She will never

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She will never play college ball. How many times over the years have I heard this. DD has always played up so many of her former teammates are now playing in college, signed or verballed. I was fortunate to learn early on that anytime you doubt a student athlete that has desire for the game, backed by a strong work ethic, they will prove you wrong. Examples I know of ..... TB coach tells others, she will never hit for the college that is recruiting her......... she now has a 330 batting average and bats 5th for her college team. 12u team, players and parents question why a girl that is not the best at hitting, catching or throwing but has great speed is allowed to join the team.........she receives over 100 thousand dollars in scholarship money from the school of her choice and is considered their #1 pick for 2014. Pitcher is considered to have a bad attitude by TB coaches, parents and players. She is intense about her game, all involved say she will never play the top level of ball.............. receives scholarship to play D1 at her first choice of schools. Player does not fit the persona that some people have in this sport, no money and the parents are rednecks ( not me but close )........player goes on to be a long ball hitter, receives 4 D1 offers. 12u player is told, you can join the team but you wont pitch for this team...........player verballs to pitch for D1 school as a sophomore in high school. There are exceptions to the rule, but there are also a lot of people involved in this sport that really don't know what their talking about. College coaches don't want players because of who they are now, they want players that they can build into what they need for their program. So the next time you hear someone say...She will never, consider the source. Take the doubt that others cast and make it into a challenge for you as a parent to do everything needed so that your player can realize her full potential. Stepping down from my soap box now.

 

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And that is why one of my favorite movies is Gattaca.

 

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Major league baseball drafts over 600 new players a year in the hopes that a few will make it to the big show. The professionals that are doing the selection have every tool known to man to aid them in the selection process. In spite of drafting young men that have played thousands of games and have a ton of data to justify the choice only a few make it.

When some idiot makes pronouncement as the ability of a U12 player: just kick them in the head. It would be quicker and perhaps they would learn to just shut-up. These young players don't need anymore hurdles thrown in front of them. For every kid that excels, ten drop out of the competition not because they are poor players (they are to young to know) its because they hear this 'stuff' from every corner urging, encouraging, hoping that they fail.

 

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Major league baseball drafts over 600 new players a year in the hopes that a few will make it to the big show. The professionals that are doing the selection have every tool known to man to aid them in the selection process. In spite of drafting young men that have played thousands of games and have a ton of data to justify the choice only a few make it.

When some idiot makes pronouncement as the ability of a U12 player: just kick them in the head. It would be quicker and perhaps they would learn to just shut-up. These young players don't need anymore hurdles thrown in front of them. For every kid that excels, ten drop out of the competition not because they are poor players (they are to young to know) its because they hear this 'stuff' from every corner urging, encouraging, hoping that they fail.

Great post. Had to respond. I cannot agree more with this.

Both of my DD's that play sports are small. Many people and coaches easily dismiss them, too small to play volleyball, but out hustle everyone else and just makes play after play until people are forced to notice. Too small to pitch, coaches look right past her to that big tall pitcher with all the potential......be carefull about "potential", might want to consider that "little" pitcher that just wins, which by the way pitches as hard as most of the "big time potential" athletes twice her size and she is still growing. Luckily both my DD's have current coaches we believe in and they have been able to prove themselves to them, because they gave them a chance.

Every team I have ever coached has had some small player or one needing a chance and someone to believe they can do it. Alot dont pan out, sure. But, alot do and some go on to be special. Be carefull as a coach to miss out on special because you can't think outside the box. Sad thing is many players like this get so discourage at a young age that they never get that chance, my middle duaghter is a heck of a softball player, but does not even play anymore due to ignorant coaches, she now plays volleyball and has decided to put all her passion into that, hopefully she gets a chance because she's damn good at it.

Don't dismiss special, it might pass you by.

 

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I agree with all above but would like to add the flip side as a warning. If your DD is the greatest around don't let her rest on her accomplishments because these other girls with the drive will catch up and pass her if she does not continue to improve. Seen it happen to several girls around here. A pitcher that couldn't be touched in 10U &12U but lost her drive and now a junior and hasn't played since 8th grade.

 

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The exact opposite is also very common. How often have we seen the stud 10/12u - pitcher/hitter/fielder/bigger/faster/stronger player get labeled as a can't miss. Only to see all the other kids catch up developmentally and pass her/him by.

 

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I agree with all above but would like to add the flip side as a warning. If your DD is the greatest around don't let her rest on her accomplishments because these other girls with the drive will catch up and pass her if she does not continue to improve. Seen it happen to several girls around here. A pitcher that couldn't be touched in 10U &12U but lost her drive and now a junior and hasn't played since 8th grade.

LOL Monsters.....great minds!!!

 

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This is why finding " the right fit " is more important than finding " the best team ".

 

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You can not measure heart and drive. They are the great separator. Passion is so magical.

 

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This is why my kids stood in front of a mirror every morning and said "I am great because of my dad" 3x.
I also make them thank me every evening and repeat.. "Listen to Dad everyone else is wrong"

Just teach your kids work ethic and be realistic. My son showed no athletic ability growing up and I'm shocked where he is and how much he has proved me wrong and now his potential is growing by leaps. My prayer worked and I supported him (my wife more) when he stunk at everything.

 

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Teach your kids to ignore people that are negative influences in their life and that includes negative coaches. My DD continues to be told she's not big enough and doesn't do this or that by her HS coach, but when she gets home I remind her to be respectful and to never let someone's negativity impact her attitude, passion and work ethic.
My DD BATS over .400 playing for a premier travel team, is primarily a CF because of her OF skills and has verbally committed to play for a D1 softball team and she is still exposed to doubters. Don't by into the doubters and those that say she will never ....... Prove the doubters wrong!

 

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I could break my fingers liking the posts & replies in this thread.
Good food for thought....all of you!!!!

 

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I just absolutely love this post! First strike thanks for turning heads and opening eyes. Stay healthy through school ball and rock it this summer

 

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Part of the reason I love this game is because I have seen so many examples of where hard work, desire and heart have proven in the long run to be more important than natural born athletic talent or size. While I think there is some truth to this in all sports, I can think of very few where it's more evident than softball. So many of the skills required in this support require constant practice and repetition, and only those who are truly driven, dedicated and committed are going to stick with it. I guess I haven't heard a lot of people saying so and so will never make it, but I have seen many girls get passed over or overlooked in tryouts and such, who have turned out to be the most successful.

 

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View attachment 1545 Enough said..

 

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Damn straight!

 

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I normally wouldn't comment on a topic like this but feel the need. While going over everyone's posts and clicking the "like" button I felt the need to again point out it takes an inner strength from the young lady to have the desire and drive needed to put herself into that position. A position where it opens the eyes of others and the hard work and determination finally is exposed. I dislike others that dismiss kids at a young age. I have girls 8yrs. old that are starting to pitch with me. After about 2 lessons many parents will ask "are we wasting our time?" I always answer "no" and tell them we may be a couple of long winters away from seeing the true potential. I don't say this because I want their money because I don't charge anything. I say it because the kid deserves the time and attention to give it a chance to sink in.

Most that quit do so because they no longer have the desire. They'll quit before I will. The good news is; I believe they still get something out of the experience. They learn work ethic. They learn mental toughness. They learn organizational skills. They learn thought process. They understand mechanics and coordination. They can associate physics and geometry at a meaningful level they understand. Their math skills at the simplest level are practiced. They hone confidence and self-esteem.

No kid walks away a loser unless somebody else but me has labeled them so. There's no sin in being real. It's not wrong to be happy. Even those rejected learn how to handle the disappointment with composure. Not all the girls that take lessons from me will be selected to be a priority pitcher for their given team but they'll always have the basics in their trick bag and might be able to help in a pinch. Not every girl becomes Jennie Finch but it doesn't mean the desire is any less. I use her for an example because Jennie was willing to take the field at another position other than pitcher to help her team with her hitting skills while somebody in a tough position had to make a decision as to who should be in the circle. Jennie hit 2 homeruns that game.

 

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Wow, some very good posts. I would like to echo many of the things said on this thread. First of all, no one should be labeled not good enough for college at a young age. I think back to some of the teams that I coached over the years and if I would have voiced an opinion back then when they were 10, 11,12 etc, I would have been wrong. Our job as coaches are to encourage the young ladies, teach fundamentals and teach them to have the highs not be so high and the lows not be so low. It is ok to try to win because kids have a habit of sticking with something that they like and something that they are good at. Winning helps the fun thing. I am coaching a team now that is getting to the age where their performance and hard work will determine where they end up in the game (being very good hs players, d3 players, d2 players or even d1 players.) Again, at the older ages, I get more involved in the recruiting aspect but at then end of the day, I point out a few things that will make them better, keep their head up during a low time and calm them down just a tad when they get too high. I help them prepare and relax when being looked at by coaches and try to win a few games to keep in fun.