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We recently changed teams for our DD. Even though we changed teams for what my wife and I feel are valid reasons and we have no second thoughts, does anyone else find it hard to change teams?
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Are you talking about changing teams "mid-season" or a new team for a new year? I'm guessing that there is a learning curve involved- not only with respect to the team plays/signs etc., but also the team dynamics.
I imagine this would also vary depending on the age group involved. It's probably more difficult if your dd is the only new addition or an addition to a 16u team where most of the kids have played together for a while.
Good luck this season!
I imagine this would also vary depending on the age group involved. It's probably more difficult if your dd is the only new addition or an addition to a 16u team where most of the kids have played together for a while.
Good luck this season!
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Sort of depends on the situation but yes it's hard. My DD loves her current team but she had a lot of trouble leaving teammates which had became friends on her old team. Same goes for parents that establish relationships with other parents.
But the other side of it is you likely left the team for a better situation /opportunity for your DD and it's always exciting to meet new players and parents. Hopefully it will be a good group and you won't look back.
But the other side of it is you likely left the team for a better situation /opportunity for your DD and it's always exciting to meet new players and parents. Hopefully it will be a good group and you won't look back.
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Could not agree more. Its definitely hard to leave a team that your DD has made such goods friends on. Plus, as parents, you build those relationships as well. I mean, you spend so much time with these people throughout the year, its hard not to care about them and to not feel bad about changing teams.
However, as long as you know in your heart that you made the change for your DD to become a better player, you can't look back.
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I have a situation where some girls from our 1st year (97) team were taken aside and told that they have been hand picked to combine with some (97) girls from the second year team and a couple girls from the younger team (98) that are stud athletes to create an "all-star" team. We were told this could only happen if we all agreed and made a commitment immediately (mid-July). Based on that scenario, we took a leap of faith, agreed, and didn't even go to any try-outs. In reality, only a few of our (97) girls were added to the (98) team moving up from 12U and there were no girls from the older team. This isn't what we agreed to so we left the team. I don't feel guilty for leaving as the organization didn't keep their end of the deal.
I don't think the organization mislead us intentionally, as we all know how things can come toghether and fall apart just as quickly, but we were mislead nonetheless. In the end you do what is best for you DD.
I don't think the organization mislead us intentionally, as we all know how things can come toghether and fall apart just as quickly, but we were mislead nonetheless. In the end you do what is best for you DD.
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My dd changed teams a few years ago in the off-season to get an opportunity to pitch. She was stuck behind some well established, and very good pitchers and just never had the chance. She was sad to leave her friends, but made her own gutsy decision.
We played her former team that next season, and when she took the mound in relief, her former teammates gave her a standing ovation from the bench.
I really do love to watch the girls' athletics. You get to see a lot of really cool moments.
We played her former team that next season, and when she took the mound in relief, her former teammates gave her a standing ovation from the bench.
I really do love to watch the girls' athletics. You get to see a lot of really cool moments.
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Our dd changed teams this season for better opportunity and coaching she also decided to jump to 18u because of the coach so far so good he is really making her a better player so far.
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Nothing wrong with leaving a team when your commitment is done to better your dd's opportunities. It is sad to leave friends but you will surely make more. It is only a 1 year commitment, then they are all free agents. 
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We just changed too. It's all about the right fit for your DD. Honestly, we picked the first team for all the wrong reasons. (Like being closer to home and half the price). What makes it harder is that the team we left was a great coach and wonderful kids and parents. It just wasn't the right fit for our DD.
But I figure the season hasn't started yet. And she will still have time to mesh with the new team.
But I admit that I am living with a little guilt just because I don't want to appear to be "those parents" who are never happy. Hoping to get over it soon.
But I figure the season hasn't started yet. And she will still have time to mesh with the new team.
But I admit that I am living with a little guilt just because I don't want to appear to be "those parents" who are never happy. Hoping to get over it soon.
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Really liked the girls on the team we left. Realized tonite that DD wants to enjoy playing ball and she wasn't having fun. Believe we are in a better situation with new team. Thanks for all the replies, nice to know that we all go through this in the wonderful softball journey we are on.
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Sounds like you made the right choice for your daughter! You will make many new memories this year too....enjoy the ride.
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That is the key if your not having fun its not worth it no matter how good your dd is or the team she is on.
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We changed teams as well due to lots of politics from the coaches and gossip among the players. My DD didnt go to school with any of the girls and was considered an outsider. We made the move and she couldnt be happier. The coach for her old team would cave in to his daughter and her friends and it made for a long unpleasant season.
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My daughter is going on her second year with her team. We really enjoy all the girls and the parents are great. But if she wasnt happy or if there were alot of politics, then i would have no problem walking away. as long as it is best for your DD then you should have no regrets. good luck .
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It can be really tough for a lot of the reasons mentioned. My DD changed teams after four years with her previous team. It made it harder because we were part of the founding of the team and I was one of the coaches. Politics or coaching philosophy had very little, if anything, to do with it. It was simply a change of scenery. Sometimes there is the uncertainty of whether the right decision was made or not. You have to trust yourself and the decision if it was made for good reasons. Life will go on.
