Random thoughts on High School Ball and Travel Ball

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Just some observations that I have noticed being involved with travel ball for years and seeing my two girls play high school ball:

1. High School ball is totally for the name on the back of the jersey
2. Not much recruiting comes out of high school ball - sorry High School coaches - it happens but not much
3. Good travel kids get frustrated with High School ball but at the end of the day, they do like playing with their friends
4. Parents complain a lot about High School ball but love it cause when we were their age, travel was just in its infancy stage - our memories are mainly from playing for school teams
5. Varsity ball is really all that counts - JV's role is to prepare the girls but more importantly, to assist varsity with a player if they need someone
6. If you are a high level player and end up on JV, it will be a long, frustrating season
7. Kids like playing in front of their friends that come to watch High School Ball
8. Travel ball is also fun but and gives kids an opportunity to play with kids they normally don't know/see
9. If you are in high level travel, it is about the recruiting
10. Be realistic with yourself and your daughter about where her ability allows her to be recruited and more importantly, what her academic goals are
11. Reasons that should be considered in this order when choosing a college:
1. Academic Fit
2. Style fit (big college vs. small, liberal vs. conservative etc)
3. Location Fit - how far does your dd want to be from home?
4. Cost Fit - if softball does not work out - can you still afford it?
5. Softball Fit - Right level of competition? Likes the coach?
12. It takes a very special coach/daughter that will make it ok to coach your kid when she gets older - I coach with one such coach - but it is tough -
13. Remember that the intensity of travel ball is not HS ball - both are fun but not at the same level
14. When you get frustrated with the HS coach, (I never have ) - they are doing it for the love of the game - sure isnt for the pay - they dont get much!
14. If you love softball get involved, coach travel, coach HS (wish my job would allow me), umpire (I do), help with the local Rec League - the girls will appreciate your involvement and they will give you back memories that will last a lifetime! Greatest game out there!

Coach Murph

 

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I would think that number 1 would be the opposite. You play H.S. for your school/community, you play travel for yourself, namely for the possibility of being recruited.

 

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The part that I loved during HS season is that we got to see our TB friends that attended schools that our school was playing.

It always amazed me when one of the non-TB parents would give you the evil eye for sitting and enjoying yourself with parents from the other team. How dare we fraternize with the enemy.

And for when the girls are playing, I'm sure there is a lot of winking and nodding going on between the players. Like, I'll give you this pitch but you owe me later in the game. I could never prove it but it sure looked like it was happening.

 

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It always amazed me when one of the non-TB parents would give you the evil eye for sitting and enjoying yourself with parents from the other team. How dare we fraternize with the enemy.

And for when the girls are playing, I'm sure there is a lot of winking and nodding going on between the players. Like, I'll give you this pitch but you owe me later in the game. I could never prove it but it sure looked like it was happening.

I enjoyed that last year with a couple of TB dads I saw. I'm really looking forward to the next few years being able to do that as well. As for your second statement, that is what I'm interested in .

 

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I never sit on HS side, always have a TB friend on the other. Yes I get dirty looks, but Im a social worker, Im used to that!

 

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I never sit on HS side, always have a TB friend on the other. Yes I get dirty looks, but Im a social worker, Im used to that!

 

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I don't get it... I would talk to other TB parents before or after the game but during game I would/will sit with team parents. I would hope my kids didn't receive any wink wink favors or give any during competition...it was hard enough competing. Loved high school ball..yes at times it was frustrating but loved watching kids having fun.

i would agree with OP... Mine and DD's goal has been and always will be about academics and to us it was always #1 like OP posted and High school ball was for the name in the front of jersey. IMHO.

 

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The point to remember is that with high school ball, everything is beyond your control: coach, team-mates, schedule, JV/V, etc... It all depends on which school district you live in. (exception being sending your kid to a private school).

- Don't live and die whether you're state champs or a perennial doormat.
- Your daughter may, in fact, be a very good player - but doesn't get on the field because 20 other very good players go to your school.
- Coach could be a big doofus - who got the job because he's the A.D.'s brother-in-law... etc, etc, etc.

It's out of your hands. Support your daughter AND her team. Because it will all be water under the bridge in a few short years.

(And you can still gripe/brag about the TB team because that was YOUR choice.)

 

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All of the above points are great. During TB season, I can be found sitting on the base line, close to the action, cheering loudly for all the girls. School season finds me alone in the bleachers or in the outfield, cheering more quietly because fans are more reserved.

Shame on the parents who are reliving their high school experience (isn't it time to grow up?)--those are the ones giving the rest of us evil glares for daring to socialize outside of the school circle. Between TB and Scouting, I know LOTS of people and say "hi" to them all. Besides, I didn't have time for cliques when I was in high school so why would I be any different now?

Being supportive of DD is the most important part of the high school ball experience for many parents. Being dissed by crappy coaches and mean-girl juniors is a learning opportunity best taken advantage of now because it is much harder to learn those skills as an adult.

Senior year is just for fun and hanging with friends. DD can tolerate just about any school politics knowing she has a college team/coach who have already accepted her and welcome her every time she gets to visit campus.

Cheering for the team is expected as long as it is done according to the social standards of the parental clique. I get glared at for complimenting opposing teams when they exhibit amazing skills. Shouldn't we be cheering for all the girls when they are playing with enthusiasm? Yet another reason I don't sit with the school parents.

The final reason for not sitting with the school parents, they don't know the rules. I learn way more hanging with the TB people.

 

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DD is a freshman and made Varsity. We don't have a MS team. I really don't know the local rec ball players and parents because she left that scene at 9. But being a coach in travel over the last 5 years, I do know the TB community. I see a lot of dirty looks in my future. God help me!

 

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DD is a freshman and made Varsity. We don't have a MS team. I really don't know the local rec ball players and parents because she left that scene at 9. But being a coach in travel over the last 5 years, I do know the TB community. I see a lot of dirty looks in my future. God help me!

 

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:lmao: Now thats funny right there!