How long did your DD play travel softball?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience with softball, I did not see many kids leave after 9th grade. These girls just loved the game and stuck with it. What you did begin to see a lot of is people moving to more competitive teams etc. This can happen at different times from 8th-11th grade depending on kid/interest/talent/desires etc.

The bolded is so interesting to me because I've heard it from many parents of high school softball players, but within the softball community in this area there seems to be an increasing panic that if a kid isn't playing B-level travel by 10 they will never be able to progress to higher level teams. It's just demonstrably not so, though. Are there kids who have aspirations high enough that they should be playing travel young? Sure, some. But it's not impossible to be a competitive high school softball player without moving to a high level young.

But is there a point where a kid playing on an OK team should look for a "better" one if they are a "better" player? Right now DD is on the team because she's played with the same group of girls for years and likes them. But she's getting frustrated at their lack of success. (I don't care either way-- I think there's a lot to be said for playing with your friends.)

If she's frustrated, are there teams she's playing in tournaments she's started to be interested in? Teams that seem like a match?

Unless she's looking to make a winter switch - and possibly burn some bridges - the change wouldn't be until summer, right? And if so, then you all have time to look around and see what kind of organizations appeal and might meet her goals.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience with softball, I did not see many kids leave after 9th grade. These girls just loved the game and stuck with it. What you did begin to see a lot of is people moving to more competitive teams etc. This can happen at different times from 8th-11th grade depending on kid/interest/talent/desires etc.

The bolded is so interesting to me because I've heard it from many parents of high school softball players, but within the softball community in this area there seems to be an increasing panic that if a kid isn't playing B-level travel by 10 they will never be able to progress to higher level teams. It's just demonstrably not so, though. Are there kids who have aspirations high enough that they should be playing travel young? Sure, some. But it's not impossible to be a competitive high school softball player without moving to a high level young.

But is there a point where a kid playing on an OK team should look for a "better" one if they are a "better" player? Right now DD is on the team because she's played with the same group of girls for years and likes them. But she's getting frustrated at their lack of success. (I don't care either way-- I think there's a lot to be said for playing with your friends.)

If she's frustrated, are there teams she's playing in tournaments she's started to be interested in? Teams that seem like a match?

Unless she's looking to make a winter switch - and possibly burn some bridges - the change wouldn't be until summer, right? And if so, then you all have time to look around and see what kind of organizations appeal and might meet her goals.

OP, is she a 2011? What level is she playing now and does the team have a winning record?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In my experience with softball, I did not see many kids leave after 9th grade. These girls just loved the game and stuck with it. What you did begin to see a lot of is people moving to more competitive teams etc. This can happen at different times from 8th-11th grade depending on kid/interest/talent/desires etc.

The bolded is so interesting to me because I've heard it from many parents of high school softball players, but within the softball community in this area there seems to be an increasing panic that if a kid isn't playing B-level travel by 10 they will never be able to progress to higher level teams. It's just demonstrably not so, though. Are there kids who have aspirations high enough that they should be playing travel young? Sure, some. But it's not impossible to be a competitive high school softball player without moving to a high level young.

This is so true. Don't get caught up in the nonsense!

[Anonymous]

My DD started travel at age 14 and played through age 22. She played for a D2 school in college, too.