Year Round Travel Ball

[Converse Kid]

Recently on the Softball Zone, there have been numerous threads started about "School Ball'. Should I play, shouldn't I, etc. Although most girls at the highest level of travel ball in Ohio play for their respective schools, how many girls don't and play year round travel. You never hear much on the subject of these girls and where they have to travel to so they can face other non school teams. Is it more common for the younger girls not to play school, say 8 thru 14U? Or is it the older girls, 16 thru 18U? Although it may be hard to get accurate statistics on this subject, it is something hardly discussed. Who are the top travel teams, 14 thru 18U that do not allow their girls to play school ball? I have heard of a few Lasers teams, or some of the bigger Ohio clubs (Stingrays, Outlaws,etc) that don't want their players in school ball but I have never seen it in writing. Is this a Taboo subject?

 

[mike_dyer]

I have heard of a few Lasers teams, or some of the bigger Ohio clubs (Stingrays, Outlaws,etc) that don't want their players in school ball but I have never seen it in writing. Is this a Taboo subject?

My kid has played on or against those teams and I rub elbows with the parents of kids on those teams all the time. I've never heard of such a thing. In fact, in my experience, it's the opposite.

 

[coachtomv]

My kid has played on or against those teams and I rub elbows with the parents of kids on those teams all the time. I've never heard of such a thing. In fact, in my experience, it's the opposite.

I agree, my experience as an Outlaw coach / parent also.

 

[ErieDiamonds02]

most organizations require school ball however while not in season youre still head accountable for winter practices for travel

 

[crystlemc]

I can promise you that in all the years DD was with Outlaws, there was never anything said about them not playing school ball. And when she was with the Lasers, they were all about supporting the High School girls. I'm not real sure where you have gotten your information, but I'm betting that your source has no idea what they're talking about.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

Seeing names you mention is hearsay and not true.... We stopped our practice in Feb and girls were free to play school until the season ended for each girl. Some sooner, some later, ours were mostly later, they picked up that week with their travel then.....

 

[HITTER23]

I have never heard of ANY organization discouraging playing school ball. Is this a attempt to get a Sportszone t shirt?

 

[cobb_of_fury]

I think most of the Talk on here about not playing school ball is theoretical - Born out of frustration and almost Never acted on.

Is there anyone out there who has a daughter eligible to play school ball but doesn't?

 

[Converse Kid]

I guess I should have stated organizations that require girls who only want to play travel. I do not personally know of any teams that play year round. I have only heard (HERESAY) about some teams who play year round and just ASSUMED it was the big clubs in our state. Didn't mean to single any teams out. You hear about it, but have really never known. Hence, why I asked the question. Is this my attempt at a free T-Shirt? Certainly not! It doesn't contain informative guidelines, 750 words, and it is a question, not a thought provoking essay. So with that in mind, are there any Ohio travel ball teams who play travel only?

I have never heard of ANY organization discouraging playing school ball. Is this a attempt to get a Sportszone t shirt?

 

[allcorners]

Yes Cobb_of_fury. There are girls out there that have decided not to play school ball. They have decided that the negatives far outweigh the positives. I often wonder if my daughter is one of only a few that I know, that have decided not to play. This was completely her decision and I stand behind her. She is working out 3 times a week and pitching 3 times a week. Everyone always says that this is a red flag and I guess that she will be the one that has to answer that question when it is brought up. She is a 4.0 student that is ranked #1 in her class. With that being said, she knows that all she has to do is score well on the ACT and she will benefit tremendously from this. We have always taught these girls to do thier best and give 110%. She said to me, "I've worked really hard and I do not want to go backwards". I can't blame her one bit. I know that there are going to be people that are going to post on here when I'm done that say no matter how bad it is she should play. And that is fine, however the program within our school system is so horribly bad from the coach to the athletic diector. I only wanted to answer cobb's question. She is fully aware of the consequences. I did not post this to complain about our program. She decided not to complain, but instead not to be a part of it. Anyone else out there not playing?

 

[cobb_of_fury]

I would hate for this to devolve in to the tired School ball debate - But it sounds like your daughter made a tough choice. Thanks for stepping up and saying she's out there.
Offten times people will say "Why would you make that choice, I would NEVER do that" but some time you have no other choice and are willing to face the drawbacks.

I wish her all the Best but with the #1 rank a 4.0 avg and her drive it sounds like my good wishes are not neccesary.

 

[allcorners]

Thank you Cobb. It was a tough decision for her. But, it was her decision. I have taught her to have accountability for her actions and she understands. I know of another girl from another school that has chosen not to play also. Because of the coach. They are out there, but I doubt they will come forward. Thanks again cobb.

 

[coachtomv]

Of the 22 players on our WWAST charity team, two are High School eligible and chose to play with us for the spring "season". I encourage all kids to play school ball, however that's not the best decision for all and fully support those you choose not to. Both of these players are very good, hard working, ball players as well. There was one other who almost chose not to, but decided to play school ball in Toledo.

 

[CARDS]

My kid has played on or against those teams and I rub elbows with the parents of kids on those teams all the time. I've never heard of such a thing. In fact, in my experience, it's the opposite.

Correct; most of your better athletes play HS ball and I am talking National teams not just the more well known Ohio teams...

 

[CARDS]

Yes Cobb_of_fury. There are girls out there that have decided not to play school ball. They have decided that the negatives far outweigh the positives. I often wonder if my daughter is one of only a few that I know, that have decided not to play. This was completely her decision and I stand behind her. She is working out 3 times a week and pitching 3 times a week. Everyone always says that this is a red flag and I guess that she will be the one that has to answer that question when it is brought up. She is a 4.0 student that is ranked #1 in her class. With that being said, she knows that all she has to do is score well on the ACT and she will benefit tremendously from this. We have always taught these girls to do thier best and give 110%. She said to me, "I've worked really hard and I do not want to go backwards". I can't blame her one bit. I know that there are going to be people that are going to post on here when I'm done that say no matter how bad it is she should play. And that is fine, however the program within our school system is so horribly bad from the coach to the athletic diector. I only wanted to answer cobb's question. She is fully aware of the consequences. I did not post this to complain about our program. She decided not to complain, but instead not to be a part of it. Anyone else out there not playing?

You are correct and I too have supported DD in the decision her Sophomore year.
One thing though if, as you state it is that bad...My question is, if you are not playing anyway what are you doing to change things?

 

[okiedad1961]

Maybe we could put a team together next year and make some noise,let me know lol

 

[Run26]

As a father of 2 former HS Stingray players, I can assure you at no time did either of their coaches ask them to consider not playing school ball. I can still remember several times they actually came to the HS games just to watch. We'd usually go to dinner after and he'd never really even mentioned TB.

HS ball should be fun and not allowing them to play would probably trigger a click of the tryout thread on my end.

 

[wow]

I don't think there would be a tournament or enough teams to play, in Ohio, from high 14u on while HS is in session. If you just played out of state maybe? Buy highly unlikely. its either HS or a whole lot of traveling. So no there is no benefit for a TB coach to even bring this up. The other issues would be getting enough kids to OPT out of HS ball to play out of state. Again, highly unlikely and counterproductive.

I could see a young 9th grader waiting a year, but after that, no just does not make sense.

 

[wannaplaysb]

Last year my 13 year old dd had 46 games in by the time my junior dd had 26 hs games in. We played compuware, team mizuno out of Chicago, two Indy dreams teams, combined Swipis, three tourneys (early birds) and another Michigan team. It is possible to play a lot. This year half the team is hs, several girls are in track. And a couple are playing for pick up teams. But for sure they all can't wait to get back together and face the best this summer! Btw... I get great pics of them playing against each other along the way. On a side note. They will steal your dance moves during a rain delay...

 

[FastBat]

Those teams want the players to get scholarships, if the player's don't play for their HS, it's a red flag. No, I would think that doesn't make sense.


I have noticed very competitive travel teams won't allow the young ones to play rec ball, but I can see why. There is a conflict.