Dilemma

cbullard said:

I asked her again this morning. She said that she believes in herself and she's going get the 1 or 2 spot. And that she's not going to run from competition....we're on vacation right now and she's outside pitching into a wall. So, she's preparing. Haha

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I like her attitude!

Grcsftbll, I do too. I get everyone's concerns as well. But, when a kid believes in herself the way that she does....who am I to take that confidence from her? She was named to play in an All Star basketball game that takes the top 20 6th grade players in the city. I remember when she got that honor, she said playing against the best players paid off...I think that's her mindset here.

I guess, if it doesn't work out she can always join another team. Crazy thing is the other pitchers and their parents have embraced DD.

Quick update....Proud Dad moment. DD subbed in, at Nationals, with the team that she chose in this thread. She mainly played 2nd and OF. Coach told her she probably wouldn't pitch at the tournament because he was going to dance with the pitchers that brought them....rightfully so in my mind. To make a long story short....We're in an elimination game...there's a heat advisory...we were up 7-0 against a team that lost 2 games against 12u all season. This team comes back to cut it to 7-6 in the final inning. Our pitcher gets one out on them but she was clearly out of gas. The number 2 pitcher was in the OF and clearly upset that she isn't pitching. Body language was terrible. The number 3 is a beast SS.

Coach calls a TO. I'm thinking that he is just trying to get pitcher number 1 a breather. Next thing I know, my DD gets the ball from pitcher 1. I'm thinking "Oh crap!"...she hasn't pitched in a game since June. So, to recap...we're up 7-6..1 out and runner on 2nd. That Wisconsin team had all the momentum. Coach told her something like (according to her) "Hey kid...no pressure...just have fun. If we lose, we're going swimming for the rest of the day!" His daughter (catcher) said my DD said "we won't lose. We'll swim tonight."

1st two pitches....strikes. 3rd pitch...pop up out. Next batter up....1st pitch. Strike. 2nd pitch. passed ball. Runner advances to 3rd. next two pitches.....strikes! DD's team wins and advances! Her team was so happy for her. Pitcher 1's grandmother started crying because she was so happy. Coach told her after the game. "Keep working kid. You're coming into fall ball as the number 2 pitcher" That made her day...we get in the car and she says "This is where I'm supposed to be. People didn't get my decision but I know how good I can be if I work hard. I'm going after the 1 spot now."

Kid is so tough minded.

Awesome report!

Thanks Ken. Many a tear from people after that game. Except for me...that was awesomeness leaking out! I was one who questioned her on her decision to join a team with 3 pitchers. She said she doesn't run from competition and this team felt like home. I guess I need to learn to listen like I advise her to do when we practice. lol

If your DD is wanting to excel at this sport she will need to leave people behind. She needs to put her long term goals first and that often requires some hard decisions. If she can beat out the other pitchers on the "A" team and get the circle time then that is great. If not then she needs to do whatever it takes to give her the opportunity to succeed. Which is not to be confused with going to wherever she will be successful.

I tell you my story or my DD's. We decided to fold our upcoming 16U team due to coach (me) being to busy with work and taking care of my wife to HC a team. She tried out with a few teams and ended up on a team with 14-16 players and 6 of them are pitchers. We just changed pitching coaches so there is another struggle. Well she earned #2 spot with in first tournament. Second tournament she earned #1 spot. She wanted the challenge to rise above what she thought to be better competition. If she would have settled for another team starting off as #1 well there would have been no motivation. Even though she is #1 right now #2 and #3 are working hard to push her to be better because they are working hard to be better.

Always go for the challenge do not settle.

We left a team where my daughter could probably have been the #1 pitcher and joined at A team with 2 experienced pitchers (her age but have been playing up. This is going to be out first year of 10u). Plus several more girls who want to pitch but aren't experienced.

Maybe I'll be here in 6 months wishing we'd chosen differently, but I don't think so. I think this will push her to practice and I do think her talent is such that she'll get plenty of pitching time. It makes me happy to hear how things are going with your daughter's decision.

One thing I highly recommend to anyone with a 10-14 year old who wants to pitch and take a 1 or 2 spot.
Get your kid in great shape from a conditioning standpoint.
Last year my 10 going on 11 year old was a good pitcher but could not go 4 innings without losing velocity and energy.
She worked her tail off over the fall and winter on the elliptical and bike. Fast forward to this spring and more importantly summer she totally carried the load.
Pitch two games in a day? No problem... 6 innings in 98 degree heat? Easy... Gotta get em in shape so they don't break down.