letting kids play other sports

[Greenmonsters]

I've heard college coaches say they will take B, with the thinking that she has more room for growth/development once she starts focusing solely on softball.

No right answer, but adding to this argument, player B might be more competition- and/or team-oriented.

 

[Comocoach]

No right answer, but adding to this argument, player B might be more competition- and/or team-oriented.

I hate the multi sport athlete is better argument, but I will concede that a 3 sport athlete is more likely to be coachable and used to working year round. Plenty of specialized players that fit in that box too.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[GunnerShotgun]

I don't have many gymnast coming out for my softball team.

Also for kids that go to smaller schools (middle school and high school) you can play multiple sports so I guess you are a multi sport athlete. If you go to a larger school there are very few kids that play multiple sports as the competition is too high.

 

[Westwind]

This topic is too full of variables and red herrings.

The decision to play or not play other high school sports isn't always based on whether the athlete has the athletic ability play another sport competitively.

Athletes know what is going on in their school with other potential team mates. They know who has bedbug crazy families who act up during games. They know if the athletic director will work on fixing problems with the crazies or if he will ignore it. They have heard first hand how coaches treat players, good or bad. Don't think I need to go any further with the minuses.

They also know the pluses. They know when they want to be part of something bigger. They know when a coach is the kind of person who will make them better on and off the field. They know how rewarding hard work with team mates can be. But they likely already know that. The probably already learned that from their #1 sport. Softball.

If their goal is to play college softball I think most are smart enough to realize that college softball coaches could care less whether you slogged through 4 years of high school basketball for all the right reasons.

 

[bmakj]

Clearly you take the better player but assuming all else is equal I take the single sport kid. I am assuming that she hasn't burned out or has any overuse injuries which are two of the off cited reasons for playing multiple sports.

I don't care that she could throw a javelin in high school. Can she hit a curve ball now?

actually there have been studies that overuse injuries are more prevalent with single sport athletes, because it is the same muscle groups and joints being used in the same way more, where the multisport athletes are actually giving muscles and joints some type of a rest simply by using them differently.

 

[TMoney]

Every coach will tell you they want a multi-sport athlete... until another sport interferes with something they have planned.

 

[Westwind]

actually there have been studies that overuse injuries are more prevalent with single sport athletes, because it is the same muscle groups and joints being used in the same way more, where the multisport athletes are actually giving muscles and joints some type of a rest simply by using them differently.

I think this has been repeated so many times it has become just a bit too much of an accepted fact. It bugs me. Sorry. Here is my take and sorry if I get a little dramatic here but the struggle is real.

Here is how you combat the "disadvantage" of being a single sport athlete. Seek out a variety of strength training, speed training from a *professional trainer* that your athlete enjoys. And do other fun stuff. Outside.

Take breaks from your one sport and skill training for that one sport. Schedule the breaks and abide by them.

Overuse injuries are caused by over use. Be smart and you won't overuse joints and muscles.

Multi sport athletes blow ACL 's constantly at the end of overly long and exhausting high school basketball seasons in my state. (Probably others too). These kids play "voluntary " summer bb and vb, then fall vb, then get a weeks rest before three grueling months of bb start. The last three weeks of bb you can almost go outside at 7-8 pm and hear the ACL's tearing. With any luck these lucky 3 sport athletes get to the end of bb season without any serious pains or injuries and can rest up that whole week before softball or track starts. Much safer.

Meanwhile, that poor single sport athlete has been practicing skills a couple times per week, getting trained a couple times per week by someone who knows what they are doing, (not some meathead body builder that "coaches" hs football and ignores the girls). Hopefully that poor disadvantaged single sport athlete is on regular study and sleep schedule that allows them a social life so they aren't physically and mentally exhausted. Maybe they will even have time to prepare for ACT/SATwhich is where the real money is at for 99% of college students too.

Have lived both scenarios with two kids who regarded softball as their #1 sport and I prefer starting sb season with a single sport athlete ready to roll and uninjured.

 

[_MIA_]

This whole thread reaks of helicopter parenting. Sports are supposed to be fun. If a kid enjoys playing other sports then they should play other sports. If they have more fun just playing one sport than that is
what they should do. Unless it is affecting their schoolwork it really shouldn't be a parent's decision to make. If your DD cannot play for TB team A because she plays another sport which she enjoys playing
then find another team which will allow her to play that sport.

 

[riseball]

This whole thread reaks of helicopter parenting. Sports are supposed to be fun. If a kid enjoys playing other sports then they should play other sports. If they have more fun just playing one sport than that is
what they should do. Unless it is affecting their schoolwork it really shouldn't be a parent's decision to make...

This flies in the face of the role, authority, and responsibility of a true parent. This sounds like a parent that has abdicated their role and assumed that of the minor child's "best friend".

 

[_MIA_]

This files in the face of the role, authority, and responsibility of a true parent. This sounds like a parent that has abdicated their role and assumed that of the minor child's "best friend".

You nailed it. Letting a kid play a sport they love even though it might reduce their chances of the ultimate glory of playing for an SEC softball team is akin to child neglect/abuse. What was a I thinking. Thanks for setting me straight.