When and how to start playing TB?

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Aug 26, 2015
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April/May is a great time to go to a few local tournaments. Watch the game WITH her. As she is watching the style and level of play, YOU watch the coaches and the parents. When a player makes a mistake, how do the coaches respond? the parents? Is that what you'd prefer? When a player does something right, how do the coaches respond? the parents? Is that what you'd prefer?

After about 3 tournaments, you should have seen MOST of the usual suspects and get a good sample size of what to expect and what you like/dislike/can't stomach.

My DD started playing at age 8 (turned 9 during the season). She LOVES to work at getting better. Took an entire summer and worked 4 hours a day everyday (and drug me out in the heat with her). She was asked to make the transition to travel for first year 10U. While working that summer, I stumbled across DFP and quickly realized we weren't ready as a family and SHE wasn't ready from a maturity standpoint (at least not for me to justify that kind of commitment). I gave her the guidelines for her to make the jump to travel at 12U. That would give her 2 solid years in rec. The last year in rec was PAINFUL, but it really built her leadership skills and shows how to deal with those who were uncommitted. During those 2 years, we also made a concerted effort to pick up in or watch at least 3 tournaments each softball season (I think it was 14 tournaments total). When I went to the first tournament, I was appalled by the behavior of some parents. 2 tournaments later, I sympathized with them. My mind was changed due to the environment....somewhat. It helped us understand as a family the type of commitment we had to make.

Fast forward to now, she is in her first year 12U and doing just fine. She's not the ballpark rockstar. She looks like she belongs out there, not like "Oh God, why are they holding this kid back?!?!?" She has her moments of rockstar-ishness. She also has MANY moments of growth and development. She loves them both. She works more now than she did before. She fakes being well (yeah I wrote that right) to never miss practice or working out. She studies everything softball. She's driven, which drives me BANANAS (but I wouldn't have it any other way). The family is doing great as well. No moments of being completely overwhelmed with softball destroying our fabric. We were prepared for what we got ourselves into. If we went travel too early, it would've been yet another cautionary tale. Being the best at your age group in your park does not mean you are ready (or your DD) for travel.

Make the FAMILY decision that fits your FAMILY. Kid needs to be ready. Parents need to be ready. Siblings need to be ready. Grandparents need to be ready. Auntie who played slowpitch years ago needs to be ready (your opinion on 1st and 3rd coverage is not requested.....shush).
 

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