Trying to Move to Comp and Not Sure We Should

[WagonPuller]

Lot's of orgs have more than one team at each age. The good orgs will find the appropriate opponents for each team to play. At that age, if she works hard, and gets some solid instruction, she will likely be a completely different player by spring.

Thanks....I'm trying to find those organizations as this is pretty new to me. I see a lot of postings for tryouts for A and B levels, but not too many for C. If we miss this season by not getting on a team, she'll continue to play and we'll just work hard for her to improve in all aspects of the game so she'll be ready for the next go 'round of tryouts (and I'll be better prepared too).

 

[quincy]

Do not believe the Team`s ranking. You need to do some research and talk to some people but most B Teams I would classify as C Teams.

Good luck to your DD In tryouts.

 

[WagonPuller]

Do not believe the Team`s ranking. You need to do some research and talk to some people but most B Teams I would classify as C Teams.

Good luck to your DD In tryouts.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm going to head out to our fields now and watch some of the teams play in their tournament to get some insight. Appreciate the response and good wishes.

 

[MB2.0LHT]

My 11yo daughter has been playing for a while. She's been going to a private pitching coach for a year and this past season, everything clicked and she wants to make a commitment to getting better and taking the sport seriously. She just played her last 10U Rec game yesterday and is going to move up to 12U. But she wants to be with girls who take the game as seriously as she wants to. It's not about winning or losing, she just wants teammates who listen to the coach, take direction, do as they're told, try their best, and WANT to improve. Her Rec teams have not been like that (and I know because I'm the coach). I usually have at most 3 girls who really want to play and improve while the rest want to be on a team and wear a uniform. Our Rec organization is more concerned with girls having a good time than development (they handle the boys side very differently). Anyway, she has brought up that she wants to try Comp ball so she can be with serious players, but I'll be honest, from what I have seen, she's not ready. She has the desire and the attitude and she is very coachable, but from what I'm learning, she doesn't have basic skills that she'll need (like sliding) because I haven't been able to teach that (every season I'm given at least 4 Never Evers and I have to start from scratch with "this is how you hold a bat," "this is where you stand in the box," "throw it to 1st --- no not there -- 1st is over there." She knows she is going to be on an incredibly slow trajectory if she sticks around this organization, but she's kind of in Softball Purgatory -- needs to get out of Rec, but isn't ready for the intensity of Comp. I want to support her found love of the game, but I don't want to throw her to the Wolves of Disappointment at the same time. Nor do I want her to have to stay in a place where improving is going to be difficult because she would do so much better if she were surrounded by players who had the same goals. I'm just now learning about the world of Comp softball and from what I can gather, she can play C level, but I'm having a hard time finding those teams -- lots of 12UBs (even As) -- a team where they're looking to take girls with some skills and lots of desire, and will develop them through the next levels. Does such a thing exist? She honestly needs a RecreTive team -- more than Rec, less than Comp. Any advice or words of wisdom (or encouragement)? Thanks!!

Absolutely you should move to TB if your DD wants to be around like minded players and improve her skills.
Work with her as much as she’ll allow and she will build her confidence and improve her skill set.

 

[GoGamecocks]

I'm sure there's some tab or glossary here that contains the answer, but will someone tell me what "comp" is? Is that like travel ball with compensation?

 

[Strike2]

That's the nicest thing I've heard in a while! I actually would love to AC -- head coaching, even at Rec, is a major headache. I love the game and love to help girls develop their skills. Thanks for the heads up that it would be welcome (I often think coaches are "get out of here...I got this covered."

I've seen decent teams fold because the HC couldn't get enough good help. A new team will likely be the most open to bringing a new face onboard, but even established teams with a HC who knows his limits will see the value. DD's team has someone like you and she's sort of the team head doctor. Frankly, you can get away with saying things to adolescent girls that I couldn't even get near.

 

[Strike2]

Do not believe the Team`s ranking. You need to do some research and talk to some people but most B Teams I would classify as C Teams.

Good luck to your DD In tryouts.

And some C teams that are really Bs.

 

[Orange Socks]

Thank for the response! We're in Longmont -- she plays with Niwot Youth Sports in IPGSA Rec.

I have a buddy from College who lives in Longmont. Prospect Newtown? Every summer when we traveled to CO for Boulder IDT we stayed with him and his family for the week. We loved that neighborhood. Colorado Stars and Colorado Styxx have good programs.

 

[BT3100]

I have never heard a kid say that she wants to be on a team that listens to coaches. Good for her!
She will struggle in first year travel, most girls do. By her second year she will catch up or pass the others.
Good Luck.

 

[whiporee]

Comp is short for competitive. My definition is teams that play tournaments but focus on local ones and travel to maybe three tourneys a year. TB would be the teams that are on the road or out of their region most of the season.