- Nov 29, 2009
- 2,974
- 83
The whole friends thing is the bane of high level players. Young girls often see the opportunity to advance from the wrong/reverse angle. They see changing teams as leaving their friends on the current team instead of looking forward to the opportunity to make more friends on a new team. The upside in the OP's situation is an upgrade in the overall softball situation for their DD. If the friends on the current team are REAL friends they will not try to hold her back. Females have the innate ability to use emotional blackmail with skilled precision, even at a young age when the situation is not what they want.
The OP's DD needs to understand at 2nd year 14U, heading into 16U the focus must shift towards her individual needs and wants as a player. Friends matter, but there are times in our lives where "I/Me" must come first. Trying to get the 14U mind to understand that when they are at the crossroads of moving into the more adult situations in life is tough. The thoughts are not long term. They are more worried about today, tomorrow and maybe next week if you're lucky.
With the recruiting races forcing college coaches into looking at younger kids it's not fair to force the kids into life choices at a young age, but it's the reality of the current softball environment we exist in. That's where the parents need to step in and try to guide their DD into making the right decision for her future.
My opinion is to convince her this can be best for her in the long term. That is if the OP is being honest with their assessment of their DD's ability. The higher level team seems to think so by extending her an offer for a roster spot.
The OP's DD needs to understand at 2nd year 14U, heading into 16U the focus must shift towards her individual needs and wants as a player. Friends matter, but there are times in our lives where "I/Me" must come first. Trying to get the 14U mind to understand that when they are at the crossroads of moving into the more adult situations in life is tough. The thoughts are not long term. They are more worried about today, tomorrow and maybe next week if you're lucky.
With the recruiting races forcing college coaches into looking at younger kids it's not fair to force the kids into life choices at a young age, but it's the reality of the current softball environment we exist in. That's where the parents need to step in and try to guide their DD into making the right decision for her future.
My opinion is to convince her this can be best for her in the long term. That is if the OP is being honest with their assessment of their DD's ability. The higher level team seems to think so by extending her an offer for a roster spot.