Rocket ... exactly right about the social part of things as I alluded to above, and Generals is also right about it being better to play a competitive 14-U schedule than an a weaker 16-U schedule. I think it's a potentially whole different argument when the player is 14 and entering high school vs. 13. When a college coach makes a general statement about it being good to play up, you have to consider the age and maturity of the player, and the kind of team she is playing up on. And keep in mind not all of those college coaches have been parents of teenagers themselves. I have seen quite a few overzealous parents have their DD's play up (and brag about it), and regretted it later. Again, while there could be a few exceptions, I think you're doing a disservice to the girl and her softball development, not to mention taking a risk I would not want to take with her social development. Get her on the best 14-U team she can get on, and she'll be much better off, and can start to see the college coaches the next couple of years when she's more ready for it.