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Jul 30, 2014
12
1
DD is on a good team with a highly recognized organization. She loves playing with this particular group of girls. Here's the problem... They never practice at all. No fundamentals or anything on a consistent basis. Everyone is expected to practice on their own. But she hasn't developed at all, and has actually regressed from the player she was, before we joined the team. I always thought you practiced more than you played. But this team plays more than they practice and I don't see how she benefits from this at all. I can see this maybe at the second year 14U and up level. But at the 1st year 12U level, I don't buy it. I don't see this changing with this team either. Do you stick it out knowing she doesn't progress as quickly as she should? Or do you pick up chalks and find coaches willing to run structured practices and develop the players? The only reason we left the last team is because it dismantled. But the HC was committed to teaching the fundamentals and player development. Now... Not so much!
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
Normally before you join a travel ball team you ask questions like how many days a week are practices, how many tournaments, friendles, scrimmages do we play each month, etc.

IME, typical TB schedule is practice twice a week (plus one day a week of optional conditioning) and the monthly schedule is one weekend tournament, one weekend friendlies, two weekends team practices. You also are expected to have private hitting (pitching/catcher as applicable) lessons regularly.

I would seek out a team that has a schedule similar to the above if your DD is not getting the development she needs.
 
Oct 30, 2014
292
18
Seattle
Its getting near the end of the season, I'd finish the season with this team and work with your dd on your own so she can be sharp for tryouts.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
Depending on how large of area the Team is pulling players from it is not unusual for a TB not to practice very offten.

He is talking about 1st year 12U. 11 & 12 year olds need to development softball fundamentals just as much (or more than) playing in tournaments. If they can travel to a tournament, they certainly can travel to a practice field. This is not a 16U college showcase team....
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
We used to play a team that practiced once a month. You had to get a signed receipt from your hitting instructor and/or pitching coach weekly to stay on the team. I would like
to say that they the lack of cohesiveness prevented them from playing well, but they were a great team. In my opinion baseball/softball is a sport that you can get away with this. Unless you are one of those coaches with 25 different bunt defenses it's not that hard to pick things up.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
We used to play a team that practiced once a month. You had to get a signed receipt from your hitting instructor and/or pitching coach weekly to stay on the team. I would like
to say that they the lack of cohesiveness prevented them from playing well, but they were a great team. In my opinion baseball/softball is a sport that you can get away with this. Unless you are one of those coaches with 25 different bunt defenses it's not that hard to pick things up.

Completely disagree. It's a team sport, especially on defense (remember the three Bs, ball, base or backup assignments). A great defense is a well-oiled machine that takes lots of reps to perfect. Difficult to do correctly without 100s and 100s of reps with your teammates. Especially at 12u.
 

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