Why did your DD succeed in college softball?

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sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,133
113
Dallas, Texas
So, please list:

1) What level she played--D1, D2, D3, juco, etc.
2) How much she played
3) Her position.
4) Why she succeeded *played*

I know a lot of parents want to talk about the greatness of their 10U DD, but please...this is just for college players and parents.
 
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sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,133
113
Dallas, Texas
DD#1:
Played D1 and juco. She pitched about every other game at D1, and probably 60% to 70% of the games a juco. She was a pitcher.

DD#3:
Played D3 (hoops). She was a post player. She played about 25% of the minutes her freshman year, 50% her sophomore and junior years, and 60% her senior year. (The coach rotated players...so, 60% of the minutes was more or less all the minutes any player could get.)

Why?

1) They both loved to play their respective sport. They would rather play softball/basketball than do anything else.
2) They were (and still are) very competitive.
3) They liked practicing. Both enjoyed the process of getting better. That does not mean they liked every part of conditioning, but they found positives in doing it. Both "had fun" during conditioning...laughing, joking, etc. (DD#1 actually enjoyed getting up at 5:30AM to lift weights. ???)
4) They found ways to maintain their edge...usually by using other teammates as a way to motivate themselves to "do one more lift" or "run one more suicide". Sometimes it would be a teammate encouraging them, sometimes it would be a teammate trying to take their spot, sometimes it would be getting ready for an opponent...but, they would actively "look" for that external motivation to push themselves.
5) They knew how to practice to impress a coach so they got playing time, and then knew how to produce during a game, and especially during the "big" games.
6) Somehow, they avoided getting into internal team clique wars.
7) And, heavens, did they hate losing.
 
Last edited:
Oct 19, 2009
1,277
38
beyond the fences
1) What level she played--D1, D2, D3, juco, etc.
she is currently in her 2nd year playing D3

2) How much she played
Appeared in almost every game as a freshman

3) Her position.
Pitcher, DH, OF

4) Why she succeeded *played*

She was not ready to give up the sport, so only looked at schools that offered softball. Turned down
several lucrative offers from D2 schools as they were not up to par academically. She is extremely positive and
a great team mate. She loves the 'family' culture of the team at her school, and considers the team her 'sisters'
when a player is down or stressed, they pick each other up. She enjoys the workouts be it lifting, conditioning etc.
I spent several weekends around the team and witnessed a bond amongst them that is rare. IMHO-this is the reason they
had great success on the field last spring.


I know a lot of parents want to talk about the greatness of their 10U DD, but please...this is just for college players and parents.
When she played 10U she had command of 9 pitches and threw in the upper 70s. lol
 

coachjwb

Love this game!
Apr 16, 2014
127
18
Northeast Ohio
Coach JV ... our daughters have a lot in common, except mine must be about 7 years older! Mine also was a D3 player who pitched, played OF and DH'd. She played all 4 years and actually left the school as their career wins leader. She was successful because she played at a skill and expectation level (D3) that was appropriate for her skills and that she could be comfortable with, and still balance her school and social activities. She was successful because growing up she worked hard not only on her pitching, but also on her hitting and fielding, which allowed her to play in most of her team's games her freshman year, and essentially all of them her last 3 years. She was successful because she had a good attitude, had a good relationship with her coaches, and was a leader for her team (2 year captain). She was successful because she loved the game and made it her first priority. And she was successful at least a little bit because she had the strong support of her parents ... not trying to take any credit, but I really believe that is an important factor.
 
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