Is travel ball where you need to be? DD pitched her way to semi final state champ round this year as a freshman, thanks to this forum, great defense and Hillhouse video. We were invited to a travel team after season. Hasnt gone so well and not so sure we want to travel. Hitting instruction is awesome on travel team, which she needs big time. With all these showcase tounaments, does it matter? Dont think DD wants to travel. Thanks
Travel Ball
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If she doesn't like travel ball, then she will hate college softball. College softball is just travel ball on steroids. So, your question is a little confusing. If she doesn't like travel ball, then she shouldn't even consider college ball.
What is your DD's goal? Why is she playing softball? What was the problem with travel softball?
Travel ball lets a girl play a lot of softball against very good competition. The only way to get really good at a sport is to play against good competition. HS softball isn't even in the same universe as travel softball as far as competition. goes. I don't know of any college player who didn't play travel ball, although maybe a few have.
What is your DD's goal? Why is she playing softball? What was the problem with travel softball?
Travel ball lets a girl play a lot of softball against very good competition. The only way to get really good at a sport is to play against good competition. HS softball isn't even in the same universe as travel softball as far as competition. goes. I don't know of any college player who didn't play travel ball, although maybe a few have.
Agree with Sluggers. Travel ball is very demanding, hours of practice a week, your whole weekend is nothing but game after game after game. Your heart has really got to be in it to travel. It is very stressful on the individual, funds, and social lives.
Sluggers, I personally know of 3 players in the past few years who didn't play travel, but got scholarships through HS programs.
1 played UOM as a pitcher and sucked. She is now a pitching coach for a D2 school.
1 got scholarship to UOK, then got pregnant summer before starting college. ( not sure what happened after that )
1 still playing at Ole Miss, doing about average.
Sluggers, I personally know of 3 players in the past few years who didn't play travel, but got scholarships through HS programs.
1 played UOM as a pitcher and sucked. She is now a pitching coach for a D2 school.
1 got scholarship to UOK, then got pregnant summer before starting college. ( not sure what happened after that )
1 still playing at Ole Miss, doing about average.
What hasn't gone well? Not every team is the right fit for every girl. Maybe it's just not the right fit.
Never met a talented girl that didnt love travel ball. It is demanding on the parents more so than the kid!
Yes, if she wants to be a college player she needs to play as much as she can, with the best players and coaching she can get. If she doesnt like competitive ball, college ball doesnt need to be in her future. Like Sluggers said, that is what college ball is.
Some HS keep girls together by age and go play local tournaments in summer. In my experience this helps the non-travel HS girls, but real travel teams usually make short work of these HS teams in disguise.
Yes, if she wants to be a college player she needs to play as much as she can, with the best players and coaching she can get. If she doesnt like competitive ball, college ball doesnt need to be in her future. Like Sluggers said, that is what college ball is.
Some HS keep girls together by age and go play local tournaments in summer. In my experience this helps the non-travel HS girls, but real travel teams usually make short work of these HS teams in disguise.
We are homebodies. She has a BOYFRIEND at age 15. We are trying to encourage committment. Local friends and coaches told her she should play travel ball, team called and we joined midway through season. As noted, she needs hitting instruction, which is good with team. She pitched an elimination game today and struck out nine, gave up one run. Leaning toward strongly encouraging her to the point of almost forcing her but not sure thats a good idea. Hate to think we wasted an oppurtunity, but ultimately its up to her. Going to look into some local teams that teammates play somewhat travel ball. Thanks
