we reached this point last season as a second year 16u (i wanted out that year myself, but since, ironically it was pretty much my decision to get her involved in the first place, i couldn't "take" it away if that's what she wanted to pursue). I was worried about her self confidence and while my DD isn't a stalwart by any means, she enjoys the game and being with her friends, many of them whom she's played with since 12's.
So, after some meetings and tears she's moving on to 18's. many of the girls around her are going through the same things, except for perhaps the D1 girls, but alot of them begin to question whether or not they want to continue. It could be from burn out, lack of self confidence (when your friends are getting offers and you don't, you either see the writing on the wall, or you begin to lose patience), pressure from a parent, and other factors too.
I told her awhile back that selfishly I wanted to "involve" her in anything to give her those experiences she probably wouldn't have had (we fostered our DD at 11, adopted her at 14). Selfishly I got involved, sometimes way in over my head, but I enjoyed meeting new people and enjoying the "statman" persona. Now, being through it, I have begun my burnout (hmmm, wondering where the inevitable, if-a-parent-wants-to-quit thread is going to show up?). There's girls and parents I'd rather not be around. Quitting the team isn't really an option sometimes. When you've played with the same org for years, who's really going to treat her better? What mean girls on another team wont even be worse?
All the while, my DD has become a beautiful young woman, involved in church and loves life. We're still searching through her catalog of colleges an leaving softball up to her. If she wants to play somewhere, she'll play, and it has nothing to do with what uniform she wears or what tournies she's in, because if it's one thing I've learned, most of this recruitment is to boast the coaches ego, and prance up the princesses and drama queens that these poor college coaches are going to be dealing with on their squads. good luck!
Anyhow, i'd say, getting back to the point. if the girl wants a break, let them. if the girl never plays a sport again, is it really the end of the world? i'll be reluctant to bring up my other DD through the ranks again, thats for sure. if only my boy would stop wanting to swing a bat in the house everyday is another matter.....