DD may not be catching? Just a ramble...

At our TB practice a week or so ago the coach mentioned that everyone will be playing some outfield because we really don't have any true outfielders. DD loved playing outfield at the 14U level and took lessons from a D1 player and did quite well even though she's a fairly big girl. Well, the HC came up to me and said that they were really happy with the way she's been doing in the outfield...they are pleasantly surprised. I've watched the practices and some of the girls really struggle out there. DD's primary position is 3rd and they said they wanted to have her catch because of her arm, but in the outfield she's made some pretty darn good throws to home. Basically, it seems like she may have done too well in the outfield and they aren't working her at catcher. 2 catchers kind of struggled out there and DD isn't fast, but she's faster than everyone expected. I'm a bit upset because I just bought new equipment LOL. A D2 school she loves also was interested in her catching progress...they are very happy with her pop time but want to see her get experience in the game . Also, DD said since she and only 1 other girl plays 3rd, they are focusing on that because the other girl is in college and will be age ineligible. She's going to talk to them tomorrow about it, but I just felt like getting it off my chest. I think she could be an outstanding catcher, but she's running out of time IMHO. Just 2 weeks ago they said they would work hard with her and thought she would take over the starting job, but now she hasn't even put on her gear...tonight it was only her at 3rd. It's the 18U level so I think I should stay out of it.
Thanks for listening to my ramble.

If there's a chance at D2, I don't think solving your coach's problem in OF is her priority. Tough call, but I think being a little inflexible is what's called for considering the stakes and that she's almost out of runway.

Fortunately this school really likes her bat and have been complimentary about her at 3rd. The TB team has 3 catcher's but 2 will be ineligible in August (also in college) The other one is a newbie also.

Since you are rambling....

Having a bat is going to get her a ton of points.

I wonder if a C, and only a C, or a utility player would get her more additional points?

My dd feels it, but I try to tell as many young to teen age girls as I can talk to...don't put all your eggs into one position. Your kid might be best at one position on a team, but has to play a position that she can just manage at, because no one else can even manage , really kind of stinks tho!

First, what does DD want to do? IMO, perfectly fine to request C time if that's what her target college specifically has asked her to work on, but understand that it may have to come at expense of 3B time if she's viewed as more valuable in the OF during summer TB. Shouldn't be any issue if its a "showcase" team or a TB team with the objective is to help their players get ready for the next level, but it may take some negotiating. If it is an issue, find another team where she can get the experience she's seeking.

Greenmonsters said:

First, what does DD want to do? IMO, perfectly fine to request C time if that's what her target college specifically has asked her to work on, but understand that it may have to come at expense of 3B time if she's viewed as more valuable in the OF during summer TB. Shouldn't be any issue if its a "showcase" team or a TB team with the objective is to help their players get ready for the next level, but it may take some negotiating. If it is an issue, find another team where she can get the experience she's seeking.

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She wants to do at least some catching. She said even though she knows she's better at 3rd right now, she liked catching more and was just getting more comfortable when she got moved out of the position in HS.
DD loves this team and they are great girls. 4 are already playing in college and she and one new girl are the only ones not committed (they are all graduating this spring and DD will be a senior)
I'll talk to her and have her bring these points up to the coaches.

quincy said:

Since you are rambling....

Having a bat is going to get her a ton of points.

I wonder if a C, and only a C, or a utility player would get her more additional points?

Click to expand...

In HS DD played C, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st. We kept having injuries etc... so the coach told her she was one of the most versatile so it was easier to move her. She is also one of the taller girls on a vertically challenged team. He had told me he'd never take her out of the infield. It's funny that on her last TB team she only played outfield twice, and got 2 mvps for her plays.
I think though at catcher, if she doesn't get game time, that position probably will be out of the college equation.

You just never know when all the sudden you did develop a knack for a different position. If she is a better OF than C go with it. This is pretty much what happened to DD during second year 14s. She still catches some but the ratio is about 80-20 now.

InsidePitch said:

You just never know when all the sudden you did develop a knack for a different position. If she is a better OF than C go with it. This is pretty much what happened to DD during second year 14s. She still catches some but the ratio is about 80-20 now.

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With DD, I don't think she would ever play outfield in college. From what I've seen at least at this school, they put faster girls out there. DD is only about 3.0 home to 1st, but tracks really well.
BTW...blocking was her weakness in HS and our pitcher threw a lot in the dirt but they also didn't work with her at all. Our pitchers are MUCH better and the catcher coach for the TB team thought it would be a fairly easy thing for her to improve on since she has the other areas looking pretty good. I wonder if she could at least ask for the practice even if she won't get game time for now...