Stay at 16u or move up to 18u
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crystlemc
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Is your daughter looking to play in college? If so, then I would recommend getting her on the best 16u team you can find. Unless, of course, the team she is with now is a Lasers, Outlaws, Classics, Wolfpack, Ice, Doom team. If that's not the case, then if she can stay at 16u for another year, I would keep her there.
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Rocket8
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Agree with crystlemc - my DD is an "00" playing on an all "99" team this year and will be staying down for the upcoming season. Recruiting is the main reason for the change and I will also be returning to coaching this season after taking this past season off.
Yes, only thing that scares her is the commitment of 11mos 2weeks of everything Softball (Practice/Workouts/Season). She went to a Georgetown Camp and the G Team talked to the girls. Grades are her highest priority and she does not want that to take a dip. She is a 4.3GPA and has already racked up quite a few college credits through the high school program. This will be here Junior year.
okiedad1961
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Achs33,You've heard my thoughts on the subject,I still think another year at 16 a must for any lady that's wants the exposure.IF not I'd defiantly narrow her focus and attend prospect camps for those schools she's really interested in.Making the cut on some of these Big orgs isn't easy leaving less alternatives for her.And like you said GPA and ACT scores can't sacrifice because of the training and commitment to those teams.Delicate balance for them and They have to want it ultimately.
Achs33
Just a short story for ya.
I was watching this girl pitch this past weekend that will be 16u eligible again next year and had the same question. As watched this girl pitch I felt she could be competitive at 18u but was it the best thing for her?? I sat down for lunch with a couple college coaches at Stingrays and brought that subject up.
They ask me a few questions:
First did I think she could be competitive? Mentally and physically
Did she just have a early birthdate but was still going to be a Jr?
Their response was:
If she can handle it they would always rather see them compete at the highest level possible.
Actually if she stays down just because of birthdate they sometimes question why???
If the team she is looking at plays a competitive schedule and the she has the talent then she should move up. However it is always a good idea to play showcases and tournament that have both age groups just because the college coaches only get so many recruiting days and they are looking to get the most kids seen as possible in a day.
I know that may seem vague but I feel that is a kid by kid scenario.
I am curious to see what the thoughts of
Tim Gregory
Doug Lenos
Warren Wolff
Doug Mix
Hope that helps
Mike Libecap
Cincy Doom Gold 18u
Just a short story for ya.
I was watching this girl pitch this past weekend that will be 16u eligible again next year and had the same question. As watched this girl pitch I felt she could be competitive at 18u but was it the best thing for her?? I sat down for lunch with a couple college coaches at Stingrays and brought that subject up.
They ask me a few questions:
First did I think she could be competitive? Mentally and physically
Did she just have a early birthdate but was still going to be a Jr?
Their response was:
If she can handle it they would always rather see them compete at the highest level possible.
Actually if she stays down just because of birthdate they sometimes question why???
If the team she is looking at plays a competitive schedule and the she has the talent then she should move up. However it is always a good idea to play showcases and tournament that have both age groups just because the college coaches only get so many recruiting days and they are looking to get the most kids seen as possible in a day.
I know that may seem vague but I feel that is a kid by kid scenario.
I am curious to see what the thoughts of
Tim Gregory
Doug Lenos
Warren Wolff
Doug Mix
Hope that helps
Mike Libecap
Cincy Doom Gold 18u
First did I think she could be competitive? Mentally and physically Yes and Yes - very athletic and strong but small frame at 5'3" 130 pounds
Did she just have a early birthdate but was still going to be a Jr? will be a Junior - January birth date
Did she just have a early birthdate but was still going to be a Jr? will be a Junior - January birth date
okiedad1961
Active Member
achs33,Staying or going means a lot of things is her current team going to continue with exposure schedule,are they gonna have the players to have success at there events,typically you'll get fewer at bats and watch a lot of ball s leave the park while she's in the field,if short on stud pitchers,alot of variables on staying.If leaving this could be true as well , they won't have name recognition to get in better events,the talent could be worse.Like the other posters said the only way is lateral or up.
geowardjr
Member
AGREED! We moved our 16u up with my 18u DD out of convenience and not being able to be at two places each weekend. While everything is working out fine, there is a notable difference of coaches who stick around to watch. Make sure your daughter writes the coaches to the schools she wants to attend and they will come.... get to those respective camps as well. It's the coach that is trying to get the biggest bang for their buck ... they will be following the teams with more uncommitted players vs committed.
FIND A TEAM THAT IS PLAYING AT A COMPETITIVE LEVEL AND PLAYING IN THE RIGHT TOURNAMENTS.
BE CAUTIOUS OF THOSE TEAMS (16U OR 18U) THAT ALREADY HAVE A LARGE CONTINGENT OF PLAYERS WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECRUITED ..... It seams that the dynamics of a team change when the players are recruited. Over the past couple of years I was shocked to hear comments like "we have to play more than two games today?" "I'm already recruited so none of this really matters" etc etc etc Those are not meant to be negative toward any person ... it is a reality. The 18u's who graduated HS do not have the same enthusiasm as a 15 or 16 who is still hungry or has the desire to compete.
Best of Luck in the decision!
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manitoudan
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Good advice from geoward -- I'll say this , there were PLENTY of college coaches watching the 18's at the Ray this past weekend
JoeA1010
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I'd go in this order...
1. 16-U team that plays Stingrays and other true showcase tournaments.
2. 18-U team that plays these same tournaments.
3. 16-U team that doesn't play those tournaments.
4. 18-U team that doesn't play those tournaments.
The gap between 2 and 3 is wide. I'd definitely do #2 over #3 without a doubt. If she can't get on one of those teams, then like someone above said, it's time to pick 5-10 realistic colleges and get to their camps.
1. 16-U team that plays Stingrays and other true showcase tournaments.
2. 18-U team that plays these same tournaments.
3. 16-U team that doesn't play those tournaments.
4. 18-U team that doesn't play those tournaments.
The gap between 2 and 3 is wide. I'd definitely do #2 over #3 without a doubt. If she can't get on one of those teams, then like someone above said, it's time to pick 5-10 realistic colleges and get to their camps.
geowardjr
Member
Was an excellent showing of coaches and also heard a couple of new college coaches express how they are putting the date down for next year. O'Fallon Fall Showcase still one of the most amazing showing of coaches that I have seen. National's feel and, honestly, 8 to 10 coaches behind every backstop.
DD moved up early and totally skipped 16U.This is her 3rd year of 18U. Big mistake by me in terms of college exposure. It worked out ok in the end, but I would never do that if I had it to do over again.
John Cougar Mellencamp said it best "Hang on to sixteen as long as,you can..."
John Cougar Mellencamp said it best "Hang on to sixteen as long as,you can..."
WWolff
"Suck A Little Less Today"
I would recommend to stay 16U if t's on the right team and her dream is to play D1softball. That being said it is also important to be in the right organization and at the right events.
If they are not going to the right events with the right team I would say it doesn't really matter.
As always I'm willing to talk to anybody about recruiting and you can call me anytime! 6:30am-9pm I will say right now I'm getting bombarded with texts, calls, emails, & messages about our organization and oppertunities. So if I do not answer please leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Warren
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CARDS
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I would say find a 16U team that meets the players and families goals and needs. Naturally the talent level of the player is a huge driver.
If you were not satisfied with the tournaments or exposure from this years team moving up with them next year will most likely be the same. As some others have posted some ladies/teams/families at 18U change their commitment after college signing so the younger ones get hung out with tournament travel changes, replacement players etc. So an established team/coach with forecasted schedules and a record of getting in the events would be a must especially seeking D1 attention.
As a HS Junior she should have a decent list of schools that are on her radar so, taking that into consideration you look at the location, level of play of the school, and their admission requirements.
If she is looking big D1 college or colleges 4 or more hours away from your home on her wishlist you need to look for placement on a team that can get into the events these coaches will be at.
If her desires are more of a smaller school environment and within 4 hours of your home that generally opens up a lot more choices of teams and events especially; if she is looking NAIA, JC or DIII.
If you were not satisfied with the tournaments or exposure from this years team moving up with them next year will most likely be the same. As some others have posted some ladies/teams/families at 18U change their commitment after college signing so the younger ones get hung out with tournament travel changes, replacement players etc. So an established team/coach with forecasted schedules and a record of getting in the events would be a must especially seeking D1 attention.
As a HS Junior she should have a decent list of schools that are on her radar so, taking that into consideration you look at the location, level of play of the school, and their admission requirements.
If she is looking big D1 college or colleges 4 or more hours away from your home on her wishlist you need to look for placement on a team that can get into the events these coaches will be at.
If her desires are more of a smaller school environment and within 4 hours of your home that generally opens up a lot more choices of teams and events especially; if she is looking NAIA, JC or DIII.
DougL
Active Member
Mike I think you are spot on. Each circumstance is different. You should look at the team goals for the upcoming season, the players maturity and skill. I took a team with 8 16u eligible players up, they struggled at first and they were big strong players. Another consideration, if you have the chance for the 16u team to be special with the her, and make a legitimate run at winning Nationals at 16u do it. That's special, and an achievement everyone will not forget. We are refocusing on that with our org, less teams, 1 very strong team at each age. Stronger teams play more, get notice and open the doors for other players.
My daughter is in the same position and we have chosen to stay at 16U for the showcase tournament exposure. At the Buckeye Recruitfest the college coaches stated that if a prospective player engages them with the desire to play at that college they will make a point of coming to see them no matter what team they play for. They are looking at the player not the team. That being said I would at least make sure that any team has good coaching that will give her the best opportunity to showcase her talents.
