Hi all,
I am a fellow fastpitch parent and new to this site, so I apologize if this topic has been covered, but would like some input from those that have been there/done that. My dd is a birth year 99, on a team that just moved up to
14U. These girls have been playing together for 2-3 years, team has good chemistry. Not a superstar in the bunch, but several very good players, and the team does well. We travel at least once a month within state, and occasionally to neighboring states.
Half of the girls are eighth graders, and the other half are seventh graders (being born late 99). Should we be starting showcases this early??? The parents of the older girls, obviously think its time to jump in, while some of us are enjoying where we are at, as long as the girls are progressing and having fun. I have heard many parents say that once you reach "showcase age", this ceases to be fun. At that point, it becomes a stressful, self-centered battle for attention. (I would say dd centered, but the egos really seem to be about the parents). We all want what's best for our dd's, obviously, but I am of the mindset that freshman year would be a good time to be looking at and contacting schools. (my family personally has Div 2 or 3 in mind, with realistic goals that playing college ball would be an awesome opportunity, but not the end of the world if it doesn't happen - dd has the grades and drive to achieve her goals through many avenues).
How many 7th graders (grad year 2018) really even know what course of study they will go into? Or what schools interest them?
Any advice? Thanks!
I am a fellow fastpitch parent and new to this site, so I apologize if this topic has been covered, but would like some input from those that have been there/done that. My dd is a birth year 99, on a team that just moved up to
14U. These girls have been playing together for 2-3 years, team has good chemistry. Not a superstar in the bunch, but several very good players, and the team does well. We travel at least once a month within state, and occasionally to neighboring states.
Half of the girls are eighth graders, and the other half are seventh graders (being born late 99). Should we be starting showcases this early??? The parents of the older girls, obviously think its time to jump in, while some of us are enjoying where we are at, as long as the girls are progressing and having fun. I have heard many parents say that once you reach "showcase age", this ceases to be fun. At that point, it becomes a stressful, self-centered battle for attention. (I would say dd centered, but the egos really seem to be about the parents). We all want what's best for our dd's, obviously, but I am of the mindset that freshman year would be a good time to be looking at and contacting schools. (my family personally has Div 2 or 3 in mind, with realistic goals that playing college ball would be an awesome opportunity, but not the end of the world if it doesn't happen - dd has the grades and drive to achieve her goals through many avenues).
How many 7th graders (grad year 2018) really even know what course of study they will go into? Or what schools interest them?
Any advice? Thanks!