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Dec 10, 2017
25
3
DD has been invited to try out for local 18u team. She is a first year 14u player now. She is close to 6 ft and looks the part but I am concerned it may be to early. Looking for feedback from others as to the pros and cons.


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Thank you all for your responses. I am new to the forum this year and I am very impressed by the vast knowledge of the existing members. The feedback from other parents on some of the upcoming challenges my DD will face is a great resource.

We plan to attend the 18u tryouts to get an understanding of how she stacks up with the other girls.



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Jun 14, 2018
172
28
Thank you all for your responses. I am new to the forum this year and I am very impressed by the vast knowledge of the existing members. The feedback from other parents on some of the upcoming challenges my DD will face is a great resource.

We plan to attend the 18u tryouts to get an understanding of how she stacks up with the other girls.



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As I went thru this thread I started to think to myself... My daughter has a lot of growing up to do yet, she is 11 and still believes in Santa!!! With the level of teams that she is wanting to go to we may be in the same spot one of these days and all this knowledge will really help. First and foremost I never would think about what the girls talk about.
 
Apr 28, 2014
2,316
113
Very tough decision for us this year. We decided to move DD to 18U in the same organization. There was an option for 16U that would play a very tough schedule but we felt 18U would suit her this year (She is a first year 16). There are good arguments on both sides, believe me, we went around and around.
 
Last edited:
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
16u is the most competitive level in softball across the board (more so than 18u and college). It has the most players and the most talent of any level. Just my observation. YMMV.

At 18u there are so few players that teams do take 16u and 14u (basically if you are in or will be in High School).

In my area the 18u teams are typically better than the 16u teams. In fact, many of the better 16u eligible players actually play 18u instead of 16u. I'm sure it varies by region.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
DD has had a nice balance of playing at her level and playing up. With a December birthday, she also moved to the next level prior to many of her friends (with the January and February birthdays). During 12u she often guested for the organizations 14u team. At 14u she guested for the 18u team. During 16u we did a combination of 16u and 18u tournaments. This year, while still 18u eligible, she played mostly 23u tournaments. She wanted to gain some comfort playing against established college players. (She will be entering her freshman year in a few weeks.)

I don't disagree with JAD's thoughts concerning 16u, but I think this depends on what level of play you are looking at and what region you are in. At the showcases we attended, we saw far more coaches at the 18u games.
 
Jul 14, 2017
181
28
There was an option for 16U that would play a very tough schedule but we felt 18U would suit her this year.

DD will be a sophomore and aging up to 16u as well. Most people seem to do the jump from 14u to 18u. On top of that, you have the different tiered teams in the same age group- premier, elite, gold, etc.


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Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
Even with the new rules in effect the majority of college recruiting will occur at the 16U level. I would NOT recommend jumping to an 18U team if your DD has any aspirations of playing ball in college.

^^^^^^This^^^^^^^
 

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