Going to be a rough day . . .

newsoftballdad · Jul 24, 2016

I came here a a "NewSoftballDad" in 2009 when my daughter got into travel ball with an 8U town travel team. She stayed with that organization until the bright lights of a "high level" travel program lured us away. That lasted one season, the daddy ball and treatment of my daughter stripped her confidence and desire, at 12 Years old! She sat, got one or two at bats a weekend, and was pulled from the field if she made an error.
During tryouts that August she made the rounds, but there was one team and one coach that wouldn't let her leave the parking lot and offered her a spot immediately! She stayed with that team for the last 4 seasons and now as a rising junior has decided to look for other opportunities that she feels this team is not providing. She wants a team that plays in the better showcases and maybe has the profile to help her get into college.
I owe them a debt of gratitude for bringing her back from the edge and giving her her confidence back. There will be tears today, but hopefully the change and growth will be worth the pain.

RubberBiscuit · Jul 24, 2016

Ya this story has been played out time and time again. Happened to your DD, my DD, and countless others.

My recommendation is that if DD has the goal to see how high in softball <and/or> how much scholarship $ she can get then ya can't let what's in the past get in the way of that potential future. I am sure there were good relationships & experiences in the past team and odds are there were some undesirable aspects too. Every group/team will have this. But the mysterious thing is how each group/team processes and handles the challenging undesirable aspects. Changing teams is always a risk. The grass is not always greener. At least you have the original experience and that it opened your eyes to new ways to assess new opportunities to mitigate the risks. But to me the worst thing that could happen is for a DD to have a dream/goal, not just the words spoken towards the higher accomplishments in softball, BUT a true passion for that dream, and then throw water on that fire by not providing that opportunity to excel. (of course I understand that it takes the "means" to provide that opportunity).

Have confidence that you are doing the right thing. Nothing is a sure thing. But we all make the best decisions we can at the time we are in.

Best of luck

grcsftbll · Jul 24, 2016

Sounds like us too, though we're only 10U and just getting back to our roots after a year of those bright lights you mentioned. I hope your daughter has a very nice farewell with her team. The good news is that after all those years they'll probably always be her friends. <3

FP26 · Jul 24, 2016

RubberBiscuit said:
Ya this story has been played out time and time again. Happened to your DD, my DD, and countless others.

My recommendation is that if DD has the goal to see how high in softball <and/or> how much scholarship $ she can get then ya can't let what's in the past get in the way of that potential future. I am sure there were good relationships & experiences in the past team and odds are there were some undesirable aspects too. Every group/team will have this. But the mysterious thing is how each group/team processes and handles the challenging undesirable aspects. Changing teams is always a risk. The grass is not always greener. At least you have the original experience and that it opened your eyes to new ways to assess new opportunities to mitigate the risks. But to me the worst thing that could happen is for a DD to have a dream/goal, not just the words spoken towards the higher accomplishments in softball, BUT a true passion for that dream, and then throw water on that fire by not providing that opportunity to excel. (of course I understand that it takes the "means" to provide that opportunity).

Have confidence that you are doing the right thing. Nothing is a sure thing. But we all make the best decisions we can at the time we are in.

Best of luck

Very well said RB. My DD is another example of this process. She played 3 seasons with the same team (with a short pit stop on another team in between) and enjoyed her experience with that organization. The coaches were top notch. She loved her teammates. And has memories from those three years that will last a lifetime. Unfortunately, that particular team was not traveling the same path that she wanted to follow. She played as a "guest" player for another organization for one weekend last fall. She had a great time and felt like she clicked with the players and coaches immediately. They offered her a spot, and after some tears, she accepted. In her case, it turned out to be an excellent decision. Although she felt close to her previous teammates, her new teammates seem to have more similar goals, so there is an entirely different level to their closeness. She has no regrets and is very happy with her decision.

nsd - As RB stated, there is always risk involved. Perhaps my DD got lucky with her decision. I know some others are not quite as lucky. But you have educated yourself over the past few years and are in a good position to help your DD make the best decision for her. Good luck!!

marriard · Jul 24, 2016

She is still playing.. the real tears come when she stops.

Cannonball · Jul 24, 2016

marriard said:
She is still playing.. the real tears come when she stops.

No truer words were ever spoken!

newsoftballdad · Jul 24, 2016

Thanks guys, I guess as a fitting end we were eliminated from bracket play by a walkoff fielder's choice! Let the tryout cycle begin!

Going to be a rough day . . .

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