Message to potential Freshman Varsity Parents/Players

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As tryouts begin next week here in Ohio, thought I'd post a few reflections on our family's experience. I love H.S. softball. My daughter does as well. She's in a D1 program with a great coach! That being said, you all must realize that as a Freshman player you will not necessarily be welcomed with open arms into the program. Remember that you will be taking someone's perceived spot. A spot of a friend,classmate, teammate. You will have to rely on your coach to help make this transition. It will not be easy on your daughter. I even had a parent tell me that my daughter shouldn't be playing varsity, because her daughter was not allowed to play varsity under a previous coach. This was midway in the season and my daughter was leading the team in RBI's and extra base hits. So be prepared. It will all work out. It won't be without bumps in the road however. Because of this experience my daughter has a different view of Freshman players. She has personally sought out and responded to kids who have sought her out to offer advice and even instruction to help them improve their game. For some it is not an easy transition. For the first time your daughter may be "out there" without a mom or dad as an advocate. Be patient. If your daughter has "the game" to play at the varsity level, a coach worth his or her salt will recognize and find a way. These coaches are under a lot of pressure from all involved and your daughter's skills and abilities may take time to present itself, but it will happen.

Good Luck!

 

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great post!

 

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great post!

X2
Thanks for posting

 

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That was a great post. Thanks from the Mom of a "freshie"!

 

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Thank you for posting a very well stated point.

 

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A well stated post Sophomore. I've had the good fortune of following a quality D1 program for the last 12 years. For the 1st 10 years my dd was not a part of it and I was strictly a bleacher bum. Through all those years the coaches were always willing to field the best talent, freshman thru senior. As you stated, this can cause some discontent amongst a few parents and players. I think your daughter is doing exactly what she should and I commend her for it. This kind of behavior is contagious and can only foster positive results for the entire program.
I had one of my travel players attend her H.S. pitchers and catchers session last year as a freshman. After a few workouts she wasn't feeling very welcomed. When the full team tryouts were completed and she had won the starting 3rd base job on varsity. By the end of the season she had set the school's record for doubles in one season. It's amazing how good play speeds up the acceptance process.
Whether a player is a star or not, I implore all teammates and parents to support all the players. They're all just girls just wanting to do their best.

 

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When I coached I always gave the parents the following poem for a reality check. It holds true no matter the age.

She Is Just a Little Girl
(Anonymous)​

She stands at the plate with her heart pounding fast.
The bases are loaded, the die has been cast.
Mom and Dad can not help her, she stands all alone.
A hit at this moment, would send the team home.

The ball meets the plate, she swings and she misses.
There?s a groan from the crowd, with some boos and some hisses.
A thoughtless voice cries, ?Strike out the bum!?.
Tears fill her eyes, the games no longer fun.

So open your heart and give her a break.
For it?s moments like this, a woman you can make.
Please keep this in mind, when you here someone forget.
She is just a little girl, and not a woman yet.

She is just a little girl.​

 

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I watched a Freshman girl make varsity basketball at our school this year. The parents of the other players(Freshman through Seniors) were ruthless. She held her own and ended the year with a starting position. It didn't matter though! They relished in every mistake or bad game she had. The problem doesn't seem to come from the girls-they know who belongs on what team, it's the parents. As my dd prepares for softball tryouts I tell her to just do her best and everything will fall into place.

 

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two-outs
I think every first time parent needs to be handed that poem the day they sign up for travelball. I had a dd on a 10u team and one a 12u last year. I could hardly stand to be at the 10u games because the parents were so hard on there kids and everyone else's. I wish I would have had that last year. Maybe it would have hit home alittle.

Mrs Ringer

 

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Nice post Sophomore! Nice to hear advice...my Freshman will be trying out for varsity very soon! We don't have a jr Varsity team, so there will be about 20 disappointed athletes .......

 

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Very nice post, from a Mom of a Freshman this year. She has already been belittled and hissed at because she "throws to hard" , she is "showing off" for the coach, "should tone it down". Shes been told "your a Freshman & should act the part." You wont get much play time so dont plan on it (By her team mates.)
I said WHAT?

Finally the Coach told all the girls this is High school Softball, NOT rec ball. If you cant catch the ball then your not ready for High School softball & i will not tell the ones that throw hard to tone it down. Catch it & throw back hard or step down. (2 travel players, freshman & softmore)
Sure she throws hard. I will NOT play catch with her. :rotfl: But it is her life & her passion. There is no other sport in her life.
But when I see her at that plate with bat in hand. 2 on, winning or tying run on, down on full count my heart misses a beat for her. That poem is perfect! It sure hits home because her Mom just see's, her little girl out there.

 

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I may not always like some parents around from other teams and their comments but I always try to treat all the girls as I want my own DD treated.

 

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These things that have been mentioned were all things that my daughter experienced. To her coach's credit, she handled it. She made it clear that these kids (there was another freshman) were staying and playing. So they better get used to it. At that point the season turned around for them and they made a nice run and finished strong into the tourney. Both freshman were awarded all-league honors.

Hoping you Freshman have coaches that will handle it the right way. I have never understood programs that say "no freshman period". This is high school varsity softball. The best lineup should always be on the field no matter the ages. If this is not the case... the coach or athletic director should be replaced.

Sophomore

 

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My dd high school coach does things a little different. She has the varsity players from last year help the incoming freshman that my need help in a area.
She has my dd working with the freshman catcher on set up etc.This helps the girls learn and makes them all want to do better and jell as a school team.
My dd has enjoyed this very much and the player that she is working with listens and is learning,it takes some of the pressure off the player,

 

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it's all about turf, and not the kind they play on
went thru same tuff times with dd four years ago
everybody knowed she belonged in lineup, but they still resented her as a freshmn playn varsity
thats life

 

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My dd high school coach does things a little different. She has the varsity players from last year help the incoming freshman that my need help in a area.
She has my dd working with the freshman catcher on set up etc.This helps the girls learn and makes them all want to do better and jell as a school team.
My dd has enjoyed this very much and the player that she is working with listens and is learning,it takes some of the pressure off the player,

That is a great thing. I think the problem comes in when the Freshman is a stronger player than last year's player or players. Obviously, the coach and upperclassmen will want to help a player as she develops. The issue here I think Sophomore is making is when a Freshman
deserves to play and will be a contributor right away at the Varsity level.

Crosley