What does this really even mean?
If you might think I am not part of this TB crowd PLEASE ask me directly.
I could even show you the odometer on my car!!!!
To answer the many questions, my DD is not a nationally recognized travel ball player. She is a tier 2 type player. Good enough to hit against the best pitchers in the nation, has done so, and had game winners, has been a hero for the brief seconds it took to hit a 70 mph grooved fastball out. I am not here to promote my DD, only that we are honored to have the opportunity to play with and against some of the best softball players in the nation. Whether it is playing with a simple 'A' Level team, against a true Gold Level team, and losing. Or doing it in high school against the best. It is having the chance to hit against the best. My player is only average. This is not about her.
In language a travel ball parent would understand?
A great high school team is usually composed of two or three GOLD players. The rest are just "tier 2" players. Whether they are "tier 2" because they are too young and have not matured enough, or older players who show flashes of brilliance, but are not 5 tool players. More like 3 tool players.
So all understand the make-up of a very good high school team? 3 GOLD players, 9 others.
Most Gold Travel Ball players think they are the key to winning in high school, play better than the other Gold players on the other teams. They focus on what they can do to be a better softball player, for if they are better than the other Gold players, you win right? Not necessarily so as my stories point out.
The truly "great" Gold travel ball players accept this role, but understand the game at a much higher level, and are usually upper-classmen. These great Gold players not only work as hard as they can to get their game better, but they also know they must go above and beyond to help elevate the players who are not as good as she is. Mentor them, bond with them, be friends with them, be modest. Treat the lesser players as EQUALS for this important high school season. THESE are the great Gold travel ball players.
Before the season is over, the Gold players will cancel each other out against the fellow Gold competition players. They are all great, they play great every game. The teams who win are the ones who have elevated the "tier 2" players. Many games are won and lost by these lesser players. These lesser players hold the key to a championship season, or not. Before the season is out, some of the young "tier 2" players BECOME true Gold players.
This is the essence of high school softball. And really for ANY team.
So when I hear parents not understand, and only think it is about how THEIR child plays, I point out they are probably wrong, and really only half way home. It is when you go the extra mile to elevate the players around you are you considered GREAT by everyone around you. I mean everyone, and the glory for this behavior shows up in stories by reporters throughout the land.
But people won't listen and think I have some ulterior motive. I do not. Other than having the perspective to watch my DD elevate because her Gold teammates helped elevate her and be a champion, or watching my DD be smothered, put down, by fellow Gold players, personally play like crap and lose. Its effect is unmistakable.
Last edited: