What is the DEAL with 10u?

[Bat Dad]

So my DD a newly minted 9 year old will be playing a full season of 10U next year. But here's my half-serious half-bemused half-bracing-for-the-answers question. (Yes I did just use "half" 3 times lol)
I have noticed references to the 10u game from time to time in various contexts like "Ahhhhhh...10u" or "Let me guess...10u?" usually as a reply to a thread about some war story about a game or tournament.
So what is it I should be expecting without asking anyone to make too many generalities? Clearly there will changes from a rules and play standpoint but based on inference it sounds like there is a cultural shift as well. Anyone care to share any of their experiences or is this something that as a parent I need to witness play out on my own lol? I guess what I am asking for is what have you witnessed good or bad and what your theory is as to the cultural shift, if any cultural shift exists. I love reading everything on here and I can't wait to see you some of your replies!

Bat Dad

 

[Watching22]

10u parents tend to be a bit more excitable having not experienced all the ups and downs of travel ball yet. I will forego adding examples of our own personal experiences with travel as you will need to find your own path with your DD. Take what you read with a grain of salt as everyone's experience is different. One thing you can be sure of is that the years do go by quickly! Enjoy the time while you can. Best of luck!

 

[wow]

What you typically find is the "My kid was a all star in REC" mentality. When you first get to 10U its all about Yr DD being the best and of course you have chosen the travel route because everyone who plays travel is going D1 full ride. Then after all the ups and down realize there are different levels of travel ball and just because your in travel does not mean you are playing the best teams. The other side of 10U is the amount of daddy ball coaches. Here's the kicker its everywhere and sooner or later you learn who the best teams are.

Unless a group of kids have been playing together since 8U, 10U is usually the first experience of travel, for both the parents and the kids. The kids who play 2.3.4 years at 10U have some of the better behaved parents. I would also say a number of "stories" from 10u come from parents ignorance of the game or rules.

My advice is sit back and learn as much as you can, become a student of the game and help your daughter garner a high softball IQ. don't get caught up in the nonsense and ENJOY THE RIDE...

 

[Bat Dad]

I need to qualify my post a bit - my DD does play 8U travel and without fail parents and coaches alike on all sides have been amazing and supportive and even complimentary of the opposition and opposition's coaches etc.
so it sounds like if I am reading this correctly any trials and tribulations I might witness are based on people who by and large might be new to travel ball in the first place at 10u.
I should have considered that given the relatively small number of select 8U teams as compared to their 10U counterparts. Sounds like I need to get a seat belt for my folding chair cause looks like I'm gonna have to BUCKLE UP! Lol.

 

[initfor51]

The only thing I can say that may help you is to stay in your lane. Sit in center field. The drama and gossip happens when the one negative person has an audience. Don't allow yourself to be in that circle. The best seats are in the outfield with your tent up, sitting in a chair, and your feet up on the cooler.
Support your DD and allow her to take critisim from her coach. You are there to assist in the memories she will be making.do not discuss game play in the car unless she brings it up, but still follow her lead in the conversation. Stop the gossiping if she starts it herself before the teenage years come up.

 

[spartansd]

Biggest reason 10U is crazy:

- most parents do not know rules
- most coaches do not know the rules (baseball dads taking the reigns.....how different could it be)
- you spent the last 8-9 years in total control of their lives....why stop now?

Those are the general reasons. Plus many are too connected to the winning and losing and believing it somehow is a reflection of who they are or who their kid is. More players quit because of negative feedback from their parents than any other reason.

With all that said. My wife has said for years. Show me a great pitcher and you will see a crazy dad standing within 10 feet of her. It takes a ton of work and commitment by a player and 99% of the time a parent to become a pitcher of any skill level. So especially at the younger ages the pitcher parents are so front and center. Especially since 10U is a pitching and catching contest for the most part.

 

[wow]

Biggest reason 10U is crazy:


- most coaches do not know the rules (baseball dads tacking the reigns.....how different could it be)

Yeeeeppppppppp!

 

[Shane]

So true, "10U is a pitching and catching contest for the most part", and it is interesting to watch as pitchers are changed during a contest, one crazy dad takes a break and a new one assumes the reigns.

 

[Passion4theGame]

I have experienced 3 yrs of 10u and it's a blast. I have coached a team that my DD did not play on. I love this age group and its really where they start getting into a flow with each other and the girls start to learn the rules. It's a blast! Get with a good solid organization. There are plenty of them out there. Make sure daddy's daughter isn't the #1 pitcher. I experienced that my first year in 10u and that was a treat. I'm not a pitchers dad so to me hitting, base running, and defense is what wins games.

 

[Chad Strahler]

I have experienced 3 yrs of 10u and it's a blast. I have coached a team that my DD did not play on. I love this age group and its really where they start getting into a flow with each other and the girls start to learn the rules. It's a blast! Get with a good solid organization. There are plenty of them out there. Make sure daddy's daughter isn't the #1 pitcher. I experienced that my first year in 10u and that was a treat. I'm not a pitchers dad so to me hitting, base running, and defense is what wins games.

It takes all of what you said plus pitching. It's not a one dimensional game.