Is H.S. ball worth the time?

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Jan 31, 2015
249
43
DD is a freshman pitcher/starter on a *B* conference H.S. team that just finished its first winning season in six years (brag: in large part to her pitching and hitting 3rd, since she was the only freshman starter). The problem is that in our area, high school softball is a joke, her coach is clueless, and the level of play is one step up from rec ball (seriously).

On the other hand, DD is on a club that has developed more div I players in the area than any other, including getting a free ride to a freshman this year at my DD's #1 school.

DD just turned 14 in Jan, since she started school a year early, so she's the only H.S. player on her 14U team, although she did play up with the 16U team some in the fall.

H.S. practices take up a lot of time (practices 5 days/week, 2 hours/day plus games plus playoffs), and there were many conflicts with her club team workouts (3-4 days/week) and tournaments (3-4/month), although she tried to do both to the extent possible, but her grades were negatively impacted a bit (only so many hours in a week!).

To what extent to div I coaches look at H.S. accomplishments in areas where H.S. ball is a joke?

At this point we are contemplating DD just putting all her time into her club team who knows how to develop div I players and whose coach is connected to the div I coaches, since the H.S. coach has developed ZERO div I players.

Thoughts?
 
Last edited:
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I do not think college coaches care about HS. For the most part 16 and 18U teams go dark here during HS season. Being able to still play 14U might have gotten her games, you might want to see what 16 an 18 teams are doing before you make your final decision.
 
Jan 31, 2015
249
43
I do not think college coaches care about HS. For the most part 16 and 18U teams go dark here during HS season. Being able to still play 14U might have gotten her games, you might want to see what 16 an 18 teams are doing before you make your final decision.

Roger that.

Her club coach is bringing up the first year 14U team, but he and the 16U/18U coach collaborate player development, so a couple of the older 14 year old freshman girls are on the 16U/18U team, and he let my DD play up in the fall at least when it didn't conflict w/ the 14U tournament schedule.

Besides, she still has a good deal of work to do before she's div I caliber, so we're fine where she is on the club. The only question is that if she played no more H.S. ball, would that be considered a negative by div I coaches?

Thanks for you feedback.
 
Jan 30, 2018
252
0
SE Michigan
An Org my DD used to play for would have a "college night" where we brought in 3 or 4 college coaches to talk about the college experience as a player and answer question of parents and players. Usually there was a coach from every level D-1, II, NAIA, etc. One parent asked if college coaches go to high school games. They all said no unless it was to see someone they already signed and it would be just because they were in the area and it would be just to say hi. The D-1 coach said absolutely not, no member of her staff goes to HS games.

That being said, it is totally up to the girls themselves. My daughter is in MS and cant play both so at this point she is not playing school ball. The only reason she wants to is to "show all the other girls that think they are good that they aren't". So letting them show off may not be a bad thing. I always told her team could go win the PGF championship on the weekend and no one at school will care on Monday. Playing school ball in our area definitely would not be for competition.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,410
113
Texas
It will be hard to win Team MVP, First Team All District, Academic All District, District Pitcher of the Year if she doesn't play. If she plays in college what accolades will she put on her Bio? What will she do with her time if she is not playing ball in the Spring?
 
Feb 28, 2015
307
28
Heatbox
Playing High school ball is worth it. School spirit and pride come to mind. If you are a good player on a good team you may have a College coach or 2 watching some of your games. :cool:

With that being said....High school ball is either heaven or heck and everything in between.
 

TMD

Feb 18, 2016
433
43
It's unfortunate that you live in a state that allows girls to participate on a HS and non-HS team in the same sport at the same time. Can't do that in IL. Trying to do both while still being able to focus on what is ultimately MOST important - grades - is tough.

But to your question, and has been stated, college coaches don't care about HS so much. In most areas, the HS and college seasons are at the same time, so there is little to no opportunity for college coaches to come watch HS games while worrying about their own season.

Some college coaches never mention HS, others may want to know why a girl is not playing HS, others may say "keep me updated as to how you're doing", etc.

I also find it odd that for something that ultimately means little to nothing for recruiting, every college player's roster bio is filled with HS accolades (many of which are highly exaggerated or outright fabricated...but that's another thread).
 

obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
To what extent to div I coaches look at H.S. accomplishments in areas where H.S. ball is a joke?
I can tell you one thing every coach is very interested in- GRADES!!

What does your DD want to do after college? Playing for a DI school in college doesn't guarantee a happy life. Someone told me (and ive heard it several times since) that your DD should choose a school that she would want to go to even if she couldnt play ball there.

I’m always the first one to compain about HS and say HS doesnt matter, so believe me when i say “it all depends”.....

HS ball can be an excellent experience, team bonding, representing your School/town on the field, going deep into the playoffs, being recognized for your hard work with awards, all-star /all-conference nomnations, newspaper articles, etc. it can be fun and that is what its all about.

As far as colleges go, i have heard a number of DI coaches say that whether you play ball in HS or not doesnt affect whether or not you’ll be recruited. And that its not uncommon. The DII and DIII seasons end in time for those coaches to attend HS games, but except for here at DFP, ive never heard of it happening. I do hear about it and see it at pretty much EVERY TB tournament. UPDATE: at a HS game last night and a parent recognized a D3 coach from the school his DD will attend. Not sure why the coach was there, but she didnt visit or talk to my friends DD. So apparently it can happen. I just wouldnt count on it.

If you want to play HS ball, the TB coach should allow you to be with the HS team until that season is over. Thats why U16 + U18 usually go dark untill HS season is over. (Im surprised shes not playing up on U16 or 18)

Our College recruiting experience:
My DDs (both) loved softball, had bad HS experiences but excellent TB experience.
DD1 walked on in college (DIII) and DD2 chose a college that doesnt recruit and hopes to walk on in the fall.

When DD2 was a HS freshman, she realized she wasnt going to wind up being recruited by Alabama, so she started thinking about what colleges had to offer besides softball and that led her to gravitate more toward DIII schools. In the fall of her Junior year, she had selected (5) schools she wanted to pursue, a DI, a DII and (3) DIII’s. In the end it was between the DII and a DIII but the DII was always her favorite and thats what she chose, even though the coach had been unresponsive to her correspondence over the course of the year. She met the coach this past january and they have maintained infrequent communication since then. (Both have been very busy)

More than you asked, i just wanted you to see how it worked out for someone else who is at the end of our recruiting adventure between HS and college, and it didnt go according to plan or “like everyone else”. She always thought she would be recruited and know she would be joining a college team in the fall, but shes still working on it and excited to be going to her first choice school even though softball is not guaranteed, but it is likely.
 
Last edited:

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
Is HS Ball worth it? If you have to ask this question, then no it is not. Besides, why put of with the misery of all of those HS Coaches who don't know a thing about the game. Have her go play TB where all of those coaches are well versed and can get your child a college scholarship.
 

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