Track and Softball

[default]

We are a 14U team that has several girls that want to run track this year (they are in the 8th grade). Last year we asked the girls not to so they could concentrate on practice. Just wondering how other coaches approach this subject.

 

[default]

Some of our girls run track. I would rather have them at all practices, but I think you have to let them experience other things as well.

 

[default]

My dd runs track , plays spring soc***er and softball. I think teams that won't allow girls to play other sports, miss out on some very good players. I know we won't play for a team that won't allow her to run track. Talking to many parents this is a make or break topic during tryouts! You find time to balance it out. Tough sometimes on the parent and coach. Tonight indoor Soo**er, Saturday softball(camp), Sunday indoor practice.

 

[default]

i agree especially at these younger ages and if you force them to do things some u might lose they still need to be kids plus track will definately will help speed which is never bad for softball

 

[default]

How does it work with the scheduling? What if a track meet is the same day as a game?

 

[default]

my kid says she wants to run track this spring ---we will see how it goes. MD

 

[default]

JR track , here is never on a weekend. So track in softball never conflict. Track is making her a better softball player, since speed is very important in softball. In her case as a slapper it is improving her home to first time. as Our rule is ( and we are upfront with the coaches) the sport that is in season rules. If we have a conflict between track and soc@@@er, than track rules, since we are playing socc@@er , out of season. We have had only 2 conflicts, But she has ran a track meet and went to the other sport the same day. Jr high is not an issue. I think the problem is when they get to high school. Every coach wants them to play 12 months. If the kid is very talented they all will find a way to share. It is more of a problem of burnout with the kid. As a parent I never push her to play anything.

 

[default]

I used to do both, but I came from a small school in southern IL and we had softball games and track meets at the same schools. Boys baseball road with boys track, and girls softball road with girls track. I just had to wear my track uniform under the softball. Only had a couple of times it caused issues. Only ran the 440 (old days) first leg, and the 100 yd dash. I would get really tired somedays, but I had fun.

I would venture a guess that this would be very hard to do this day and age.

 

[default]

The dd is doing track and softball this year 7th grade, track practice is right after school til 4:30 and SB starts at 5:00. She has already been instructed to tell the track coach she will be playing softball if both events fall on the same day. She knows softball is her high school choice, but while in JR High, i support playing everything she wants to play. (except wrestling instead of basketball next year in the 8th grade, LOL)

 

[default]

We had a daughter who ran track for her school in the spring and was on a softball team. I cannot remember it interfering with softball, but school sports would have taken priority.

 

[default]

the softball is a school sport, forgot to mention that "luvthegame", it's Junior High Club Sofball on Tues and Thursdays and 2 double header Saturdays.

 

[default]

We had a daughter who ran track for her school in the spring and was on a softball team. I cannot remember it interfering with softball, but school sports would have taken priority.

Sorry---yeah, to clarify, I meant high school track and softball (not sure, but I think their seasons are the same).

 

[default]

Kat: You are correct. They are both at the same time. I have seen very few girls do this and make it work. Mostly in the smaller schools. I guess next year I will find out, since both coaches have approached us. Our Ad will let you, but you must declare which is your primary. Example I will do both, but if you have a softball game the same time we have a track meet, softball comes first. Most coaches won't agree to this, but if the kid is a superstar and both coaches know it is best for the high school, then sometimes it works out. Rough on the parents, but both have short seasons.

 

[default]

My dd runs track as well as a few other girls on our team. I have no problem with it, I feel it will make them more rounded. I took into consideration there track schedule which does have a couple of saturdays on it and decided take our "off weekend" during their big Invtational meet. The other Sat. they will not be able to attend. I also talked to my dd's coach and informed her that softball will come 1st on weekends. During the week I schedule practice as late as I can to try and accomodate everyone who participates in track.

 

[default]

My dd is in 8th grade , she is on 3 softball teams and track this year. Next year ( 9th grade , which is senior high ) she has been told she must choose . I let it up to her...her reply..." since I'm already on 2 other softball teams , in H.S. I want to run track." Trust me softball is #1 with her , but scholarships are given out in track too ! At 13 I'm proud of HER making the decision she made on her own , for the reasons she has. Heck as long as the grades stay up , it's her life to live not mine.

 

[default]

My daughter ran track last year and heard she did quite well -- I'm very sorry to say I couldn't make one of her meets because I coach HS softball. I feel that it helped her speed and other ability with travel ball. She actually hurdled a catcher last year crouching to make a tag. My other theory is I want to "keep the peace" with her and allow her to do other things besides softball. She's also a pitcher and we practice 5 hours per week and if all I drill in her is softball, softball, softball, then she may get burned out on it.

The "rule" is, however, if there's conflict, softball comes first. Very seldom, there's a conflict because track meets are mainly after school on weekdays. If she wants to run track again this year, I can't say 'no'.