Disappointment....

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I need to vent a bit...

My dd's high school team went to the Div. IV final 4 last year. We have a new coaching staff this year and so far I am happy with them all.

We graduated 3 infield starters last year. This year you would think the girls would be stoked about playing and trying to get to state again. So far, of the remaining starters, only 3 are returning!! The pitcher, catcher, and 1st baseman. Several juniors, who started last year, aren't playing this year. One because she doesn't want to play with the other girl, who just quit today!!

We have a small school so all players matter at this point! Most of the girls who played the last 2 years have lettered twice playing varsity! I don't understand why you wouldn't want to play if you already know you are good enough to play varsity and letter for 4 years!

We do have some pretty talented Freshman coming up, who now have a very very good chance of starting Varsity this year! We had a pretty good shot at going back to state this year. Our chances maybe are not as good, but I am confident the freshman can get the job done!!

I am so glad my dd loves this sport!! I realize it is the kids decision whether or not they play, but the reasons for NOT playing seem so ludicrous to me!!

Okay, I'm done! Not so sure I feel better about it yet though!

 

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A wise man once said "drama is #1 high school girls sport" He's right, its our job as parents and coaches to try and change that before our girls we are responsible for get to high school.

 

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I am a high school teacher and high schoolers are a very irrational group of people. They don't think through decisions, they have no clue that 4 years goes by very quickly, they have no idea that a lot of what they love will end very soon. Parents are so quick to allow these kids to make their own decisions without helping them to understand that if you don't play in high school, your chances of playing in college are lessened, that you have 4 years left to play the sport you love and then you graduate. I am not saying there aren't adult leagues but for heaven sake this is about being part of something good while you are in school. And finally, a busy kid is a kid that doesn't have time to get in trouble.....encourage your children to participate in as much as possible, even if it seems like an "inconvenience" driving them all over. Kids with tons of spare time, have too much time to find things to get in to! I hope a lot of these girls have a change of heart.....adulthood comes soon enough, enjoy this while you have it

 

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helping them to understand that if you don't play in high school, your chances of playing in college are lessened

Do you have some sort of evidence to support this statement??

 

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Do you have some sort of evidence to support this statement??

How about when that college coach asks, "Why didn't you play softball your senior year?"

The answer goes a far way toward one of those non-softball characteristics that a college coach uses to determine whether she wants that type of characteristic on her/his team.

The girl might have a good answer or she might not have a good answer. There are a lot of non-softball related things that college coaches use to thin the herd.

 

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How about when that college coach asks, "Why didn't you play softball your senior year?"

The answer goes a far way toward one of those non-softball characteristics that a college coach uses to determine whether she wants that type of characteristic on her/his team.

The girl might have a good answer or she might not have a good answer. There are a lot of non-softball related things that college coaches use to thin the herd.

Ok. In light of wvan's overwhelming evidence I am now convinced that playing high school ball is essential to playing in college. I mean when "that college coach" asks an imaginary question, well, the debate is pretty much over.

By the way, I don't have enough information to disagree, but I have never heard of this before and would very much like to know if it's true. I hope some actual college coaches will weigh in.

 

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Ok. In light of wvan's overwhelming evidence I am now convinced that playing high school ball is essential to playing in college. I mean when "that college coach" asks an imaginary question, well, the debate is pretty much over.

Well, I in no way said that my statement was overwelming but it is just something that I have seen in my time in travel ball and dealing with college coaches. I am in no way an expert, but my statement is made on what I have actually seen and heard right out of college coaches mouths.

The question is not imaginary, That particular question will get ask when the coach sees that no HS softball experience is listed. And the answer to that question will be used to help the coach make selection decisions. The girl might have a very valid reason for not playing HS softball. But, the fact that the girl did not play HS softball will be used, either good or bad, as a discriminator.

 

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I think JoeA stated that same answer as a D2 college coach in a recent post this last week.

 

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If they weren't interested in what you did in HS ball, they wouldn't put "HS stats, coach, etc." on every recruit questionairre that you fill out.

HS ball is absolutely important to college coaches.

 

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I think JoeA stated that same answer as a D2 college coach in a recent post this last week.

Which answer? I am sure you are right, but I can't recall what I said yesterday, let alone last week.

 

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A wise man once said "drama is #1 high school girls sport" He's right, its our job as parents and coaches to try and change that before our girls we are responsible for get to high school.
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So true Uber, it seems that HS ball is more about drama than the love and fun of the game. But at least it's playing time (for most I hope) until summer ball starts.

 

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Wow this thread took a left turn, getting back to the original comments by "sad627", that is a shame, but unfortunately getting to be more of the norm. I played high school and college baseball and football and have coached high school, travel and rec ball for over 30 years. It gets worse every year, just the way it is now. We live in a society of "whats in it for me" as opposed to old school "do the right thing" and "do whats best for the team, school, friends, family, etc..." best way to avoid this is to start developing the servant attitude when they are little....or they will eventually find out the hard way

 

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will be a good thing for the younger classes as they will get a lot of experience, and get them ready for their next couple of years. my daughter played varsity for her first 2 years and then when a jr didnt want to play anymore, a couple of years after high school she asked me why i didnt make her stay with it. she played for akron east orientals (they will always be orientals to those of us who graduated) Ms Julie Lewis and in her second year they won city championship----was awesome..

 

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Thank god my parents didn't move to Akron east ( orientals). I can't imagine being Asian playing for the Orientals. LOL. What kind of mascot do they have?

 

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It gets worse every year, just the way it is now. We live in a society of "whats in it for me" as opposed to old school "do the right thing" and "do whats best for the team, school, friends, family, etc..."

I think this explains it perfectly. As a HS coach and a travel coach, I have seen the "what's in it for me" attitude become the prevailing mindset. It has hurt the game immensely.

 

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Ok. In light of wvan's overwhelming evidence I am now convinced that playing high school ball is essential to playing in college. I mean when "that college coach" asks an imaginary question, well, the debate is pretty much over.

By the way, I don't have enough information to disagree, but I have never heard of this before and would very much like to know if it's true. I hope some actual college coaches will weigh in.

I would like to hear some GOOD reasons why a girl who has interest in playing college ball would not be playing high school ball?????

Unless it is injury related, I think not playing goes a long way in a coach's thoughts of the girls character......Does she think she is too good to play on the team? Does it show that if things don't go just like she wants, she will not be giving 100%?

If all her Travel teammates are playing, not much she can do. No matter how good the team or coach, facing live hitting & pitching for those 2 months are much better than any other option.........

Just my 2 cents......

 

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I think this explains it perfectly. As a HS coach and a travel coach, I have seen the "what's in it for me" attitude become the prevailing mindset. It has hurt the game immensely.

I agree.. Bad part is I see a lot of parents that help create/aid the attitude for the kid/player.. Softball is a team sport..

 

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Joe,
Maybe I was mistaken and it was the post on playing for brand name orgs and quality of tournies? But either way it would raise a flag in most college coaches...

 

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Those that quit now in HS probably have no serious interest any more in playing in college, or if they do are the type that quits at the first sign of adversity. I've been amazed the last 4 years at the number of very talented kids who just up and quit on the college team. Always over what to me is meaningless drama, but to them apparently is something important. I can't help but feel they will have some serious regrets someday, but maybe that's just the musings of an old guy.

 

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I would like to hear some GOOD reasons why a girl who has interest in playing college ball would not be playing high school ball?????

Apparently you have never heard of charter schools, homeschooling, or other alternative forms of education. Our DD is homeschooled and is not allowed to play high school sports unless she takes a certain amount of credits at the school, which, of course, would defeat the purpose of homeschooling. Is that a good enough reason??