Rec League "and" Travel Ball

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After reading some posts in other threads I felt inclined to give my 2 cents worth. There have been many discussions on why travel is so much better than rec and how rec pulls our dd's down. I must say I wholeheartedly disagree. Yes, travel is in most cases is a better level of competition with serious commitments from players, coaches and parents. But let me tell you rec ball has its points as well. DD grew up playing rec and travel since age 9, as the travel ball coach we always took a couple weeks off for all-stars and tried not to interfere with their practices or games. Never had any issues from either side. Working together benefited both teams. The most telling point came from my dd last year as a junior in high school on a run to the state championship. "Dad, I love travel and places we go and the ?teams we play but Ill tell you playing with your team colors for your ?high school and the years in junior and little league meant something to me. Its just different." This from a now signed senior headed to a D1 school. You can co-exist and benefit from both even if its not winning it all! Sometimes fun, friendships and just playing with your community name on your chest mean something too!

Ok, Im done! Play Ball

 

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I agree with you, Love travel and she also played Rec ball. One thing I personally liked about Rec ball and this is a selfish reason, but she could physically see how much her hard work was paying off. The gap kept getting bigger between her skills and some of the casual players. In the meantime she started to develop some leadership skills that fit her personality, she is a laid back kid but learned even laid back kids can be leaders. There is also alot of pride associated with playing for your school, you lose a game in rec ball or school ball you have to wait a few days to make up for it, Travel you might have to wait 15 mins to make up for it lol.

There is room for both, and both have their advantages. Also, we want the sport we all love to grow, I think travel kids playing with their friends helps promote our sport.

Just my 2 cents ?

 

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I agree. Rec was really fun for the players too. A great place to start and then see if you indeed wanted to travel a little bit more and dedicate a little more time.
Heck, I coached a small town rec team and after the rec season my team wanted to see what travel tournaments were all about so we entered a few and won a few, kept a few close and also got crushed like a bug but it was a good time..........

 

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Great points DustersCoach. My DD is playing in college now too, and when she talks about fond softball memories, lots of times it has nothing to do with winning, losing, or even the game itself. Usually it's about friendships formed along the way. When it all comes down to it, the time playing the game only lasts between 10-12 years, but the friendships and fun memories last a lifetime. It's funny how the college game is a little more intense, but the parents are mellowed out - a generally calm bunch.

 

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I agree with you, Love travel and she also played Rec ball. One thing I personally liked about Rec ball and this is a selfish reason, but she could physically see how much her hard work was paying off. The gap kept getting bigger between her skills and some of the casual players. ?

I have my 12 year old dd playing both this year. This is what I have run into and have had to have "talks" with my dd about.

She just does not give as much effort with her rec team as she does to her travel And it is about the "gap getiing bigger between her skills and some of the casual players". She thinks that because the rec team isn't very good that she has the "I am so much better than this" attitude. I had to tell her that no matter the talent, no matter the ability, she is to ALWAYS give 100% to the girls and coaches of that team. Those coaches are giving their time and effort and knowledge every time they take the field for a practice or a game. The same goes for the girls on the team. I hope her attitude changes but I can tell you that she won't be playing rec next year. She will have to play with the High School team if she wants to play with her school colors!

 

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Yes, But at the end of the day the kids are just playing a game and as long as they are playing is what counts. Think of all the other crap they could be doing.

"Remember they are First Kids being athletes, not athletes being kids"

 

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.....She just does not give as much effort with her rec team as she does to her travel ?...

This very true, but remember they are still kids with kid tendencies. I know we would like them all to be little uber athletes doing and thinking all of the right things and being focus and totally commited 100% of the time. The bottom line is that most travel players play rec ball not for the games but to play and be with their school friends. It's hard for travel parents to get up for Rec games let alone a spazzed out 12 year old. My dd played Rec two years ago because her friends talked her into it. Two games in, she was ready to quit when she realized she can be with her friends at the pool instead of watching the ball go under the 2nd baseman's legs then through the right fielder's legs then over the cut-off's head and then watch the "sure out" score on a 4 base error. It is very difficult to give 100% when your heart and head isn't in it. She has ZERO desire to play rec ball. It was a battle to get her to play Jr. High ball.

 

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This is interesting. ?My dd plays both, rec ball and travel ball, and she enjoys them both, for different reasons. ?She's a pitcher, so playing rec ball gets her that much time on the mound. ?Also, her buddies all get to play with her on the rec ball team and they actually get to "hang out" and have ?some fun. ?Rec ball is not as competitive as travel ball, but here in Loudonville, we take ball serious and play hard, no matter what level it is. ?So many of the rec ball girls are travel ball players now, that the teams have stepped it up a notch. ?The more experienced girls have been good role models as well and have brought out the best in the girls who only play summer ball. ?My husband and I enjoy going to the rec ball games as well. ?Gives us a chance to chat with all the "local yocals". ?I have to say though, I've never seen rec ball bring my dd down or influence her poorly in any way. ?She always gives her best. ?

 

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I think alot has to do with the coach also, my DD played rec her first two years. Hated it. Coaches were terrible, they won one game in those two years. She wanted to quit softball all together. I found out she would be with a great coach her third year, and was approached by a 10-U travel team that year. I begged her to give it one more chance. Go figure, she loves softball. What a difference these coaches made. She continued on with rec one more year with another great coach. Yes, she was frustrated with the errors and difference in skill level, but a great coach at any level makes a huge difference.

 

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Rec ball can be good or it can teach you bad habits. As mentioned above coaching plays a big part in this. Our area has been lucky in that we have different options when it comes to Rec. Ball. We play one step up from city Rec in that we play in the MOL . That consists more of an all star city team playing other city teams. I coach my dd's team and we have lost 3 games in 2 years. Mainly because most of our players are from travel ball/ high school players. We spend time teaching them besides coaching.

 

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Good discussion. Rec is a great place for kids to be kids with their friends. Travel is a great place for kids to be kids w/ a new set of friends. Leaders can blossom in either or both settings. Like Hilliarddad said, think of all the bad things they could be doing w/ their time. God Bless Fastpitch at all levels!

 

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In many smaller towns, rec ball is no where close to travel ball. I have seen parents get crazy when a travel ball player wants to play rec ball, especially when the player is a pitcher. Whenever this player pitched, the parents of the opposing teams would get upset (even with an inning limit per pitcher). This young lady was the target of uncalled for attacks simply because she wanted to play with her friends and had taken the time to learn how to pitch. :-/ Sometimes it's just not worth it to deal with the parents of other players.

 

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Great post Merle ? ?

 

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If your daughters are having fun and learning the game they love why would anyone object to playing either. Seeing your girl with a smile from ear to ear is priceless in travel or rec or both!

 

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In some areas (mainly rural) rec ball is the only viable option. Might as well work to make it better.

 

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Wow GREAT post and i would agree with you sfbldad that smile is sooooo priceless all the girls work so hard in the off season and it seems "to me " when the girls are with all there friends from school and so on it makes the summer go by that much better....again GREAT post ;D

 

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?So many of the rec ball girls are travel ball players now, that the teams have stepped it up a notch. ?The more experienced girls have been good role models as well and have brought out the best in the girls who only play summer ball. ? ?

My dd has to give her best for this to happen. That is why I had the "talk". She also pitches and is one of the better in the rec league. I hope we don't have a problem with the parents getting angry when she pitches.

 

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Also, for the older girls, there are many other ways to be involved in the local rec program other than just playing. My dd is too old now for any of the teams & she and another varsity player are volunteering their time this summer to help teach the younger girls. Mine dd it last year & worked with 4 girls in 10U that wanted to learn to pitch. She said it was a great experience for her to give back to the community & still have her travel ball. Community spirit goes a long way.