School Ball or No?

[CARDS]

https://www2.indstate.edu/studentsuccess/pdf/HelpingYourStudentSucceedinCollege.pdf

The above link is a must read for high school age parents^^^^^

What I have seen over the years as it relates to High School sports/softball is most Players Play.. It doesnt matter if their goal is to play beyond High school or not ,or if softball is their primary sport...

Looking back over the past 5 years those ladies that went on to play high level college softball from our area also played HS ball and most rose to the challenges to make their team competitive regardless of coaching.

As far as grades yes, your GPA matters so if you have a 2.8 but are in honors/AP classes its still a 2.8. So if the player and parent decides to have additional rigor make sure the student athlete can handle the demands of class work and sports. If not, drop the sport or go back to general studies...
I would say in most cases dropping the sport is the better option. "Most" HS are transitioning to blended learning for basic and general learners that means larger classroom sizes and more disruptions AKA (Knuckleheads) compared to your higher level coursework but it can vary from school to school.

As far as playing at the next level...
If the lady is athletic , can contribute to a team and "they have the desire to play at the next level" there are opportunities for them whether you played Travel or High school ball at ALL levels.

As far as getting $$$ to play college softball "most" get little to no money to play college softball and folks getting 50% at a 40k plus school is no deal...

At 12U to 14U a lot of parents think softball is a option to help pay for college and in a small percentage of cases it is true, but in most cases the extensive travel is just encouraged by travel coaches that have no connections or experience and by the time the lady is 16/17 the parents realize what they spent in summer travel may have been better invested in a college fund.
So, if you are playing any sport in the hope of a big scholorship / money its the wrong reason. Play to have fun, travel to improve competition and get to see other places and make new friends.In the end you may get a little help for books, housing etc.

 

[coachjwb]

A theoretical trade-off that would be more intriguing would be to exchange playing HS ball to better prepare for and get a higher score on the ACT. With that being said, the red flags are a concern, and I have heard it from multiple college coaches ... and the other thing is what the players can learn about playing on a team while balancing school work and social relationships. Don't get on me for citing the pros of playing high school ... I can't answer the question you posed without talking about them.

 

[CARDS]

A theoretical trade-off that would be more intriguing would be to exchange playing HS ball to better prepare for and get a higher score on the ACT. With that being said, the red flags are a concern, and I have heard it from multiple college coaches ... and the other thing is what the players can learn about playing on a team while balancing school work and social relationships. Don't get on me for citing the pros of playing high school ... I can't answer the question you posed without talking about them.

With the 2017 graduation requirements / options changing, students should get more help from their schools on the ACT or one of the other testing options during the school day.
Caution to parents on class schedules as the ladies get into their junior/senior years. Look for a bigger push for AP or Honors classes since funding and Guidence Counselors rating/scores (pay) are connected in this area in a lot of Districts.
That could lead to a drop in GPAs as well.

Below is a link for the new options


http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Oh...017/New-Testing-Options-for-Students-Required

 

[DanMaz]

interested topic that have been reading about for the last few years... FYI: DD was at an "unofficial" visit end of 2015 at a D1 school here in Ohio. During the open question session with players and coaches I actually asked this same exact question to the head coach and recruiting coach. " Is it a red flag to you guys when a student athlete doesn't play softball for their High school for whatever reason. Answer: NO - followed up with "the last few freshman classes have had the most "over use" injuries we have seen so taking some time off is OK!" In fact run track and build up your core and give your upper body a rest. As long as your active or playing sports and playing summer ball - really no red flag to us." and I agree with them 100%!

Not saying I am right or wrong but I just wanted to share my experiences from a couple months ago.

HERE's a RED FLAG if you all tell the recruiter that your HS coach stinks and you don't like playing with rec girls that's why I don't play... don't be silly. why would anyone say that to any college coaches anyways?

 

[coachjwb]

We should probably say it's a yellow flag ... they just need to have a good answer when the coach asks them why they didn't ... that answer might turn it green or red ...

 

[Pacerdad57]

Had personal experience with three head coaches stating it was a red flag and would be the first thing that needs explaining.
They asked the girls at this clinic why they would not play school ball. They weren't so concerned about varsity vs JV, just wanted to see the girls they are interested in involved in school ball in addition to travel.

 

[FastBat]

HERE's a RED FLAG if you all tell the recruiter that your HS coach stinks and you don't like playing with rec girls that's why I don't play... don't be silly.

Yes, red flag! Because even Jenna Lilley managed to "play with rec girls" last year and somehow she survived it!

 

[mike_dyer]

Nope. There's no implication there.

It was more of a direct acknowledgement that you are a person who would want to make people believe that if their kid wants Trine to pick up the tab for their kid's books they have to fly across the country and back 6 times between the ages of 16 and 18.

Someone shot me a thumbs down for this???

I typically ignore people who quit reading books when they took the pictures out of them. I figured the only way to get my point across here was to make a picture.



Now, this isn't to scale. But let's just say "A" marks an approximate area in which you live, and that "B" marks an approximate location of a school where your kid could realistically play or pull in money or whatever, then I would have to say that "Y" ought to mark the approximate location of the places where you should spend your time and your money.

Avoid "Z" and anyone who tells you that it's vital to travel to "Z" to get seen by a coach who operates out of "B."

I understand why the used car salesmen want to convince you that you need to cross the country multiple time in search of 25% of your kids tuition. I can't, for the life of me, understand how they do it though.

Ironically, you'll end up spending more than she will get in the process.

 

[Fairman]

If you take Mike's map and overlay it with all the location of all colleges, you will find that your dd's opportunities to play at all levels are greater in his ABY states. We have a tremendous number of fine higher education institutions at all levels of athletic endeavors when compared to the rest of the country (with the exception of the New England States).

I surveyed the regional schools with softball at all levels and found that there were more than 200 schools within 2 hours of my home. They will need about 800 players to fill out their roster each year.

 

[CARDS]

Having worked several NFCA camps in Ohio and PA and having discussions with many college coaches "most" prefer the ladies play HS ball but its not a deal breaker especially; if they have a strong interest in the player and they have good communication. (I like the yellow flag suggestion from coachjwb)

I have to say it again, there are plenty of opportunities for ladies at all levels to play and you do not have to travel a ton or spend a lot of money to do it. I would recommend playing HS ball even if its JV or a Varsity support player senior year if you are not doing any summer travel.

I know of several ladies from our conference (GMC) from 2019-2013 that did not play high level summer travel ball just rec. or local travel and HS that are playing or played for the college that fit "what they were looking for" from NAIA to DI. some got money most did not.

On a side note: All of the strong D1 talent in our area did play HS ball and were on summer travel teams that did a far amount of travel.

There are a few HS coaches in our league that have a network of college coaches they refer talent too. Most have some summer travel ball experience where they continue to build connections and look for ways to help their players with grades, ACT etc. With that said, most college referrals I have seen come from travel coaches in network, so the summer team/coach you play for can matter.
(Most of these coaches do their homework prior to any referral to make sure its a fit for both).

A little off original topic but still relevant as it relates to playing beyond HS. As far as tournaments and camps go, most of the larger college programs know who they want to look at before these events... Yes they will get their interest peeked by that "special" standout player that may not have attended a camp of their own or they have no connection with, but overall what I have seen with the bigger D1 D2 programs a lot of the time they are checking up on talent that attended their own clinics at these events "not fishing" for talent and that is what a lot of parents don't realize. What I have seen is most parents think because they see JC, NAIA or DIII coaches wondering around the larger programs have the same agenda and that for the most part is not the case.

 

[KillingMeSmalls]

http://www.flosoftball.com/video/937788-the-packaged-deal-why-high-school-softball-matters

Some input on playing HS ball from some great players.

 

[mike_dyer]

69-6 is the combined score of my kid's school ball team in their 4 league games.

5 of the 6 runs were scored on one of our JV pitchers.

It's a good thing she's out there though. She's learning sssssoooooo much.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

Believe it or not she is, if she isn't learning one thing a day she's not pushing herself..... Humble could be one of those things.... Those teams that rant on winning that big, sometimes, only sometimes have a bad day too and will get eaten by the underdog. School ball is more than wins and losses, it's experience of representing your school, your town, becoming a leader, learning about people, learning about sacrifice for others, learning to listen with both ears, learning to support each other, learning respect for authority, learning respect for her own beliefs and standards, playing to play and have fun while also being challenged, learning the grind of a season in all weather elements and in the end there is a game to be played as well...... But when her HS days are over, most of the girls will be friends forever on memories good and bad that they made together....

Yeah, she's getting something out of it.......

 

[mike_dyer]

I'd like to believe all that, I simply can't.

There is no doubt that when the tournament comes around we are going to be in a world of hurt. 69-6 isn't going to prepare you for what's coming.

I feel like all she's learning is a lot of really bad habits.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

One example Mike.... For reasons to him the coach made the 09 team run " Poles" after every game from foul pole to foul pole, our field had a 260' fence.....Every game! What good did it do? Physical stamina perhaps when they got as far as the final four through the grind of so many games in so few weeks? commeraderie as they did it together, leadership for those who came back to run and push the others to get to the finish line..... But they did it knowing they were there for eachother and show they could put their mind to finishing that pole.....

What does it have to truly do with that game that was just played though or the next? They knew they could count on the one next to them to get them though it good bad or indifferent win or lose...

 

[CoachB25]

Mike, why don't you take your dd off the team then? You seem to despise HS ball and find no benefits. Take her off so you can coach her and get her all the reps she needs to get that scholarship.

Every HS program is different and so, I can't speak for any program but the one I coach in. We had a small break in between a small rain shower and a good rain. Our diamond was good but the team we were to play on the road called the game at the last minute. We did situational base running, situational defense, run downs, and defensive cutoffs including double cuts. Pitchers threw as well in the bull pen and we got 5 pitchers through before it opened up. All in all, it was an intense practice and the young ladies were awesome with their efforts. I've also coached a lot of TB, simply put a lot of TB teams don't do these types of practices and some teams don't practice together at all. For a typical practice, I video hitters, make individual hitting plans, discuss different approaches at the plate per each player's strengths, and then, on the weekends when we don't have games, I funnel those players in in groups of 2and 3 players for one on one work. My players easily get in a few hundred swings each practice. HS and/or TB will always be what you want it to be. However, if you don't want to be there, then step up and take your child out so another player can have these opportunities. I would and have said that to my player's parents.

 

[mike_dyer]

Mike, why don't you take your dd off the team then? You seem to despise HS ball and find no benefits. Take her off so you can coach her and get her all the reps she needs to get that scholarship.

Every HS program is different and so, I can't speak for any program but the one I coach in. We had a small break in between a small rain shower and a good rain. Our diamond was good but the team we were to play on the road called the game at the last minute. We did situational base running, situational defense, run downs, and defensive cutoffs including double cuts. Pitchers threw as well in the bull pen and we got 5 pitchers through before it opened up. All in all, it was an intense practice and the young ladies were awesome with their efforts. I've also coached a lot of TB, simply put a lot of TB teams don't do these types of practices and some teams don't practice together at all. For a typical practice, I video hitters, make individual hitting plans, discuss different approaches at the plate per each player's strengths, and then, on the weekends when we don't have games, I funnel those players in in groups of 2and 3 players for one on one work. My players easily get in a few hundred swings each practice. HS and/or TB will always be what you want it to be. However, if you don't want to be there, then step up and take your child out so another player can have these opportunities. I would and have said that to my player's parents.

My daughter swung her bat 6 times at practice yesterday. She caught 4 fly balls. She fielded 4 ground balls.

That is roughly how many reps everyone at practice got.

This is a typical practice for her, give or take a rep or 2.

Her coach used zero of his 10 days of contact. Her coach worked with zero kids in the off season. It starts on the first day of practice, it ends with the last out of the last game. If there is a game on Saturday you can plan on practice being cancelled on one of the weekdays because "We only do this 5 days a week."

She's right handed, but one thing he did do is try like hell to get her to do is bat left handed and slap and all that. He wanted her to learn how to do this exactly 9 days before their first game and was angry/shocked/surprised when she told him no.

I'm sure to every supercoach here who reads this post this proves that she's "uncoachable."

I say it proves she's not an idiot.

They did hire 2 new JV coaches, the varsity team they coached was 0-28 last year. Ironically, they are better coaches and run better practices than the coach does.

The odds of her playing next year are slim, but I'd like for you to tell me, specifically, what "opportunities" would her not being there present to someone else?

 

[DanMaz]

on a positive note.... the less reps she gets hitting fielding and listening to a coach that has nothing to offer.... less is better in this situation. (?) What if she got tons of reps doing things the wrong way or HIS way etc.... that would be even worse. maybe there is a positive end to it somehow. less is better! Maybe you will get run ruled in every game making a lot less reps. Sounds like the least amount of time he spends with any student athlete the better! There is something positive in everything.

 

[poden-smoden]

My daughter swung her bat 6 times at practice yesterday. She caught 4 fly balls. She fielded 4 ground balls.

That is roughly how many reps everyone at practice got.

This is a typical practice for her, give or take a rep or 2.

Her coach used zero of his 10 days of contact. Her coach worked with zero kids in the off season. It starts on the first day of practice, it ends with the last out of the last game. If there is a game on Saturday you can plan on practice being cancelled on one of the weekdays because "We only do this 5 days a week."

She's right handed, but one thing he did do is try like hell to get her to do is bat left handed and slap and all that. He wanted her to learn how to do this exactly 9 days before their first game and was angry/shocked/surprised when she told him no.

I'm sure to every supercoach here who reads this post this proves that she's "uncoachable."

I say it proves she's not an idiot.

They did hire 2 new JV coaches, the varsity team they coached was 0-28 last year. Ironically, they are better coaches and run better practices than the coach does.

The odds of her playing next year are slim, but I'd like for you to tell me, specifically, what "opportunities" would her not being there present to someone else?

I am not jumping on the,"I Love high school" bandwagon by any means. In fact, I hate ours and the coach but for a bunch of reasons that differ from most reasons. I also keep this to myself and do not discuss with DD but do occasionally spout off on here. However, I do find school ball in most cases to be very valuable.

Not knowing is why I ask the following:

Are you at all of the practices counting how many reps she gets or is it feedback from the DD?

Is she a really good player already or needs to get better and not being provided the opportunity, in your opinion?

Regardless of the answers I would suggest getting a bat and doing your part in giving her the reps you feel she needs. I would also take the lefty thing as a challenge to learn that and see how it goes. Might take the mind off of the rest of it.

It sounds like you want her to get better and want the opportunity. Quit relying on this coach to do it for you!

 

[mike_dyer]

I am not jumping on the,"I Love high school" bandwagon by any means. In fact, I hate ours and the coach but for a bunch of reasons that differ from most reasons. I also keep this to myself and do not discuss with DD but do occasionally spout off on here. However, I do find school ball in most cases to be very valuable.

Not knowing is why I ask the following:

Are you at all of the practices counting how many reps she gets or is it feedback from the DD?

Is she a really good player already or needs to get better and not being provided the opportunity, in your opinion?

Regardless of the answers I would suggest getting a bat and doing your part in giving her the reps you feel she needs. I would also take the lefty thing as a challenge to learn that and see how it goes. Might take the mind off of the rest of it.

It sounds like you want her to get better and want the opportunity. Quit relying on this coach to do it for you!

Buddy,,,, read any of my other posts.

We work. All the time.

She has her fielding footwork mapped out with blue tape on her bedroom floor, it's how she walks into and out of her room. Even when she isn't working she is.

I am not at every practice, I am at plenty of them though. I wasn't at yesterday's, but what she tells me happened was not much different than what I have seen for 2 seasons with my own eyes.

It was inside, I haven't actually laid eyes on one of those.

This is how an outside practice goes , every single time:

They do some football team warm up that doesn't really make a lot of sense, but whatever. I've got no problems with it, I just don't know why, of all things, it's that.

Then they go to the spot on the field where they play and he either pitches to each batter or has a pitcher toss flat fatties over the white to each of them. They get a hit or they don't. They run bases or get back in line and they do that until they get their 3 or 4 at bats. And that's practice. You field what ever is hit to you on D, you get thrown out on base or you score. There's not much, if any, instruction or feedback.