- Aug 2, 2011
- 129
- 16
Here in Eugene OR our softball might be a little behind some other places. My daughter started rec ball in June at the end of Kindergarten. She was 5 turning 6 in July. That year it was T ball with the baseball size softies. Next year she was in 1st grade and it was still T ball with softies. The 2nd grade year was still baseball sized softies, but modified coach pitch with a T used if she misses 3 pitches from coach. Now, she is in the 3rd grade and is 8. Many girls on the team in June will be 9. Our rec ball uses the baseball sized softies again this year with strict coach pitch of 5 pitches.
I understand the soft ball. The girls, at least last year, were still having trouble throwing and catching. I mean they couldn't do it for the most part. In all of the teams and games we played there was rarely an out other than the pitcher running the ball to home for a force out. For many this was their first experience playing. They took many balls off the face. The same will be true, I assume, in the 3rd grade of 8 and 9 year olds but I am recommending that the org. should switch to 10" softies. I think they will hit better with the bigger ball and not become scared of it with the inevitable balls flying and hitting players. I am thinking that by the 4th grade they can throw and catch well enough to switch to the 10" hard balls.
How have your rec leagues dealt with this progression? It would be 3rd graders of 8 and 9 years old. I think they might take my advice and switch to a bigger ball but use the hard one. For many girls that grow up with the game and have some experience I think this is appropriate, but for rec ball with beginners, I think many will take a few off the body or face and lose aggressiveness.
I understand the soft ball. The girls, at least last year, were still having trouble throwing and catching. I mean they couldn't do it for the most part. In all of the teams and games we played there was rarely an out other than the pitcher running the ball to home for a force out. For many this was their first experience playing. They took many balls off the face. The same will be true, I assume, in the 3rd grade of 8 and 9 year olds but I am recommending that the org. should switch to 10" softies. I think they will hit better with the bigger ball and not become scared of it with the inevitable balls flying and hitting players. I am thinking that by the 4th grade they can throw and catch well enough to switch to the 10" hard balls.
How have your rec leagues dealt with this progression? It would be 3rd graders of 8 and 9 years old. I think they might take my advice and switch to a bigger ball but use the hard one. For many girls that grow up with the game and have some experience I think this is appropriate, but for rec ball with beginners, I think many will take a few off the body or face and lose aggressiveness.