Grades and travel ball

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May 13, 2013
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I'm always amazed when I look at profile sheets and see every player on a team with a 3.8-4.5 GPA. Not to mention a roster full of player running a 2.7 H2F. :p

DD has always been an honor roll student with a 3.5 or higher including the first semester of the recent school year. That is until our recent run deep into the state playoffs of HS ball. Finals week studying, lack of focus on classwork, not to mention cell phones, social media, etc.

Question is when is it time to take a step back from a rigorous travel ball schedule? Should taking a step back be used as a form of "punishment" for bad grades? I'm talking about something like not taking that cross country trip to a showcase knowing that a recruiter doesn't want to hear about a 2.8 GPA? Which also brings me to coaches who know their player has bad grades and doesnt really address the matter saying its the parents job. In the end of course the parents should make the decision, but I guess I'm asking does pulling a kid out of a tournament or off of a cross country trip due to bad grades hurt the kid more emotionally/mentally, or should the kid look at it like you're "letting the team down" because of your grades and now you cant make the trip because of that.

DD is a solid player who can play college ball at some level, but I'm looking at it as I can spend that money from the cross country trip on tutors, classes, and more hitting lessons. Yet want to make the right decision.

What would other parents do?
 
Apr 28, 2016
81
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DD doesn’t play travel ball and doesn’t really have aspirations of playing ball in college, but she does play almost every sport her school offers, so she does have a rigorous schedule.

She is a great student, but when/if her grades slip, there will be consequences because academics are the #1 priority behind family. First to go would be her cell phone, followed by recreational activities with friends (sleepovers, movies, etc), followed by sports. But we wouldn’t hesitate to limit her sports participation if needed.

We wouldn’t say it was punishment though. We would probably explain that we all have to prioritize, and since she is a minor, it is our job to help her eliminate distractions and prioritize when needed. She will see it as punishment anyway, and that is ok.


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May 30, 2013
1,442
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Binghamton, NY
I think a LOT of families chase recruitment a bit too early.
And spend the serious travel $$$ a few years sooner than they really need to.

Depends upon the player, obviously,
but unless you are a legitimate standout player at the 18U Gold level,
(rose-colored glasses sure don't help this...)
as a 8, 9, and even a 10 grade athlete, I would suggest staying more regional,
and use the saved time and money for what you suggest: studying, sharpening skills, etc.
Oh, and having fun. Don't want to experience burn-out after all that work leading up to "normal" recruiting age...
 
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Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
To me, it's a no-brainer. Paying big money to travel cross-country to a showcase is a dubious use of money under the best conditions.

Don't confuse hurting a kid emotionally / mentally with simply making her mad in the course of doing what's best. Do you want a player who won't get past JUCO ball because of her grades and will be working in lower paying jobs the rest of her life, or do you want her to have as many options as possible because she's done well in high school? For me, the moment my DD's grades started suffering because of outside activities is the moment that stuff gets pared back. Unless you're brimming with excess cash, I wouldn't spend a dime on long-range showcase travel. Unless she's a truly exceptional player with good grades and test scores, her most likely landing places are closer to home anyway.
 
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Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
To me, it's a no-brainer. Paying big money to travel cross-country to a showcase is a dubious use of money under the best conditions.

Don't confuse hurting a kid emotionally / mentally with simply making her mad in the course of doing what's best. Do you want a player who won't get past JUCO ball because of her grades and will be working in lower paying jobs the rest of her life, or do you want her to have as many options as possible because she's done well in high school? For me, the moment my DD's grades started suffering because of outside activities is the moment that stuff gets pared back. Unless you're brimming with excess cash, I wouldn't spend a dime on long-range showcase travel. Unless she's a truly exceptional player with good grades and test scores, her most likely landing places are closer to home anyway.

That's kind of how I feel too. I see a lot of the high-level GA teams going to CO and CA and I just really don't understand that. Most of those girls are wanting to play for SEC teams, so why travel to the West Coast to be seen? We have plenty of good showcases right here in the South.
 
May 13, 2013
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Good advice all around. We've always looked at the out of state travel ball events as a family vacation anyhow and always plan vacations around these events for the past 4+ yrs. Yes we've been to Colorado, OKC, and the nearby state qualifiers. However being in California the state already has plenty of major events and showcases as is.

To reiterate DD's grades havent taken a drastic downfall some could say Im being anal about it since its such a small drop, but the regression from Fall to end of school year is what caught my attention and she received an award from her team at years end right before final grades came out. DD did have an overload of activities and is a 2 sport athlete which could have caused a loss of focus. I just don't want her heading into her jr year of high school being one of those kids that has to play catch up all year.
 
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Apr 28, 2016
81
8
If the drop was toward the end of the year, I would try discussing with her too. Both of my girls suffer significantly from spring fever (as do I, so I recognize the signs), but usually a conversation helps them to refocus.

Also, my DD’s grades dipped more when she became involved with a boy than they ever have from her crazy sports schedule, so you may want to look at that angle.


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May 13, 2013
99
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Oh she starts at a prime position no doubt. However they have reserves. It didnt suddenly drop strictly due to HS playoffs, but she also was playing competitive basketball, HS Softball, and had weekly lessons also since the winter. There were also other things that could have influenced grades such as focusing more on most DD's lifeline(cell phone), and whatever it is that kids do nowadays. Grades were checked during end of Q1-Q3, finals were studied for, but I get the sense now that they weren't studied for very hard. See her teachers every other day also and nothing was brought to my attention.
 
Jun 14, 2018
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My DD is 11 and I set the bar at nothing below an 80% comes home on a report card. With that said I have talked with my ex-wife about it and she thinks whatever she gets is fine. It is a really hard spot to be in but I did make her sit out a tournament due to her getting 2 C's on her mid-term report card. I talked with the coach (we don't get along anymore) about it and informed her that school comes first and if her grades are down she has to sit. DD, ex-wife, and coach hated the decision but my DD's grades were back to upper B's in those areas at the end of the year. I saw a more focused kid working on homework, and the reports from the teacher were much better about class involvement.

I know it is a tough spot for a parent to be put in and an even worse spot for the player but you have to set the rules early and follow them. Just my opinion but one I stick by.
 
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