I'm the Dad of twin DDs that play 10U and also play basketball. Both are extremely athletic. DD #1 probably more so than DD #2 but #2 will give you 100% every time she steps on the field or court. #1 just has more natural talent.
#1 told us at the beginning of the softball year she didn't want to play. The problem was we had already committed to the team earlier so it would have left them with only 10 girls. I explained to #1 that we already committed and that we need to honor that commitment. I also told her if she still felt this way after the year that she didn't have to play next year. I asked what was up. She said she would rather play basketball all year and there was too much pressure to perform in softball. I asked what she meant by that. She then tells me that last year after she struck out the HC told her she needs to hit the ball, that her and her sister carry that team. They depend on them to produce. I wish she would have told me this back then. I explained that the HC isn't going to be the HC this year so it will be better. Well, it really isn't. They still "carry" the team so to speak.
#1 caught last year and #2 played first. #1 told me, if she played this year, she does not want to catch. I told the new HC this and he said he'd play her anywhere she wants to play if that's what it takes to get her out there. So since #2 started pitching this year #1 is playing first. We are 5 or 6 games into the season with a tournament in there, too. Everything has been going great. #1 seems to be really enjoying herself. Becoming a vacuum at first, which is good because #2 was a rock there last year. Game before last #1 missed a low throw which would have been the third out in the last inning and gave us the win by 1. Instead a run scored and the next batter hits in what became the winning run. Last night the HC asked me if #1 would play third so he could put #2 on first since #2 wasn't pitching. I didn't think it was a good idea to shake up #1. He understood. So what happens the first inning? Dropped ball at first, 2 previously walked runners score. Next inning #1 is pulled and #2 goes to first. I can tell by the look on her face she felt like she let the world down.
We did come back to win the game after being down 7-1. Tied it up with them coming up to bat with 10 min left on the clock, we were home team. HC brought #2 into pitch. She struck out the side . But what made me happier was seeing #1 back on first. Didn't get any chances, but it was a great move on HC's part. He was telling her, without saying, he still has confidence in her. It didn't help.
On the drive home we're all talking about the exciting game and what a great comeback it was, blah.. blahh..blahh.. AND moving up to 12s next year. And I hear from the backseat. "I'm not playing next year". We told her to finish out the year and just have FUN.
The team they are with now has a 14U, 12U, and the 10U the girls are on now. I'm not going to make her play if she still feels that way after this season. But I am going to try to explain there is going to be so much less pressure because they are moving up to an already established 12U team that has older girls. It's gonna be tough watching her give up a sport that she could more than likely go far in.
If you've read this far any input would be appreciated. Sorry it's so long....
#1 told us at the beginning of the softball year she didn't want to play. The problem was we had already committed to the team earlier so it would have left them with only 10 girls. I explained to #1 that we already committed and that we need to honor that commitment. I also told her if she still felt this way after the year that she didn't have to play next year. I asked what was up. She said she would rather play basketball all year and there was too much pressure to perform in softball. I asked what she meant by that. She then tells me that last year after she struck out the HC told her she needs to hit the ball, that her and her sister carry that team. They depend on them to produce. I wish she would have told me this back then. I explained that the HC isn't going to be the HC this year so it will be better. Well, it really isn't. They still "carry" the team so to speak.
#1 caught last year and #2 played first. #1 told me, if she played this year, she does not want to catch. I told the new HC this and he said he'd play her anywhere she wants to play if that's what it takes to get her out there. So since #2 started pitching this year #1 is playing first. We are 5 or 6 games into the season with a tournament in there, too. Everything has been going great. #1 seems to be really enjoying herself. Becoming a vacuum at first, which is good because #2 was a rock there last year. Game before last #1 missed a low throw which would have been the third out in the last inning and gave us the win by 1. Instead a run scored and the next batter hits in what became the winning run. Last night the HC asked me if #1 would play third so he could put #2 on first since #2 wasn't pitching. I didn't think it was a good idea to shake up #1. He understood. So what happens the first inning? Dropped ball at first, 2 previously walked runners score. Next inning #1 is pulled and #2 goes to first. I can tell by the look on her face she felt like she let the world down.
We did come back to win the game after being down 7-1. Tied it up with them coming up to bat with 10 min left on the clock, we were home team. HC brought #2 into pitch. She struck out the side . But what made me happier was seeing #1 back on first. Didn't get any chances, but it was a great move on HC's part. He was telling her, without saying, he still has confidence in her. It didn't help.
On the drive home we're all talking about the exciting game and what a great comeback it was, blah.. blahh..blahh.. AND moving up to 12s next year. And I hear from the backseat. "I'm not playing next year". We told her to finish out the year and just have FUN.
The team they are with now has a 14U, 12U, and the 10U the girls are on now. I'm not going to make her play if she still feels that way after this season. But I am going to try to explain there is going to be so much less pressure because they are moving up to an already established 12U team that has older girls. It's gonna be tough watching her give up a sport that she could more than likely go far in.
If you've read this far any input would be appreciated. Sorry it's so long....