Why is there nothing between Rec and Low level travel?

[Anonymous]

DC is 12 and we finally caved on doing travel this year as Rec was becoming unbearable for DC with all the new kids and kids who don’t take practice and games seriously. We tried the find the lowest key, lowest level travel team we could and DC is still the “worst” kid on the team and barely plays. I guess we will stick the year out but I don’t think this is for us.

I don’t understand why there isn’t a third choice - a league of kids like DC who were the top 1-3 kids on their Rec team but have no interest in sitting the bench in travel, private coaching or playing in college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC is 12 and we finally caved on doing travel this year as Rec was becoming unbearable for DC with all the new kids and kids who don’t take practice and games seriously. We tried the find the lowest key, lowest level travel team we could and DC is still the “worst” kid on the team and barely plays. I guess we will stick the year out but I don’t think this is for us.

I don’t understand why there isn’t a third choice - a league of kids like DC who were the top 1-3 kids on their Rec team but have no interest in sitting the bench in travel, private coaching or playing in college.

Where are you located? Have you looked at PPA development league? I think they might fit the bill.

[Anonymous]

Are you in MD? You can do MSI Classic or Sam Select. It’s a level above rec but not travel.

[Anonymous]

The bottom teams for the huge clubs are usually really bad. Try a bigger club like McLean or Loudon if you're in VA

[Anonymous]

Arlington has that- ADP- Arlington development program.

[Anonymous]

MSI Classic is a great in between. Most teams have professional coaches and the games are generally competitive.

[Anonymous]

What sport? Basketball?

If so, keep looking. There should be options but I tend to agree with you that there should be something else and more of it.

[Anonymous]

We were in that situation, so I feel you. Every year I’d tell DD “this is the year where there won’t be kids new to the sport and it will be more competitive.” Nope. Even in 7th grade there were new kids on her rec league team. She tried travel and it was a disaster b/c it’s not her main sport so she doesn’t eat/sleep/breathe bball and didn’t get much playing time.

IDK, it’s sad and frustrating for the good but not great kids.

[Anonymous]

Clas if

[Anonymous]

OP here. For us it’s softball, I’d rather not say where specifically but in Nova.

[Anonymous]

I believe Alexandria has something called Rec plus - my son never did it, but he gets offers to ref for it. I think it goes through age 12. You can call them and ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Arlington has that- ADP- Arlington development program.

+1

This program was excellent for our daughter, who was an average rec player, but wanted to play more. Now she plays travel… something we never would’ve thought would have happened. The ADP program really does focus on development at risk of losing games, which we appreciated. They also spread out the talent between all of the different ADP teams, so none of the teams are stacked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. For us it’s softball, I’d rather not say where specifically but in Nova.

There's a rec allstar program in NOVA -- it's year-round depending on where you are. They often play double-headers or weeknight games in addiiton to rec. There's also a full summer league that's pretty competitive...but not travel.

That said, there are also some travel teams that play all girls and aren't as competitive. My kid is on one (and wishes she was on a team more like yours where the best players play more.)

[Anonymous]

I see the sport is softball. At 12, all the girls should be seeing significant playing time on a low level travel team. I’d keep an eye out for a new team as they are not all like this.

Do you have any idea why she doesn’t play, skill wise? Has the coach said anything? Some batting or pitching lessons, or learning a new position to fill a defensive hole can be helpful. In terms of getting playing time.

Also, some of the teams at this age are straight up daddyball, or are simply an established group that has been playing together for years already (nearly impossible to break into the starting lineup).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see the sport is softball. At 12, all the girls should be seeing significant playing time on a low level travel team. I’d keep an eye out for a new team as they are not all like this.

Do you have any idea why she doesn’t play, skill wise? Has the coach said anything? Some batting or pitching lessons, or learning a new position to fill a defensive hole can be helpful. In terms of getting playing time.

Also, some of the teams at this age are straight up daddyball, or are simply an established group that has been playing together for years already (nearly impossible to break into the starting lineup).

OP here. It must be hitting because her fielding is definitely average for the team’s abilities. The team is newly formed (wasn’t playing together last year.) I honestly sometimes wish they had just cut her at tryouts but there is no way to know that then.