"HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!!

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

I think the fact that parents are used to regulating what happens with their daughters in select sports is part of the so-called 'problem' with high school softball.

Travel ball is about self. The pursuit of a D1 scholarship is an individual one and the individual's needs must be put above any team needs. How many times have we heard the phrase 'just doing what's best for my daughter' when we are talking about breaking commitments, etc. Unhappy with your daughter's playing time, position, talent level of her travel team, etc. - just reach back into your wallet and send her to the always greener grass down the road.

High school is about team over self. You can't pick the coach, the players your daughter must play with, the position she plays, etc. I wish parents would just accept that and leave it alone. Enjoy watching your daughter play with her friends. Players used to be taught that everything was about team, but no longer. I taught my daughters that the best player on the team is no more important than the 12th player and that sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the good of the team. That the group must work harder together to overcome the limitations of each individual. Do that with a travel team and you won't have one for long, unless your team is considered the top of the heap.

As mentioned, there are many valuable lessons to be learned from being in a less than ideal high school situation, which is basically a 4 year binding commitment. Embrace high school softball for what it is, instead of whining about what it isn't.

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

Well, even Thad Matta is dealing with the fight of playing a younger, better player over a more-experienced (perhaps) senior/player. I'm sure the same is true for high school softball. I guess if I were in that position, seniors/JV would have a better chance of starting over a freshman/soph..bt IF there were a sensational youngster, why hold them back? Sure the freshman coach might tear up when his team is down by 3 in the last inning and his 4-hole hitter who is batting at a over .500 clip is moved to the JV/Senior team, but why have a girl dominate in a lower-division when they can handle it playing up? The same cannot be said for travel, since usually the better player plays, regardless of age/years with organization.

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

My philosophy and that of several other HS coaches I know is that if a freshman or sophomore is good enough to start varsity, then move them up. What I don't want is to move them up and then sit them when they could be playing every day on JV or freshmen teams. To be honest, once I move them up, then I am going to give them every opportunity to prove they deserve to be there ... in other words, they are going to get the nod over a junior or senior.

It can get real interesting though, when you have something like your 2nd best pitcher in the program is a sophomore and you know that the #1 is going to get most of the innings ... or when you have a freshman catcher that has a lot of potential at that position, but you have 3 upperclass players who are ahead of her at catcher, but where the freshman is a good enough hitter to play every day in the varsity outfield. I would put her on varsity and play her in the OF, and figure she is going to get her catching development playing travel ball anyhow, whereas I know some coaches would put her at catcher on JV ... a valid argument could be made for either, but if she can help me win games on varsity, then I want her there.

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

sundial-DD's OCC School is one of the largest in the OCC (Ohio DIV). Yes plenty of girls in the school and they have been VERY successful in other sports over the years (BB,VB, Track/CC). Our problem stems from a local Rec League that just went to fast pitch just last year from slow pitch. We don't have the FP mentality yet (HS has 2 travel ball players) and it shows in the dedication factor. I know you can't expect ALL the players to be 100% dedicated, but it would be nice to get at least 50% of the girls dedicated.

HS Coach is very knowledgable, but frustrated with lack of dedication in the upper class. Sophmore DD has the same frustrations

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

throughout this topic is the idea that in travel ball the best player plays. ? this is true in the fact the best player does play at each position. ? since most travel team limit there roster to get maximum playing time for each player there usually isn't a backup for each position let alone a freshman, ?sophmore, ?junior and a senior for each position. ? its a lot easier to make player decisions without the larger number of players that exist in a hs program. ? ?most parents shop for a travel team where there dd is the best at her position and look for a small roster on the travel team, ? this makes is tuff when you have several players, ?that are the best at their position on their travel team, ? want to play the same position in hs. ? the hs program is the equivalent of taking 4 travel teams and putting them together to make an A, B, C, and D team. ? if you've ever been in a club like this the complaining about player placement is just like at hs about who gets to play varsity, ?JV, ?and ?freshman. ? ?

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

What do you do in a smaller school where the varsity team is younger and they only need a player or two, but the JV team really isn't very good because it was plundered to fill varsity? The V/JV coaches spend alot time yelling and turning kids off, and the JV kids who do show up aren't that serious (playing with a hangover)? Your kid loves the game, wants to play, but it just isn't fun. DD knows it isn't fun, and loves her travel ball team. She might make varsity but maybe not. They are stacked at her position but her hitting is pretty good. Does she DH at varsity w/o fun and no reps at her position (pitcher)? Does she play JV and get her reps w/o fun? Does she not play at all? The varsity team has been somewhat successful. Any thoughts?

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

Sundial, The OCC school my DD goes to is a powerhouse in Girls Soccer, and also very strong in Girls Basketball. Soccer gets the girls to commit at a young age and has parents convinced that all of their DD's are going to get a scholirship. By the time reality hits, many are in 8th & 9th grade and are either burned out on sports, or don't want to put the time in to learn and play at a high level of softball. The girls that play travel softball (community team or higher) are about 5-6 for the whole school. Currently there is only one pitcher who is competitive, the other pitcher would be my DD who would be average at best, but can play the outfield and can hit. The problem is that the coach doesn't like to play his pitchers in any other position or even have them DP. So if you don't pitch, you sit. DD knows she will never be the #1 pitcher and is okay with that, she just wants to play. She hit .350 as a Freshman on the JV and still ended up sitting more games than she played. Coach never once told her why he sat her though she was one of the top 5 hitters on the team. Now instead of having a solid backup pitcher who could help with her bat, he now has 1 pitcher with any experience and she is only a 10th grader and still has a lot to learn. And when I mean 1 pitcher, I mean 1 for the whole program. Just makes me wonder....

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

ADG, Has the school your DD attends ever had any success at softball with the coach ? Your DD may have other alternatives if there are other schools in the same district. Any chance of her transfering to another sister school if one is available or is that out of the question ? Does the varsity coach at your school have the same philosiphy as the freshman and j.v. coach ?

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

I agree with UBER_JONES that this topic is subjective. No two high school or travel teams are alike. We are lucky enough to live in a district that has great coaching, players, and competition. We got in to travel ball to help the DD have a better chance at having an impact for her High School. In the process we also grew to love travel ball. They both have a lot to offer. I believe everyone here wants to see there DD play and excell at the highest levels. I would love to see the DD play college ball.

But for me as a parent the lessons she is learning right now is what is important. As long as she (dd) loves to play the game I will continue to pay for equipment, coaches, hotels, tournaments, and whatever else is necessary(when you add it all up it may offset the scholarship payoff). Like THUNDER_ROAD said (indirectly) in the original post, there is more to this than the game. The lessons these girls learn in this sport will last a lifetime. Disclipine, teamwork, leadership, and all the other fancy words. It doesnt matter if your HS program is good or bad. Just get out there and play!!

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

Just a thought , Disipline Teamwork and Leadership maybe some players and parents can't adhere to these words along with team rules and academic standards so it is easier to blame a coach . Not saying anyone specific just throwing it out there to be mulled over. More like If the shoe fits statement

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

Sundial,

My DD is in the top of her class, plays other sports with a leadership role as well as clubs and civic organizations. She is dedicated to the game. She loves the game. The question in her case is should she play for HS coaches that don't think twice about criticizing the girls but seldom praise their successes. For her, it is a matter for fun, not a matter of being willing to play a role to help the team. I watched the coach bring his starting V pitcher to tears. What is fun about that? Our V starting line up is pretty much set and we haven't had try outs yet. Will there even be a JV team, who knows.

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

Sundial,

The last two years the Varsity had the first two winning seasons in a row ever. Unfortunatly they both were barely over .500 each year. After that relative "success" the Varsity coach resigned and instead of hiring an actual softball coach, they promoted the JV coach who is actually an assistant football coach. This school has all the potential to build a solid program, but my opinion is that they don't really care to.

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

some people would like to play high school softball along with travel ball but they couldn't because high school coach didn't want his high school players to play travel ball and taught all the wrong macanics so they just played travel ball because it is better.

senior 2007 seems to have the same problem my DD experienced. HS coach trying to change mechanics because she throws too hard. Finally the coach is gone, but I am having trouble talking DD into going out her senior year. DD has been recruited by many colleges top conferences included, several offers on the table, apparently her mechanics are okay for college level.

DD had played with some of the top travel teams and players from around the country. She also stayed with a not so successful team, honored her word and committment. (She had a couple of very good teams offer her a chance to switch) DD would probably be the best player at any position on her HS team.

DD deserves the HS varsity letter, all district, conference and probably all state. I guess she will have to be satisfied with her college varsity letter. It is a shame many top travel players have the same problems with HS politics.

It is unfair that girls are treated differently than boys. I doubt the coach would have been sitting because LeBron James threw the ball too hard, probably the player would be told to catch the ball or find a player than can. I realize you do not have to gun it all the time, but if the player is nearing first on a bunt, DD should not have to worry about throwing too hard to first. I doubt boys teams would tolerate players running practice for an inexperienced coach while the coach downloads how to manuals from the internet.

I will try again to talk DD into giving new HS coach a chance. It is apparent many have not been in high school for a long time, "popular girls " often are not interested in playing with a girl not in the " in crowd " and often try to hold down the
talented player. Considering the new coach is not only a coach, but the proud parent of one of the " in crowd " DD may be right to just wait till next year.

BTW I have seen college coaches happen to walking by, suddenly stop, or spin around with DD at bat. Frankly though most college coach contact has been at showcases and with coaches sitting all day watching a couple of fields at some of the quality tournaments. ( offers on the spot after one national tourney game ) So it is possible to gain a lot of contact in a short amount of time at a travel tourney.

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

Horton,ADG, and Taxi , If you and your DD's are okay with your decision's then so am I and the rest of the sports world. I am sure the high schools your DD's were to play for will still field somekind of team this spring and do the best they can. Thank you for the discussion .I will take note on some of the points to avoid any future problems at the High School I am associated with.

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

No decision yet, but hoping for the best. Maybe I should move to Stepford where life is perfect. Oh well, life is full of important lessons........and sometimes lesions.

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

softball is no differant than any other sport. if your that good trust me college coaches will find you. my sister is ?living proof. came from a small d4 school signed and played d1 ball. She never played during the offseason because she played 3 sports.

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

She was VERY lucky.....That does not happen too often!

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

WOW-

so many opinions-

I agree with so many of the "lifers" and "senior" members.

there are many reasons players may or may NOT enjoy HS SOftball. ?There are too many variables to lump them all into one catagorie--

• HS Coach has a lot of talent-- but doesn't take his job as seriously as the players and parents
• Politics-- enough said (either side)
• HS Coach has a lot of passion- but no interest or talent
• HS Coach has a bitter resentment for the loyalty the players have for their travel teams (sorry but it does happen
  
  
  
  regardless-- anytime a player takes the field ?HS or travel-- they should take the field to GET DIRTY AND PLAY HARD
  
  it is quite simple

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

are travel players "punsihed" by some HS coaches? There are a few shcools in the area that seem to value having travel players and others where you don't see their travel players (even though clearly have the talent) listed in their box scores/articles

 

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Re: "HIGH SCHOOL", more important than emphasized!

If there are kids being "punished" for playing travel ball, then the coach isn't very bright. Travel ball gives the girls a chance to improve their game. My daughter's High School coach wants his girls to play travel ball. He feels that when you are playing travel ball you are playing against the best competition and that will only make you better and the end result is the high school will have better players.