How do you survive winter in the cold weather states?

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May 15, 2016
926
18
As it comes to softball, or the lack of?:(

My DDs had their last tournament of the season a week ago, and they probably won't play another game until April. They are already practicing with their winter swim team. I am glad they have a great second sport for these months, but I find those practices and meets rather boring.

They both are continuing to practice with me (glad for that), and their individual coaches, even though their team has shutdown for the next two months. Winter workouts begin after New Years.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
Sounds like your coaches have things right. Give them a break. As for the swimming. I love it. Better than BBall or VBall. Low impact with great cardio and conditioning. I've lost many a player over the years with BBall and Vball injuries.

Keep your DD working on her pitching during the winter. Give her a month or so off and then go back to working regularly.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
Sounds like your coaches have things right. Give them a break. As for the swimming. I love it. Better than BBall or VBall. Low impact with great cardio and conditioning. I've lost many a player over the years with BBall and Vball injuries.

Keep your DD working on her pitching during the winter. Give her a month or so off and then go back to working regularly.

Thanks. When my pitching DD asked how she was going to continue training in the winter I told her I am going to insist on 6 to 8 weeks off from pitching. That was the advice I was given. We will practice until it is too cold, take time off and then start again, probably a month before school ball and TB start up again. Told her that should give her plenty of time to get back into her routine.

I could not be happier they picked swimming. Along with the low impact, cardio and conditioning, I love that it is balanced training for the body.

I just have to figure out how to make sure I won't go stir crazy.
 
Mar 7, 2012
144
0
PA
We take a few weeks off than go into some light workouts and back to basics: breaking down throws, proper fielding positions, flat gloves, and our biggest thing we work on IQ (lots of conversations and quizzes about how to play specific situations.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
quizzes about how to play specific situations.

I can see my girls' reactions if I try to quiz them, it would be very funny, the look of disbelief that would come across their faces. At this point they know more than me about situation plays.
 
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Jul 19, 2014
2,390
48
Madison, WI
Well, players in the Upper Midwest simply don't have the opportunities for all-year softball that players in Florida, SoCal, Arizona and Texas have. They just don't. Indoor practice helps, but that is limited, and it isn't the same.

Lots of sports like that. My DS rows for a small college (Milwaukee School of Engineering). Rowing teams in the Upper Midwest generally perform better in spring races when the winter has been mild than when the winter has been harsh. (There are notable exceptions, but that is the trend). Fall races are a different matter. Upper Midwest teams can generally handle nastier weather than their southern counterparts. For example, my DS rowed in a race in Indianapolis yesterday where the weather conditions were rather chilly. His boat did better than expected against teams like Virginia and Purdue, but worse than expected against Minnesota. A few weeks ago he raced in very warm weather, and his boat beat Minnesota but lost to Purdue. Yesterday his boat beat Purdue but lost to Minnesota.

Edit to add: Yeah, I realize that for most parts of the country, Purdue wouldn't be considered a warm weather school. Compared to schools in Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, it is.
 
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May 15, 2016
926
18
we use the school gym or city rec building. softball starts late Nov./ early Dec.

Are you talking about an entire team, or individuals? As an individual I would not be able to use either.

Do you mean you start training late Nov/early Dec?
 
Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
the HS my kids attend has a Building Use policy that allows individuals and groups to reserve the gym. I do an open practice there with my DD and other 12Us. I coach for Dunkirk HS and the city has agreed to let me use the city rec. building for open softball practices for modified players. if you haven't asked around, then take a look at available buildings. you might have to get creative with space constraints but any practice is better than no practice.
 
Nov 3, 2012
480
16
I bet you guys in the south haven't played an all night indoor tournament. Nothing like starting a game at 3AM In the morning.
 

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