Main purpose of a competitive 18u team?

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I've heard differing opinions of what people want in an 18u team. By 18u, lots of girls have signed for college, but others are still looking. IMO, 16u seems to be more on the radar of college coaches than it used to be.

 

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dd played first year U18 this year. Since shes going to be a senior we used it for college exposure.
next year since it will be the year before college and she'll know where she's going we'll use it
as a college tune up. i think it depends on what year you are.
her team was also all but one player a young U18 with no one signed and when you advertise to college coach's that way and you do your home work writing the letters they do come to watch.

 

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I had a conversation with a division 1 college coach about a player(incoming Freshman) who played for one of the top Org. in Ohio her summer of her senior year. She committed that to that college in the winter of her senior year. This summer decided to stay home and play locally instead of with her previous team.

The coach did not know this and went looking for this player at, Compuware, Stingrays ect.... and was very disapointed that she decided to play a week summer schedule with a local team.

So I do not belive that you should cut back from playing the tough tournaments. Maybe only play 5 tough tournaments instead of 7-8. BTW her last years travel team did cut back this year only played 5 tournaments.

 

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hermom, doesn't the player need to commit to the travel team before she knows where she's going to college? It just doesn't seem like everyone is settled (or signed) by August before their senior year. Some may need the exposure of fall showcases.

 

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never thought about that fastpitch fan.... i would consider compuware and stingrays local.. i
meant staying closer to ohio instead of traveling to florida or other distant states to play.


anothersoftballmom- some of the travel teams i'm familiar that my dd has played with do not do to much in the fall. that would be such a benefit and much needed at this age i think. just something else to consider when going thru the try outs. I'm not here to argue with you. i agree i think each person needs to look at their situation and figure it out. There are still girls next summer after their senior year looking for exposure. you just need to do what's right for your dd.

 

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Thanks, hermom. It can be a dilemma. The girls play every summer from 9 or younger, and even those who love the game want some time off during graduation month. Finding the right fit is key.

 

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I agree hermom you can to choose your team based on wether you have made your college choice or not. ? ?If no then you want the heavy college exposure schedule and if you have committed you can go with a schedule that is lighter on the college exposure venues. ? It is important to find a team that is working on the same page with you in regards to the schedule. ? ?Nothing in joining a team that has goals that are inline with yours is a lack of committment. ?College coaches and teams are all different and have different expectations about what an incoming players tune up should consist of. ? It would be good to commuicate with your new coach to find out what they want from you in the summer prior to school. ? The fact that a coach was disappointed about a player not being at a particular tourney says that there was inadequate communication and is something for all potential college players to think about.

 

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Our 18 Stingray Team played tournaments and hosted a tournament that had 30 coaches register, that seeks out college coach attendance. Ours is only going into Junior year and it was a good summer for exposure for the ones they played.

 

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I would say if you need college exposure you do not need to go far. compuware, gapps, stingrays, loundinville, sluggerfest are all top notch.
I'd want to hit those every year

 

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College exposure is a better idea i think so that coaches can check out your credentials and get to know how you play better