Got a question

[Mdfio]

I was in a conversation last night with a players parent and they recently moved teams, (which I know happens all the time), but one statement they made to me that sticks in my head was:

"It was a tough sell to our daughter because she really liked the team, got plenty play time, and enjoyed playing with them"

I asked them then why did she leave? being a coach curiousity got the best of me, their answer was WE thought it was time to move on!

Am I wrong thinking this is a game about the kids?

If the kids lose the love of the game, then why are we here?

And the team she left was a very competitive team

Just curious and figured I would ask the wonderful world of OFC

BTW, I have no dog in the fight!

 

[Irish196]

Hmmm. That's odd to me too.

We left our team from last year but it was her idea to do tryouts because she wanted the chance to play positions that weren't open. If it weren't for that we would have stayed as long as she wanted to as she (and we) liked all of the parents and kids and coaches. It was hard to move on. I can't see why anyone would do it without a legitimate reason not just change for change's sake.

 

[SoCal_Dad]

It really depends on the age, goals and potential for the player.

Kids in the youngest age groups generally don't think much about longterm goals or what it takes to achieve them. It is a parent's responsibility to support their kids in reaching their potential and to keep an eye on possible goals of their child so they're viable options later on when they really want to pursue them. Parents have to be very careful they are guiding and supporting their kids rather than pushing them to feed their own egos.

Just because the player has a high comfort level on a team doesn't mean that staying is the right choice for them. If they really love the game and want to be the best they can be, that team may not serve them well for various reasons. Parents should discuss it with their kids to help them formulate the characteristics of their dream team. Once that has been determined, they can decide which team(s) are the best fits for them.

 

[FastBat]

Hmmmm...makes you wonder, I hope most parents/players aren't like that, why fix what's not broken!

 

[Balldiddly]

Here's a different perspective… Our DD played rec ball from age 5 to 12. We let her stay because it "was fun" and she loved playing with her friends. Those were her thoughts, not ours. We noticed she wasn't growing at the level we anticipated. She also had the same coach for all but her first year. Knowing what I know now, we should have moved her into travel ball sooner. It wouldn't have been her choice, but it would've been the best thing for her- especially looking back and realizing how far she has come in ability, confidence, and dedication. That's the tough side of parenting…finding the balance.

 

[ech92]

Judging from most of the responses here , I would say its not up to the players . How can you decide what goals the player wants to acheive when you the parent are setting the goal ! We all want whats best for our child but most parents think their child should be on a path to play division 1 softball from the 10u division on ! The number of players who's parents pushed them too fast too soon who get burnt out and never play college softball is greater than the number who end up continueing all the way through college . Of course I can't prove this but I know it to be true . I strongly believe that a 12u player should not be thinking I need to be focused on what college I want to play for . They only get to be a kid for a short period of time , parents are always trying to live through their kids ! Feel free to disagree with me , it wont change how I feel about it ! Great post Marc !

 

[Balldiddly]

It isn't that I think she should play D1 softball. I am a true believer that it is her decision if she plays in college period- mostly because she's the one who needs to do the work to get there. However, considering she loved the game itself and did state that she wanted to be a better player, we should have made the move. I'm not sure that a 8-10 year old kid has the understanding to make that kind of decision considering their limited experience of softball and the fact that most don't know what's beyond their familiar. I guess I feel our job is to put her where she gains the experience to make an informed decision- whether it's softball, college prep courses in high school, or educating her on the responsibilities of driving a car. She loved her travel team , loved playing in that environment, and doesn't want to give it up. I'd say that's a success not parents pushing their child . She's responsible and aware that she will get out of it what she puts in.

 

[ech92]

I guess I'm talking more along the lines of the original post . They were already on a travel team and happy but parents wanted them on a new team . Of course I want to introduce new things to my DD but to set her goals for her at that age is wrong .

 

[Balldiddly]

I guess I'm talking more along the lines of the original post . They were already on a travel team and happy but parents wanted them on a new team . Of course I want to introduce new things to my DD but to set her goals for her at that age is wrong .

I would agree with that. Who knows what direction they will take...

 

[Balldiddly]

Curious as to the opinions of those who gave my last post thumbs down...

 

[Blue Ice]

Sometimes being happy and comfortable doesn't mean it's always the best situation for your DD. Maybe, parents saw that she was too comfortable and not improving as a player. In their eyes...complacency was setting in.

 

[That Softball Mom]

Or maybe these parents were smart enough to figure out not to feed you any kind of ammunition because here you are downgrading parents that didn't want to badmouth a team!!!
And maybe they're just really awesome parents that are taking the heat for a very difficult decision that their daughter made.

 

[Blue Ice]

Or maybe these parents were smart enough to figure out not to feed you any kind of ammunition because here you are downgrading parents that didn't want to badmouth a team!!!
And maybe they're just really awesome parents that are taking the heat for a very difficult decision that their daughter made.

There is your answer...

 

[Mdfio]

Or maybe these parents were smart enough to figure out not to feed you any kind of ammunition because here you are downgrading parents that didn't want to badmouth a team!!!
And maybe they're just really awesome parents that are taking the heat for a very difficult decision that their daughter made.

Hey now, as stated I have no dog in this fight, I was just asking a question to get some opinions!

Sounds like you are trying to get somewhat personal, (lots of you's in the above statement) I meant this in no way towards anyone! I was just asking for opinions! If this question offended you I am sorry, I do not even know you, at least I don't think I do!

And if i do know you you can just call or PM me to discuss it, everyone that knows me know I will talk about anything at anytime!

 

[Westler33]

Man can OFC get heated up or what!!!

 

[Mdfio]

Man can OFC get heated up or what!!!

No kidding

 

[Westler33]

Good reading though!!! lol

 

[travelmom1127]

We just recently moved teams and it had nothing to do with how competitive the team was or if our DD got playing time because she did it was overall her decision! Her goal is to play at a D1 college level. We all know that there are organizations out there that get better exposure than others. That was what it was about for her plus playing with girls with the same goals and mentality as her. Everyone has their personal reasons for the decisions they make but sometimes you have to sit back and listen to the one playing!!!! No dogs in the fight here just a mom who played the games opinion!!!