Question about other sports and club softball commitments

Everything else in the original post (parents, previous fund raising, possible scholarships, college interest, club policy, etc etc,) is irrelevant.

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Not to the other players on the teams who've made the commitment and depend on her being there.

Sparky Guy said:

Unfortunately, it's not "their" organization. It belongs to all of the players on the team(s). I have no problem with players playing multiple sports. I have a problem with a player's decision that effects the rest of the team. A player trying to play two in-season club sports at the same time is doing both a huge disservice when they make a decision to miss team functions for one over the other.

Missing team functions in season and not expecting consequences is a backhanded way of putting themselves above the rest of their teammates on both teams. Call me old school, but I do believe in the team concept when it comes to sports and commitment. There is no I in team, but some players like to use the M & E in it. That thought process completely disregards the girls who've made the choice to play one sport and dedicate themselves wholly to that sport and team.

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It is not as hard as one would think. Find players and parents with like minds, and yes, it is "their" team. Our current fall team is full of HS volleyball players. We are in season right now, for the waffling players who play volleyball. Our solution is we do not practice softball at all, in the fall. It is all team for us too, in softball.

We are a showcase 18U team. We only have 10 players. My player is a 1st year 16U player. We just went 2-0 yesterday against 2 teams who are practicing all the time (warm-up games at a local college, with scouts, practice?!). Cheap, and probably includes many of the best softball players in the immediate area who also play volleyball. No subs, as everyone bats. Positions rotate. The 2nd ptcher rotates every inning in the outfield with the other 3 outfielders.

No one is being disregarded. Get it !! We win. Best solution for everyone on our team. We have 6 Tourneys to go, and will surprise many. Sure beats playing for a super org., paying triple, seeing half time with a 15 player roster, and being threatened for not being a team player for missing practicing. We are a very fast "athletic" team. Lean, mean, softball machine.

I won't lie, however, and say we are better than the 'True Gold' teams we play against. The teams with great athletes, who are one sport oriented, and practice all the time. We will win the majority of games against 'A Level' competition, lesser athletes, who practice all the time. The game at the upper levels is still about how athletic the team is, when everyone has spent much of their youth on the ball field.

Lesson to all young player parents. Travel softball is wonderful. There are many options, if you have a good player, a nice family demeanor, and talk to folks, make friends, with as many people as you can at the ball field. No one knows the path your DD will take. Always have 2nd, 3rd, and 4th options in the works as situations change.

We are super happy !!

Sparky Guy said:

Unfortunately, it's not "their" organization. It belongs to all of the players on the team(s). I have no problem with players playing multiple sports. I have a problem with a player's decision that effects the rest of the team. A player trying to play two in-season club sports at the same time is doing both a huge disservice when they make a decision to miss team functions for one over the other.

Missing team functions in season and not expecting consequences is a backhanded way of putting themselves above the rest of their teammates on both teams. Call me old school, but I do believe in the team concept when it comes to sports and commitment. There is no I in team, but some players like to use the M & E in it. That thought process completely disregards the girls who've made the choice to play one sport and dedicate themselves wholly to that sport and team.

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Please someone define "in season" for softball. And would your definition match mine? Softball for most was spring and summer. But for a lot of coaches it's become either softball season or Christmas break

In the south (less GA), there is spring high school softball season. Summer high stakes travel softball season. And fall travel softball showcase season.

When I said "in season" this fall, I meant the high school volleyball teams are in season ... now.

The college scouts in our area visit, in mass, once in early summer. They then go to whatever nationals they choose in late summer. And visit a couple more showcase tourney's here in fall.

Older, good players, evaluate where they want to play EVERY SEASON. Picking a team in early summer, and some change in early fall. The good players can just pick and choose. Most stay with the same all year, but everyone knows when "silly season" is ... late April ... and August, each year.

trevdev said:

She's a Senior and she has her furture on the line with this Club.

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Really now? Are you talking her future as in her college aspirations and free or reduced education to get a good job and be a productive member of society future or her "present" future in wanting to play basketball too cause its fun?

But in reality, for my team (much younger age and not near the stakes), school comes first. No penalties for girls missing practice due to school activities. However....if it interferes too much, a girl may have to decide what she really wants to do.