Signed in College ball, 18U season completed, now what?

[Irish1]

So, we are at a crossroads. DD has been playing travel ball, college recruiting and signing are now done, First year 18U was all about playing for fun.... What a releif

So, now tryout season is upon us. What do most college freshman play? DD is 18U eligible, but should she play more 23U to be with more college girls? Should we go to tryouts or wait it out until she meets her new team mates in hopes of finding a travel team with them? Do most college coaches direct them to a particular organization?

In essence, what do most college girls do with their summer ball plans?

 

[Miller]

Talk to her college coach and ask. Lots of coaches are trending toward not playing to avoid overuse injuries. Defiantly for pitchers. My daughter is a pitcher in college and her coach didn't want her to play. Just wanted her on a routine and in shape

 

[JoeA1010]

I'd wait. First, check with her college coach to see what he/she wants. If the coach has no strong opinion, then wait and decide later. All kinds of 18-U and 23-U teams are always looking for players. One could just be a free agent and play when they wanted at that level, for a different team most weekends if you want. Any decisions made now will probably change as she gets to know her college teammates.

 

[Fairman]

I would have her play some kind of travel ball schedule her senior summer. When she shows up in the fall she will be competing with women that have had the benefit of more maturity and more strength training. She doesn't want to spend the fall finding her swing (or the zone) and making a poor impression. The 18U play more games and have many more team options. The 23U teams aren't as many (very few) and are not as reliable as to actually playing on any particular weekend. Maybe they have improved but our experience with them was disappointing.

The silver lining is that she could play for a team that isn't a showcase or a gold team, cut down the travel and include some free weekends so that there is space for graduation parties (hers and friends). She could also play a few random positions, get ready for college and work on some skills. Her fall tryouts should be pretty simple. Show up and sign up to the team she wants to be on. I would not wait until spring and then have to take what ever is open.

Both of my dd's played their senior summer and had a blast. They worked hard but we didn't have to go to Pennsbury to do it. ((and NO showcases)) My older dd played her freshman summer (18U) for a local travel team and it did wonders for her confidence without a 10 week, 10,000 mile commitment.

 

[Irish1]

Fairman,

she just completed her senior year and played 18u summer. Yes, since the pressure of recruiting was gone, we had a lot of fun.

i know our college coach is good with the girls playing summer ball, one team has 7 of her future teammates on it.

i am more asking if everyone usually commits early or just waits it out. Also, being a 96, in 2015 she will still be 18u eligible. Should she play 18u or 23u in 2015. We have good opportunity to sty with the current organization, or if we wt, we risk the door being closed there to see what her college team will do...

 

[changeup]

Good post for those of us in same position. My dd is a pitcher, has to play 23U. Her college is out of state so not much their. Her Coach is cool with summer ball. .Just don't know who has 23U in Central Ohio? Heck, because of our 18U schedule I thought missing the try out season would give us a chance to actually get ready for college, buy stuff. What organization in central Ohio puts together a 23Uteam in the fall and is able to follow through in the summer? Let me know and she may go to a try out

 

[CARDS]

Good post for those of us in same position. My dd is a pitcher, has to play 23U. Her college is out of state so not much their. Her Coach is cool with summer ball. .Just don't know who has 23U in Central Ohio? Heck, because of our 18U schedule I thought missing the try out season would give us a chance to actually get ready for college, buy stuff. What organization in central Ohio puts together a 23Uteam in the fall and is able to follow through in the summer? Let me know and she may go to a try out

At 18 and over you really do not have to try out...Since the ladies are now adults the things like team insurance roster etc. that you did when they were under 18 no longer applies.
You will be hard pressed to find anything 18 and over in the fall since most of the ladies are in college or working college fundraisers. but if she is still 18U in the fall go to eteamz, 43ft, haybucket, and several other sites and she can get quality games in Columbus Ohio, BOB and Chattanooga Tenn. for the fall.
There are several 18 and over summer teams she can play on if she wants too.
Around December teams will be posting looking for players as well as an anticipated schedule. Most play less than 4 weekend throughout the summer to keep sharp but yet still have down time.
At 18 and over there are no practices..Some of the ladies may get together to hit at the cages or do a little field time but most work and pick up a bat and ball when they get the opportunity…

It is a very diffrent level of play since you have D1 to NAIA and JC players on the field. Tournament directors that are used to the youth game struggle with getting 18O/23U mixed into their events...
This is because they forget most of these ladies work and are now paying for their own ball so, the three or four day tournament just does not work. You will also find a lot of the umpires can not keep up with the speed of the game. Like was found out at the Lou and Shorty in Dayton Ohio this past year.
At the Keith Carver Open in Maysville NCAA and KHSAA umpires were on hand two per game and three in championship play because the players are that good. There are a lot of teams from Ohio and most play in the same events. I had ladies from as far north as Toledo OH and south as Knoxville Tn...On game day all are ready to play at that level..


Know where you want to go. Do not dream about it plan for it. Set goals and Make It Happen!

 

[changeup]

Thanks CARDS. We will look in December