Yes Congrats on the Spano Tourney win. You know that is an indoor tournament with no outfield and a ceiling. Why is winning at Lasers considered funny stuff? According to the list that JC put out there, RR will have the opportunity to beat some pretty good teams on real dirt and grass fields, no ceiling, all the conditions that come with outdoor ball, etc. All I am saying, is that if/when you win that tournament, you can establish yourselves as one of the best teams (in the area). I mean, how can you argue with that?
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Yes Congrats on the Spano Tourney win. You know that is an indoor tournament with no outfield and a ceiling. Why is winning at Lasers considered funny stuff? According to the list that JC put out there, RR will have the opportunity to beat some pretty good teams on real dirt and grass fields, no ceiling, all the conditions that come with outdoor ball, etc. All I am saying, is that if/when you win that tournament, you can establish yourselves as one of the best teams (in the area). I mean, how can you argue with that?
Run26
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Arguing about how good/great a 10U team is just plain silly. There is very little parity in 10U softball and to be completely honest it doesn't mean squat. Anyone with a little experience realizes that the likelihood of this team staying together past 12U is slim to none. It's amazing to me that over the years these girls grow up but the parents never do.
mike_dyer
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Hear, hear.
Be prepared to be called a hater, etc though.
There are only a few fans of reality who post here.
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cobb_of_fury
Member
My daughters 8U all-stars won every game they played by 15+ runs undefeated and won every tournament - She never got the national recognition she so richly deserved.
Sadly that team broke up before the next spring (I believe there were conflicts with Gymkhana classes) we could have gone all the way - If only
Pictured above:
Our star pitcher in uniform with official team "tappy" shoes
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mike_dyer
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My daughters 8U all-stars won every game they played by 15+ runs undefeated and won every tournament - She never got the national recognition she so richly deserved.
Sadly that team broke up before the next spring (I believe there were conflicts with Gymkhana classes) we could have gone all the way - If only
Pictured above:
Our star pitcher in uniform with official team "tappy" shoes
First "thumbs up" I've ever given.
Possibly the last.
cobb_of_fury
Member
Well I'm Proud to be "The One" -
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mike_dyer
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I think this is a scene from a documentary about one of the dads on this thread:
https://youtu.be/xL-VX3WbA9U
https://youtu.be/xL-VX3WbA9U
So I guess we should not be proud of all the hard work our daughters put in to travel ball. Some of these young girls want to grow up to be college softball players. So to sit and make fun of some of parents and young children who dedicate there Summer to play ball vs some of the best teams around is sad on your part. You are pretty much telling our kids not to set goals and try to reach the top. I for one want my child to play the best cause beating up on bad teams does not teach her anything and if that by chance takes us out of the state of Ohio to play the best so be it..... You should never settle for less when u can have more. And when a team full of young talented girls represent the state of Ohio like a few of these teams do why can't we as parents be proud of them even though they are 10!! Don't forget all those girls playing College ball used to be 10 before and had dreams of playing the best. So, I think it is OK for our little girls to dream.
cobb_of_fury
Member
Yes - be Dam proud - but THEY ARE 10... Just have perspective - Relax and enjoy it
In a few years You will look back at 10u dads on here and say - "man they have no idea"
My post was poking fun at you and a lot of 10U parents but what I said was true.
At 8 my DD was on a great team, it has taken her anothe 6 years to get back to a very good team. Well over half the girls on that 8U team no longer play softball at all.
I hope your team does very well - I would love for them to stay together for the full run and all end up with SEC or ACC scholarships. But in reality that probably won't happen.
We love you're enthusiasm - it is a great thing but please remember they are still little girls.
Worry about Teaching them and not about winning you will do fine. The Winning comes from them learning the game not beating the other team.
Don't take what is said on here personaly -this site is for entertainment purposes only.
Please stay passionet even if they are not the best team in the country, the state or neighborhood.
Love the game, love the teaching and love them, relax and enjoy it.
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Simpsoj
New Member
I think I have an opinion on this......I could be wrong as I usually am, if I need to know I just ask the wife!
You should be DARN proud of your daughter for her accomplishments, all of us should! I think this topic "kind of" stems from the recruiting process and the absurd turn it takes sometimes. These girls may be the best in their age group, 10U, at this moment and that's a fantastic accomplishment! However, I think many of the parents, coaches, officials etc. have seen kids that are head and shoulders above the rest......they developed early and it showed (don't think I'm down playing practice and effort, I'm not) in their play. Maybe they continued that progress over the years and at HS age are STILL the best, maybe the others caught up with her! I think about how ridiculous it is for a kid to commit at 14 or even 16 when there are no guarantees out there.......it boggles my mind that a kid that age makes a life changing decision based on a sport not necessarily an education. Heck, if education was first and foremost the University I work at would have an OUTSTANDING/INCREDIBLE team every year but we don't!
I think we've all seen parents pushing kids to play because it's their dream, not the kids, just hoping the kids develop the same love as the parent has! AND maybe the kids are playing because they don't want to disappoint the parents but they just aren't that interested. I'm a little off topic but my thought is why rank 10U teams and put undue pressure on a 10-yr old? It seems nonsensical to me. Are we just trying to burn them out earlier by impressing upon them just how good they are, that they need to work harder/keep pushing themselves and pressuring them to keep it up? Shouldn't we just let them be themselves and get to that highly competitive level in a few years? If she's truly that good....why not "play up" and see how she fares.......get a better feel for just where she is and what she needs to do different, work on more to get to that level......IF THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS!
As parents, I think we sometimes place our hopes and wishes on our kids and push (as lightly or hard as we see fit) them to OUR expectations/wants or desires! Of course, we all want what's best for our kids but maybe, just maybe WE need to listen to the kids and let them do what they want to do. We all know that elusive "full ride" is almost non-existent in college, that for the most part it's a partial scholarship if any scholarship at all.
In the end if parents or organizations want to promote their teams via Rankings that's fine. I don't know that as a coach or a parent I would let my kids know about it......it's a game unless you're making money/a living at it so I would treat as just that, a game. Let the kids grow up, play for fun, have some say in what they want to do, what level they want to play or whether they want to play at all! Do they want to play the same kind of teams/competition they did last year or would they rather stay home and play here? Maybe not playing that level for a year would drive them even more but it would be their choice not ours!
It can be a hard pill to swallow if they choose not to play what you think is best but in the end it's about their overall development as a human being, isn't it?
You should be DARN proud of your daughter for her accomplishments, all of us should! I think this topic "kind of" stems from the recruiting process and the absurd turn it takes sometimes. These girls may be the best in their age group, 10U, at this moment and that's a fantastic accomplishment! However, I think many of the parents, coaches, officials etc. have seen kids that are head and shoulders above the rest......they developed early and it showed (don't think I'm down playing practice and effort, I'm not) in their play. Maybe they continued that progress over the years and at HS age are STILL the best, maybe the others caught up with her! I think about how ridiculous it is for a kid to commit at 14 or even 16 when there are no guarantees out there.......it boggles my mind that a kid that age makes a life changing decision based on a sport not necessarily an education. Heck, if education was first and foremost the University I work at would have an OUTSTANDING/INCREDIBLE team every year but we don't!
I think we've all seen parents pushing kids to play because it's their dream, not the kids, just hoping the kids develop the same love as the parent has! AND maybe the kids are playing because they don't want to disappoint the parents but they just aren't that interested. I'm a little off topic but my thought is why rank 10U teams and put undue pressure on a 10-yr old? It seems nonsensical to me. Are we just trying to burn them out earlier by impressing upon them just how good they are, that they need to work harder/keep pushing themselves and pressuring them to keep it up? Shouldn't we just let them be themselves and get to that highly competitive level in a few years? If she's truly that good....why not "play up" and see how she fares.......get a better feel for just where she is and what she needs to do different, work on more to get to that level......IF THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTS!
As parents, I think we sometimes place our hopes and wishes on our kids and push (as lightly or hard as we see fit) them to OUR expectations/wants or desires! Of course, we all want what's best for our kids but maybe, just maybe WE need to listen to the kids and let them do what they want to do. We all know that elusive "full ride" is almost non-existent in college, that for the most part it's a partial scholarship if any scholarship at all.
In the end if parents or organizations want to promote their teams via Rankings that's fine. I don't know that as a coach or a parent I would let my kids know about it......it's a game unless you're making money/a living at it so I would treat as just that, a game. Let the kids grow up, play for fun, have some say in what they want to do, what level they want to play or whether they want to play at all! Do they want to play the same kind of teams/competition they did last year or would they rather stay home and play here? Maybe not playing that level for a year would drive them even more but it would be their choice not ours!
It can be a hard pill to swallow if they choose not to play what you think is best but in the end it's about their overall development as a human being, isn't it?
Pacerdad57
Member
great post!!!!
poden-smoden
Member
cobb_of_fury
Member
Well said!!
manitoudan
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Justin78-- this thread isnt about what you replied with -- No one -- NO ONE , disagrees with what you posted - The topic is a 10u Tn team collecting players from 5-6 states Including Texas and Ind . So your rant was fine but misplaced . Its fine to dream . dream on .
I hate getting involved in all this and honestly all are entitled to their own opinion. Here is all I have to say about my first hand experience coaching one of the 10U teams that travels out of state and having a 10u daughter who plays. Just my opinions!!!
What matters as a FATHER:
-I spend time with my daughter (one on one) every day and sports has been only one part of that bond. We talk and share our days as we practice and I learn to read her expressions and emotions. Sometimes we work on pitching, hitting, fielding and other times we just hit a movie or go to the mall. We bond and continue to grow a close relationship which is very important to my wife and I. She fights to be the best at school, sports, and in everything she does and the close relationship with family, team, and friends help her to improve in all aspects of life each day. She wants to succeed for team, dad/mom, but mainly for herself! She is driven to play the best, and that is what helps her work harder every week. Many of these girls even at 10 would lose interest playing rec ball because they just naturally want the competition. If the KID loves the sport then why should adults on the outside looking in judge them or their parents? My daughter chooses to play on a team that has similar desires and it was her decision to make! That does not mean that girls who want to just play for fun should not get the same respect. Every kid is different.
Many of these girls arrive home from school and do a softball workout for an hr or more 3-4 times a week. I can only speak for my experience but even when I am tired and want the break she demands the practice. Then she hits the outside with the neighborhood kids and spends the rest of the evening in our garage playing games, jumping on the trampoline, playing basketball in backyard, or playing in the woods at back of property. She is a kid!!!!! She spends no time on video games, watching TV for hours on end, or spending it staring at her phone. There is nothing wrong with electronics in moderation that but I am happy that she is focusing on activities more. Late at night she watches something with the entire family most evenings, and I just count my blessings that we have a bond that provided this connection were she wants to be around her parents and sister. No matter if it is a sport, school, music, or anything else this is a bond we all need with our kid. So I do believe that these parents who travel across the country for their kid are doing many positives. As long as the KID is wanting this experience and loves the sport!
This is a typical travel weekend for us and I am sure same for most:
We arrive at hotels in another state that becomes a romp house for our 10 young girls to play and bond in all weekend. They laugh, and play in the rooms and hallways and build memories that will last forever. Then off they go to dinner every night as a team. This all starts before they step on the field and battle it out. They play hard and work hard, and all that practice gets a chance to be put to the test. They love to see what all that hard work amounts to when they have the big hit, make the great play, or win the big game. It is not cheap to travel like this, but our kids get much more then just a game against top competition from it! So if you have the money, and it is right for the kid then go travel. I watched the MOJO team and they had a blast in the cold in KY. Not just on the field but hanging out in the tents and RV. You would never know the kids were from other states, and these girls are learning the world is bigger then just a local school or neighborhood. So in my opinion many will overcome local peer pressure easier.
Team Schedule growth
I think no matter the level this is a positive way to approach it)
25% of games against a weaker team: (We work on secondary positions, areas of weakness in past tournaments, and how to win with dignity) YES!!! We focus on respect for teams we beat bad
50% against teams at your level: (We learn how to win the close games, how to be focused on every pitch and play, and how to fight to the last pitch)
25% against the better teams: (We have to learn to lose with dignity and use it to FUEL our desire to improve and grow) VERY IMPORTANT TO LEARN
**These are all qualities that will help these girls in school, work, sports, relationships and life. They need to experience the feeling of all.
We try to play a 25/50/25 schedule if possible. So if you have to travel to achieve this and parents are on board then go for it.
Now with all of this said there is still a simple truth!
My daughter is a pitcher, fielder, hitter, and well rounded player. She loves the sport, competition, her team, and all that it brings. Will that be the same in 6 years? I have no clue!!!!! I will cherish every minute of it, support her, push her, and continue to build our bond stronger. So no matter what she does down the road she will have support and a good foundation to attack anything that comes her way. I truly believe that sports will always be a big part of her life, but she is not getting scouted at 10 and I want her to enjoy the sport. She just enjoys the sports greatly when competition is high! That is for some kids, and not for others. That is why there are lots of teams to pick from at 10U at all sorts of levels.
Best of luck to all the teams this summer and I look forward to meeting more of you at the parks. Just enjoy the time you have with your kids cause as I have experienced so closely lately with the tragic deaths of young kids in our local communities it can end way too fast. These kids are the best part of us!!!!!
God bless!
What matters as a FATHER:
-I spend time with my daughter (one on one) every day and sports has been only one part of that bond. We talk and share our days as we practice and I learn to read her expressions and emotions. Sometimes we work on pitching, hitting, fielding and other times we just hit a movie or go to the mall. We bond and continue to grow a close relationship which is very important to my wife and I. She fights to be the best at school, sports, and in everything she does and the close relationship with family, team, and friends help her to improve in all aspects of life each day. She wants to succeed for team, dad/mom, but mainly for herself! She is driven to play the best, and that is what helps her work harder every week. Many of these girls even at 10 would lose interest playing rec ball because they just naturally want the competition. If the KID loves the sport then why should adults on the outside looking in judge them or their parents? My daughter chooses to play on a team that has similar desires and it was her decision to make! That does not mean that girls who want to just play for fun should not get the same respect. Every kid is different.
Many of these girls arrive home from school and do a softball workout for an hr or more 3-4 times a week. I can only speak for my experience but even when I am tired and want the break she demands the practice. Then she hits the outside with the neighborhood kids and spends the rest of the evening in our garage playing games, jumping on the trampoline, playing basketball in backyard, or playing in the woods at back of property. She is a kid!!!!! She spends no time on video games, watching TV for hours on end, or spending it staring at her phone. There is nothing wrong with electronics in moderation that but I am happy that she is focusing on activities more. Late at night she watches something with the entire family most evenings, and I just count my blessings that we have a bond that provided this connection were she wants to be around her parents and sister. No matter if it is a sport, school, music, or anything else this is a bond we all need with our kid. So I do believe that these parents who travel across the country for their kid are doing many positives. As long as the KID is wanting this experience and loves the sport!
This is a typical travel weekend for us and I am sure same for most:
We arrive at hotels in another state that becomes a romp house for our 10 young girls to play and bond in all weekend. They laugh, and play in the rooms and hallways and build memories that will last forever. Then off they go to dinner every night as a team. This all starts before they step on the field and battle it out. They play hard and work hard, and all that practice gets a chance to be put to the test. They love to see what all that hard work amounts to when they have the big hit, make the great play, or win the big game. It is not cheap to travel like this, but our kids get much more then just a game against top competition from it! So if you have the money, and it is right for the kid then go travel. I watched the MOJO team and they had a blast in the cold in KY. Not just on the field but hanging out in the tents and RV. You would never know the kids were from other states, and these girls are learning the world is bigger then just a local school or neighborhood. So in my opinion many will overcome local peer pressure easier.
Team Schedule growth
I think no matter the level this is a positive way to approach it)25% of games against a weaker team: (We work on secondary positions, areas of weakness in past tournaments, and how to win with dignity) YES!!! We focus on respect for teams we beat bad
50% against teams at your level: (We learn how to win the close games, how to be focused on every pitch and play, and how to fight to the last pitch)
25% against the better teams: (We have to learn to lose with dignity and use it to FUEL our desire to improve and grow) VERY IMPORTANT TO LEARN
**These are all qualities that will help these girls in school, work, sports, relationships and life. They need to experience the feeling of all.
We try to play a 25/50/25 schedule if possible. So if you have to travel to achieve this and parents are on board then go for it.
Now with all of this said there is still a simple truth!
My daughter is a pitcher, fielder, hitter, and well rounded player. She loves the sport, competition, her team, and all that it brings. Will that be the same in 6 years? I have no clue!!!!! I will cherish every minute of it, support her, push her, and continue to build our bond stronger. So no matter what she does down the road she will have support and a good foundation to attack anything that comes her way. I truly believe that sports will always be a big part of her life, but she is not getting scouted at 10 and I want her to enjoy the sport. She just enjoys the sports greatly when competition is high! That is for some kids, and not for others. That is why there are lots of teams to pick from at 10U at all sorts of levels.
Best of luck to all the teams this summer and I look forward to meeting more of you at the parks. Just enjoy the time you have with your kids cause as I have experienced so closely lately with the tragic deaths of young kids in our local communities it can end way too fast. These kids are the best part of us!!!!!
God bless!
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cobb_of_fury
Member
I hate getting involved in all this and honestly all are entitled to their own opinion. Here is all I have to say about my first hand experience coaching one of the 10U teams that travels out of state and having a 10u daughter who plays. Just my opinions!!!
What matters as a FATHER:
-I spend time with my daughter (one on one) every day and sports has been only one part of that bond. We talk and share our days as we practice and I learn to read her expressions and emotions. Sometimes we work on pitching, hitting, fielding and other times we just hit a movie or go to the mall. We bond and continue to grow a close relationship which is very important to my wife and I. She fights to be the best at school, sports, and in everything she does and the close relationship with family, team, and friends help her to improve in all aspects of life each day. She wants to succeed for team, dad/mom, but mainly for herself! She is driven to play the best, and that is what helps her work harder every week. Many of these girls even at 10 would lose interest playing rec ball because they just naturally want the competition, so if the KID loves it then why should adults on the outside looking in judge them or their parents? So my daughter chooses to play on a team that has similar desires and that was her decision to make! That does not mean that girls who want to just play for fun should not get the same respect. Every kid is different.
Many of these girls arrive home from school and do a softball workout for an hr or more 3-4 times a week. I can only speak for my experience but even when I am tired and want the break she demands the practice. Then she hits the outside with the neighborhood kids and spends the rest of the evening in our garage playing games, on the trampoline, playing basketball in backyard, or playing in the woods at back of property. She is a kid! She spends no time on video games, watching TV for hours on end, or spending it staring at her phone. There is nothing wrong with electronics in moderation that but I am happy that she is focusing on activities more. Late at night she watches something with the entire family most evenings, and I just count my blessings that we have a bond that provided this connection were she wants to be around her parents and sister. No matter if it is a sport, school, music, or anything else this is a bond we all need with our kid. So I do believe that these parents who travel across the country for their kid are doing many positives for the kid. As long as the KID is wanting this experience and loves the sport!
This is a typical travel weekend for us and I am sure same for most:
We arrive at hotels in another state that becomes a romp house for our 10 young girls to play and bond in all weekend. They laugh, and play in the rooms and hallways and build memories that will last forever and go to dinner every night as a team. This all starts before they step on the field and battle it out. They play hard and work hard, and all that practice gets a chance to be put to the test. They love to see what all that hard work amounts to when they have the big hit, make the great play, or win the big game. It is not cheap to travel like this, but our kids get much more then just a game against top competition from it!
Team Schedule growth
25% of games against a weaker team: (We work on secondary positions, areas of weakness in past tournaments, and how to win with dignity) YES!!! We focus on respect for teams we beat bad
50% against teams at your level: (We learn how to win the close games, how to be focused on every pitch and play, and how to fight to the last pitch)
25% against the better teams: (We have to learn to lose with dignity and use it to FUEL our desire to improve and grow) VERY IMPORTANT TO LEARN
**These are all qualities that will help these girls in school, work, sports, relationships and life. They need to experience the feeling of all.
We try to play a 25/50/25 schedule if possible. So if you have to travel to achieve this and parents are on board then go for it.
Now with all of this said there is still a simple truth!
My daughter is a pitcher, fielder, hitter, and well rounded player. She loves the sport, competition, her team, and all that it brings. Will that be the same in 6 years? I have no clue!!!!! I will cherish every minute of it, support her, push her, and continue to build our bond stronger. So no matter what she does down the road she will have support and a good foundation to attack anything that comes her way. I truly believe that sports will always be a big part of her life, but she is not getting scouted at 10 and I want her to enjoy the sport. She just enjoys the sports greatly when competition is high! That is for some kids, and not for others. That is why there are lots of teams to pick from at 10U at all sorts of levels.
Best of luck to all the teams this summer and I look forward to meeting more of you at the parks. Just enjoy the time you have with your kids cause as I have experienced so closely lately with the tragic deaths of young kids in our local communities it can end way too fast. These kids are the best part of us!!!!!
God bless!
NICE ^^^ Very good perspective - Well said '05
AnotherSoftballDad
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"Here, here". Not my first like on here, but certainly deserved. See no entertainment value on making fun of the above!
FastBat
Well-Known Member
Just so you know, being 10 and playing competitive ball doesn't guarantee college play. If you really look into it, some of the best don't start until they are older, because they aren't given the opportunity to play really competitively at 10u d/t parent financial ability, etc. As a 10u parent, I reminded myself, there will be great players my dd has yet to see who are out playing baseball, basketball, or gymnastics, and will soon just discover softball and start playing.
To me if your 10u loves it, by all means, travel the world in pursuit of playing the sport they love. But, if as a 10u parent, your goal for your dd is to play softball in college, then your goal should be the "slow and steady" approach. Just continuing to play at 14u, when your dd is 14, would be an accomplishment.
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True that.. You can peruse the past threads and count on maybe one finger the number of threads discussing which 16 or 18u teams are the best, lol. By then, the DD's parents have either been 1. humbled by getting butts kicked 2. Jaded by seeing their once tight knit team split up for greener pastures 3. DD's friends are on so many different teams, its hard to really root against 4. Bigger and better concerns, such as college choices and career paths...
