Last words of (softball) advice?

[Mom_Coach_Fan]

Tell her that even if you can't see her play as often as you like, you still love to watch her play.

ETA: this was total mom response (my oldest will be a senior in college this year and my baby is starting HS). Others have given solid advice.

 

[Greenmonsters]

You both already know it, but remind her that she is going to college to get an education and, as long as she can manage both successfully AND still enjoys it, to play softball. Maybe blasphemy to some, but I can't hide my D3 colors!

 

[Coach JV]

One more thing (there is some sound advice here) Figure out the academics and get organized
in the fall. Spring is chaotic-practice times can change at the last minute in cold climates with so many teams
vying for time in the gym. Also-take the summer workout serious-if you are not in shape when arriving on campus,
it is one more needless distraction to have to double-time the gym to catch up

 

[Why did I say yes to SB?]

With my rising sophomore daughter the big issue is she needs to learn to pace herself and stop injuring herself. Big school programs have specialists pushing the girls to do a lot of training, lifting and running. So my daughter has to try to be the fastest and the strongest, and then comes the nagging injuries she tries to soldier through. Your daughter was probably a star in your metro region and the darling of the local press, when she hits college she is going to realize the coaches are bringing in numerous girls just like her every year. So everyone has insecurities even the stars, a player has a couple of O fers and the coaches are trying someone else in her position. Early in the season my dd had big day at the plate, it was a televised game and the color commentator (an ex-coach) was gushing about her (talk about pig heaven). She then injures her back diving into 2nd on a meaningless play at the end of the game. The coaches reward this behavior by moving her from 2nd pinch runner to 1st because they know she will kamikazee on the bases. In college they moved her from lifelong infield to outfield, and of course, she strains her arm practicing throwing home.

No one is going to tell your dd to pace and protect herself, they are going to push her and expect more. Then they will discard her if she can't play.

 

[7smom]

Someone already mentioned something like this, but I think it's worth saying again- prepare DD that your teammates will not all be nice people. My DD transferred after her first year because she was on a team where girls tried to emotionally and physically sabotage each other, among other things. This was a disappointing and unfortunate situation for us as we thought we had done everything "right" during the process.

Mental toughness is huge. I thought my kid was tough but she was definitely not prepared for some of the things thrown at her from people who were supposedly her new "family." Some of this goes back to culture and climate of a team which isn't always easy to know from the recruiting process. My advise? Talk to your kid a lot and be tuned in to how she is feeling. Tell her to play her game, work hard and be the person you raised her to be. No reason to sacrifice your values or who you are for a game!

On the academic front- the first 3 week of school are the MOST important of her college career. I work in higher ed and work with a lot of freshmen. College coursework is much different from HS coursework and most students are not prepared for the difference. Don't get too caught up in the social life until after the first round of exams so you know where you stand. Don't skip class! So important- even if peers pressure you to do so. Students who go to class get much better grades. If you start to struggle- get help fast.

Best of luck to her. Now that my DD found the right fit it is fun to watch her blossom- I hope the same for you!

 

[Cannonball]

Not to bore you too much with repeating stuff but my dd would find that her batting gloves would be missing when it was her turn to hit. Some of the other players were not always nice.

 

[iMlearning]

Great advice in this thread!!! We're taking her to school tomorrow and practice starts Monday!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[sluggers]

"I'll never talk to you about softball again unless you bring it up. However, I will be talking to about your grades and your plans after graduation.'

 

[Cannonball]

As some of you know, my dd wanted to quit her freshman year. It was really very bad and she felt that she was targeted. Coach never knew this. When BB called to tell me, I told her that I wanted her to get out a copy of a song and read it. The name of the song is "Dream Big." Go to YouTube and listen to this song. I told BB to read that copy of that song, naturally she knew how the song was sung, and then call me back. Of prime importance are a couple of the opening lines of the song. She called back a couple of minutes later and said she was not quitting.

When you cry, be sure to dry your eyes,
Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile, be sure to smile wide,
And don't let them know that they have won.
And when you walk, walk with pride,
And don't show the hurt inside,
Because the pain will soon be gone.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
Cause when you dream it might come true.
For when you dream, dream big.

And when you laugh, be sure to laugh out loud,
Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself,
And it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to help to carry on,
But when the troubles come your way.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
Cause when you dream it might come true.
For when you dream, dream big.

When you cry be sure to dry your eyes,
Cause better days are sure to come.
And when you smile be sure to smile wide, and
Don't let them know that they have one.
And when you laugh be sure to laugh out loud,
Cause it will carry all your cares away.
And when you see, see the beauty all
Around and in yourself, and it will help you feel okay.
And when you pray, pray for strength to
Help to carry on when the troubles come your way.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
Cause when you dream it might come true.
For when you dream, dream big.

And when you dream, dream big,
As big as the ocean, blue.
Cause when you dream it might come true.
For when you dream, dream big.

Written by Ryan Shupe • Copyright © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc