Reflections. No regrets.
1. Enjoy rec. There is nothing like it. Do not take it seriously, no matter what. The game at this level is as much about making Halloween-themed T-shirts to wear to the next tourney as it is about softball. Control yourself.
2. Move to a 12/14B team before trying 12/14A. Rec to A ball is too big of a jump, even for most superstars.
3. Take what you need from each hitting, catching, pitching coach, then move on. No one person will teach you everything you need.
4. IR all the way. Don't waste time or money on HE.
5. If you are not getting decent playing time, move on! Even if that means stepping back to a B level team, or a team that's less prestigious. Swallow your pride. DD isn't going to get better sitting on the bench or warming up on the sidelines.
6. Realize that you as a parent aren't in control - this is DD's journey. She has to want it just as much as you do, or more. You can force it, but only for so long. What she wants will prevail. Might as well take that path upfront.
7. Understand that TB coaches are there to coach but also to weed out players. Players who don't have the skill, yes, but also players who don't have the drive, passion, work ethic, are only doing it for grandpa, etc.
8. Find a team that wants you. Play for that team. This is true at every level, but most especially in college.
9. Start visiting colleges early! When you go on vacation, or travel to visit relatives or friends, stop by the local schools and check them out. Do this slowly and over time, you will cover a lot of ground and you will save money later on by not having to attend camps at schools that aren't interesting.
10. Make a list of what colleges DD wants to attend. Do this in 9th or 10th grade. Don't know what kind of school she wants? Try this: have DD close her eyes and picture herself at college. Where is she? What type of class is she in? What's the weather like? It is a big school or a small school? City, suburb, rural? Open her eyes. You now have eliminated 80% of colleges. Make a list of the 30-40 schools that fit her criteria.
11. Spend money wisely: weekly private lessons are great, but ask yourself: what will DD gain in the next session that she can't do at home? This goes for hitting, catching, pitching, everything.
12. A better use of funds: get her to a gym starting in HS. Core strength, agility, and overall fitness will make a huge difference on the field. She will learn fitness techniques that she can use her entire life.
13. Grades, grades, grades. As will open more doors than Bs. 1400/32 will open more doors than 1100/27. If you are Rachel Garcia you can get into Harvard with a 3.4 and a 29 ACT. Your DD is not Rachel Garcia.
14. Social media - be careful. Very careful. College coaches look at this. Closely.
15. Strip the superiority and parental bragging rights of D1 from your mind. Find the school and the degree your DD wants. Pursue that. Fill in with softball. Yeah, yeah I know...your DD is a P5 candidate, and she wants to go to school to focus on softball as much as learning. OK then, do it. Realize though that her days will be shaped by a coach who is paid to get as much as they can out of their athletes. Realize what she is giving up to play P5/D1. It will not be a normal college experience.
16. Take pictures and video. It goes by fast.
1. Enjoy rec. There is nothing like it. Do not take it seriously, no matter what. The game at this level is as much about making Halloween-themed T-shirts to wear to the next tourney as it is about softball. Control yourself.
2. Move to a 12/14B team before trying 12/14A. Rec to A ball is too big of a jump, even for most superstars.
3. Take what you need from each hitting, catching, pitching coach, then move on. No one person will teach you everything you need.
4. IR all the way. Don't waste time or money on HE.
5. If you are not getting decent playing time, move on! Even if that means stepping back to a B level team, or a team that's less prestigious. Swallow your pride. DD isn't going to get better sitting on the bench or warming up on the sidelines.
6. Realize that you as a parent aren't in control - this is DD's journey. She has to want it just as much as you do, or more. You can force it, but only for so long. What she wants will prevail. Might as well take that path upfront.
7. Understand that TB coaches are there to coach but also to weed out players. Players who don't have the skill, yes, but also players who don't have the drive, passion, work ethic, are only doing it for grandpa, etc.
8. Find a team that wants you. Play for that team. This is true at every level, but most especially in college.
9. Start visiting colleges early! When you go on vacation, or travel to visit relatives or friends, stop by the local schools and check them out. Do this slowly and over time, you will cover a lot of ground and you will save money later on by not having to attend camps at schools that aren't interesting.
10. Make a list of what colleges DD wants to attend. Do this in 9th or 10th grade. Don't know what kind of school she wants? Try this: have DD close her eyes and picture herself at college. Where is she? What type of class is she in? What's the weather like? It is a big school or a small school? City, suburb, rural? Open her eyes. You now have eliminated 80% of colleges. Make a list of the 30-40 schools that fit her criteria.
11. Spend money wisely: weekly private lessons are great, but ask yourself: what will DD gain in the next session that she can't do at home? This goes for hitting, catching, pitching, everything.
12. A better use of funds: get her to a gym starting in HS. Core strength, agility, and overall fitness will make a huge difference on the field. She will learn fitness techniques that she can use her entire life.
13. Grades, grades, grades. As will open more doors than Bs. 1400/32 will open more doors than 1100/27. If you are Rachel Garcia you can get into Harvard with a 3.4 and a 29 ACT. Your DD is not Rachel Garcia.
14. Social media - be careful. Very careful. College coaches look at this. Closely.
15. Strip the superiority and parental bragging rights of D1 from your mind. Find the school and the degree your DD wants. Pursue that. Fill in with softball. Yeah, yeah I know...your DD is a P5 candidate, and she wants to go to school to focus on softball as much as learning. OK then, do it. Realize though that her days will be shaped by a coach who is paid to get as much as they can out of their athletes. Realize what she is giving up to play P5/D1. It will not be a normal college experience.
16. Take pictures and video. It goes by fast.
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