- May 25, 2010
- 1,070
- 0
(apologies in advance for the length of this post)
Some very compelling arguments...I'll concede that there is indeed some intrinsic value in having travel players also playing in rec leagues.
I guess my concern *is* for those younger girls who are just learning the game. It's not at all unusual for a girl's first rec experience to be at age 9-11. In our 8u division, there are a few 10yo girls playing the game for the first time.
I love the fact that my kid is very talented, but I *really* love the fact that she wants to work hard to get better. It was fun watching her blow the girls away once she learned how to pitch this past season. But given that the level of play at 8u isn't going to improve dramatically - remember, older girls who age out will be replaced by t-ballers coming in - I just don't see what anyone gains by trotting her back out for 8u next year, which is what our league proposes. I guess success builds confidence, but do you really get that benefit from playing clearly inferior competition? Yeah, I suppose family gatherings are more fun when coach Dad gets to brag to the grandparents about how awesome their little star is.
And lest you think I'm holier than though, I'll be the first to admit that I dote on my DD as much as anyone.
I'm all about survival of the fittest and I want girls to be inspired by others to do better, but do you feel there is a point at which complete domination keeps the rec game from being fun for anyone?
After talking to her about it, my daughter has agreed to play 8u this fall, but does not want to play 8u per league rules again in the spring. That's not a call I'm willing to make. If she isn't allowed to play 10u - which would allow her to challenge for a spot on the all-star team - I could see her potentially sitting out the season.
I know that sounds crazy, but although she played the 'martyr' (love that term! lol) role again this season, I don't foresee her voluntarily doing it again. She was so unbelievably supportive of her teammates this season, but I know she doesn't want to endure another year of that.
So, if she comes back next season - 1/3 of the girls are inspired to get better, 1/3 of the girls decide they'll never be that good and quit, and 1/3 aren't phased either way.
Should she sacrifice her progress because none of her teammates is ever interested in getting together to play catch or anything? And what about the teammates who'll get very little work in the field when she's pitching? And what about the grumbling from opposing team parents who won't consider it 'fair'...a message they convey to their kids? And what about teammate criticism of pitcher #2 who won't be nearly as good?
One of the unfortunate realities about our league is that the best 10-14yo girls DO leave the league to go play travel ball. There's a huge talent void in the upper age groups. I'm not saying the girls cannot play, but other than hitting the ball harder, you don't see a really big improvement curve from 8u to 16u and they don't even keep enough girls to field a 16u team each year. There's generally a 16u team every other season.
So, to conclude, I'm going to accept that - even though I would still see major safety concerns - there would be value in allowing travel players to help support local rec programs with their play. As SoCalDad has noted, it's allowed in the rulebooks, so given that there's no prohibition, let's go for it and see whether it helps to bring up the level of play in leagues where this is taking place.
lhowser makes a good point. seeing better players can inspire girls to get better. thats how my dd started pitching. she saw one of the older girls who played travel just dominating in little league and said to me... that's what i want to do... a couple of years later and hundreds of hours of practice, now she is that girl that parents tell me inspires their daughters to want to be better. being in and seeing a higher level of play raises the girls that want to play's level.
see my post on raising a nation of wimps. not everyone needs to get a trophy. Banning travel ball pitchers from rec all stars is simply some rec all stars dad trying to ensure DD gets a trophy. if they want the trophy... work harder than the next person.
Some very compelling arguments...I'll concede that there is indeed some intrinsic value in having travel players also playing in rec leagues.
I guess my concern *is* for those younger girls who are just learning the game. It's not at all unusual for a girl's first rec experience to be at age 9-11. In our 8u division, there are a few 10yo girls playing the game for the first time.
I love the fact that my kid is very talented, but I *really* love the fact that she wants to work hard to get better. It was fun watching her blow the girls away once she learned how to pitch this past season. But given that the level of play at 8u isn't going to improve dramatically - remember, older girls who age out will be replaced by t-ballers coming in - I just don't see what anyone gains by trotting her back out for 8u next year, which is what our league proposes. I guess success builds confidence, but do you really get that benefit from playing clearly inferior competition? Yeah, I suppose family gatherings are more fun when coach Dad gets to brag to the grandparents about how awesome their little star is.
And lest you think I'm holier than though, I'll be the first to admit that I dote on my DD as much as anyone.
I'm all about survival of the fittest and I want girls to be inspired by others to do better, but do you feel there is a point at which complete domination keeps the rec game from being fun for anyone?
After talking to her about it, my daughter has agreed to play 8u this fall, but does not want to play 8u per league rules again in the spring. That's not a call I'm willing to make. If she isn't allowed to play 10u - which would allow her to challenge for a spot on the all-star team - I could see her potentially sitting out the season.
I know that sounds crazy, but although she played the 'martyr' (love that term! lol) role again this season, I don't foresee her voluntarily doing it again. She was so unbelievably supportive of her teammates this season, but I know she doesn't want to endure another year of that.
So, if she comes back next season - 1/3 of the girls are inspired to get better, 1/3 of the girls decide they'll never be that good and quit, and 1/3 aren't phased either way.
Should she sacrifice her progress because none of her teammates is ever interested in getting together to play catch or anything? And what about the teammates who'll get very little work in the field when she's pitching? And what about the grumbling from opposing team parents who won't consider it 'fair'...a message they convey to their kids? And what about teammate criticism of pitcher #2 who won't be nearly as good?
One of the unfortunate realities about our league is that the best 10-14yo girls DO leave the league to go play travel ball. There's a huge talent void in the upper age groups. I'm not saying the girls cannot play, but other than hitting the ball harder, you don't see a really big improvement curve from 8u to 16u and they don't even keep enough girls to field a 16u team each year. There's generally a 16u team every other season.
So, to conclude, I'm going to accept that - even though I would still see major safety concerns - there would be value in allowing travel players to help support local rec programs with their play. As SoCalDad has noted, it's allowed in the rulebooks, so given that there's no prohibition, let's go for it and see whether it helps to bring up the level of play in leagues where this is taking place.