My DD was a pretty good pitcher in travel ball. When my DD turned 16YOA, I wanted her to be on an elite team--one of the best in the midwest. The coach had watched my DD play and pitch. So, I went to him and talked to him about it. He said:
My pride was hurt. Over the years, I've learned to appreciate the coach's honesty. Most coaches would have taken my DD, sat her on the bench, and told me, "Your child is great. Just keep working!"
So, my DD played for a team that was very good, but not an elite team. On the good team, she got at least 50% of the pitching time and they played about 80% of the same tournaments as the elite team. Her team was not as good as the elite team, but they won a lot of games.
The #1 pitcher on the elite team played for Michigan. The #2 pitcher played a year of D1 ball and then quit. My DD ended up played at a Juco for 2 years and then played for a mid-major D1 school.
"I don't want her on the team. Your DD is good enough to pitch for us, but she would be the #2 or #3 on the team. She will not be getting any time on the mound on Sunday during the tournament. She is not good enough to be a position player. So, she is going to be sitting on the bench 60% of the time. I think it is a waste of her time to be sitting the bench while she could be on another team playing."
My pride was hurt. Over the years, I've learned to appreciate the coach's honesty. Most coaches would have taken my DD, sat her on the bench, and told me, "Your child is great. Just keep working!"
So, my DD played for a team that was very good, but not an elite team. On the good team, she got at least 50% of the pitching time and they played about 80% of the same tournaments as the elite team. Her team was not as good as the elite team, but they won a lot of games.
The #1 pitcher on the elite team played for Michigan. The #2 pitcher played a year of D1 ball and then quit. My DD ended up played at a Juco for 2 years and then played for a mid-major D1 school.
