Rec AND Travel ball?

[default]

Ours took that question out of the parents hands.. If you play travel, you're not allowed to play rec ball....

OHHH dont go there!!! no comment. ;&

 

[default]

Although I'm not necessarily in agreement of someone telling me how I can/can't raise my child, ( ;& ) I can almost understand why a travel coach would not want their players to also play rec.

For example - our 10u rec league last year became a matter of girls simply standing at the plate and taking pitches from the player pitcher....waiting for the coach to come in and finish the count to them. (Our league plays modified player pitch at the 10u level). MOST girls started doing this. I saw first hand why this would actually hinder girls who are also playing travel ball where they HAVE to learn to hit off the player pitcher.

 

[default]

Although I'm not necessarily in agreement of someone telling me how I can/can't raise my child, ( ;& ) I can almost understand why a travel coach would not want their players to also play rec.

For example - our 10u rec league last year became a matter of girls simply standing at the plate and taking pitches from the player pitcher....waiting for the coach to come in and finish the count to them. (Our league plays modified player pitch at the 10u level). MOST girls started doing this. I saw first hand why this would actually hinder girls who are also playing travel ball where they HAVE to learn to hit off the player pitcher.

what is modified player pitcher? you mean coach pitch? sorry lil confused here..... but again it all depends on so many things and 10u isn't near as bad as 12u will be. IMHO

 

[default]

I think we're talking the same thing - our 10u rec plays where the player pitches to either striking out the batter or four balls. At four balls the coach comes in to finish the count (get to 3 strikes, unlimited balls) to his own players. Girls in the whole league were standing at the plate waiting (hoping) for four balls from the player pitcher so they can get their coach in to pitch to them. Not many girls were actually attempting to hit off the pitcher.....they chose to remain in their comfort zone with their coach.

 

[default]

I think we're talking the same thing - our 10u rec plays where the player pitches to either striking out the batter or four balls. At four balls the coach comes in to finish the count (get to 3 strikes, unlimited balls) to his own players. Girls in the whole league were standing at the plate waiting (hoping) for four balls from the player pitcher so they can get their coach in to pitch to them. Not many girls were actually attempting to hit off the pitcher.....they chose to remain in their comfort zone with their coach.

ewww - no wonder you feel the way you do! I have never played in 10u with those rules. coach pithc is coach pitch - 10u is player pitch even if its a walk fest but if you plan accordingly you should be able to find some gilrs to put it over the plate. i would look to play in another organization with those pitching rules at 10u.

 

[default]

ewww - no wonder you feel the way you do! I have never played in 10u with those rules. coach pithc is coach pitch - 10u is player pitch even if its a walk fest but if you plan accordingly you should be able to find some gilrs to put it over the plate. i would look to play in another organization with those pitching rules at 10u.

Wow, crazy rules. We play in OGSO and overall I am very happy with the organization. There is plenty for the rec kid who is just having fun and for a talented travel player to work out their game.
Sure there are drastic differences between some teams, but once you hit the tournament the competition level is high. There were several rec teams that could compete very well at some travel tournaments.
My daughter is on a 10u travel team and in her second year of kid's pitch rec. Most likely she will only be in travel after this year, but most 10u's can use all the game time and practise they can get in my opinion.

 

[default]

The issue I have seen is that there is not usually the development in rec ball and your daughter could learn bad habits. If you want more playing time, schedule friendlies during the week with other select level teams.

 

[default]

I think everyone's situation needs to be evaluated individually. As a travel coach I agree with sentiments put forth by Gatorcoach. Two years ago I coached a 10u team and four of our players were on a rec team. It was a mistake as they had a difficult time adjusting to the speed of travel games after playing in the rec league. All four parents regretted the move almost as soon as the season started.

Now all four of those kids played in same league previously mentioned that allows a coach pitcher to come in after the kid issues ball four. I didn't let either of my daughters play in that league - not that they wanted to.

That being said, last year my younger daughter was 9 years old and working on becoming a pitcher. The team she played on was stacked with three stud 10 YO pitchers so in order to help her develop as a pitcher we signed her up to play rec ball in Lancaster where they play with virtually no rule modifications.

As I said, every situation should be evaluated individually.

 

[default]

My DD is way past travel ball--now in her 30s so I have no dog in this hunt but it seems to me that the weaker leagues --those at 8U/10U/12U -- might be better off playing slow pitch in rec ball than fastpitch. They learn way more offense, defense, base running, etc than in rec fast pitch==and they actually have a chance 0f hiiting the ball rather than watching 4 pitches and taking the base on a walk, advancing to 2d on a passed bal and then to 3rd on a wild pitch.The girls/parents who want their child to play softball at the high school/ travel ball level will find ways to get their DDs involved in fast pitch---just look at all the pitching instructors, catching instructors, hitting instructors, fielding instructors, etc---so you know that is already happening.

The Rec leagues should make the activity a fun/social event--let kids be kids when/while they can.

 

[default]

I'm new to OFC and my daughter is a first year 10u travel team member. We're very excited to begin this phase with her new team.
I'd like to pose a question to the forum. There is an abundance of experience here so I know we'll get pointed in the right direction. Several parents on this 10u team are also new to travel ball and the discussion has already been floating around "Is your daughter also going to play on her local Rec team next spring?" I actually hadn't thought about it and honestly had thought No. Here are the arguments I've heard:

Those that say they WILL have their daughter play on both teams say it because:
- They'll be on the field playing ball. More time on the field is good.
- Afraid the school district will frown on their daughter NOT paying for their Rec team and HS coach down the road will punish girls for that.
- Since they will be playing with those girls from their district down the road anyway shouldn't they also pay with them now.

Those that say they WILL NOT have their daughter play Rec ball say it because:
- Bad habits are formed/rubbed off from less experienced/dedicated players.
- More time on the field is not necessarily GOOD time on the field.
- Coaching isn't always quality. Usually someone's dad "living the dream".
- Unorganized and poorly run.

So - what does your daughter do? What are your arguments pro/con paying both travel and rec?

Never thought I'd be thinking about these things at 10u!

My daughter's first year of travel ball she played rec as well. Each messed the other up. When she came from rec to a travel game it took her a bit to adjust to the speed. Not a big issue. However when she went from travel to rec she developed some bad habits because she was mentally way ahead of the pitch and she would let her hands drift forward and only get a partial swing. Though she did ok in travel her rec year was the worst she had ever had because it was 'too slow'. Sure a good hitter can adjust but she wasn't there yet.

I would recommend she if is able to get "enough" playing time on her travel that you just do that. If she is fringe and may not get much time on the field than rec may benefit her. However just give though... if she plays 30% of the innings on travel and she can compete on some level that is probably best for her. If she plays less than 25% of the innings she would probably get quite a bit out of playing rec as well.

 

[default]

As a coach I do not want my players playing rec ball, even if they are playing up. It is not me trying to be controlling, there are 2 basic reasons.

1. you can't duplicate speed of the game and quality of competition. I have seen far to many players show up at a tournament and take all of Saturday to catch up to the TB pitching after facing rec ball pitching 2-3 times during the week

2. You committed to my TB team. We have kept the roster to a max of 11 players to make sure each player gets plenty of time on the field. If you are injured playing in a rec ball game and can not play in one of our tournaments you have not just let me down but 9 other players and thier families. You will get more from practicing on your own during the week rather than playing 2 rec ball games......even if you "play up"!!

 

[default]

My dd wanted to play rec as well as travel her last year of 10u and being a pitcher I figured it would be a good opportunity to get some extra mound time and some at bats. After the first 2 hour game, she said she didn't want to do it any more...it was brutal!! Of course we made her finish because she committed but once they get to that competitive level, there really is no going back unless you are just trying to show off to the hometown people. I had a few who played rec last year as well as travel and they struggled at bat the first half of the season because of the pitching. More at bats are good but only if they are quality at bats. More mound time is good but only if you are throwing to batters who can hit your pitching....blowing it by girls who are not used to speed is not going to make you a better pitcher. Plus a committment is a committment and if you cannot make both schedules work, than you shouldn't be playing both because 1 team is going to be getting the screws.

 

[default]

Wow! There are alot of opinions on this one. Don't really know the answer , if there is one. I think a 10u pitcher would benefit playing both, there is nothing like mound time even if you are just blowing it by the hitters. Most 10u schedules are not that strenuous, so playing both could be done. The "I want to play with my friends" becomes a factor also. Do not make her just travel because YOU want her to, after all this is game we are talking about. Building chemistry with the girls you will play with in High School means something also. It all depends on what your goals are , and your daughters goals are. Playing rec hurts you as a hitter more than it helps you. It doesn't matter what anyone says on here, travel ball is so much better and more competetive. The best rec team in the state would struggle to compete against your average travel team. Good luck with your decision, try not to be influenced, make it based on what is best for her, period.

 

[default]

My D.D. played in central Ohio, (Pickerington) grad 2009. I don't know where you live or the high school she would play for, but in Pickerington you play travel ball and not rec. D.D. started travel at 12u, wasted her 11u in rec. my bad. so I guess we here in Pickerington don't have to worry about, " building chemistry with the girls you will play with in High School " because not only all of our girls play travel, but all the teams we play are also made up of travel girls.

 

[default]

Key word = "fun". Good grief! At 10 I'm guessing she hasn't picked out a list of colleges to visit!

I'm not a fan of playing both, but not for the reasons most stated. At 10u kids need a mental break, and need time to just be kids. Go like gangbusters "in season", invest a little QUALITY work on individual fundamentals in the off season, then give it a break. If she's playing travel, let her hang with her "non-softball" friends during the week.

As for deciding which one:
As her parents, you know your daughter best - you know what "floats her boat". Just be sure it's HER wanting more, and not mom & dad. Educate yourself about what athletics has to offer your daughter. At each stage of her development, keep it age appropriate - and FUN. All work and no play burns out most adults - just think what it does to a 10 year old! Your "softball education" should include figuring out what it takes to get better at each age level. It should also help you to recognize if your daughter is athletic enough to be playing at a high level of the sport - but that fact usually manifests itself by about 14 or so anyway. Believe me... after watching a few 10u travel games, there are many 10u travel parents that need a reality check! Don't fall into that trap...

Part of the process is a keen awareness of you daughter's enjoyment level. She may be having the time of her life just playing rec. with her friends - so what's wrong with that? If after a year of travel, she wants to go back to rec., maybe she wasn't ready yet - or she's simply happy with rec. She'll let you know when - and if - she's ready for more.

 

[default]

Honestly most of your "travel" teams are glorified rec teams with higher player fees.... but that's in Western PA, Ohio may be different.

Go to some local tournaments and you will find some good rec teams who will beat some very average and below average "travel teams".

Ohio has it's fair share of "glorified rec" teams and I don't see anything wrong with that. They get bashed on OFC all the time with a pompous how dare those less talented come play on our fields. So ridiculous. If parents and their girls want to enjoy the bonding and atmosphere that is travel tournaments I say good for them. They don't hurt a thing and I'm happy for them. More should join the fun.

 

[default]

Ohio has it's fair share of "glorified rec" teams and I don't see anything wrong with that. They get bashed on OFC all the time with a pompous how dare those less talented come play on our fields. So ridiculous. If parents and their girls want to enjoy the bonding and atmosphere that is travel tournaments I say good for them. They don't hurt a thing and I'm happy for them. More should join the fun.

Ok then - so out of curiosity - where are they saying that these "glorified rec" teams are supposed to play in Ohio? If the travel teams do not want them at their tournaments and the rec only tournaments do not want them at theirs.....where does that leave these teams?

 

[default]

Key word = "fun". Good grief! At 10 I'm guessing she hasn't picked out a list of colleges to visit!

My thoughts exactly. Not much mention about what will be the most fun for the child in this situation.

I do understand that bad habits form early, but I would think that the issue of fun should at least be considered.

Are 10 year olds ready to confine their non-tb experience to lessons, gyms and weight rooms? I suppose many who commit to TB are. And maybe that's how it pays off in the long run, but I'd also be worried about having a 13 year old who ends up sick of the game and decides she just wants to be a kid again.

 

[default]

OK. I'm a little confused. When my DD was 8 she played 10U House league. After some rough experiences, we quickly moved her to the Community "travel" rec. team. This was not tournament ball, but we played other "travel" teams from neighboring communities. It was a nice transition into tournament ball. My DD has played both tournament ball and community (rec) travel ever since. (Since 10U) She now in high school and the same community team is now the summer varsity team. We are in NW Ohio. Are we the only part of the state that does it this way? I have had absolutely no concerns about her playing on both a tournament team and her community travel team, even though the community team play is not the same caliber as tournament ball. It provided an opportunity for the kids who would eventually play varsity together.

 

[default]

We are in NW Ohio. Are we the only part of the state that does it this way? I have had absolutely no concerns about her playing on both a tournament team and her community travel team

The CVEL in NEO is very similar (http://www.eteamz.com/CVELU18/). I've seen some highly competitive teams from all divisions. I don't think of it as "rec ball" at all. Teams from Nordonia, Hudson, Stow, Twinsburg and others face off in what I like to think of as "pre high school" matchups. It's a great way for kids to play with their schoolmates during the week while traveling to tournaments on the weekends.