Things you would do different for your daughter if you could go back in time.

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Apr 20, 2017
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I have been on the forums for a couple years and have learned some great information. I was just thinking I have not seen a thread were parents could admit mistakes or wish they had made different decisions in their DD playing career. Some have more the one daughter and possibly learned from the first to the second. And who knows maybe a parent could learn from others or have something to think about when they have decisions to make regarding fall softball.

1. I would have gotten my daughter in travel ball and out of the rec league in 8u. I really thought it was crazy to carry 7-8 yr olds around to tournaments. But now I can see why so many start young.

2. When selecting our first travel team during the season I wish we had picked up with a couple teams and not accepted the first offer after one practice. Go to a few practice and possibly a tournament to find the right fit.

3. Would have moved to higher class ball earlier. My daughter has the desire and ability but thought we should wait a couple more years before making the jump to an A team. The longer you wait the further behind you can get.

4. Some days I wish we had never taken her to the first pitching lesson.
 
Jan 22, 2011
1,610
113
1) That I had stopped her cute walking around every once in a while imitating pitching a ball with wrong mechanics when she was 3 and a half.

2) Although, I didn't teach her 'dark side' pitching mechanics, I wish I had stayed at the coaching conference in Jan 2013 that Rich Balswick was talking about pitching at, instead of leaving after 30 minutes to go watch my DD's 3rd grade basketball game, so I better understood how to teach her.

3) That in March 2016 I had ignored my wife and brought my daughter to the Coach James/Rick Pauly Indiana clinic.

4) Some days I wish I had stuck to my guns and just had her be a catcher, because I knew what pitching did to parents :).
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Have had that discussion with Jake and we both had the same answer - develop a killer change up. As hard as she throws she did not need one until she got to SC. That said, she was very lucky to get away with it. Now she truly enjoys the pitch and has been using it quite a bit in the Netherlands this summer, which has been an incredible opportunity that every college player should consider. Would not trade a season in the NPF for what she has done since graduating.
 
Apr 20, 2017
152
28
Have had that discussion with Jake and we both had the same answer - develop a killer change up. As hard as she throws she did not need one until she got to SC. That said, she was very lucky to get away with it. Now she truly enjoys the pitch and has been using it quite a bit in the Netherlands this summer, which has been an incredible opportunity that every college player should consider. Would not trade a season in the NPF for what she has done since graduating.

That seems to be a pitch to me that is greatly overlooked by most young pitchers and parents. They all want to throw 6 pitches at 10 years old. If you are a young flame thrower and master a killer change up it can make the best batters look silly. Our pitching instructor is a big believer and made my DD master it before ever starting a movement pitch. It’s still not perfect and on demand ever single time but when it is working it is so effective. There is not a much better feeling to watch a batter swing when the ball is only 2/3 of the way to the plate.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
For me it's simple. I wish I would have done a better job convincing her to give her opinion when we went to a new level versus what she thought I wanted to hear. Every kid is different and have different goals and reasons for playing. I see it all the time where parents want something else than the kid.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
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I would've taken first year 10U less seriously. I did learn by 2nd year 10U but still. That year could have been for fun for all of us.
 
Sep 29, 2010
1,082
83
Knoxville, TN
DD started playing as a Rec ball pickup at 7 for a 10U team. She had never touched a softball before. She was a natural. We went to a 10U team the next year, so she never played coach pitch. I wish I would have had her play 8U travel. Looks like we missed out on a lot of fun. Ball probably got too serious too quick.
 

rdbass

It wasn't me.
Jun 5, 2010
9,131
83
Not here.
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Because it got my DD where she is at now.....and she couldn't be happier.
 
Jul 16, 2013
4,659
113
Pennsylvania
1) DD started travel ball as a 2nd year 12u. I think first year 12u would have been ideal for her. Everything has worked out fine, but the transition to 14u after only 1 year of travel ball was difficult. Of course, that may have played to her favor as well.
2) During her first 2 or 3 years of travel ball, I was one of those overbearing parents that many threads are started about. Eventually I learned the error in my ways and changed for the better (I think). In my opinion, DD and I have a much better relationship now, and our family is much happier as well. I wish I would have learned that lesson sooner.
3) I would have not become a coach. I love coaching. I love working with the players (especially hitting). But there have been a lot of sacrifices that have been made as a result. The personal sacrifices are fine. But there have been several opportunities that DD has passed up because of our families commitment to the "team", the other players, and their families. While many people out there make decisions with only their daughter as the primary stakeholder, we have made numerous decisions over the years with the "team" as the focus. And I am concerned that this has held DD back to a certain extent.

Overall we have been very happy with our travel ball experience. We had one terrible season that I have posted about before and won't bore anyone with again. Otherwise, we have been involved with two tremendous organizations, with great players, and wonderful families. I have enjoyed the process. And most importantly I have enjoyed the valuable time I have been blessed to spend with DD. I would never trade that for anything. But there was one opportunity in particular that I often wonder about. What if?
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
I agree with those who say they might have started travel ball earlier. Rec was fun and convenient location-wise, but a lot of the teams we see in second-year 14U have a core of girls who have been together since 10U. It's hard to break onto a team where the majority of the positions are already locked down. We're still dealing with that entering 16U.
 

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