Tough Decisions regarding Injury + Tryouts

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Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
So, DD's team imploded over Christmas. I started another thread about that. Lost two pitchers, couldn't replace them, and girls started to bail. Simultaneously, DD was diagnosed with mild rotator cuff and bicep tendinitis and ordered to rest and do PT twice per week for 6-8 weeks.

She's been doing the PT, but now we are faced with having to do tryouts with the injury. She's done several already running at about 70% (my best guess). She is a catcher, so, obviously, overhand throwing is a major part of what coaches want to see her do and that is what hurts. She normally has a cannon for an arm and her throwdowns have improved quite a bit even since last August.

She went to a tryout last night for a team she was really interested in. After they did just basic warm-up throwing, she started crying from the pain. They then did intense base-throwing drills for like ever, and DD couldn't even participate. At the end of the tryout, they did throwdowns and she just couldn't even get it to second. She was really hurting.

She's got another tryout tonight for another team she really likes. Obviously, she iced last night and took the prescription Ibuprofen she was given by the ortho. Has PT this afternoon too before the tryout. But, I've got a bunch of tryouts lined up this weekend too.

I'm starting to think we should just pull the plug on the tryouts other than the one tonight. She is terrified and horrified at the prospect of being teamless this spring/summer, but she's just not 100% and these are high level teams.

Any words of wisdom for those who may have been through something like this? This IS my first rodeo as far as injuries go and I don't want to push too hard even though I know it's what she really wants. Trying to balance being cautious with giving her a chance.

Oh, she does have an offer from a high B/low A team, but she really doesn't want to do it. I think it would be better than nothing, but I don't know. We're also waiting to hear about a potential merger of old teammates with some former teammates of one of our girls, but once again, it comes down to waiting on pitchers to make up their minds. The question is whether to forge on ahead with tryouts or just stop after tonight and wait to see what happens.
 
Last edited:

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
She went to a tryout last night for a team she was really interested in. After they did just basic warm-up throwing, she started crying from the pain. They then did intense base-throwing drills for like ever, and DD couldn't even participate. At the end of the tryout, they did throwdowns and she just couldn't even get it to second. She was really hurting.

This isn't normal and is not going to get better overnight. You don't seem to be following doctors orders for rest. Masking the pain with pills isn't the answer. Pull the plug now.

Just tell the coaches she is trying out for that she is interested in the team but can not do the tryout due to doctors orders because she is injured. You are worrying about the wrong thing - you should be way more concerned about her injury than making some team.

There is always another team and another game. If she is good enough to make these sorts of teams, there will be plenty of opportunity when she is ready and frankly, all the coaches probably already know her. As a coach, I am aware of every good player in our area eligible for our age group and know exactly who i would consider and not consider - we have tryouts only on the off chance that once of the 'would takes' turns up or someone new has moved into the area.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
Easy decision, tough situation. There are and will be many teams in your DD's future, but she has only one throwing arm to last her whole life. Rest, heal, and then guest until you find the fit you are looking for.
 
Feb 15, 2016
273
18
This isn't normal and is not going to get better overnight. You don't seem to be following doctors orders for rest. Masking the pain with pills isn't the answer. Pull the plug now.

Just tell the coaches she is trying out for that she is interested in the team but can not do the tryout due to doctors orders because she is injured. You are worrying about the wrong thing - you should be way more concerned about her injury than making some team.

There is always another team and another game. If she is good enough to make these sorts of teams, there will be plenty of opportunity when she is ready and frankly, all the coaches probably already know her. As a coach, I am aware of every good player in our area eligible for our age group and know exactly who i would consider and not consider - we have tryouts only on the off chance that once of the 'would takes' turns up or someone new has moved into the area.

Great advice! If she is a good solid catcher there are always teams looking to add that kind of talent. The most important thing is for her to get healthy.
 

Me_and_my_big_mouth

witty softball quote
Sep 11, 2014
437
18
Pacific NW
If she continues to push herself through tryouts, she's likely to turn a mild injury into a major one, in an effort to try to show herself at 100%. Playing in pain isn't good for her or for the teams she's trying out for.

Rest and PT. I totally understand the panic that she's feeling right now, but her health is more important than softball. She will find a softball home, once she's healed and back at it.

I wish her fast recovery - sorry she's going through this!


Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
It’s not worth risking her season or her career to get her on a team immediately. As marriard said, if she’s good enough, she doesn’t need to attend tryouts, they already know about her. If they don’t she isn’t going to show them anything special if she’s hurt. The top teams are always looking to upgrade and if she can help them win there’s a spot for her. Whatever happens she won’t be without a team. By early summer somebody will need a catcher due to injury or other reasons.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
I would not risk making worsening the injury by coming back too soon just for tryouts. How old is your DD? Is her previous TB coach well connected? You might be able to get her a spot on a team if other coaches remember playing against her. Her previous TB can also make some calls. At the older age groups most players who change teams do it without ever attending a tryout because the coaches already know all of the girls.

Worst case scenario, take the spot on the high B/low A team and use it as a rehab season. As long as your DD is not in "prime time" for recruiting, it should not hurt her in the long run.
 
Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
"Tough Decision" Actually it shouldn't be. Your DD is hurt. Doctor said rest it and do the PT. That is where you should be.

"But, I've got a bunch of tryouts lined up this weekend too." No. Seriously bad idea. If the injury doesn't heal, she will be out longer. We have some friends that their DD had the same type of injury. They didn't let it heal all the way the first time, and she is just finishing up the second stint of being out resting the arm.

And yes I get that it is hard for your DD, and you to sit out during tryout time. I do speak from experience....my dd missed an entire year of ANY type of activity due to spinal fusion surgery. She missed second year 14U, and her entire year of Freshman high school softball. 6-8 weeks is nothing in the scheme of things.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
My DD had a shoulder issue that developed just as she had joined a new team a couple of years ago, and she played as a designated hitter until it healed.

If your DD can still hit 100 percent without any discomfort, then she could attend tryouts with the goal of meeting the team and coaches. That could benefit her later. If she hits well, she will be remembered.
 
Oct 7, 2014
87
0
Upper Midwest
Adding my voice to the chorus. DD1 dreamt of playing college ball since she was too little to know what that really meant. One of the top players at her position in the state. Tons of interest from 6 D1 programs. She always had a reputation for playing through injuries. 2 months before signing, she tore her labrum in 3 places playing through the pain. Missed her window. If she had a time machine she'd have stopped at the first hint. There's life after softball. She's fine. And doing things she wouldn't if she were playing. Still, it wasn't by choice. Good for you posting here and asking for advice and looking out for your girl. Now you know what to do.
 

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