Education/Advice on Travel Ball in Columbus

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Newbie questions for anyone willing to respond. Apologies in advance if these come of as 'dumb' questions or if this is the wrong forum to post it.

Background
My daughter has played in the rec arena since 7 and seen success at each level. Each year after U8 she has been used as a sub for the level above for at least half of each season. We knew travel was inevitable if our DD remains serious about playing through HS and beyond but where not sure when the break should be made. The league she has been in has provided a fair level of competition up to this point and we were hoping this would see us through until the HS level. Unfortunately, this is not the case this year. We moved her up to U14 (she has a border line U12/U14 bd). The number of league teams at this level is far less than the others and talent level (on her current and opposing teams) just isn't there.
It seems to me that we were mistaken and the 'break' needed to occur at this age group.

It seems to me that there is a huge travel community in the Central Ohio area. It also would seem to me that there is plenty of tournament play in the local (Franklin and Surrounding county) or within Ohio borders that outside teams come to.

The Question(s)
Is it stupid to think that there are programs at the U12/U14 level that capitalize on this rather than a lot of out of state travel? In my inexperienced opinion, I would think that the out of state stuff would be overkill until you hit the HS level.


What are the questions we need to ask ourselves before taking the next steps?

What is the best way to ?shop? around for a program that fits our ideas/location?

What should we ask coaches/teams to figure out if we mesh? Are there any 'taboos'?

 

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Oh my. Welcome to OFC. Quick, run far and run fast. The fastpitch addiction will descend upon you.

The good news is that there is a good fit for every girl. The bad news is finding that fit.

I will let other posters go over the do's and don't's. It would almost be better to meet one of us and sit and talk for hours about this.

I will extend an invitation for you and your family to come to the Stingray Invitational Showcase Tournament at OSU Beekman fields July 6, 7, & 8. The tournament will give you a good look at some good travel organizations but better yet, you can talk to some good people about finding that right fit for your DD.

Talk to some informed people then go to tournaments to see how prospective coaches/teams behave/operate at tournaments. Ask parents of prospective teams while at these tournaments about how they think things are going within that team.

 

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Thanks for the quick response. Stingray sounds like a good idea. If our Holiday plans allow my daughter and I may just break away to do just that.

We know a few parents at the HS level that have their daughter in travel. One of them actually turned me on to this site to look for 'try-outs'/etc. I was going to ask them for information on their past teams/experience but wasn't sure if that was prying.

 

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It really depends on what level your daughter is and then matching her up with a team/schedule that fits your needs. I'm sure she is good, as you say, but you will find there are various levels of "good". The teams that play at the Stingrays showcase tend to be the upper level of "good". That may be a jump for a first year travel player, it is pretty intense. I would recommend spending the month of August attending several different tryouts. Evaluate how your daughter would fit with that team. Evaluate parents as that is often just as important. Ask the coaches questions like what tournaments they plan on playing? How many girls will they carry on the roster? What is the objective of the organization? Of course, most organizations will be right up front with this info anyway. Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

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If any coach comes up to you at another teams tryouts, that is Taboo and run from them! Go to Marysville I think this weekend for their tournament as well to see some other levels than you will see at Stingrays. Stingrays as stated is top of the crop level of play. They will play at Beekman and Coffey fields 10u at Coffey along with Pickerington Central 12 and 14's. Watch how the coaches interact with the girls as well.

Good luck, the ride is worth the time!!

 

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I would strongly urge you AND your DD to attend the Stingray event. Your experience sounds eerily similar to how ours started, and I'm sure there are more who followed the same path .

My DD's "dream" started when she was about twelve, and that dream turned to goals that took her through four years of college ball - and an education to boot. If your daughter is hungry for more, watching the intensity of play at the Stingrays will get her hook, line and sinker.

 

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I couldn't agree more with everyone! You really need to go to the tournaments to see what it's all about.

I am in your same position with my two DD's. They both have played rec ball (1 for 4 years the other for 2) and I am taking the leap to travel ball next season. A good friend of mine has a DD that plays at 10u and was telling me how much higher the level of play is from that of rec ball. I heard him but didn't realize how much higher it was until I started traveling with them and watching the games. UNREAL! I figured the girls would be good but I was amazed at the level they play at. After watching a season of 10u rec ball and a few tournament weekends of travel ball, there is no comparison. If you are anything like me, you will be hooked after the first game!