Interesting topic even though it (like many) can quickly become controversial. I just appreciate the knowledge & perspectives of so many, with so much experience.
My dd is not there yet but I have already begun to think about travel vs. hs ball because she is "potentially" good enough to play after hs. But, she could also come home one day and say softball has been real, it's been fun, but it hasn't been real fun, boys rock (please no / fingers crossed). So, my goal is to assist her in finding the highest level she can achieve now (as long as it remains fun) in order to hone her skills, progress her competitive maturity, and quite frankly observe whether she "has it" & to waht level I should push it. ?That said, I would not take away the experience of being in the "foxhole" with her lifelong friends that she has grown up with playing ball together during the socially important hs years.
As it stands now though, we have a very satisfying travel situation, and looking ahead we also have an outstanding hs coach with lots of girls in our school system playing travel - so the prognosis down the road looks positive. I had an AWFUL baseball coach in hs (the Sociology teacher) who knew NOTHING about the game, similar to some of the frustrations talked about here, so bad I didn't play my senior year (BIG mistake for me looking back - another story, better with a beer). If that were the case for my dd, then I would still encourage her to play for the school with pride, but, do what she wants as long as travel remained part of the equation after the hs season. Based on my own personal experience as a die hard player with an intense love for playing hard, I really feel for those in situations where the sport is just not taken seriously, and you feel "stuck." Luckily, and thankfully, you still have travel as an outlet - make what you can of the other situation and help dd enjoy some of the best carefree & youthful years that she will have with you, and her friends. ?
