I definitely agree. When sitting around in a circle stretching (we don't count, we use this time to bond and stretch what we need for as long as we need to) we were talking about our parents and softball. (Varsity softball practice) We talked about how many of us, the only time we get along with our parents is when on the softball field. This is what has brought us together with our families because they've had to give up so much for us to chase our dreams. Every minute of the wild ride has been worth it, absolutely worth it.
For everything else.. there's MasterCard.
- Thread starter SBDadSanDiego
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- Jun 22, 2008
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- 48
I did not say not to spend the money, just suggested that it be done for the right reason. Too many people spend thousands and thousand of dollars chasing a scholarship. Of course, there are many with very positive experiences. How many are there that the experience wasn't positive and how many would admit it if it was?
I think a lot of people are chasing a carrot that isn't attainable for many, at least not at the level which is preached. And there are plenty of coaches supporting the pyramid. I see and hear it around the fields all the time. Don't know how many times I've heard, "You daughter needs to play for our teams if she wants a chance at getting a scholarship". I've seen parents accosted at tournaments by coaches and parents of other organizations in the middle of the game trying to recruit their daughter while she is out on the field playing.
In some parts of the country it has become an industry. And if you think I'm a little too cynical, why else would it be so important to some to eliminate college players from playing on teams for which they are legally eligible?
Don't misunderstand, I think it is great that young ladies get the opportunity to get a 1st class education in return for their athletic prowess. However, there are more promises made than there are scholarships available and those who have been there are aware of it. That is why I believe the financial priority should be focused on the education instead of the game. That way, the available schools may not be limited only to those where a scholarship is available.
I just think that if college is the target, that should be the priority in finances. Not take a chance on an athletic scholarship being available to the right school.
JMHO
I think a lot of people are chasing a carrot that isn't attainable for many, at least not at the level which is preached. And there are plenty of coaches supporting the pyramid. I see and hear it around the fields all the time. Don't know how many times I've heard, "You daughter needs to play for our teams if she wants a chance at getting a scholarship". I've seen parents accosted at tournaments by coaches and parents of other organizations in the middle of the game trying to recruit their daughter while she is out on the field playing.
In some parts of the country it has become an industry. And if you think I'm a little too cynical, why else would it be so important to some to eliminate college players from playing on teams for which they are legally eligible?
Don't misunderstand, I think it is great that young ladies get the opportunity to get a 1st class education in return for their athletic prowess. However, there are more promises made than there are scholarships available and those who have been there are aware of it. That is why I believe the financial priority should be focused on the education instead of the game. That way, the available schools may not be limited only to those where a scholarship is available.
I just think that if college is the target, that should be the priority in finances. Not take a chance on an athletic scholarship being available to the right school.
JMHO
..."When sitting around in a circle stretching..."
Amanda, you obviously aren't following Marc's advice on dynamic stretching!
Amanda, you obviously aren't following Marc's advice on dynamic stretching!
..."When sitting around in a circle stretching..."
Amanda, you obviously aren't following Marc's advice on dynamic stretching!
Eh, out of my control--must do as coach says!
- Dec 19, 2008
- 164
- 0
I have a friend who tracked every penny. From 12U - 18U Gold, he spent $65,000+. His daughter got a full ride to D1. By full ride I mean everything including meals, travel expenses, AND spending money per month (while playing softball). Total - $136,000 for 4 years. Do the math.
An athletic scholarship? That's not $136,000 for 4 years, that's $34,000 per year for every year the coach feels she's worth renewing. Not a subtle difference.
Greenmonsters
Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
The math works out great in the case of this girl who I'm sure worked hard and for her family who I'm sure made many sacrifices in addition to those financial. However, the big picture odds of any specific 12U player getting a similar scholarship probably are in the range of 1:100 to 1:1000. In other words, its a highly risky and fiscally unsound investment strategy and your odds are far, far better at the casino.
Provide your kids opportunities to discover and pursue their passions, whether it be SB, dance, band etc., and enjoy the ride, but don't expect it to be free!
GM
- Jun 22, 2008
- 3,438
- 48
And that is one girl out of how many? And how many scholarships ARE full rides? Nice needle out of a haystack.
Maybe I should bring up the guy who lived next door, who became an umpire to learn about the game and then went total "daddy-ball" with his daughter. Played on a different TB team every year. He went to the team that would have him. Four years of HS, four HS. He always moved to a team which would promise her some type of exposure (as if HS even provided that) and would hire him as an assistant.
He went so crazy and spent every penny, his wife walked away from him, but that did not deter him nor DD. He chased the carrot into oblivion. Daughter bounced around some CC and JC.
I know that is the extreme, but suits my argument
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Hi Everyone,
This is a great topic and I would like to take it from a different angle. My wife and I were married coming up on six years ago. She had two daughter’s one age10 and the other age 4 and I became their stepfather. After watching Brittany the older one play a year of baseball I insisted she play softball the next so she could play with other girls. Not realizing there was such a thing as Fastpitch when the season started I was shocked to see how competitive the game is. During the course of the season Brittany decided she wanted to pitch and I gave her what limited help I could in the matter. Playing in a rec-league in which the coach knew nothing of pitching mechanics or how to teach them I realized if this was something she really wanted to do I would need to go elsewhere for instruction. So I researched on the web and was surprised to find out there were traveling programs and even teams that played in the fall. Since we lived in the inner city at the time there were no available teams to play for locally so we chose one representing a nearby suburb. The first practice came and it was eye opening how much better these girls were than the ones she had previously played for. Similarly, my daughter who now was 12, pitched in the low 20’s and the other pitchers were hovering in the mid 40’s. To her credit she did not see this as an obstacle, but committed herself to improving to their level. The fall was tremendous she made new friends and enjoyed the company of other’s as driven by the game as herself. During the winter she attended pitching lessons and batting practice and was becoming better. Now for the reason of my post…
Living in a far different income bracket as those my daughter was playing with, the price tag for summer ball was beyond my reach. However, the coach’s wife suggested I apply Brittany for a scholarship. I did this and despite what I viewed as her clearly inferior skills to her teammates the association granted it. The summer season was incredible, my daughters commitment in the winter increased both her speed and accuracy on the mound, and the batting practice took her already pretty good baseball swing to a new level. The team won tournaments and despite being classified as a “c” level team earned a “b” level invitation to nationals. The warmth and acceptance we received during that summer caused us to enroll Brittany in the school district so that she might attend school with her new friends. Each year her play has improved and the association and other parents have graciously helped us financially to maintain her level of play. Now while I have paid a fair amount of money on Brittany’s equipment (Anderson rocket tech I bought her two years ago being the best) and pitching lessons. I daresay it could have been a lot more. She made the Junior Varsity this year and has a fair chance of moving up to Varsity at some point this year however, this pales in comparison to what else this has created for us.
As I said earlier Brittany is my step daughter and there was some tension when my wife and I were married. However, the hours spent at parks in the summer and gyms during the winter pitching and hitting have given us untold hours alone together that I probably would not have had without softball. I cannot fully express how much this has meant to me. No amount of money could replace it. Having watched her progress from an awkward insecure young lady to a confident athletic young woman has been amazing. This I owe to the generosity of many people and the game we both have come to love.
Mike
This is a great topic and I would like to take it from a different angle. My wife and I were married coming up on six years ago. She had two daughter’s one age10 and the other age 4 and I became their stepfather. After watching Brittany the older one play a year of baseball I insisted she play softball the next so she could play with other girls. Not realizing there was such a thing as Fastpitch when the season started I was shocked to see how competitive the game is. During the course of the season Brittany decided she wanted to pitch and I gave her what limited help I could in the matter. Playing in a rec-league in which the coach knew nothing of pitching mechanics or how to teach them I realized if this was something she really wanted to do I would need to go elsewhere for instruction. So I researched on the web and was surprised to find out there were traveling programs and even teams that played in the fall. Since we lived in the inner city at the time there were no available teams to play for locally so we chose one representing a nearby suburb. The first practice came and it was eye opening how much better these girls were than the ones she had previously played for. Similarly, my daughter who now was 12, pitched in the low 20’s and the other pitchers were hovering in the mid 40’s. To her credit she did not see this as an obstacle, but committed herself to improving to their level. The fall was tremendous she made new friends and enjoyed the company of other’s as driven by the game as herself. During the winter she attended pitching lessons and batting practice and was becoming better. Now for the reason of my post…
Living in a far different income bracket as those my daughter was playing with, the price tag for summer ball was beyond my reach. However, the coach’s wife suggested I apply Brittany for a scholarship. I did this and despite what I viewed as her clearly inferior skills to her teammates the association granted it. The summer season was incredible, my daughters commitment in the winter increased both her speed and accuracy on the mound, and the batting practice took her already pretty good baseball swing to a new level. The team won tournaments and despite being classified as a “c” level team earned a “b” level invitation to nationals. The warmth and acceptance we received during that summer caused us to enroll Brittany in the school district so that she might attend school with her new friends. Each year her play has improved and the association and other parents have graciously helped us financially to maintain her level of play. Now while I have paid a fair amount of money on Brittany’s equipment (Anderson rocket tech I bought her two years ago being the best) and pitching lessons. I daresay it could have been a lot more. She made the Junior Varsity this year and has a fair chance of moving up to Varsity at some point this year however, this pales in comparison to what else this has created for us.
As I said earlier Brittany is my step daughter and there was some tension when my wife and I were married. However, the hours spent at parks in the summer and gyms during the winter pitching and hitting have given us untold hours alone together that I probably would not have had without softball. I cannot fully express how much this has meant to me. No amount of money could replace it. Having watched her progress from an awkward insecure young lady to a confident athletic young woman has been amazing. This I owe to the generosity of many people and the game we both have come to love.
Mike
I hope that Brittany gets a chance to read that. What an awesome story.
