To all the girls trying out for HS teams. . .

[default]

May you all be blessed enough to make the teams you want in the positions you are best suited to play. May you work hard and earn lots of play time. May you learn from all the challenges that come your way. May your coaches be blessed with the patience and wisdom needed to work with teen girls. May you have an injury free season. And may your parents have the sense to be supportive in all the ways YOU want, not how they feel they are needed.

 

[default]

In Jesus' name, AMEN!

 

[default]

Well then, I blew that already :lmao:. Telling my teen she has to go out for catching. She wanted to go out for outfield only. I hope she makes it as an outfielder. 4 or 5 of the girls on the team told her smart move to tryout as catcher because it shows versatility (sp?).

 

[default]

That's what I'm talking about Travelinmom!!!

 

[default]

Good luck ladies.

 

[default]

PLEASE no injuries!!!!

 

[default]

Very nice. I second everything said.

 

[default]

I second it as well with one caveat, that being ;
RELAX

 

[default]

ditto. Wonderful thoughts TravelinMom

 

[default]

We start real practice next week, and by day three they will have teams announced. I thought that was pretty ambitious because that is 60 kids to get sorted in 3 days. Then I saw some of them at captain's practice and realized they might only need 1 day to sort them out.

I've been helping some other dad's set up the gym for captain's practice. Lowering cages, setting up pitching machines etc. Then the girls practice and captain's run the show we don't even watch (per captain's request). There was a mid practice breakdown on a machine so we went and fixed it and during that time I observed 4 girls working ground balls at a station and in 20 seconds I saw enough to eliminate 3 of the 4 from any chance at an infield position. I saw three kids bending at the waist, straight legged picking balls of the ground with one hand and the fourth was taking every ground ball as if the coach was standing over her shoulder (when in reality not even the captain's were watching), knees bent, butt down, feet slightly staggered, scooping and sweeping the ball to a throwing position with two hands.

I'm not saying this to pick on the three girls, but as a warning to those of you approaching tryouts. The only safe assumption is that you are being judged every second of every day. It's never okay to be lazy. Slacking is habit forming. Don't let 20 seconds of slacking determine where you belong as a player.

 

[default]

Be competitive out there, show'em you belong, represent your HS, have fun and remember your parents love you no matter what happens!:yahoo:

 

[default]

I tell my dd all the time... tryouts are really year-round. This is a formality. The coach already knows for the most part who the players are. Just do what you always do, and all will be well.

 

[default]

Bucketbrigade and Old Guy -- excellent points. I know the varsity coach has been keeping an eye on our dd for the last couple of years -- and she won't get her until next spring.

 

[default]

I told my dd last night to be relaxed and have fun. I told her she had a great winter league had CSU and showed your value. Kept telling her that she hasn't missed an open gym, hasn't missed a lifting session, nothing.

Still didn't matter, she's still nervous. Last night, asking me to throw more tennis balls at her. It's like she was cramming for a big test.

The bad thing is if she doesn't make the cut, her locker is across from her hc coach's classroom. ;&.

 

[default]

We start real practice next week, and by day three they will have teams announced. I thought that was pretty ambitious because that is 60 kids to get sorted in 3 days. Then I saw some of them at captain's practice and realized they might only need 1 day to sort them out.

I've been helping some other dad's set up the gym for captain's practice. Lowering cages, setting up pitching machines etc. Then the girls practice and captain's run the show we don't even watch (per captain's request). There was a mid practice breakdown on a machine so we went and fixed it and during that time I observed 4 girls working ground balls at a station and in 20 seconds I saw enough to eliminate 3 of the 4 from any chance at an infield position. I saw three kids bending at the waist, straight legged picking balls of the ground with one hand and the fourth was taking every ground ball as if the coach was standing over her shoulder (when in reality not even the captain's were watching), knees bent, butt down, feet slightly staggered, scooping and sweeping the ball to a throwing position with two hands.

I'm not saying this to pick on the three girls, but as a warning to those of you approaching tryouts. The only safe assumption is that you are being judged every second of every day. It's never okay to be lazy. Slacking is habit forming. Don't let 20 seconds of slacking determine where you belong as a player.

Well sweeping the ball to the throwing position isnt a good thing, but should be easily fixable. Good chance for coach at tryout to find out if that young lady is coachable or not.

That is my biggest suggestion to kids on the JV/Varsity bubble, you may have been shown somethings differently then the high school coach teaches it, and he/she may want it done their way, anything from Leadoffs to fielding with an agressive leadfoot. it could be something minor or something major. Its a great chance to show your coachable, because sometimes coaches may be just testing your attitude lol, its a 6 day a week 2+ month season, nobody wants to be around a prima donna for that long.

Good luck ladies and if things dont work out exactly how you want, show coach by your play they made a mistake, not by your words.

 

[default]

Great points there Mr. Jones:yahoo:

 

[default]

This is such an exciting time...can't wait for the girls to get into full swing of the season. And another thing remember even if you don't like a position you may have to play there for the benefit of the team...we have been struggling slightly with that this year. I am hoping this week squashes those issues

First scrimmage in two weeks

 

[default]

Well said traveling mom. Best of luck to all who are beginning their season.

 

[default]

The only thing different in today's world from 10 years ago when our first one played H.S ball is back then, ours were estatic to just make one of the three school teams, whether freshman, JV or Varsity due to sheer numbers trying out...

In today's world just because one plays travel, is not an automatic entitlement to play Varsity ball.... Travel teams are a dime a dozen these days... There will be some disappointment this week I am sure, but just be there for them and help them through the crazy week it will be. In the end, it all does truly work out, If they don't make the team they desire, have THEM ask what can I do to improve? then do what is asked of her, no matter if it's getting the bucket of balls, or be a courtesy runner... Do it all with gusto and emotion on everything they do, everything with a smile no matter how hard it can be........

 

[default]

Well said, all of you.