My 14U daughter is entering high school next year. She has played rec and travel softball, and club ball 10u through 14u. Stayed on one team for three years and then when that fell apart moved to another team with half of the girls. As a parent, I would say these were all primarily positive experiences -- one year with a dud coach, but overall good playing time, good level of competition, good skill development, etc. Relatively little drama.
I noticed however this year that she started seeming a little burnt out. Didn't seem to look forward to practices or tournaments, was happy when a school conflict presented itself, etc. She plays more than one sport, so I thought maybe it was softball that was fading away for her. After probing a little, I finally discovered the issue. She wants to play for a TEAM.
I never really thought about it, but while we all want to win on Sunday, the teams she has played for have been very individually focused. Each kid and parent there for their individual development, reps, experience. We are all friendly and cheer each other on, but it's just not a team. And then when I think about it further, I realize that this has been the case for my daughter most of the time in softball. It has not been the case in her other sports, though admittedly she hasn't been playing those sports at the same high level -- I am sure if you get high enough up the ladder in any of these sports, the same thing happens.
I am hoping high school will be different. But I have a hard time seeing how club softball could be more team oriented in 18u and 16u. At that point players are there thinking mostly about college, which means even less team oriented? She has considered playing in college, but honestly, this 'team' issue is so big for her that I think she wants to pull the plug on club (or maybe all!) softball altogether and at long last I finally get it.
Is this really what it is? Is it the era? Is she just on the wrong team? In my day we didn't care what position we played or even if we played. We just wanted our crew to win. It's what I remember most and miss most about playing. I hope that hasn't disappeared, because that might mean the end of this sport for my daughter.
I noticed however this year that she started seeming a little burnt out. Didn't seem to look forward to practices or tournaments, was happy when a school conflict presented itself, etc. She plays more than one sport, so I thought maybe it was softball that was fading away for her. After probing a little, I finally discovered the issue. She wants to play for a TEAM.
I never really thought about it, but while we all want to win on Sunday, the teams she has played for have been very individually focused. Each kid and parent there for their individual development, reps, experience. We are all friendly and cheer each other on, but it's just not a team. And then when I think about it further, I realize that this has been the case for my daughter most of the time in softball. It has not been the case in her other sports, though admittedly she hasn't been playing those sports at the same high level -- I am sure if you get high enough up the ladder in any of these sports, the same thing happens.
I am hoping high school will be different. But I have a hard time seeing how club softball could be more team oriented in 18u and 16u. At that point players are there thinking mostly about college, which means even less team oriented? She has considered playing in college, but honestly, this 'team' issue is so big for her that I think she wants to pull the plug on club (or maybe all!) softball altogether and at long last I finally get it.
Is this really what it is? Is it the era? Is she just on the wrong team? In my day we didn't care what position we played or even if we played. We just wanted our crew to win. It's what I remember most and miss most about playing. I hope that hasn't disappeared, because that might mean the end of this sport for my daughter.