forming for their 2010 teams.
Plenty of local events that they can get into. POrtsmouth, Cincinnati, Goshen, Ashland, KY. I think you be pleasantly surprised by those girls.

I think you got some girls there... I really do. You could see it in their eyes.... They liked it TOO much...lol...

default · Jan 5, 2009

AnotherSoftballMom said:
Wow, that's a tough one. What does she think?

She doesn't know yet, She is at a Home Game playing Jr. High Basketball right now.

FASTPITCH! Anything else, and you're playing to SLOW!

default · Jan 5, 2009

ohioquakerman said:
Stay for another year and guide those girls into travel ball, Fastpitch Blue. I saw your team at Goshen. Those girls loved the taste of travel ball and they got in their blood now. Those are some scappy girls that nobody has ever saw before. Take them to the next level and decide in August, 2009 when new teams are forming for their 2010 teams.
Plenty of local events that they can get into. POrtsmouth, Cincinnati, Goshen, Ashland, KY. I think you be pleasantly surprised by those girls.

I think you got some girls there... I really do. You could see it in their eyes.... They liked it TOO much...lol...

Thanks Quakerman, I respect your thoughts! The girls didn't do Bad for first Timers.

FASTPITCH! Anything else, and you're playing to SLOW!

default · Jan 5, 2009

See message above, Blue. We was typing at the same time.

default · Jan 5, 2009

Not bad at all, Blue. They liked it... and that is always a reason to get better.

default · Jan 5, 2009

Without naming the team:
What do you know about them?
Big org, competitive?
How are the coaches?
Does your dd fit in with that group?
Before asking her, do you think that she would jump at it?
Not least, what does this do to the team you're leaving?

default · Jan 5, 2009

I've been looking for a team to help sponsor from my area for two years now... out of the rec depts into travel ball. Think the parents would travel every once in awhile?

default · Jan 5, 2009

wgman21 said:
Without naming the team:
What do you know about them?
Big org, competitive?
How are the coaches?
Does your dd fit in with that group?
Before asking her, do you think that she would jump at it?
Not least, what does this do to the team you're leaving?

Medium Org.

3 coaches

She knows a few of the players on the travel softball team, they are from the neighboring county and she plays Jr. High Sports against them. From what I've seen at Softball Games they get along pretty good if you ask me!

I'm not sure myself. And not sure how she would respond! Maybe like a Call up from the Pro's to her.

This leave's the existing Team pretty much pitcherless if there is such a word.

FASTPITCH! Anything else, and you're playing to SLOW!

default · Jan 5, 2009

If you should decide to keep things the way it is... let's find two more pitchers and I'll throw a tournament in late March and early April for fundraiser for the girls. I was just talking to Goshen earlier this evening about two dates in March and early April. I got some "free" tournaments you can go to as well in Kentucky and Indiana (Columbus). There's a rec girl here in Goshen that can throw the ball hard. Just can't afford to travel. She lives next door to me....lol

Must be a sign from above.

default · Jan 5, 2009

Can you count on this team not doing to you next year what you're about to do to your team? Will this break your current team?

I'm not judging at all. I'm just asking you the questions that I would ask myself.

Lastly, how about thanking the coach for his interest and telling him that you'll be at his tryout in August.

default · Jan 5, 2009

IMO if you are already committed to your current team then stay with that team.

default · Jan 5, 2009

Please note: I know this is tearing Blue up... as you'd have to know him. I like him very much. The girls do too. I actually found someone who can talk as much as me about the game...lol...

Let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I'm here for you. Got to go for the night. Time for my real job.

Tim

default · Jan 5, 2009

If your daughter is serious about getting better then i would move her to the better team with a better schedule. These are developmental years and she cannot get them back. The sonner that she sees what real competition is like then the sooner she will know how much harder she has to work. If she flounders thru another year with a slightly above average red all-star team then she will not get mcuh better. Simply pitching is not enough, she has to face a tough line-up and she what she has to do to get them out. Also she needs to have a decent defense behind her so again she has an oppertunity to learn what pitching actually is as opposed to just throwing it by inferior hitters. She will only get better competing against players who are better then her and pitching in meaningful games.

Now if she is not overly excited about it then perhaps she is in the right place and just wants to have some fun and compete a little bit. Thats why its important to figure out where she is.

Remember you can never get these formative years back, she will beneifit greatly from playing better competition and being the #2 on a team and challenging to be #1.

default · Jan 5, 2009

If she is 13, I'll assume she is on a 14u team for 2009? If so, then I'll assume she and most, if not all, of the other players are 13 also meaning they are a 13u team? This year will be tough for all of them probably as they'll face the "older" 14u teams alot. Their "scrappiness" won't mean as much this year ,chances are. I don't mean that in a bad way. But, with that said, it is a tough choice. If the team loses its #1 pitcher thats just going to make it even harder for the rest of the girls. Winning and losing may not mean much right now to them, but if they have a real tough year, it could sour some of them. Not that its totally your responsibility to ensure they don't sour, but it is somewhat since you helped start the team. I know thats not supposed to happen, losing leading to less desire to play, but in reality it does. If your dd goes to another team, I'd make sure they were 13u for the most part also, otherwise you're just doing a one year gig for the most part and is that worth bailing on the current team? Lastly, if your dd is a #1 now, she may use this first year at 14u, with her current team, to be "the girl" for another year and then by next tryout season she should only be better for it. Bottom line is, as the old saying goes, the grass is not always greener on the other side. But, sometimes it actually is. If it were me, it would have to be the perfect situation for my dd to leave the team at this point in the off season. They're losing a #1 pitcher and their coach or manager. Thats tough to recover from in January. tough choice. do sincerely wish you and your dd the best of luck with it though. It will all work out.

default · Jan 5, 2009

I think it is a understanding between you and the family as to what you value most. (The opportunity is not lost if you stay with your team and work it, because you can create and build that same opportunity in which you seek in your own backyard). You have 12 daughters on your current team that look up to the program you built. The opportunity to make and direct a future ball player is a gift that lasts a lifetime. My motto is, How bad do you want it....... as well as...... If you can not find what you seek, make it!

default · Jan 5, 2009

Having been a part of an effort to build a travel team in our backyard, I'm going to have to agree with edamame that you should think carefully before passing up this opportunity. I can't tell from your posting whether in 2009 you plan for your team to continue as a "semi-travel" team. If so, then she is going to miss out on a very important opportunity to face competition week in and week out that will make her better.

I'm never quite sure that I'm tracking quakerman's posts, but I THINK he's saying that he could get pitchers for your present team to replace your DD. Is there anyone who you think might step up to take on the Head Coach position? That might be your best bet.

Our experience was that in a small town it was difficult to find a full complement of girls and families who were willing to commit to being dedicated travel ball players. And then there was all the drama that came with girls and families who had grown up with each other. In our case, we were MUCH happier on a state-wide team where the commitment of the families was without question.

You've done a wonderful thing exposing these girls to travel ball. I don't think that good act should now operate to hold your daughter back, especially if there are ways that your absences could be filled by other players and coaches.

Of course, as others have pointed out, whether your daughter wants to play at a higher level is the primary determining factor.

default · Jan 5, 2009

well said cgs

default · Jan 5, 2009

I have some simple question....

In your opinion, what is best for your DD? What goals are you striving for? Which option would help you achieve those goals? Is loyaly to the rec team the main factor in your decision? I think you already know your decision. Go with your gut feeling.

Just an Honest Opinion!

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