overuse injuries can be a problem ---

[DanMaz]

Just a few positive comments about softball for once... lol

I just wanted to put something out there and see how other coaches and parents feel about this.

Are you pushing 1 sport on your athlete because she wants to play softball in college? Does she play any other sports or do you think if she takes off part of the year to play other sports she will fall behind? (she won't)

I have seen and heard from many college recruiters and coaches that the overuse injuries are way too many for incoming freshman going to play in college nowadays.
I AGREE. I have always pushed school sports before travel ball for various reasons. Not that I think or even like high school ball (my opinion) but I do feel there are very important social reasons and other things that girls and boys should play for their schools IF they want. I think there is a false narrative out there that if you don't play for your high school that colleges will look down on you. NOWAY.

go swim for your school! Play volleyball! play golf, tennis, or whatever you want... take a month or two off if you're not interested in other sports. You need to let your arms legs shoulders, and even your brain all needs to get some rest and not overdo it.

Last thing you want is to get into college and now your babying injuries from overuse.... it's real. Not a conspiracy.

Good Luck to all!!

 

[Passion4theGame]

I agree with playing other sports for your School.

I donot agree with playing multiple sports once you hit your junior/ senior year. Here is why..

If you are trying to play softball in college while obtaining your degree only focus on softball Junior & Senior years. If you play multiple sports you take a risk of injury (ACL or something else) and your chances of playing college softball dwindle real quick.


I agree with taking breaks for your body and mind. 100%.

 

[daboss]

I agree with playing other sports for your School.

I donot agree with playing multiple sports once you hit your junior/ senior year. Here is why..

If you are trying to play softball in college while obtaining your degree only focus on softball Junior & Senior years. If you play multiple sports you take a risk of injury (ACL or something else) and your chances of playing college softball dwindle real quick.


I agree with taking breaks for your body and mind. 100%.

I'm sorry coach but I can't get on board with the specializing mindset. Sorry.

It appears yourself, DanMaz, and me agree on taking a break for some physical and mental R&R. Specializing (1 sporting) in high school can hinder an overall development------especially mentally, for the exact same reasons already mentioned. As far as potential injuries, that is always going to be an element of life we can "glass half full, glass half empty" to death.

I guess the best way to try and explain my theory is a softball analogy. The best way to field a ball is to charge it, be moving forward to it. Always better to charge than on your heals backing up where you are allowing the ball to be in charge of you. This mindset of charging forward will help you make more plays than you will ever blow. Move forward into your future, don't back away from it. If you fear getting injured than most likely you are making yourself vulnerable.

Using your core muscles in a different manner by playing a different sport or a different workout routine can help enhance your conditioning both mentally and physically. Shutting yourself off from the other experiences that life offers at the age of 15-16 will not benefit most young ladies. That mindset comes soon enough with the culture shock of college at the ripe ole age of 18.

 

[Passion4theGame]

I'm sorry coach but I can't get on board with the specializing mindset. Sorry.

It appears yourself, DanMaz, and me agree on taking a break for some physical and mental R&R. Specializing (1 sporting) in high school can hinder an overall development------especially mentally, for the exact same reasons already mentioned. As far as potential injuries, that is always going to be an element of life we can "glass half full, glass half empty" to death.

I guess the best way to try and explain my theory is a softball analogy. The best way to field a ball is to charge it, be moving forward to it. Always better to charge than on your heals backing up where you are allowing the ball to be in charge of you. This mindset of charging forward will help you make more plays than you will ever blow. Move forward into your future, don't back away from it. If you fear getting injured than most likely you are making yourself vulnerable.

Using your core muscles in a different manner by playing a different sport or a different workout routine can help enhance your conditioning both mentally and physically. Shutting yourself off from the other experiences that life offers at the age of 15-16 will not benefit most young ladies. That mindset comes soon enough with the culture shock of college at the ripe ole age of 18.

Here’s my thing.. if you commit to a school to play softball and you play HS Basketball your senior year and blowout your knee while playing basketball there’s a possibility you won’t get to play softball while your obtaining your degree.

Heck you might even lose part or all of your scholarship money.

I agree with kids should be kids. I agree they need time to recover their mind & body.

I am ok with Athletes playing multiple sports until they are committed.

I feel once you have committed honor and focus on that commitment.

I have always encouraged my Athletes to play other sports all the way up until they are committed.

I have actually tried pushing my Athletes 14u -16u to play soccer.

some of the best footwork comes from soccer.

 

[CARDS]

My DD played softball and football from 2nd grade to 6th grade we decided to drop football when she hit middle school. Both required a lot of dedication and commitment from her as well as mom and dad and the risk with football could hurt other interest. She also raced moto cross at the 65cc and under then just rode for fun at age12.

She ended up a 4 year 3 sport athlete in HS playing Softball, Golf and Bowling...and was part of young life/wild life in her spare time.

In college she was a two sport athlete Softball and Golf.

She enjoyed the little break from softball. At the younger ages she wanted to keep playing football but she quickly picked up golf as a replacement sport.

For all her sports and softball she would still do work on her own and lift / work out to stay in shape year around.

As far as the golf swing will mess up your softball swing or vise versa..., That may be true for some but I know many that have had no issues including my DD. She had a knack to striking balls consistently softball or golf ball, left or right handed but she had been doing it since she was 4...What a fun and busy time those years were...

 

[daboss]

Here’s my thing.. if you commit to a school to play softball and you play HS Basketball your senior year and blowout your knee while playing basketball there’s a possibility you won’t get to play softball while your obtaining your degree.

Heck you might even lose part or all of your scholarship money.

I agree with kids should be kids. I agree they need time to recover their mind & body.

I am ok with Athletes playing multiple sports until they are committed.

I feel once you have committed honor and focus on that commitment.

I have always encouraged my Athletes to play other sports all the way up until they are committed.

I have actually tried pushing my Athletes 14u -16u to play soccer.

some of the best footwork comes from soccer.

Passion4theGame, I see your point. I don't believe you are insinuating anything. I assume you are offering up a thought to consider.

First off, there was never any mention in any of the posts about an athlete being committed to a school, whether it be signing a letter of intent or in any other capacity. That's a stipulation that would need to be addressed by the young lady and the school of choice. I still stand by my original statement.

Secondly, I've never heard of a coach or staff ever stipulating the recruit not play other sports in high school before or after any commitment. Every college coach I have ever been around has voiced just the opposite. They encouraged their recruits to play other sports and play throughout the summer--------as long as their grades don't suffer.

If a young lady and her family feel the need to "play it safe" I would never fault them for it. It is their choice. If a young lady is reluctant to play any sports after committing to a school and I am her travel ball coach, I would wish her well. I'd go find a player to replace her.

Again, the "glass half full, glass half empty" debate can go on forever. The only experiences I have ever had, or been aware of, are undying commitments from coaching staffs to their players. Perhaps there are exceptions out there but I haven't seen it.

 

[Passion4theGame]

Passion4theGame, I see your point. I don't believe you are insinuating anything. I assume you are offering up a thought to consider.

First off, there was never any mention in any of the posts about an athlete being committed to a school, whether it be signing a letter of intent or in any other capacity. That's a stipulation that would need to be addressed by the young lady and the school of choice. I still stand by my original statement.

Secondly, I've never heard of a coach or staff ever stipulating the recruit not play other sports in high school before or after any commitment. Every college coach I have ever been around has voiced just the opposite. They encouraged their recruits to play other sports and play throughout the summer--------as long as their grades don't suffer.

If a young lady and her family feel the need to "play it safe" I would never fault them for it. It is their choice. If a young lady is reluctant to play any sports after committing to a school and I am her travel ball coach, I would wish her well. I'd go find a player to replace her.

Again, the "glass half full, glass half empty" debate can go on forever. The only experiences I have ever had, or been aware of, are undying commitments from coaching staffs to their players. Perhaps there are exceptions out there but I haven't seen it.

correct. Just offering the possibilities.

I never tell my athletes softball only. Ive encouraged them to play other sports all the way through 16u.

Now that 10 of my 12 girls are committed those 10 only play softball. Their choice not mine.

 

[yocoach]

I encourage my players to play other sports throughout. However, I recommend to them that they do sports that are non-contact in the hopes of limiting injuries during those sports and even softball by developing other muscle groups. Cross Country, Golf, Swimming, Bowling, Track, etc. are all great sports that will only enhance conditioning and other muscle groups as well as giving them a mental break. I've had too many pitcher's shoulders throughout the years ruined by volleyball (mostly torn rotator cuffs or Labrums) and players seriously injured during a basketball season (separated shoulders, broken feet/ankles and torn up knees) to recommend those 2. I'm not a big fan of Soccer either due to the concussions and knee injuries sustained. Heck, even cheerleading is getting more dangerous by the year due to the wild tricks they perform but how can you say no to showing your school spirit. If they choose one of those sports, so be it. I'm not out to run their lives. I can only suggest safer options and hope they listen or at least be careful if they don't.

 

[DanMaz]

i always pushed swimming. My kids did it and it is one of the best core building and help in recovery sports out there. The work outs in the water are very helpful in rebuilding and strengthening your muscles and core. If you swim and you work real hard at it... you will be in the best shape in your life!!!

I also agree with many other posters to some degree... BUT kids are kids. You can't put them in bubble wrap if they are committed... now, if this was a football recruit with potential to go BIG time NFL someday, then maybe tell them not to consider other sports with contact but softball players only make scholarship money and then when that's over, it's over! Most go on to other careers. Sad for the girls... they always seem to get the short end of the stick.