- Jun 18, 2013
- 322
- 18
I have been reading for the last few days and have already found tons of very helpful posts. I am hoping I can get some direct advice on a situation I am in.
I will start at the beginning for clarity. My DD is 9 but plays in 8U due to USSSA birthday rules. I coach her travel basketball team and have coached all of her rec league softball teams so far. I have also coached my 14 year old son's baseball teams until he reached school ball. I am not a softball/baseball expert by any means, but I am good with the kids and I made a promise to myself that I would never let my children be in a negative sports environment.
Last year, after her first year in coach pitch rec ball, my DD made the all star team. She played decent, not great but she was not a dead weight. That got the fires really burning for her. We worked hard during all of her available time between basketball and softball season to get her where she wanted to go. This season she went 25/27, never struck out, and played very well at 3rd base for me. However, the coach that was asked to handle the all star team and I do not see eye-to-eye on coaching technique so she was left off of the roster this year. I was involved in the voting process, so I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the reason was our differing personalities and not ability. This devastated my DD.
My DW and I have decided to start a travel ball team comprised of players from our immediate area to avoid any more of the issues that arise from rec league drama. This brings me to my question.
At this age group, what are the primary qualities that I should be looking for in a TB player?
Most of these girls are just getting started on their athletic journeys, so I don't want to judge any of them too harshly. On my basketball team I usually decide on players based on personality first, pure athletic ability second, and basketball specific skills third. I can teach a jump shot but I can't teach a willingness to work. Should I use similar criteria for TB?
My plan is to stay in the 8U coach pitch bracket for the fall season and then take the same team up to play in 10U next spring since none of the girls have any experience pitching yet. I know that it will be rough in the beginning but I know that we can learn together and build a successful team. I have a few really great parents that are willing to help so I know the coaches will all have the right attitude. I just want to make sure that I don't set any of the kids up for disappointment by getting them in over their heads.
I will start at the beginning for clarity. My DD is 9 but plays in 8U due to USSSA birthday rules. I coach her travel basketball team and have coached all of her rec league softball teams so far. I have also coached my 14 year old son's baseball teams until he reached school ball. I am not a softball/baseball expert by any means, but I am good with the kids and I made a promise to myself that I would never let my children be in a negative sports environment.
Last year, after her first year in coach pitch rec ball, my DD made the all star team. She played decent, not great but she was not a dead weight. That got the fires really burning for her. We worked hard during all of her available time between basketball and softball season to get her where she wanted to go. This season she went 25/27, never struck out, and played very well at 3rd base for me. However, the coach that was asked to handle the all star team and I do not see eye-to-eye on coaching technique so she was left off of the roster this year. I was involved in the voting process, so I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the reason was our differing personalities and not ability. This devastated my DD.
My DW and I have decided to start a travel ball team comprised of players from our immediate area to avoid any more of the issues that arise from rec league drama. This brings me to my question.
At this age group, what are the primary qualities that I should be looking for in a TB player?
Most of these girls are just getting started on their athletic journeys, so I don't want to judge any of them too harshly. On my basketball team I usually decide on players based on personality first, pure athletic ability second, and basketball specific skills third. I can teach a jump shot but I can't teach a willingness to work. Should I use similar criteria for TB?
My plan is to stay in the 8U coach pitch bracket for the fall season and then take the same team up to play in 10U next spring since none of the girls have any experience pitching yet. I know that it will be rough in the beginning but I know that we can learn together and build a successful team. I have a few really great parents that are willing to help so I know the coaches will all have the right attitude. I just want to make sure that I don't set any of the kids up for disappointment by getting them in over their heads.