Need opinion on trying out for more competitive team

[Bernmoll]

Pitching is possibly the position players leave behind the most.

Imagine this discussion/decision
is at many dinner tables.
Can pitch at lower talent level.
But not upper level.

Have to be realistic about current actual ability level in the quest for longer term goals.
individual decision!

Understand - but how do you truly assess ability and potential at 11 years old? She’s not a pitching prodigy but she isn’t fully grown and she’s showing a lot of interest, practicing on her own and we are providing support within our resources and capabilities. We just constantly debate if we need to be doing ‘more’ - whether it’s put her in a different team, etc.

 

[_MIA_]

Understand - but how do you truly assess ability and potential at 11 years old? She’s not a pitching prodigy but she isn’t fully grown and she’s showing a lot of interest, practicing on her own and we are providing support within our resources and capabilities. We just constantly debate if we need to be doing ‘more’ - whether it’s put her in a different team, etc.

If she really wants to pitch then get her on a team where she will get some innings whether that is an A level team or a B level team. At some point she may have to make decision..11 probably isn't that point...

 

[Rolling Hard]

"11 probably isn't that point.."
True ^^^^^

 

[Strike2]

one of the competitive teams that we can logistically make it to has 3 pitchers already and have 2 1st basemen as well

If your DD is on the "shorter side", unless there's some reason to believe a growth spurt is coming, she's probably not a 1B going forward. You don't need to be 6ft, but most older teams have enough options that they won't put an undersized target there. It appears that if the pitching doesn't work out, she has a future in the OF. Good OF rarely sit in 14-18U, and there are plenty of fast slappers in college outfields.

 

[Strike2]

Understand - but how do you truly assess ability and potential at 11 years old? She’s not a pitching prodigy but she isn’t fully grown and she’s showing a lot of interest, practicing on her own and we are providing support within our resources and capabilities. We just constantly debate if we need to be doing ‘more’ - whether it’s put her in a different team, etc.

Obviously, you never saw my DD pitch! Fortunately, there were other things she did reasonably well.

 

[Bullseye]

Plain and simple...It's her journey but it's your job as a parent to protect her from making a mistake.

Yeah never let your kid learn anything from trial and error.
Go with them everywhere.
Hold hands crossing the street.
Dont attempt anything new they might fail. Atleast until they're 18.
Then you can see what you've done.

 

[Bullseye]

Why don't you go talk to the coach of the A team about playing time?

I sympathize with your DD. She wants to know how good she is, and she isn't going to learn it by messing around on a mediocre B level team.

Anyway:

1. Your DD is probably an outfielder, not a pitcher or a 1B. Your DD probably knows this, and is waiting for you to figure it out as well. (And, exactly what is wrong with playing OF, getting on base, scoring runs and stealing bases?)
2. Your DD might not want to be a pitcher. She also might not have the tools to be a good pitcher. And, she may know it.
3. It is possible your DD really loves softball and wants to be exceptional. If so, then she knows that OF is where she belongs.
4. Her current team will be gone after this year. More than 50% of the kids on her current team will quit after 12U. Kids start developing interests in band, dance, singing, drama, flags, etc...and they drop out of softball. So, she will have to find a new team if she wants to play.
5. Playing for tournament championships at an A level tournament is a lot of fun.
6. It is her journey. "Spend more time doing what she wants to do, and less time doing what you want to do."
7. "What doesn't kill her makes her stronger." She isn't going to die if she fails on the "A" team...but she will learn some invaluable life lessons.

#6 causes fear that parents have to let children grow up.
#7 proves parents have to.

 

[bmakj]

when DS was in boy scouts, the troop leaders put it this way, you let them do something that you know will result in a skinned knee, but not a broken leg. ie, when planning and packing the food for a weekend camping trip, Ok to let them forget ketchup or even buns if hamburgers were on the menu one night, but not the hamburger.

let them make small mistakes and learn. do not let them make ones that will significantly harm them.

now where a wasted year of softball fits is a whole 'nother discussion.

 

[radness]

Understand - but how do you truly assess ability and potential at 11 years old? She’s not a pitching prodigy but she isn’t fully grown and she’s showing a lot of interest, practicing on her own and we are providing support within our resources and capabilities. We just constantly debate if we need to be doing ‘more’ - whether it’s put her in a different team, etc.

Support and resources are excellent! Glad she like working on her own!!!

Assessing talent level/abilities is ongoing.
Deciding what her goal is (will be)
is an individual plan.

True may be hard to asses at any age or level. Heres a tip~
The more different levels of softball you WATCH that will help understand levels.
Go watch other softball events.
Example if in rec go watch next age level travel.

If in travel and did not do nationals GO watch nationals .

If you play say usssa go watch pgf / alliance.

From my comment earlier
Eventually most every pitcher will at some time have to determine what pitching level they are at.
Or what level they would prefer playing but maybe not pitching.
The batters will help determine that also!

 

[YOCOACH]

Yeah never let your kid learn anything from trial and error.
Go with them everywhere.
Hold hands crossing the street.
Dont attempt anything new they might fail. Atleast until they're 18.
Then you can see what you've done.

See @bmakj 's post #28 as it would be similar to mine but more succinctly stated.