New parent to 8u TB player - apprehensive mom

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Oct 22, 2013
4
1
It's really hard. Again we are both newbies to this tb concept and having comments from the seasoned parents really helps. She is having fun and I somehow need to quit stressing over the details at this point.

It doesn't help that she's an only child LOL.
 
Jun 24, 2013
427
0
We are a bit behind on throwing as hard as a couple of the other girls because the rec coach would have them run all over the field because the majority of the girls couldn't catch the ball. Again, we are working on all of her skills to make her a more rounded player.

Sign of a bad coach. Having your fastest player run down girls from anywhere on the field teaches them nothing.

To date, we have only been throwing to first and not trying to get the lead runner. We have also been practicing a lot of defensive skills and not so much batting and we are getting killed in that area. I'm more concerned that the coach tells us one thing and does another.

I understand the "Get the out at first" mentality. I use it sometimes. But if the girls want to try to get the out at 2nd I do not always discourage it. Last tourney we got 5 outs at 2nd (in 8U), we also turned 2 double plays.

We don't want to be team jumpers. We don't expect to win every game. We would like to be part of a team that can grow and progress into the best team in our area. Thank you so much. As long as my dd is getting practice and enjoying the game that's all that matters to us.

make sure the coach has the same philosophy. Also make sure they are teaching fundamentals. A coach that can tolerate mistakes at this age will benefit the girls. As a coach of this age group, I would rather them make the attempt at a base and teach proper base backing up skills and make an error, than to never teach them and need to make a play in a critical situation in 10U, 12U, 14U, etc. I saw an 8U coach (coaching from 1st B box) get absolutely livid with his 3B coach when she made a base running error (she was watching the play at 2B unfold instead of sending the runner from 3B). That was the last inning she coached a base (he had 4 coaches on the team). He was still livid 2 innings later (I mean face red, clinched jaws, mumbling cuss words under his breath and head shaking kind of livid.). He read her the riot act when she got into the dugout in front of his 8U team. How do you think the girls feel about making a mistake for him?

it is ok to jump teams if there is bad coaching involved.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
It's really hard. Again we are both newbies to this tb concept and having comments from the seasoned parents really helps. She is having fun and I somehow need to quit stressing over the details at this point.

It doesn't help that she's an only child LOL.

You'll figure it out, and DFP is here to help you stay sane*.




* In this case, "sane" is only relative to the "crazy softball parents" that infest fields across the country. In comparison to the real world, however, no softball parent can ever be considered "sane".
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
One of the best things about this forum is that you'll get honest answers from people with experience. You may not always like them, but in almost every case people are seriously trying to help you. I urge you to not react hastily to situations, but at the same time keep an eye on what is happening.
 

mike s

Pitcher's Dad
Jul 18, 2011
116
0
Northern IL
Just to chime in DD 16 y/o just got a look from a good TB team, when asked what position she plays, she could honestly say all except third and Catcher. She is primarily a Pitcher but it was important to them that she is able to play other positions. The very best thing you can do at a young age is play everywhere on the field. Practice the basics; fielding grounders, catching fly balls, throwing with good form and batting. Remember a girl who was a catcher, she only wanted to catch and as a result sat more often because she couldn't be used anywhere else.
 
Jun 4, 2013
305
0
Orange County, CA
Wow, I can't believe I read the whole thread.

I found this thread very interesting for many reasons. Some of the replys made me reflect back on whats going on with my DD.

KYGirl, Im not sure I can add anything new to what's already been said but just give you a small glimpse of what's going with my DD. DD is 9 and has been playing rec ball since T-ball. DD is very active with sports but not the most athletic girl by any means. She has played Softball in the Spring, swimming/water polo in the summer, soccer during fall and basketball in the winter since she was 4. At first softball was too slow for her, or at least that's what she told us. She wanted to be involved more in every play, she knew pitchers and catchers were the only 2 positions that got to really play (at the younger years) whether the batter hit the ball or not. She picked catcher as her position and over the past few years she has become a great catcher (for her age) and loves it. Loves it so much to the point that we have slowly dropped other sports to focus on Softball. We are at a point where we are slowly considering moving forward with TB. It seems unfortunately that the few TB coachs I know and would like her to play for are not currently looking for catchers, and if they were they would rather pick up a catcher who would be more versatile then my DD. If a team only needed a catcher and a hitter my DD would fill that spot easily but I can't with confidence say she could fill any other spot as good. She plays first and 3rd when not catching but not nearly at the same level as she does as a catcher. She has many wholes in her game that we continue to work on but being behind the plate for almost 4 years has slowed her overall fielding ability. Dont get me wrong, my DD is not horrible in other positions, she just isn't as strong or as comfortable. A couple TB coaches that I talk to and know personally have overlooked her for this reason.

Not sure if my rant helped or not but I believe it is best for your DD to become confortable in all positions and not get stuck in one position. It will make it easier for her to find teams that have a position that needs filled.
 
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Oct 22, 2013
4
1
Thank you guys so much. It seems that I just got hung up on the fact that she liked one position and played that position well and then was moved because someone threw a little harder. I need to look at it as an advantage to her instead of taking it personally and move on. She will be a more rounded player for it. My biggest concern was that she would get bored and not want to play anymore but she seems to really love it and wants to play all the time.

On the other hand, I need to pay more attention to how the coach reacts to situations and how it affects the team as a whole.
 
Jun 24, 2013
1,059
36
We have a player on our 12U/ MS Team that has played a year now. She plays a good 2nd base. We had a SS Issue so HC moved her to SS, it was a disaster and she was swapped with the RF in the middle of the inning.

Mentally she just wants to play 2nd base and she does good at it.

Her problem was my DD kicked her off 2nd in the year end tourney and she had nowhere to go except the bench.
 
Jul 2, 2013
681
0
The key to earning a spot on the field, is your bat.

My DD slipped from SS, to 1B, to CF, to RF, over the years. Her arm has never been consistent enough. It keeps getting better, and better, and she may move back up to CF this season (we will see).

However, because she focused primarily on her bat when younger, she always finds a spot on top teams. Even when a regular spot is taken by superior defensive players, she will always be a DH. Usually, the #4 spot.

Been working hard on the defensive end ... finally. New season to start soon.
 
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Apr 16, 2013
1,113
83
The key to earning a spot on the field, is your bat.

THIS x 1000000!!!!! If you have a monster bat, every team will have a place for you. My DD and I work on hitting 4-5x a week. This winter we'll be working on a lot of fielding, but no matter what season you'll find us in the batting cage.
 

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