Am I the only one??

[SandlotMom]

Its a battle in some areas. I live in the country and the girls on our HS team normally play more then one varsity sport. But we play in a league with teams from the Metro Detroit area and they tend to be more specialized. It was tough to find good travel teams that were willing to accept a multi sport athlete. We basically had to start our own.

If you want to attract good players to your team and have a shorter schedule then other groups I would lead with that. I would advertise the heck out of the fact that you are developing softball players who also play other sports. Treat this as a strength not a weakness. Right now you end up with other orgs cast offs. Believe me, your dd is not the only girl who plays more then one sport who wants to be able to enjoy her travel experience without having to look over her shoulder because she has other commitments. You will attract good players who will appreciate your team atmosphere.

In my view your team's culture is a good one, nurture it and celebrate it, you are on the right track.

Thank you....I appreciate it. It's very unfortunate that people feel she has to choose one sport and that is just the way it is despite research and professionals encourage multiple activities.

 

[SandlotMom]

In the current climate of high-level youth sports it's not about keeping up with the Jones's, it's about being the Jones's.

I'd NEVER want me children to believe they need to be like everyone else or be the mold. I want them to have a childhood that is healthy, fun and not full of expectations unless it's their own.

 

[SandlotMom]

M

This. Promote your team as playing a shorter season and find like-minded parents and players.

Thanks! We'll see what happens.

 

[chinamigarden]

Thank you....I appreciate it. It's very unfortunate that people feel she has to choose one sport and that is just the way it is despite research and professionals encourage multiple activities.

try playing 3 sports and being in the marching band. My dd only had problems with her volleyball coach but it was frustrating.

 

[3bmama]

Parents, players, teams and orgs are all afraid not some, many.

I completely agree. There are at least 2 other sets of parents on my DDs team who wish that softball wasn't played nearly year round(and we live MO where you can't play outside for 4 months). But we also know that it's the difference between a spot on a good team or not. The rec leagues here are not good and there are too many competive teams so when you find a good fit you have to jump on and do as expected.

 

[SandlotMom]

I completely agree. There are at least 2 other sets of parents on my DDs team who wish that softball wasn't played nearly year round(and we live MO where you can't play outside for 4 months). But we also know that it's the difference between a spot on a good team or not. The rec leagues here are not good and there are too many competive teams so when you find a good fit you have to jump on and do as expected.

Yeah....the rec here is HORRIBLE. The get maybe 2-3 teams at each division. Playing other teams outside of the league is hard. There are A TON of comp teams but each one is at least 25 minutes outside of where I live. Now, that's not too bad but I work 30-40 minutes (depending on traffic) from home. I'm trying to build a community team with the expectations that I would have for the team but it's really hard. Many girls are playing elsewhere.

 

[Momo'sDad]

In the current climate of high-level youth sports it's not about keeping up with the Jones's, it's about being the Jones's.

Truth. Even if parents were fully aware that little Suzie had a zero percent chance to become the next Mike Trout or Serena Williams, they still wouldn't care.

That said, I told Mo's mom that I didn't give a damn about the Joneses. She bought the kid an iPhone anyway.