default
Member
As a whole, I would imagine about 80% of the girls playing elite softball have hopes of playing softball at the collegiate level. Some will make D1 while others will be best suited for D2 or D3. Catching the eye of a college coach these days can prove extremely difficult and sometimes never happens. Be sure to tell your daughters that life doesn't end just because her scholarship never becomes reality.
For those of us with a daughter(s) playing in college I'm sure we all speak from the same experiences. This is an extremely difficult endeavor and one that should be thought through thoroughly. This time of year can be taxing on student athletes as they prepare for early Spring schedules as well as learning to study while on the road.
Just this week, my daughter phoned us in a panic because she was informed she has 4 tests in 2 days. Usually, this would already be a heavy load to prepare for but you also have to add in the 2 practices a day. Requesting to skip practice isn't usually an option so these ladies spend many hours under lamps while others on campus enjoy their sleep. Add in the distance from home and sometimes it proves to be too much.
Be sure to tell your daughters that loving the game now can sometimes change down the road when it becomes more of a "job" mentality. There will be ebbs and flows and some sad calls homes. Ensure her that over time this will get easier and that she will adapt. If she's attending the school as a scholar-athlete there are people at the institution that have full confidence she can do it and so should she. Confindence and elite performance put her in this position and she should lean on it to get her through the tough times.
Be a listening board for your daughters. They are calling you to receive advice and sometimes just have someone to vent on. Sometimes they won't always get along with their teammates or coaches but they know they can talk to you. Remember they are out there alone in this big world and at times they think everything is going wrong. This too will pass and most of the time it happens in a matter of minutes.
With all the less than perfect scenarios you will encounter......there is NOTHING like the look you'll get when they touch the dirt in early Spring. These are competetive girls and they will finally be in their element. Sit back, enjoy it and remind her that this is why she spent all of those worrisome hours as a collge ball player.
For those of us with a daughter(s) playing in college I'm sure we all speak from the same experiences. This is an extremely difficult endeavor and one that should be thought through thoroughly. This time of year can be taxing on student athletes as they prepare for early Spring schedules as well as learning to study while on the road.
Just this week, my daughter phoned us in a panic because she was informed she has 4 tests in 2 days. Usually, this would already be a heavy load to prepare for but you also have to add in the 2 practices a day. Requesting to skip practice isn't usually an option so these ladies spend many hours under lamps while others on campus enjoy their sleep. Add in the distance from home and sometimes it proves to be too much.
Be sure to tell your daughters that loving the game now can sometimes change down the road when it becomes more of a "job" mentality. There will be ebbs and flows and some sad calls homes. Ensure her that over time this will get easier and that she will adapt. If she's attending the school as a scholar-athlete there are people at the institution that have full confidence she can do it and so should she. Confindence and elite performance put her in this position and she should lean on it to get her through the tough times.
Be a listening board for your daughters. They are calling you to receive advice and sometimes just have someone to vent on. Sometimes they won't always get along with their teammates or coaches but they know they can talk to you. Remember they are out there alone in this big world and at times they think everything is going wrong. This too will pass and most of the time it happens in a matter of minutes.
With all the less than perfect scenarios you will encounter......there is NOTHING like the look you'll get when they touch the dirt in early Spring. These are competetive girls and they will finally be in their element. Sit back, enjoy it and remind her that this is why she spent all of those worrisome hours as a collge ball player.