- Jul 6, 2011
- 5
- 0
Just a little history. DD is playing on 8U fastpitch. There are 12 players. DD is the youngest on the team because of late birthday. She absolutely loves the game. Never complains about practice (3 x a week), begs to play catch on off nights (we play catch at least 30 mins a day), and takes batting lessons. She has only missed one game due to illness. She only gets to play approximately 2 innings and of course, she goes in outfield. Her skill is there, awesome batter and good glove. Could I complain that the HC DD plays when not as good? Maybe, but my thoughts are if he takes the time to coach, his DD should play so that is beside the point. So, to get more playing time, we want to help her improve. Her problem is game knowledge. How do we teach that? When in outfield, she can get the ball quick, but she doesn't know where to throw it (and it confuses her when people are yelling different bases). She will hold the ball the few seconds it takes for the runner to get another base :-( The desire, skill and love of the game is there, just game knowledge is lacking.
How do I help teach game knowledge (we do watch softball/baseball on tv and discuss)?
Next year should we go to a team that is not as good with the hopes she will have more playing time so she can get some experience? or should we stay where at least she is learning in practice? She says she doesn't care, she just wants to play. But she also says that even if she can't play, she will sit on the bench and watch as that is better than not playing at all.
She also wants to play Fall Rec Ball to see how she has "gotten better". Will that burn her out?
I will admit that I've tried to talk her out of doing traveling team next year (to give her opportunity to do other things - gymnastics, tennis, etc) but she will have none of it. Its all softball, so I can honestly say that I am not trying to push her into playing a game that she may want to do. As a parent that has footed the bill and time into this, it is hard to sit back and watch as she is on the bench, but we will support regardless until she says she is ready to move on. We also know that it our responsibility to get her the help she needs, but just not sure how to do it??
Sorry for the long post, but I'm at wits end on what to do. DD's goal is to play softball. My goal is to make sure we as parents offer her the opportunities to learn so she can play. Advice on how we should proceed?
How do I help teach game knowledge (we do watch softball/baseball on tv and discuss)?
Next year should we go to a team that is not as good with the hopes she will have more playing time so she can get some experience? or should we stay where at least she is learning in practice? She says she doesn't care, she just wants to play. But she also says that even if she can't play, she will sit on the bench and watch as that is better than not playing at all.
She also wants to play Fall Rec Ball to see how she has "gotten better". Will that burn her out?
I will admit that I've tried to talk her out of doing traveling team next year (to give her opportunity to do other things - gymnastics, tennis, etc) but she will have none of it. Its all softball, so I can honestly say that I am not trying to push her into playing a game that she may want to do. As a parent that has footed the bill and time into this, it is hard to sit back and watch as she is on the bench, but we will support regardless until she says she is ready to move on. We also know that it our responsibility to get her the help she needs, but just not sure how to do it??
Sorry for the long post, but I'm at wits end on what to do. DD's goal is to play softball. My goal is to make sure we as parents offer her the opportunities to learn so she can play. Advice on how we should proceed?