Feeling a bit blind-sided and blue, but life goes on

[MsDinosaur]

As you know DD had her second official (third actual) concussion this spring. She had decided that she would probably leave travel ball after the end of the season. But as the season went on, she was feeling better and enjoying the game a lot and she'd been happy with this team and coach for 3 years, so she reconsidered and thought she'd go ahead and keep playing.

Unfortunately, her team was losing a pitcher and her coach found a pitcher/catcher pair of sisters to fill that position and DD's for next season. DD told him she had reconsidered a couple of weeks ago, but it was apparently about a week too late. In that great game of musical chairs, the music has stopped and she's out. At least high school ball tryouts start in a week, so she doesn't have to go very long without picking up a ball yet.

 

[Strike2]

Your kid had THREE concussions THIS spring? Or, was it her third concussion ever?

I surmise from your post that she's a catcher. She's likely to have more at that position, especially in HS ball.

If it's her third concussion this year, you need to shut her down completely...now.

If it's her third concussion ever, she should be medically evaluated before she plays catcher again.

 

[MsDinosaur]

Third concussion ever. One in 2013, one in 2014 and the latest in April 2015. She was under her doctor's care on the last two concussions and was just seen and cleared by the specialists at Children's Mercy on July 16th. (It takes a long time to get in to Children's Mercy.)

 

[Il softball fan]

Wow. Can't the team carry two catchers? Amazing how much we, as parents, become wrapped up with a game played by our DDs. My wife says I become "obsessed" with everything about it. I realize I, in fact do become obsessed. I don't have a problem with it, but she does.

Edit to add: good luck to you and your daughter.

 

[SoCalASABlue]

Perfect time to transform your DD into an F3.

Every parent has a different threshold of "how far do I let her push it", but if it were me she'd never strap on that catcher's gear again.

Best of luck to her (and mom and dad too).

 

[BobInMadison]

Best of luck to her.

Maybe some time away from behind the plate is a blessing in disguise. At worst she has more time to think about her future and maybe heal some more.

 

[Ken Krause]

Good catchers are a premium commodity, especially as kids older. I suspect she shouldn't have too much trouble finding another team if she wants to.

 

[MsDinosaur]

Thanks to you all!

She was one of two regular catchers, plus they have a third girl to whom they try to give some catching time as well. She's by far the most skilled catcher of the three (of course that's my judgment and I'm Mom). She's played the corners some, third more than first, but the team also has regular F3 and F5 players who play first and third better than DD does. She doesn't have the sprinting speed/range you really want for OF or MI. She's got a big arm and bat, but I do understand the dilemma that there's nowhere to put her.

HS season is starting now and we had hoped that would satisfy her need for softball. Unfortunately, it looks like her team really doesn't have a pitcher this year. So I don't know if it will be very satisfying at all. ;-)

 

[3bmama]

Children's Mercy Neuro is a pain in the rear to get into. Glad she got cleared, sorry about the spot.

 

[Greenmonsters]

Thanks to you all!

She was one of two regular catchers, plus they have a third girl to whom they try to give some catching time as well. She's by far the most skilled catcher of the three (of course that's my judgment and I'm Mom). She's played the corners some, third more than first, but the team also has regular F3 and F5 players who play first and third better than DD does. She doesn't have the sprinting speed/range you really want for OF or MI. She's got a big arm and bat, but I do understand the dilemma that there's nowhere to put her.

HS season is starting now and we had hoped that would satisfy her need for softball. Unfortunately, it looks like her team really doesn't have a pitcher this year. So I don't know if it will be very satisfying at all. ;-)

The bottom line is that there is always a spot in the line up for a big bat. Sometimes it means being the DP, other times it comes at the expense of a better defensive player, and less often than sometimes it even comes/should come at the expense of a player who is a coach's DD.