When should a TB player stop playing LL

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May 15, 2016
926
18
During our 12u season last year a number of girls played LL so they could be on a Willliamsport team.

Now that we are a 14u team, some parents are talking about having their DDs play LL again. Other parents feel LL will not help a TB player and will more likely stunt their skills. I have heard both sides of the argument in my community. What are the DFP opinions about this?
 
Jul 14, 2017
181
28
I’m guessing LL is similar to rec? At 12u, it was mandatory for town travel players to also play rec. Once they hit 14u, it is no longer mandatory, knowing that most girls will be playing MS softball. I personally found our last rec season painful to sit through and was so happy when it was over! It can be difficult adjusting from the rec rainbow pitchers to the travel pitchers who have spice on the ball.


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Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I am not sure how striking out every batter or batting .900 helps either Team. My DD is a great SS, never made an error. Not going to tell you no balls were hit to her.

LL is not same after 12U anyways.

There are valid reasons still playing rec but I know DD needs to watch how hard she throws the ball and who she is throwing to. She almost took the head off the 3rd baseman throwing from the LF fence a couple years ago. There are definitely downsides and habits that need to be broken.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
In my DD's second year of 10U, it became vividly clear that she had outgrown the level of our rec league. During the spring season, she started also playing with a TB team. Her skill development took a big step up very quickly due to the increase in field time and higher-level instruction she was getting with the TB team. At the end of the season, she decided to skip all-stars and just play TB. It was the right decision for her, and we have never regretted her choice (Except for the burgers at the rec field. I miss those.). We have seen a few players return to rec after playing TB. Everyone of them has pretty much stagnated, or even regressed, in their development. A good player not being challenged can get away with being sloppy or bad mechanics, and still have lots of success. Those things will quickly become the new "normal" for that player. At our recent MS team tryouts, the skill level difference between my DD and her former rec teammates is very apparent. IMO, once you go TB, and it's a good level for your DD, stay there.
 
May 15, 2016
926
18
IMO, once you go TB, and it's a good level for your DD, stay there.

That was my opinion last year, but I was in the minority. I might be in the majority this year.

There was one mother who told me another reason some of the girls played LL, their fathers wanted to continue coaching, and there was no way they had the skill set to coach TB.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
That was my opinion last year, but I was in the minority. I might be in the majority this year.

There was one mother who told me another reason some of the girls played LL, their fathers wanted to continue coaching, and there was no way they had the skill set to coach TB.

So, this became about the dad's hobby, and not the kid's sport? Fantastic! :rolleyes: Sounds like a good reason to get away from rec ball/LL for everyone else that has an option elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong. I love coaching, and I only got the chance to because of my DD. I had a great time, got a chance to work with some awesome young ladies, and learn from some really excellent coaches. However, the time came for my DD to change teams, and the best teams for her development meant I would be on the outside of the dugout. I'm fine with that. It's her journey, not mine.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Confusing story.

At 12U we had some TB teams playing in same league as rec. Teams but they munitulated the schedule so rec. Teams did not play TB teams.

Our rec. Team destroyed the other rec. Teams so they move up into the year end tourney against the TB Teams.

They destoryed us, game was way to fast for our coaches and players.

I still believe if we had a month we would have been OK, it too big of a change to quickly.

Teams in TB had tryouts, we did not. Still think we would have been OK with a little time.
 

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