Why Aren't There More 8U teams?

[BHaines]

I was just curious as to why there aren't more 8U teams? My daughter and several of her rec teammates were interested in playing 8U next summer, but we couldn't find a team for them to play on, so we started our own. The turnout at tryouts was better than we expected and we have a nice team. Now i am hearing that we will have trouble finding 8u tournaments to play in. I was just wondering on people's thoughts as to why this is the case with 8U. Thanks!

 

[Erie]

Where is your team located, BHaines?

 

[yossarian]

Maybe at that age, parents are more focused on letting kids try a variety of sports and not starting to funnel down into fewer, if not one sport, the way most people do when they start down the select/travel path at a? Just a guess: I would think you could find more 8U soccer teams. Softball's such a technical sport with so many different kinds of situations to learn whereas soccer can be played well even if they're not playing it well (if that makes any sense).

 

[BHaines]

Where is your team located, BHaines?

We have girls from Miami/Shelby county area.

 

[Louuuuu]

Maybe at that age, parents are more focused on letting kids try a variety of sports and not starting to funnel down into fewer, if not one sport, the way most people do when they start down the select/travel path at a?

I would hope that's the answer.

Could it be also that parents aren't ready to spend that kind of money to watch their kid play in the infield dirt as the ball rolls by?

 

[yossarian]

I would hope that's the answer.

Could it be also that parents aren't ready to spend that kind of money to watch their kid play in the infield dirt as the ball rolls by?

That definitely crossed my mind too. That, and... they're 8.

 

[wvanalmsick]

Sarcasm posting. Warning, Sarcasm posting.

What??? Don't these parents realize that the Div 1 College coaches will be determining their recruits for this age group in another 2 or 3 years? No more playing in the dirt or chasing bugs. They had better find an 8U Platinum/Gold/Showcase team and get with the program.

These parents had better get on the bandwagon so they can get some scholly money!!!

 

[finfan365]

Springfield Heat has created an 8u team in Clark County as well. I have no problem with my daughter beginning travel in 8u. I think most girls on her team will play at least 2 other sports as well.My main reasoning for it is she will be able to get some experience with more competitive teams before she moves up to 10u. She is set on becoming a pitcher, and has been taking lessons. I believe some of the tournaments the team is looking at will have some component of kid pitch to them.

I mean, she is already throwing 55mph.

 

[#4mom]

I believe most of the reason is alot of parents aren't ready for their kids to be that competitive at that age and not ready to dish out that amout of money! I have an 8u who loves softball and that's the only sport she is interested in right now, but she has also grown up on the field watching her older sister! The teams are out there you just have to look for them

 

[lewam3]

Thank Goodness there are not a lot of travel ball clubs and tournies at 8u.

 

[wow]

Thank Goodness there are not a lot of travel ball clubs and tournies at 8u.

Amen .. 10u has enough parent drama.. However maybe more 8u teams would
Prepare the parents for 10u!

 

[SMc4SMc]

Could it be the overall marketing of softball by local Rec programs, high schools, and the Parent Association/Boosters? I see huge numbers in flag football, midget football, especially soccer, and volleyball. Heck even lacrosse seems to be on the rise.

Marketing the sport seems as much an afterthought as intentionally designing the school with diamonds in mind versus lets make some fields because we've got some clay leftover from scrapping the topsoil bare.

Tons of girls get hooked on the sport and have a blast but tons of parents don't get the forms for various reasons so little buzz is generated. Also, I suspect that since its not their son Dad isn't all in.

No empirical data, but maybe the numbers could be related to a normal cycle of growth and decline sort of like the economy, family values, board games, meatball night, chores, etc..etc...etc...

 

[yossarian]

Amen .. 10u has enough parent drama.. However maybe more 8u teams would
Prepare the parents for 10u!

Ah, there it is. I was wondering how long it would take for someone to make fun of 10U parents.

 

[yossarian]

Kidding aside, it would be interesting to know if starting the kids earlier at 8U, for instance, is a related effect of the perception of colleges being “forced” to recruit girls at earlier ages than ever before? Seems like everyone knows this is not good: college coaches hate it, girls probably are confused by it but go along with it, parents are flattered but freaked out about it. You can see why a guy like the OP wants to find other 8 year-olds to play against when you think about it.

Just a thought...

 

[krrcoach]

I was just curious as to why there aren't more 8U teams? My daughter and several of her rec teammates were interested in playing 8U next summer, but we couldn't find a team for them to play on, so we started our own. The turnout at tryouts was better than we expected and we have a nice team. Now i am hearing that we will have trouble finding 8u tournaments to play in. I was just wondering on people's thoughts as to why this is the case with 8U. Thanks!

There are some that play 10u when they still meet the age requirement for 8u. I am not sure I have the right answer, but to play 8u or 10u is a debate-able issue. My middle dd played 10u for 3 years and my youngest could still play 8u but is on a 9u team. Our 9u team has 5 with 07 or 08 birth dates. We decided to play 9u/10u because limited tournaments and limitations in 8u rules, ie DK3 and stealing bases. Sure you may take some lumps, 10u and 8u are not about winning, its about learning. I know a girll that played 10u at 7 and she is great now. 9u is rough at 7,8 or 9. Learn the rules of the game as soon as possible is what we went with.

 

[Louuuuu]

... 10u and 8u are not about winning, its about learning.

Exactly.

But, especially at 8U, can't they "learn" in a local Rec program? (With a T-shirt and $20 aluminum bat) At 8U, some of these kids have a hard time tying their shoes or stepping with the opposite foot when they throw, etc... There will be plenty of time to crank up the intensity in Travel Ball, why be in such a hurry?

 

[WWolff]

Exactly.

But, especially at 8U, can't they "learn" in a local Rec program? (With a T-shirt and $20 aluminum bat) At 8U, some of these kids have a hard time tying their shoes or stepping with the opposite foot when they throw, etc... There will be plenty of time to crank up the intensity in Travel Ball, why be in such a hurry?

I agree do not rush them along!
If you do do 8U travel ball I think it is a introduction to the travel world. Maybe some fall practices and a tournament maybe two. Then a few summer tournaments, and let them play rec ball if they want.

Did I just say let them play rec ball. WOW unbelievable out of my mouth.

 

[Louuuuu]

Did I just say let them play rec ball. WOW unbelievable out of my mouth.

It's inconceivable! 'Coming from Warren...

Almost everybody started in Rec. It's not such a bad thing. 'Exposes the girls to the game, while letting them weed themselves out if they lose interest over a couple of years. Why throw them in the deep end of the pool when you can let them enter the dangerous waters at their own pace?

 

[coachjwb]

Agree with most others here ... while I don't have an issue with 8U travel teams, I wouldn't have chosen it for any of my kids nor would I recommend it for my grandchildren in a few years. At that age, mine all played rec ball, and my personal opinion is that playing a couple years of slow pitch isn't a bad thing around these ages as well. They can learn more about playing defense, running bases, etc.

 

[krrcoach]

Louuuuu, I am definitely in no hurry for my girls to grow up, if I had my choice they would still be 5, playing tee ball in the rec organization were all of my dd's played. I would never advocate throwing them in the deep end and forcing them crank up the intensity. I would love to keep my kids in a rec league, however, there are some legitimate reasons that I seen why many little ones (like mine), at their own pace, start playing travel/tournament/summer ball (whatever you want to call it) earlier.
- Our rec leagues here are 6 weeks long, some kids want to play more than 6 week and travel is the only option for that.

- Not all kids in rec want to play. Those that are competitive at a younger age get bored quickly. They want to play with similar skilled or like minded players.

- If they have older sisters that play travel and they go to tournaments every other weekend for a few years, they see a lot of different things happen. Like my youngest, they want to play the game as they see their sisters play, ie. stealing bases, bunting, pitching... If we had 8u kid pitch that is where I would guide my dd.

-Again, if they have older sisters that play travel and they go to tournaments every other weekend for a few years, they make friends with the other younger sisters and they decide they want to play with their friends. In rec you don't always have that option, due to drafts or random selection to avoid "stacking"teams.

I agree there is a delicate balance in playing with in their abilities and the young teams don't need to play "A" or PGF level ball. There is a place for everyone. As long as they are having fun and learning...

Back to the OP question, I think there are not as many 8u teams because of the demand and tournament options. There are not many tournament options for 8u. If you play 8u you may have to travel further, which I don't think is what many parents want to do at 8u. Also. many of the girls that decide to play travel do so, because they want to pitch, bunt, or steal bases like they see their older sisters do. You can't pitch, bunt or steal in any of the 8u tournaments I have seen lately.