Desire to play college ball

[Greenmonsters]

Although the term "student-athlete" rings less true today than it once did, thanks to all the athlete shenanigans at FSU, UGA and even academic pillars like UNC and Notre Dame etc etc (just the latest examples in the news recently), isn't that what most of us here at DFP are hoping that our DDs have the opportunity to become in college? Yes, DFP is a softball board, but with the intense focus on softball I worry that the importance that academics play in broadening the options as to where a DD can go to college or what they can do after college gets overlooked until too late.

 

[dbronstein]

And then I have one who only wants to play softball. I have offered other things multiple times and she doesn't want to. Should I tell her statistics show that she won't be able to play in college or she's bound to have a sport career ending injury if she doesn't . . . or should I just help her to have fun and be the best well rounded player she can be. Or should I suggest we stop now because down the road it's possible that she might have arthritis or tear something, because that can happen when you play sports a lot, and because you are doing something very physical A LOT so you could get all kinds of injuries.

The medical professionals who have studied this extensively will say that you should tell her she needs to take a break every year.

Here's my last comment on this. We make kids wear batting helmets, make sure they have good quality shoes that fit correctly and good equipment, teach them proper techniques, etc. because these things help reduce injuries. Similary, the evidence is very clear (according to all the peer-reviewed research that I've found) that having kids take a periodic break from a sport also reduces injuries. Making your DD take a break from softball for a month or two even though she wants to keep playing is no different than making her wear a helmet when she goes up to bat.

 

[JJsqueeze]

They are a political organization that puts out their share of unsubstantiated crap. What next? An opinion from Oprah or maybe Gwyneth?

Really? Why is it always linking any differing opinion, even one from a respected medical association, to "community organizer". (code word Obama). Or Oprah/Gwenyth (code word effite liberal).

Shirley there must be some organization or viewpoint that you or RB disagree with that doesn't have to be painted with this brush?

 

[CoogansBluff]

Although the term "student-athlete" rings less true today than it once did, thanks to all the athlete shenanigans at FSU, UGA and even academic pillars like UNC and Notre Dame etc etc (just the latest examples in the news recently), isn't that what most of us here at DFP are hoping that our DDs have the opportunity to become in college?

Good post, but let's not lump UGA in that group.

UGA is closer to UNC as an academic pillar than FSU. US News & World Report ranking of public universities:

#5 UNC, #20 UGA, #43 FSU.

Their recent crimes:

UNC - 18 years of bogus classes and grade inflation to benefit athletes. They should consider the death penalty for that.
Notre Dame - Four players booted for academic dishonesty.
Criminoles - Jameis Winston. Long list of allegations.
UGA - Best player signs autograph for money, admits it, unlike Winston and Manziel. Served his time.

Go Dawgs!

 

[RubberBiscuit]

Really? Why is it always linking any differing opinion, even one from a respected medical association, to "community organizer". (code word Obama). Or Oprah/Gwenyth (code word effite liberal).

Shirley there must be some organization or viewpoint that you or RB disagree with that doesn't have to be painted with this brush?

Don't call me Shirley

 

[JJsqueeze]

I knew I could count on you RB

 

[Greenmonsters]

Really? Why is it always linking any differing opinion, even one from a respected medical association, to "community organizer". (code word Obama). Or Oprah/Gwenyth (code word effite liberal).

Shirley there must be some organization or viewpoint that you or RB disagree with that doesn't have to be painted with this brush?

Of course there is! They'd definitely use another brush for OILF's viewpoint.

 

[undergroundga]

Although the term "student-athlete" rings less true today than it once did, thanks to all the athlete shenanigans at FSU, UGA and even academic pillars like UNC and Notre Dame etc etc (just the latest examples in the news recently)

Wait a minute now! Don't try to lump Gurley and UGA into the same category as Winston and FSU. Polar opposites. One school did the right thing and one is just trying to restore it's program to prominence and is willing to sell it's soul to the devil to do it. If more coaches acted as Richt did we wouldn't have Ray Rice's.
Back on subject(or is it?). Part of what makes an elite athlete, elite is their ability to perform super human feats and stave off injuries that would leave the rest of us mere mortals laying in a heap weeping in disappointment. If every one could do it, they wouldn't be elite.
Slapstick aside. As I mentioned earlier, my wife is an occupational therapist about to graduate with her master's and on to her phd. She has worked in her field for almost a decade as well as at an orthopedic center that specializes in sports injuries,so she is surrounded by specialist as well as specializes in shoulders and hands herself. Never once has she batted an eye at our daughter withdrawing from other sports and specializing in softball, in particular as a pitcher. She has had many conversations with dr's at work about our dd and how to keep her healthy. Never once have they discouraged us from our approach to softball/pitching. We make sure that she does stretches and is properly warmed.
She has never had an issue with her arm. Severs is another subject, but even with that we were told to make sure she keeps her heel stretched and wear inserts when she has flare ups. Since her initial diagnoses and treatment she has not had an issue because we are proactive instead of reactive.
I'm not saying our approach will work for others, just our experience.
Oh, and GO DAWGS!

 

[cbullard]

FSU won the NC last season. ..I'd say they're prominent. As far as Winston goes. Don't let ESPNtmz cloud your judgment. He's made immature decisions (we all have ). Nothing horrible. It's wrong what the media is doing to him.

Thanks for the great feedback in regards to injuries and sports.

 

[Greenmonsters]

We've heard from the FSU and UGA defenders, but there's no love here for UNC or ND? LOL