Commitment - When does fastpitch win over other sports?

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Ok ... this is more of a venting session versus a question.

When does fastpitch become a priority or, at least, win out over spring ******, basketball, or volleyball? This website likes to block out the word s o c c e r as if it is a curse word ...... in my opinion, they should do the same with basketball and volleyball.

My DD's have been blessed with outstanding athletic ability and are also three sport players. Both of them also stand out in their other sports. Both of which are always being asked to join a travel or club team for the respective sport. This past spring, both were asked to play club basketball. My 9th grader said no because of HS Softball .... my 8th grader said no because she wanted to concentrate on getting ready for softball season. Over the past four tournament seasons, these two knuckleheads have missed movies, social events, everything under the sun to attend off season fastpitch training ..... the only excusses to miss have been related to family illness and/or a conflict with any "in season" sports.

Our first two tournaments will be affected by players / parents who have chosen their ****** and/or Basketball team over their Fastpitch team ....... this combined with an inujured player has changed the fundamental makeup of our team.

Everyone who accepted to play for this team/organization agreed that May 1st starts fastpitch season!

(Since my DD's started playing travel ball) I cannot even tell you how many off season practices where only a third of the players make an effort to make a practice. (my opinion, in season sports and HS softball only valid excuse not to make an attempt) (Of course, you will find those HS Varsity coaches who make it difficult when scheduling off season varsity training .....i.e. ****** and Basketball practice throughout the summer .... show to practice or sit the bench during the season mentality...... tough decision to make)

When is it OKAY to become upset? (Both as a player and or parent?)

I can tell you that I am already there!

 

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As much as I agree with you, I think it generally happens when the girls get into high school before they make a commitment only for softball. That's when the girls start deciding what sport is most important and focusing to go after the scholarship of said sport.

 

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We talk to both the parents and players when they are offered a spot in our organization and we lay out what is expected and what type of commitment is required. It isn't for everyone.

 

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As much as I agree with you, I think it generally happens when the girls get into high school before they make a commitment only for softball. That's when the girls start deciding what sport is most important and focusing to go after the scholarship of said sport.

Truly have no problem with multiple sports....Our family rule has been that only one travel team is acceptable due to the commitment requirements and conflict with other programs. It's not fair to those who are depending on us to be there.

 

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My dd quit cheer leading (thank goodness) and 4-H her 10th grade year for all softball. She is one of the few in our area. I think it depends on the size of the school. If some didn't play multiple sports we wouldnt have a Basketball or Vollyball team..

 

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It isn't for everyone.

You hit the nail on the head right here.

 

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You hit a nerve with me! I have yet to see one instance where someone was missing another sport due to a softball commitment. It grows increasingly painful as volleyball and basketball seem to extend their seasons well into the spring. And if they really want to excel, well, shoot, they need to play the summer season too! There are plenty of parents thinking their kid is such a great athlete they have to play travel/club ball in every sport, regardless of the impact it has on their fastpitch team. I have seen teams take 4 tournaments..outdoors..to be as ready as they needed to be on day one. Unfortunately, we were only playing 7 tournaments that year. It's not a good sign to have 3 girls at batting practice all winter, and maybe 5 or 6 in march and april. You go ahead and vent away!!!

 

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You hit a nerve with me! I have yet to see one instance where someone was missing another sport due to a softball commitment.!!

DD missed summer sokker league and summer basketball league during high school because of travel ball, so it does happen. Thankfully school coaches understood and DD didn't get penalized, however she did quit basketball because she couldn't stand the coach.

 

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Yes, practices can be painful when only half your team is there. Seems to me kids and parents make the choice when they excel to a greater extent at one sport over another, or when their playing time decreases in one sport or the other. Remember, these are developing young women and many enjoy playing multiple sports. I think it is up to the coach to be upfront. If you want a team of softball only players, that is one choice. On the other hand it is also the coaches duty to give the ladies on hand the best opportunity. This may mean inviting players not on your team to join practice, or using subs to schedule fall and early spring games.

 

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It isn't for everyone.

Then quit! Do not commit to a team you cannot fullfil your commitment with .... there are too many others depending on you.

 

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Commitment perception?


I had aninteresting phone call a few weeks back from a mother looking for a 16U or 18U travel team for her daughter and the HS coach suggested our organization.
Mom was proud of DD as she should be, and her accomplishments with Volley Ball, Softball, 4H,Cheerleading?

Mom said DD wasa very athletic and "committed individual".

As I started asking the typical questions I found out she had never played A level travel,mostly local rec. leagues where she was an all star and did sub several times for teams last year in local travel tournaments while playing several HS sportsand cheerleading.

Mom stated DD aspires to play D1 Softball and is unsure of a major. As a HS junior I explained that if her desire is truly to play at that level she has a ton ofcatch up to do. When I asked if she was willing to play Fall tournaments to achieve this goal mom said she was already committed to cheering football and was thinking about playing ****** her senior year.

When I explained to her the type of commitment needed especially for D1 she felt DD had demonstrated the ability to commit to play multiple sports and activities and be successful?

So moms perception was that all the activities made her look more marketable. I wished them luck with their search and sent her here to the teams looking page?

 

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I have to wonder, does this lack of commitment happen more to certain organization? My two DD played mostly with Ohio Ice and this was never a problem. Travel coach understood when DD was in season with other sport and our High School coach never said a word to my DD out of season (my one DD played AAU and premier ******). Just wondering.

 

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My DD's team is now at the high school age and still running into multiple sports, dance, music, and other conflicts with travel ball. Was hoping this would work itself out once they got older. Listening to their parents talk during games, all those activities suffer. Plus the homework piles up and not sure how they manage to do it. We talked to our DD's and explained to them that academics is first, then if you play travel sport, then that sport is second priority to academics. For the time and money it requires to be competitive, I don't think it's fair to a team if they cannot fully commit.

 

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My younger dd was on a local 14U travel team that was stacked with athletic talent but the entire team was not focused on softball. The majority were playing basketball and volleyball and a few where playing s----r. They were working softball into the schedule gaps, which were becoming fewer and fewer. Our last summer together we only played in 4 tournaments winning 3 of them.

It was painful but we had to separate ourselves into the various sports and go in search of similarly minded players. Each family made their own decision as to what was best for their daughter. Out of the 12 kids, 4 went onto to play D2 basketball; 1 is playing D1 basketball; 3 are playing D2 Volleyball; 1 is playing club softball and my dd ended up at a NAiA School-Pitching.

It is imperative that you find a team that has a similar committement level to that sport and not waste a precious year. I found that allowing various sports was okay but a transition had to happen in our family in the 14U years. It was hard to leave such great kids and families to pursue own dreams but it worked out best for all. Its time for you to move on.

 

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Both my DD's play multiple sports but the "in season" sport always takes precidence. We have had several times when we would take them from a bball tourn straight to a winter softball prac in between games. It's all about how much you want to commit. We are in a small school so the school can't afford for too many kids to specialize in one sport or they will not have enough kids to play. Basically you just try the best you can and be up front with the coach. I do agree 100% though that when it is softball season you need to make every effort to be there 100% of the time.

 

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It is imperative that you find a team that has a similar committement level to that sport and not waste a precious year. I found that allowing various sports was okay but a transition had to happen in our family in the 14U years. It was hard to leave such great kids and families to pursue own dreams but it worked out best for all. Its time for you to move on.

Well Said ..... hard to believe how fast time is going by .... 16U Showcase Tournaments are a year away ..... cannot afford to "waste a precious year".

 

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In my few years of coaching travel ball so far, this is probably my biggest frustration. I would never want to discourage a kid from doing anything they want to do in life. And there is no doubt that the girls who do play multiple sports are, in most cases, tremendous athletes and any team would be lucky to have them. The issue comes when those said players, continue to miss softball practices for other sports, but then come game time, they expect to play. So, that forces that coach to be in a situation of do I coach for the team to be competitive and let the multi-sport athletes start?? Or do I coach with my heart and let "Susie" who might not be as naturally talented, but shows the commitment to this team and works hard at every softball practice?
We have been pretty fortunate to have not had many conflicts with this year’s team, but this topic is definitely one that strikes a cord with me as well.​