Off Season finally here….Sigh……

Warning: Some proud daddy ranting below.

The dreaded day is finally here, DDs just finished her last tournament of 10U fall ball (mid to low B team) and we're into the off season. What a year it has been for us as a family. We started out the year with rec ball try outs end of Jan, DD1's 1st pitching lesion in June, melting down crying in her 1st tourney pitching start in Sept and finished with DD the #1 pitcher on her fall team striking out 10 with 1 BB over 4 innings in a tough 2-1 loss. Double sweet since DD2 played up on same team this fall and was the hitting machine for the team. In her last at bat DD2 told her HC, 'I'm going to hit this to center and get a double' and did just that on the 2nd pitch she saw.
Lots of ups and downs but after our first travel ball experience as a family are we are so hooked. Less than 24 hours after the game, and DW & I already missing the 5am wake up to get ready for tourney. We don't remember what its like to have a weekend free. LOL At this age we want to give them some time to be little kids so really trying to give them some time off away from softball, especially with DD2 playing 8U summer ball as well, but boy it is hard. DD1 already asking on the way to school what time I'm getting home from work so she can practice pitching as she's aging up to 12U and needs to get used to 12" ball. Almost broke down and said "no problem I'll be home early" but held strong and told her "let's relax this week and we'll start again next week". Hardest thing I had to do in a while. hahaha

What are some of the things you all do to fight the urge? Is there a softballaholics group we can join? =)

Caldad said:

Warning: Some proud daddy ranting below.What are some of the things you all do to fight the urge? Is there a softballaholics group we can join? =)

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Congratz...... Just stay up on the hitting & pitching forums... here, then you'll just need nothing but meds

I couldn't agree more about breathing a sigh of relief for the season being over. DD played her first 14U tourney the last week in March and had one weekend off before Pony Nats the last week in July. Her 18U team played the second weekend in Sept and hasn't had a weekend off since (not even a rain day). Yesteday was the last of her games. She made some great improvements last summer and has come up to speed with the 18U game this fall. I still marvel at how hard some of these kids can hit, how they sound like trains coming home but she took it all in stride and never once lost the ball during a play at the plate.

I am so ready for a rest. I'm sure by March when HS ball rolls around I'll be chomping at the bit but for now. I'm content to sit on the couch with the dog for a while.

Its funny, we tried to shutdown our 8U for the season while we continued on with the 14U but the parents would have none of it. They asked can't we continue to come out and practice? I don't know what little Suzie will do with her weekends now. So we turned it from shutting down for the season to voluntary practices during the winter season. If they want to come out that's fine and there are no penalties if you decide not to come out. We planned on starting back up at the end of January/ early February and were trying to give the parents and kids a little break. The kids are having so much fun they don't want to stop! So it's off to voluntary winter workouts!

I'm excited because it's a chance to heal the battle scars and improve on weak areas. Plus DD missed going to the gym and working out around the guys! Also, less TB coach time and more Dad time

Last night, DD asks to go pitch since she finished homework, so of course we went out in the dark using the backyard lights. Went back to basics as she's changing to the 12" ball. Going back to BM's I/R in classroom drills to start off and ending with a few softball stitch bruises on my shins. 12" ball really breaks a heck of a lot more. LOL
Boy do I need help, couldn't even stay on the softball wagon for a week. Send anti-softball MEDs!!!! hahaha

Good idea on that optional practice thing cmustangsfp. A few of us were going to get together anyways, I'll ask around of more of the kids wanted to come out too.

DD just began her second year of 12U this fall. Between six tourneys and 21 middle school games, it's time to shut it down for a while. There was a lot off ball crammed into the past two months.

She may not touch a softball for a month and I'm not sure I will let her even if she asks. Winter work outs begin mid January, so if we start swinging the bat, catching and just knocking off the rust about mid to late December she should be ready to go.

I, however will continue to work on my swing and spend more time on here than I probably should!

Off season?? What is this off season you speak of?

We're going 3 days a week right now. Hitting and speed/agility clinic on Wed, Practice in the dome on Sat and winter league on Sundays.
The nice thing is I only need to bring her every other Wed and maybe one Sat a month because of carpooling, so I get a break even if she doesn't.