The "Hissy-Quit"

[CMMom1740]

Right. Parents have a right to be unhappy. They pay a lot of money and if promises aren't delivered on, they certainly might feel angry. They do not have a right to cause a scene, embarrass their child, or be abusive to anyone. But sometimes, the coach IS the problem. It CAN happen. Let's just not forget that.

 

[_MIA_]

That was really all my point was.

In my first response I agreed with you on this in my first line. I don't think anybody can justify the actions taken by the person(s) in the OP, in particular in the middle of the game. I would go so far as saying pulling your kid during a tournament is never warranted either. Making decisions in the heat of the moment is typically never a good idea.

 

[_MIA_]

But sometimes, the coach IS the problem. It CAN happen. Let's just not forget that.

I don't think anybody is disagreeing with that.

 

[CMMom1740]

I don't think anybody is disagreeing with that.

There's just lots of talk about crazy parents in this thread that seems to imply that they are always at fault. Their behavior is certainly their own responsibility, but the reason for their "upset-ness" might lie elsewhere.

 

[Eric F]

Yes, you are. But you are also paying to get your DD in a position to get that education paid for by the scholarship.

There are other types of scholarships you can obtain as well, not just athletic.

I'm paying for my DD to have a great time playing the game she loves, at the level that she has worked very hard to achieve. In that, she's learning a lot of very valuable life lessons. If someone offers to pay her college education due to her skills as a softball player, that's great, but getting an athletic scholarship is not a primary goal for her playing travel ball.

Your previous comment lead me to believe that you think there is no future for college softball players. If their goal is to keep playing softball, you're right that it is not a viable path, financially (sadly). However, since a college education is also part of that package, it's the education that should be setting the path towards the future.

Yes, I'm aware that there are other kinds of scholarships than just athletic.

 

[hummingbird]

Right. Parents have a right to be unhappy. They pay a lot of money and if promises aren't delivered on, they certainly might feel angry. They do not have a right to cause a scene, embarrass their child, or be abusive to anyone. But sometimes, the coach IS the problem. It CAN happen. Let's just not forget that.

My DD does not play TB yet.. but I know some parents who used to coach TB teams and swear to never do it again, exactly for the type of reasons which parents on this thread are complaining about.

One of the coaches told me about situations where parents would complain of their DD not getting playing time, even though the parents experienced their DD's constantly letting simple ground balls roll between their legs. Of course this is just his side of the story, but point is, there is always two sides to stories isn't there.

Yes, could be the coaches fault, but could also be the parents innate bias in how good their DDs are.

I am happy I found this thread though, because I am still on the fence of letting my DD join a newly formed TB club this fall...

 

[grcsftbll]

But the "culture" of travel softball, preys on parents fears.

This is so, so true. Parents of 10 and 12 year olds do not need to be obsessing about how to get their kids an athletic scholarship. The other day DD said to me, "It's a game, not a job." It is too easy to forget that sometimes, when you feel the pressure of taking all the lessons and finding the "next level" and attending the right showcases and all that jazz. It's ok to just let them love the game and find their own way. The ones who have the drive and talent and work ethic to play in college will probably play in college regardless of what their 10U, 12U or 14U jersey says on the front.

 

[hummingbird]

but getting an athletic scholarship is not a primary goal for her playing travel ball.

Do you think you are in the majority or minority?

 

[Orange Socks]

Yes, you are. But you are also paying to get your DD in a position to get that education paid for by the scholarship.

There are other types of scholarships you can obtain as well, not just athletic.

I don't mind sharing this if this helps others. My DD will be attending a high academic D3 in Texas. She received no scholarships from the school. No FAFSA help, no academic monies and of course no athletic monies. The academic scholarships have changed drastically over the past couple of years. 3 years ago you could get 1/2 your tuition paid for with a 29 ACT...Now it's 32 ACT. They also have full tuition schollies available which are for those braniacs that get 35/36 ACT. My DD missed out. But she did receive an outside private foundation scholarship that gives her 10K a year. She also rec'd $1950 in Booster club and District one time shollies. Her college is actually cheaper without schollies than getting a 50% scholarship from Boston U or Lehigh, which was her intentions as a 15 yo. It's all about the Net cost to the parents. Set up those 529 plans and fund the hell out them. You will thank yourself later.

 

[_MIA_]

I am happy I found this thread though, because I am still on the fence of letting my DD join a newly formed TB club this fall...

My DD just finished her second year of TB and it has been pretty much drama free at least outwardly. I am sure the coach has had private conversations with parents that I am not privy to (I know of one such conversation at least because the parent asked for my advice beforehand and I told him to have the conversation). Now this was 10U so things may start to ratchet up as she gets older but from the drama perspective, it has been relatively smooth sailing. Personally the only conversation I have had with the HC regarding game related stuff was the last tournament of this year where I told him he should move my kid down in the lineup because of the way she was swinging (he didn't listen..he probably should have LOL!! )