Folks, I would appreciate any advice from experienced travel ball parents.
My DD is 8, and she has played 3 seasons of Rec Ball. She catches and plays 2B, bats extremely well for an 8 year old and has made the local all star team since she was 6. None of this is overly impressive in itself but she is also 4 ft 8 inches tall, weighing 115 after a pizza. She has a little belly flab, but isn't obese by any means. Doctor says to expect her to be 6 ft tall. She looks big when she subs on the 10U field and is average sized on the 12U field.
We attended a clinic hosted by a elite travel organization this week. As soon as she stepped out of the car, the head coach was shaking hands and introducing himself. He first asked her birth date (She is 8U eligible next year), and then asked if she pitched? No. Do you want to learn? Maybe. He pulled me to the side and said we can build good pitchers with larger kids, but we can't build larger kids on demand. I would really like to put her with a trainer for a year and see what develops. I was floored, never thought my kid would be considered a potential pitcher. The President of the organization arrived, and echoed the same thoughts. Also offered to provide a pitching trainer closer to our home and a private try out if desired. I have since received two phone calls from mutual friends encouraging me to let DD join this organization, explaining this is a great opportunity in their opinion.
I am impressed with the professionalism and organization of this particular travel team. They field teams from 8U to 18U elite and have produced some USSSA team players. Every graduating HS senior signed a college scholarship this year. In comparison, other semi local travel teams are less than organized and produce an occasional HS varsity player. And seem to be very cliquish.
My questions are: Is this level of recruitment common for 8 year olds? Is my kids physical size a big bonus to a team and for a pitcher? Am I being too optimistic? Please educate me as we are ignorant to advanced travel ball programs, uncertain what to expect. DD is certainly a good player and she loved the team, It feels like a potential good fit. Open tryouts are this coming week for the fall team, plan to attend and expect daughter to perform well enough to make the roster. Am I expecting too much from a 8 year old? She loves the game but I don't want to burn her out young. How far would you push an 8 year old? She is a big kid, loves the game, plays hard, and is very coachable and committed, but she is still 8. Please advise...
My DD is 8, and she has played 3 seasons of Rec Ball. She catches and plays 2B, bats extremely well for an 8 year old and has made the local all star team since she was 6. None of this is overly impressive in itself but she is also 4 ft 8 inches tall, weighing 115 after a pizza. She has a little belly flab, but isn't obese by any means. Doctor says to expect her to be 6 ft tall. She looks big when she subs on the 10U field and is average sized on the 12U field.
We attended a clinic hosted by a elite travel organization this week. As soon as she stepped out of the car, the head coach was shaking hands and introducing himself. He first asked her birth date (She is 8U eligible next year), and then asked if she pitched? No. Do you want to learn? Maybe. He pulled me to the side and said we can build good pitchers with larger kids, but we can't build larger kids on demand. I would really like to put her with a trainer for a year and see what develops. I was floored, never thought my kid would be considered a potential pitcher. The President of the organization arrived, and echoed the same thoughts. Also offered to provide a pitching trainer closer to our home and a private try out if desired. I have since received two phone calls from mutual friends encouraging me to let DD join this organization, explaining this is a great opportunity in their opinion.
I am impressed with the professionalism and organization of this particular travel team. They field teams from 8U to 18U elite and have produced some USSSA team players. Every graduating HS senior signed a college scholarship this year. In comparison, other semi local travel teams are less than organized and produce an occasional HS varsity player. And seem to be very cliquish.
My questions are: Is this level of recruitment common for 8 year olds? Is my kids physical size a big bonus to a team and for a pitcher? Am I being too optimistic? Please educate me as we are ignorant to advanced travel ball programs, uncertain what to expect. DD is certainly a good player and she loved the team, It feels like a potential good fit. Open tryouts are this coming week for the fall team, plan to attend and expect daughter to perform well enough to make the roster. Am I expecting too much from a 8 year old? She loves the game but I don't want to burn her out young. How far would you push an 8 year old? She is a big kid, loves the game, plays hard, and is very coachable and committed, but she is still 8. Please advise...
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