My DD started at age 8 and was not a stand out in rec ball, barely got the two innings she was garanteed, and could not even hit the ball in coach pitch. At age 10 she moved up to rec fast pitch. Still geting min playing time and definitely not hitting the ball. After the season was over she found out a friend was trying out for a travel team in Ohio and wanted to tryout too, so we went. Very poor turnout but I told my wife there is no way she will ever be picked up and even felt bad for setting her up for failure. After tryout, coach made her an offer, because she was coachable (?!) - not because they only had enough showup to make a team. Started practicing that fall, with one tournament still could not hit, so we started taking her to pitching lesson thinking if she new what was coming she might be able to hit it. She loved pitching and the season started still not hitting, fielding was so-so and not pitching until one pitcher quit, another hurt, and team left with one pitcher, so coach ask if she wanted to try it in a game. She did and pitched rest of year till she also was injured.
First year of 12u she split pitching time with 1 other girl, her hitting got a little better but still needed work. Did I mention still not a stand out? Last year changed org and she was ligit # 1 pitcher hitting still not great but better. Present, she is now with what I think is one of the better orgs in Ohio as a pitcher, hitting still needs improvement but if you ask her why she plays ball she will tell you its a challenge.