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I used to think my daughter was an incredible pitcher, until we started the travel ball circuit. She was way better than rec ball, but travel ball is totally different. She rarely pitches now. She still practices at home, was a varsity pitcher as a freshman, but got a big dose of reality when she started playing travel ball. I still think she is really good, but not an incredible pitcher.
She now plays the outfield and enjoys not having all that pressure.
That said, I still talk her up, but she is the one who impresses the coaches, not me. So I tell them what she can do and let her show it. I agree if you exaggerate your daughters abilities, it is going to show rather quickly.

 

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JoeA,
I agree with most of your statement, but I have found that a lot of players that are good in the infield cannot play well in the outfield. They can catch routine fly balls, but they often misjudge the depth of the ball. I think that outfield is one of those positions that a player cannot always learn as you have to have the depth perception and be able to judge where the ball is going.

 

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I agree with that luvthegame. Notice in my previous post that I purposely split the talent pool into 3 basic groups. Pitchers/catchers, infielders, and outfielders.

You are correct that judging a fly ball is a skill that not every great ballplayer has. I might even go so far to say that it may be one of those skills you're born with. I think it has a lot to do with how well the eyes and brain work together to provide great tracking and depth perception. Maybe it can be improved with practice??? I've never seen any specific exercises for that other than just 1000's of repetitions catching fly balls.