I take no issue with players participating in multiple sports. Just do not make it into something that it is not.
When high school activities collide with Showcasing
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I take no issue with players participating in multiple sports. Just do not make it into something that it is not.
why does it bother you when kids who are on multiple sports teams are considered multi sport athletes? That seems to be the sticking point for you. Is it a designation that somehow detracts from single sport "performers" to you?
My best all around player (starting 3B, lead off, team leader/captain) plays 3 other sports, plays piano and flute at what our school district calls a "gifted" level, participates in student council, dances and cheers, gets straight A's, and is one of the most well adjusted human beings I've ever met. Just a totally great kid. She'll probably get an academic scholarship if she keeps going on her current path, and she's good enough on the diamond to probably get an offer or 2 down the line as well. Although I understand she's even better at tennis.
Not at all. You have to ask yourself what a college coach looks for when they use the term athlete? I am talking about quality programs at all levels, not the ones who just need someone who can fog a mirror. They want someone that they can morph into whatever they will need in the future. To me if you can start and dominate in several sports you are a multi-sport Athlete. Think of people like Bo Jackson, Dave Winfield, John Elway, Dot Richardson, Jennie Finch. They were multi-sport ATHLETES not participants. At most High Schools you can count these kids on 1 hand. People love to say - Well, Jennie Finch played and lettered in 3 HS sports, and it worked for her! Unfortunately, their kid is most likely NOT Jennie Finch or even close. So yes coaches want multi-sport athletes. But they are not talking about an above average softball player who is mediocre at 2 other HS sports.
I see kids missing recruiting opportunities and not progressing in softball because they are wasting valuable time chasing HS letters. I know of a HS Junior who is/was a promising CF and speedy slapper, but has issues with her arm. This Fall she decided to chase a HS letter and has missed some showcase games for bowling tournaments. I told her and her parents this was a bad idea and that if she truly wants to play in college she should be spending the time getting her grades up and learning to properly throw a softball. Unfortunately this situation is all too common.
There seems to be this school of thought that just playing multiple sports makes you a better softball player. In lieu of doing nothing I am sure that is true. However, for most their softball skills degrade and the time spent warming the pine or getting limited playing time in another sport will not allow them to keep up with the kids who are working it year round. But that letter jacket sure looks good! Like it or not the competition for scholarships is stronger than ever and for some they only have about 24 months to complete the recruiting process. Most cannot afford to put their softball skills on the shelf for months at a time. They are competing with the kids who are working it year round by playing ball, hitting the gym, skills lessons, and time with a strength/agility coach. For many of my players their "other sport" is Crossfit. I even have some that do not play HS ball because the cost in terms of time versus benefit is way too low. They are better off working on their own. Others are blessed to be zoned to schools that have top notch programs and actually get better playing HS ball. I am not saying do not play other sports, but if you do, let it be the best and highest use of your time and not just an exercise in self indulgence.
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I agree with Riseball...except for:
College coaches don't care whether your DD is a multi-sport athlete. It is just one more phrase they say, like "Our school has a great business program!"'; "You can major in nuclear physics *AND* be the starting SS!"; and "We want team players!". It is BS.
College coaches want fully developed softball players. They do not want to teach your DD anything or "fix" anything. They want your DD to be able to be a starter from the second she shows up for her first practice.
This is what makes it difficult...your child only has one pass at HS, and one chance to play sports, march in the band, and be on the speech club. On the other hand, if your DD really wants to "go for the brass ring", your child almost has to quit doing everything else *but* softball.
I experienced both. DD#1 devoted herself to softball, got the D1 scholarship. DD#3 did not devote herself solely to basketball, lettered in 4 sports in HS, and played D3 hoops. They were both exceptional athletes, but they were different people with different goals.
College coaches don't care whether your DD is a multi-sport athlete. It is just one more phrase they say, like "Our school has a great business program!"'; "You can major in nuclear physics *AND* be the starting SS!"; and "We want team players!". It is BS.
College coaches want fully developed softball players. They do not want to teach your DD anything or "fix" anything. They want your DD to be able to be a starter from the second she shows up for her first practice.
This is what makes it difficult...your child only has one pass at HS, and one chance to play sports, march in the band, and be on the speech club. On the other hand, if your DD really wants to "go for the brass ring", your child almost has to quit doing everything else *but* softball.
I experienced both. DD#1 devoted herself to softball, got the D1 scholarship. DD#3 did not devote herself solely to basketball, lettered in 4 sports in HS, and played D3 hoops. They were both exceptional athletes, but they were different people with different goals.
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OS - As you know, we are just getting into the recruiting process. These are the things I have learned so far regarding this issue. Coaches don't care if your DD is a multi sport athlete or not. I think deep down they want the player to do anything they can to be a better athlete, but the bottom line is softball. They all say they think being a multi sport athlete is great because they are supposed to say that and it makes everyone feel warm and fuzzy. The reality is the coach is only interested in what impact your DD can make when she sets foot on campus.
She is going to have to make a call and commit to one at the expense of the other.
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I think no matter which side of the argument you're on, the real danger is saying "college coaches want X." You can't paint them all with the same brush. Different coaches look for different things.
Some want their players fully formed. Some don't care about that, because they're going to teach them their way. (I'm pretty sure John Wooden would have fallen into the latter category.)
Those who want them fully formed will based decisions on skills. Those who are planning to teach them what they want will look for some skill level as a starting point, but will favor athletes who can learn quickly rather than being "stuck" in the way they do things.
Some want their players fully formed. Some don't care about that, because they're going to teach them their way. (I'm pretty sure John Wooden would have fallen into the latter category.)
Those who want them fully formed will based decisions on skills. Those who are planning to teach them what they want will look for some skill level as a starting point, but will favor athletes who can learn quickly rather than being "stuck" in the way they do things.
The freakin bar gets raised again. You're talking once in a lifetime athletes at the high school level not count them on one hand.
both my dd played 3 sports in hs. our schools is fairly small 800-900 students but almost all the athletic girls play multiple sports or the hs teams would not be competitive. dd #1 just graduated played volleyball,basketball and softball. she played varsity all but her freshman year in bball and volleyball. she wanted to play softball in college and found a home in d3 the coach loved that she played multiple sports but i don't know if she is just saying that. she received bball offers from a few d2 and d3 schools but didn't have any desire to play. she only played the sport in season during high school and over summer played both travel softball and a few bball tournaments. dd#2 is junior this year she plays soccer, bball and softball. she has played in a few fall softball tournaments this year with the soccer coaches approval. it has cost her some playing time in soccer but she is not a starter in that sport and just enjoys playing. i feel that it is up to each girl to make that decision. we have a pitcher that is in the same class as dd2 and she dropped all sports but softball after she verballed to a d1 this summer. remember it is their life and they need to do what makes them hapy we just need to steer them a little.
- Jan 9, 2015
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Again, if her dream is to play college softball then we would attend the showcases. If her dream is to attend college and play basketball, then we would skip the showcases. However, I don't understand why someone would play on a showcase team if their ultimate goal isn't to play college ball.
