Stick it out or move on after season?

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Mar 8, 2016
313
63
Adding guest players is the biggest issue to me. DD's first year playing travel the coach was constantly adding guest players to the roster. The girls that were on the team from the start never knew when they showed up on Saturday morning if they should expect to play or if some new girls would be there to play in there primary position. Needless to say this was terrible for team morale. As a parent I remember having a feeling of dread the whole drive to the tournament waiting to see if new girls would be there this weekend. It is amazing how much more you look forward to going to tournaments when you have an idea of the team plan and your DD's role in it.

DD's TB experience (definitely a bumpy path)

8 years old played in a tournament for a very bad 10u team was the worst girl on the team got cut the next week
10 years old broke leg one week after making TB team
11 years old played on a fair to bad 12u team average player on team played all games one tournament and almost no games next tournament
12 years old played on a good 12u team was one of the best players and played every inning of every game
13 years old played on a good 14u team and was one of the best players on team played most of the games
14 years old playing on a good 14u team and is one of the best players on the team and played most of the games

As Jr10234 there are a lot of bumps in the road. I believe there is a best team for every girl but finding it can be hard. If girls are given a fair opportunity these bumps can make them better players. On a day to day basis I am guilty of focusing on the things DD needs to improve and not what she does well. One thing I try to do with DD is talk about how her skills compare to that point a year ago. It can help them and you realize how much progress she has made.
 
Jun 29, 2013
589
18
I'm with everyone who is telling you to assess at the end of the season, and I wholeheartedly agree with the notions that 1) this should be your DD's choice, but, 2) if the practices are truly abusive, run, don't walk away and 3) the ultimate decision is playing time at this age: if they don't get at least 50% of the innings (some say 60% or even 70%) it's just not the right team for your DD. I've had the tough conversation with my DD about where she fits in, reminded her that if they're doing this stuff now it's only going to increase when there are real trophies to win, and if she wants to leave, we walk away knowing she did her part to help the team while she was on it and we gave them ample opportunity to find someone else. Coaches do what's best for their teams, we do what's best for our DD's, and we just hope this all works out some way.
 

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