Just an Honest Opinion!

If College Scholarship is the goal you have to move to the most competitive team you can. If just having fun is all you want out of it, then stay local and build your team. JMHO

Thank for all the Replies!

At the time I received the phone call from the Travel Coach, I had just got off of work, my wife and DD's yes plural were not home. My wife coaches the youngest DD's Basketball team which had practice, and then to watch while the 13 yr. old DD who was playing in her Jr High Basketball a home game. So they never knew the call came in at the time I had made my first post.

As it stands right now, no decision been made, But when the older DD was asked what she would like to do she stated " It doesn't matter to her, because she wanted have fun regardless of what team she plays on."

Please bear in mind that we as her parents aren't looking for College Scholarships for the DD's, not saying that it would be nice, But the DD's Education comes before Softball! We still have a few more days to think it over before making any final decision. I'll keep you Posted!


Thanks
OFCer's

FASTPITCH! Anything else and you're playing to SLOW![/B]

Hey Blue,
we had to make the same decision last fall.
Our situation sounds just like yours in every way.
I have told my rec team for the past three years that they would be the first team to win a state championship for their school b their senior year if they stayed together.
Then we discovered travel ball.
Since then i have helped 4 other girls from the team find travel ball teams.
They will all play as much of the rec season as possible while still putting thier travel team first.
I have found a great coach to take over the rec team and i will help as much as travel ball will allow.
We belive that the skills learned now in travel ball will help the team when they reach high school.
Our position is you must put your DD first while you help as many others as you can.
Keep me informed about a fundraiser

After reviewing all the post here.I say first you have to do whats best for your DD's,Secondly for your tourny team that you started.So,if there are other people that will step up and continue the quest to the next level for these girls you've coached,then you can continue your quest to better your DD's opportunity.

I,m confident that in the end you will do what's best for DD,s.Good Luck Blue!

FastpitchBlue said:

Thank for all the Replies!


As it stands right now, no decision been made, But when the older DD was asked what she would like to do she stated " It doesn't matter to her, because she wanted have fun regardless of what team she plays on."

Please bear in mind that we as her parents aren't looking for College Scholarships for the DD's, not saying that it would be nice, But the DD's Education comes before Softball! We still have a few more days to think it over before making any final decision. I'll keep you Posted!


Thanks
OFCer's

FASTPITCH! Anything else and you're playing to SLOW![/b]

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It sounds like you have your answer. I would have her stay with her team this year and then go to try outs in August. Try out for the coach that asked you and a few others, then let dd decide where to go. At 2nd yr 14, they should be making those decisions anyway.

She will get better much quicker if she is playing with better girls. So, if you think that the coaches will develop her, she will get a fair amount of playing time and will have fun with that team, then I say do it. Coaching, having talent around her and playing top competition is very important. Would want to also understand what her goals are - ie, play in high school etc.

Good luck

Coach Murph

I meant I have another pitcher to compliment her if Blue stays with the rec girls. He knows, I think, what I meant. I just wanted him to know I am there for him and the area he comes from is a hard area for the girls to be able to financially compete in tournaments. I know of people from his county that has never been out of that county. Now, that's the truth. I lived there at one time in my life.

My buddy from Columbus, IN (USSSA) told me last year when I was trying to get a Clinton County rec team to step out that the girls would be welcome to come to Columbus for a free event. This morning, he made the same offer via e-mail.

Kentucky IFA has offered up two free events as well. Of course, I offer a free event to you at Goshen in JUne. Of course, the girls can go to the IFA 14u National Tournament in Springfield, IL in July free of charge as a "B" team. I'll just get some more free motel rooms out of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for the girls.

I understand Blue what a challenge you have to decide with your daughter... but just let it be known that if there is anything I can do for you and the girls... don't hesitate to ask. I've been looking for a team to sponsor for two years now.... and finally I am in a position to do so.... you got my number. Call me when you make your decision.

FastpitchBlue said:

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.


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????

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Do YOU have the drive and desire to build a team in your area? Is there enough talent that can be cultivated and developed to produce a competitive team?

What expectations does your daughter have for the game? What happened to the travel teams 2nd string pitcher from last year? Who is to say your daughter won't be moved aside for a better pitcher if the other coach finds one? How well do you know him? What kind of committment did YOU make to the parents and especially the girls that you recruited to play on your local travel team?

My vote is to at the very least, play with the local team this coming year.

My 2 cents

quakerstateandlube always gets that IFA jab in here doesn't he?

I wonder what mandan thinks of this one...I remember once that mandan had his own team and ....well, nevermind

hmmm, will there be a daddy-coaching position for you if you split?

I was thinking back to when i used to coach ******...many of those kids were like sons and DD's to me...and if a select school came a-courtin for one of them, I might have to make the decision to move up with them and leave the others behind...

staying with your team, in the long run, may not turn out to be beneficial for everyone...there are probably lots and lots of posters here that have started and done that same as you. go for it!

We aparents always have to look out for our children. You should do what you think is best for your DD.

If dd doesn't care that much one way or the other, then what woud you like? What role does softball play in her life & development? College goals??, .... or High Schools goals?, ... or, just simply learning to compete, learning team work & sacrifice, social growth?

If there are any strong softball goals, I would thing long and hard about going the travel route. Maybe do BOTH this year, either in full or part time as a "guest" player if not ready for "the jump" for various reasons (including current commitments)?

In our area, there is a strong "travel/rec" program that a lot of girls play in solely, but many "travel/tourney" players play in it also since it is mostly "DURING" the week, with only a few conflicts. Can get a little hectic though.

Just some thoughts. Good luck!

What jab? I like the gentleman and he is good to his girls and they love him. If I can help, I will.

Blue, a few question.

If you had not received the call, would you have been contemplating even moving to another team? Don't know the circumstances of the coach that called but wouldn't the team already of been made up by now? Is the coach scrambling?

My gut feeling even not knowing all the circumstances is to stay with the team you created, develop them for one more season and then see what happens.

Good luck with your decision!


Kate

Blue, if it helps at all.....we are/were with an organization from a less-than affluent area where there weren't feasible travel softball options for most girls. Somebody started the Washington (PA) Wildfire Softball program some years back and it never really took off until the last few years. It has given a lot of girls an opportunity that they would never have otherwise. My husband and my younger daughter still coach and play there for 14 and under. My older daughter, however, aspires to play softball in college. There was no amount of fundraising/recruiting/speechgiving, etc. that was going to make college showcases or even competitive tournament play a reality for her within Wildfire. That may come down the road, but not in time for her. So, we have one with the developing program (13 years old) and one (15) who left for a more competitvely focused program that fits her long-term goals better. It is great to make an opportunity for a lot of girls but at some point it may become more important to make the right opportunity just for one.

Well said SWPA Mom. At 13u... is there that REAL opportunity or does that come down the road when College Showcases mean so much to the 16u and 18u teams ? He wrote me a wonderful PM and he knows I got his back if he wants to stay and develope the girls there. Believe me, when they played up and took 2nd... his team is no easy team to beat. Bunch of rec girls who played on the diamonds all their lives. A little more experience in the travel ball arena... and watch out. They liked it... and that makes them want to get better for each other. I think, in the end, that is what you want as a coach.

First let me say that I appreciate all the replies, and there were alot of Seriously Good Opinions. We have decided to stay with the little Travel Team that we started building in 2008. But please give me a chance to explain this decision in as short a manner as possible.
I've seen alot of references made about playing in H.S. or College and these are fine. But around here in the area in which we live for H.S if you can catch a fly ball, Chances are pretty good that you will play on the JV. or V. H.S. Team.

For College, both our DD's will attend College, Are we looking for a College Scholarship for her to play at the Collegiate level, the answer is No! In reality the odds are stacked against her right out of the starting chute and for many other girls her age they just haven't realized that yet. Seriously look at the 50 States and the 10's of 1000's of players her age acrossed this Great Country competing for the possibility of a College Scholarship.

We all know that there aren't that many scholarships to be that is handed out, We also know that College's not only look at the potential player atheletic abilities, but their GPA ACT/SAT scores are one of the first things that gets noticed over playing abilities. I don't care if you are the best of players around. Like they say No Grades! No Game! Her grades are fine, both of the DD's are A-B students this is why their Academics comes first. Chances are that Softball will never put a Pay Check in her hand to live on for the rest of their lives.

As for the Little Travel Team. These girls that play on this team, They are the future High School Team. Actually leaving them behind would be like driving your car around with 1 Brand "New" Tire and 3 Bald Tires. In other words why only have 1 fixed, when it takes All of them to make a TEAM?

To you this may be an unusual way to view things, but we have taken the time and have talked it over. After this season is over, we may look into leaving and playing elsewhere, But! until then she just wants to have Fun playing the Game of Softball.

Thanks to Everyone for your replies.
May we meet on some Ball Park in the Future!
FastpitchBlue

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

Been watching the back and forth on this thread, and IMHO you can be very proud of the decision you made. I personally agree 100% and am impressed that there are still people like you out there that look out for all your girls, not just your own DD. You are a true coach and I hope your players realize what a gem they have.

stay honor your commitment

number6 said:

Been watching the back and forth on this thread, and IMHO you can be very proud of the decision you made. I personally agree 100% and am impressed that there are still people like you out there that look out for all your girls, not just your own DD. You are a true coach and I hope your players realize what a gem they have.

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I really appreciate your words of Support.

I've coached the majority of these girls since they were 7 and 8 yrs. old.
I treat them just like they were my own, Heck! they might as well be. At times you
can't find a place to walk in the house at night for fear of stepping on one of them.
Sleep over at the coaches house, O' Boy!
Some are neigbors, and you can guess where they were at. Sure we have had our differences (Parents, & Players), then again what Family doesn't? But those disagreements are short lived, and we're back to playing ball.
Before the starting of the Travel Team when our Rec. Season was over they would
almost cry.
Personally I feel that we made the right decision in staying. So what if this Team never makes the Big Time, The Big Time for these players on the Travel Team last year in 2008 was all the FIRST'S they got to do. First time to watch a University Team play, It was their first time ever to play out of State, Their first time ever to play in Double Headers, and the funniest one was the first time they ever played under the "LIGHTS" at a Ball Park. You would have thought they walked out and were playing at the Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.
No! we may never make the Big Time Championships, But in their minds they already have. At times I don't know whether to Hugg'em or Kill'em, but what the Heck we're a Team along with all the Memories they will share in their lives, long after I'm gone. Now if I can get them outta my HOUSE! And the sad part is they will in Time!

Thanks again
number6

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