Reality has sunk in for DD1

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

May 15, 2016
926
18
Since she was eight years old she has dreamed of playing softball in the Olympics.

She is 13 y/o and one of the top players on her B level team, but now recognizes she is not one of the top players in our area. The other day she turned to me and said she knows she is never going to play in the Olympics and she is never going to play D1 ball. I told her I didn't think she would make the Olympic team, but that did not mean she would never play D1. We briefly discussed the fact that just because she is not a top player now, it doesn't mean she won't peak in the next few years.

Anyone have the experience of a solid B level player becoming an A level player in their mid-teens?

Keep in mind we live where it gets a bit cold in the winter, so she does not have the opportunities to play and practice (more than once a week) in the winter.
 
May 16, 2016
1,024
113
Illinois
Since she was eight years old she has dreamed of playing softball in the Olympics.

She is 13 y/o and one of the top players on her B level team, but now recognizes she is not one of the top players in our area. The other day she turned to me and said she knows she is never going to play in the Olympics and she is never going to play D1 ball. I told her I didn't think she would make the Olympic team, but that did not mean she would never play D1. We briefly discussed the fact that just because she is not a top player now, it doesn't mean she won't peak in the next few years.

Anyone have the experience of a solid B level player becoming an A level player in their mid-teens?

Keep in mind we live where it gets a bit cold in the winter, so she does not have the opportunities to play and practice (more than once a week) in the winter.

Do you have a basement? A lot can be accomplished indoors in a small area. Get a tee, a tarp or a Bownet and a bucket of balls and go to work. We do hitting, pitching, speed and agility, and fielding drills in the basement. Never met a person that did not have to work there tail off to play high level athletics.

B players become A players all the time at 13 years old.
 
Mar 13, 2015
202
18
Omaha, Ne
I'm with GB on this one! I had the luxury of growing up and playing ball in SoCal so this Midwest stuff is brutal but there's no excuse to not work at home. We use our space for catching (DD1) and pitching (DD2). We do hitting, glove work, speed and agility, and long toss as well. It sucks but you gotta do what you gotta do to stay competitive. Here's a glimpse of the "dungeon"(storage room)
f3d9cc5e934fd1fb029c065b02ca3352.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 
Mar 13, 2015
202
18
Omaha, Ne
No workable basement, nor garage.
Only thing I can think of for glove work I'd get a piece of plywood and a tennis ball. Find a spot in the living room or bedroom? Probably could find a cheap piece of carpet to swing bat. Just a thought. Ask for access to School gym? And as far as her being a top B player, why not challenge her a bit with an "A" team? She might surprise you and be very competitive at A. Having her around like-minded kids is always beneficial.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 
Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
At 13 I don't think there is any reason that she can't go from a B level to A level player, if that is her goal and she wants to work at it. Does she have any friends on her current team that have hitting areas set up in their basement/garage?? Maybe she can work in with them a couple nights a week for an hour or what ever.

What about any gyms in the area that you can join that may let you set up a bownet and a tee and work with her for a couple of nights a week. I am sure if you talk to them or ask around, there are places she can work on skills even during the winter. Or find a hitting or pitching coach in the area and ask about using their space.
 
Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
I'm with GB on this one! I had the luxury of growing up and playing ball in SoCal so this Midwest stuff is brutal but there's no excuse to not work at home. We use our space for catching (DD1) and pitching (DD2). We do hitting, glove work, speed and agility, and long toss as well. It sucks but you gotta do what you gotta do to stay competitive. Here's a glimpse of the "dungeon"(storage room)
f3d9cc5e934fd1fb029c065b02ca3352.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk[/Q

You got me lol....clicked on that area several times trying to get that "video" to play.
 
Mar 13, 2015
202
18
Omaha, Ne
I'm with GB on this one! I had the luxury of growing up and playing ball in SoCal so this Midwest stuff is brutal but there's no excuse to not work at home. We use our space for catching (DD1) and pitching (DD2). We do hitting, glove work, speed and agility, and long toss as well. It sucks but you gotta do what you gotta do to stay competitive. Here's a glimpse of the "dungeon"(storage room)
f3d9cc5e934fd1fb029c065b02ca3352.jpg


Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk[/Q

You got me lol....clicked on that area several times trying to get that "video" to play.
Lol my bad. Said it was too large to add video.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 
Mar 13, 2015
202
18
Omaha, Ne
Does she have any friends on her current team that have hitting areas set up in their basement/garage?? Maybe she can work in with them a couple nights a week for an hour or what ever.

This would be very good if possible.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk
 
May 28, 2013
60
0
Does your job have a loading dock? Bownet, tee, and a bucket of balls. Go to town. Honestly, With a bow net, tee and some tennis balls, She can work outside except for the coldest days. I would suggest an aluminum bat, not the composite tho.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,477
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top