This is DD's fourth year in softball, but only third year playing "competitive softball". In the beginning we knew nothing. We started her out in a program through the local parks & rec center that loosely resembled softball. She loved it. After a year of that she had a sleepover with her BFF who was trying out for a 10u Rec/C program. DD went to watch and ended up trying out (in someone else's shoes and a borrowed glove and bat). BFF's Dad called me with "bring her gear as fast as you can. She's outworking other kids in borrowed stuff". She made the team.
The program and coaches were great. I look back now (more educated) and see it as a rec program where her team over-performed and played as a strong C team. I'm not sure we lost a game that season. Not that it means much at 10u. It was a great group of 10u girls. DD had so much fun and I think that's where the love for the game actually started. The team moved up to 12u the next year (as DD and a couple other girls aged out) but stayed with the program. They said we could pick our team as we wanted to be more competitive. Didn't happen. We structured a 12u C team, but then some beginner rec players were forced on us. Did our best but between transitioning to 12u for first year, struggles with players showing up, and the rec players it was a little frustrating. The program folded after that year and the coaches decided to try our own thing one more time. Again, things were looking good until they weren't. Had some strong girls lined up that would have made us a solid C or lower/decent B team.
Then we lost over half of those girls to larger programs. I don't take it personally....and had I been better educated (more aware) we would have (should have) done the same. But, DD still had some developing to do. Loved the coaches. And still had friends on the team so we stayed. Knowing she would get tons of circle time and continue to play every inning at 1B when not pitching.
DD started the year off with school ball (Jr High is Spring here). Our conference is really competitive. It's fun softball to watch. Her team practiced 5 days a week, 2 1/2 hours a day for a month. Then did 2 games and 3 practices a week once games started. We also started seeing a hitting and pitching instructor on a more consistent basis leading into and coming out of school ball. DD was an entirely different player coming out of Spring.
DD's "TB" team is..........not good. I feel bad saying that because the group we have, from a personality standpoint, is wonderful. Kind, funny, and positive. No drama or bickering. If we were to play in a rec league....they'd be perfect for it. But, only 3 see softball the way DD does. And only one other player puts in the time she does. (Example: We played a double header in league last night. Afterwards, she wanted to use an unused field to work on grounders because she was pulling her head up early. It was 9:30pm). I don't like boasting or trying to sell someone on my DD. But, if you were to see her play on our team, without knowing who she was, you could pick her out in two guesses. Coaches we play against do. And this year many (who have more competitive programs) have reached out directly to our head coach. Either to say how lucky he is or to see if she's available to fill in for them...which happens weekly. I've already been asked by a few teams for her to come tryout for next year. Which, as a Dad, always makes you feel good.
This (long story) lead up to a phone call from the head coach earlier this week. First to discuss a couple of the fill ins we have for this weekend's tournament. Then, to discuss what I thought about releasing DD from the team after our June tournaments, so she could have an opportunity to find higher level of play somewhere else. DW and I (mostly me) had been discussing this very thing and whether or not I was being a crazy person. I want what will help drive DD's development, but I also don't want to be a team hopper. And, I also understand DD isn't perfect. Far from it. She still has a lot to refine....but we're to the point that she needs to be around players and competition that's better than her. And with the present team we can't do that. It took some weight off my shoulders when the coach and I talked. I still feel a little bad because the coaches have been so wonderful to her. She's just outgrown them.
Sorry....this was a long post. But I felt some backstory was necessary to help better explain this wasn't a simple "my kid is so awesome blah blah blah" story. But more of a "this is a first for us" situation. We've been with these coaches for three years and it likely will be tough to try find a spot on a more competitive program mid-year. I'm hoping, because she has to move to 14u in August (USSSA) and she's a pitcher who can also catch and hit, that we can land something once we wrap up our June tournaments. I'm proud of her as a parent and coach. She's put in so much work this year and it's obviously showing.
The program and coaches were great. I look back now (more educated) and see it as a rec program where her team over-performed and played as a strong C team. I'm not sure we lost a game that season. Not that it means much at 10u. It was a great group of 10u girls. DD had so much fun and I think that's where the love for the game actually started. The team moved up to 12u the next year (as DD and a couple other girls aged out) but stayed with the program. They said we could pick our team as we wanted to be more competitive. Didn't happen. We structured a 12u C team, but then some beginner rec players were forced on us. Did our best but between transitioning to 12u for first year, struggles with players showing up, and the rec players it was a little frustrating. The program folded after that year and the coaches decided to try our own thing one more time. Again, things were looking good until they weren't. Had some strong girls lined up that would have made us a solid C or lower/decent B team.
Then we lost over half of those girls to larger programs. I don't take it personally....and had I been better educated (more aware) we would have (should have) done the same. But, DD still had some developing to do. Loved the coaches. And still had friends on the team so we stayed. Knowing she would get tons of circle time and continue to play every inning at 1B when not pitching.
DD started the year off with school ball (Jr High is Spring here). Our conference is really competitive. It's fun softball to watch. Her team practiced 5 days a week, 2 1/2 hours a day for a month. Then did 2 games and 3 practices a week once games started. We also started seeing a hitting and pitching instructor on a more consistent basis leading into and coming out of school ball. DD was an entirely different player coming out of Spring.
DD's "TB" team is..........not good. I feel bad saying that because the group we have, from a personality standpoint, is wonderful. Kind, funny, and positive. No drama or bickering. If we were to play in a rec league....they'd be perfect for it. But, only 3 see softball the way DD does. And only one other player puts in the time she does. (Example: We played a double header in league last night. Afterwards, she wanted to use an unused field to work on grounders because she was pulling her head up early. It was 9:30pm). I don't like boasting or trying to sell someone on my DD. But, if you were to see her play on our team, without knowing who she was, you could pick her out in two guesses. Coaches we play against do. And this year many (who have more competitive programs) have reached out directly to our head coach. Either to say how lucky he is or to see if she's available to fill in for them...which happens weekly. I've already been asked by a few teams for her to come tryout for next year. Which, as a Dad, always makes you feel good.
This (long story) lead up to a phone call from the head coach earlier this week. First to discuss a couple of the fill ins we have for this weekend's tournament. Then, to discuss what I thought about releasing DD from the team after our June tournaments, so she could have an opportunity to find higher level of play somewhere else. DW and I (mostly me) had been discussing this very thing and whether or not I was being a crazy person. I want what will help drive DD's development, but I also don't want to be a team hopper. And, I also understand DD isn't perfect. Far from it. She still has a lot to refine....but we're to the point that she needs to be around players and competition that's better than her. And with the present team we can't do that. It took some weight off my shoulders when the coach and I talked. I still feel a little bad because the coaches have been so wonderful to her. She's just outgrown them.
Sorry....this was a long post. But I felt some backstory was necessary to help better explain this wasn't a simple "my kid is so awesome blah blah blah" story. But more of a "this is a first for us" situation. We've been with these coaches for three years and it likely will be tough to try find a spot on a more competitive program mid-year. I'm hoping, because she has to move to 14u in August (USSSA) and she's a pitcher who can also catch and hit, that we can land something once we wrap up our June tournaments. I'm proud of her as a parent and coach. She's put in so much work this year and it's obviously showing.
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