Anonymous wrote:All the players who aspire to play Varsity at a competitive high school or in college see a batting coach. Plus a pitching coach if that is your position.

My niece has a boyfriend who is serious at baseball and his brother plays professional. I’ll have to ask her how often they played as kids.

I know my niece played basketball starting in 4th grade because my sister didn’t want her lying around in high school. She played varsity all four years but was never really into it. She doesn’t play in college even recreationally.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the end game here? I played in the ACC and outside of a couple of pitchers, no one took private lessons. While I understand things have changed in the past ten years, I still do not believe that doing all of this extra stuff is going to make you stand out. The best athletes stood out, were recruited and played. The majority of student athletes in college played two and three sports growing up. This seems really over the top.

Sports (of all kinds, levels, etc) have changed a ton in the 20 years since you probably were recruited. No matter the sport, kids are playing travel and getting private coaching earlier. It's crazy, but it's what it takes to stay at the top of the game if that's important to you.

Talent, self motivation, practice or work out on their own will win out over the private coaches and travel at 7 years old.

My daughter and her friend started basketball at 12 years old. They are both invested in it and play on the middle school team. Her friend is a natural. She is one of the best players on the team. My daughter improves all the time because she’s motivated but she doesn’t compare to her friend who looks like she started playing as a two year old. Talent beats all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the end game here? I played in the ACC and outside of a couple of pitchers, no one took private lessons. While I understand things have changed in the past ten years, I still do not believe that doing all of this extra stuff is going to make you stand out. The best athletes stood out, were recruited and played. The majority of student athletes in college played two and three sports growing up. This seems really over the top.

I can understand a few lessons on a weakness but if the student is doing well why bother?

Things have really changed in the last 30 years. Back then most students started playing sports in middle school or high school. The talented ones played in college and some went pro.
Now parents think they can create an athlete like Tiger Woods.

Sometimes doing well (with mechanical flaws) today might not translate to doing well later. For example, my young teen DS has a kid on his baseball team who is HUGE and has some success in games for now with his size being a big help. But both his hitting and pitching mechanics are rough and he will start to struggle more in the future if not corrected- it isn’t surprising that he takes hitting and pitching lessons. The coaches don’t have time to work with him at this age, and most parents don’t have the knowledge to help.

Anonymous wrote:When is there time for private lessons? DD plays softball 3x a week, plus games on the weekend. She does a second sport that also has multiple practices/games a week. Do most of these kids JUST play softball? Or do you double-up with lessons and practice on the same day? It just seems like...a lot.

My kids take more lessons in the off-season or during slower times. They also try to squeeze in lessons during the season when they can. My DS’s baseball coach is ok with being late to practice here and there if coming from a lesson- stated upfront and applies to all (but not all coaches would be). It helps to choose a private instructor either near home or practice field.

When is there time for private lessons? DD plays softball 3x a week, plus games on the weekend. She does a second sport that also has multiple practices/games a week. Do most of these kids JUST play softball? Or do you double-up with lessons and practice on the same day? It just seems like...a lot.

My daughter never had an interest in playing competitively in college (she may play club) but she did have an interest in playing well and contributing to her travel team (and hs team), thus the private hitting and catching lessons. It made her feel more confident about herself, and also gave her additional credibility with her team coaches.

My friend's 10 year old DD has been in private lessons for almost 3 years, hitting and pitching. I guess it's worked so far - she is on the top team in her state and has already had comments about being D1. That is absolutely wild to me, will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Anonymous wrote:What is the end game here? I played in the ACC and outside of a couple of pitchers, no one took private lessons. While I understand things have changed in the past ten years, I still do not believe that doing all of this extra stuff is going to make you stand out. The best athletes stood out, were recruited and played. The majority of student athletes in college played two and three sports growing up. This seems really over the top.

I can understand a few lessons on a weakness but if the student is doing well why bother?

Things have really changed in the last 30 years. Back then most students started playing sports in middle school or high school. The talented ones played in college and some went pro. Now parents think they can create an athlete like Tiger Woods.

All the players who aspire to play Varsity at a competitive high school or in college see a batting coach. Plus a pitching coach if that is your position.

^^^

Oh also CatchersU runs some of their softball classes at Pioneer Baseball Academy. The in-season program, session 2, might still be taking registration. Not sure if that's close enough for you.

Anonymous wrote:Where would one even find a catcher coach for softball? We are in Arlington.

Close to where you are? Check out:

Arlington Softball+
Victory Fastpitch

Further out but easier logistically, SixFour3.

Where would one even find a catcher coach for softball? We are in Arlington.

Mom of middle school aged softball player who seems well prepared to make her high school team in Fairfax County public schools next year. We know many who do travel ball and/or rec, and in our circle it doesn't seem like many do private lessons aside from pitching. We know a couple catchers who do. Most girls do the team batting practice but don't see a private coach. Pitching is different. My daughter pitches and does a weekly private lesson. It's a technical skill and teams don't have pitching-specific coaches to teach the skill. Form is important not only to do well, but to prevent injury. I think most softball pitchers do take a private lesson for these reasons, although I'm sure some have natural abilities and can get by without it.

Anonymous wrote:What is the end game here? I played in the ACC and outside of a couple of pitchers, no one took private lessons. While I understand things have changed in the past ten years, I still do not believe that doing all of this extra stuff is going to make you stand out. The best athletes stood out, were recruited and played. The majority of student athletes in college played two and three sports growing up. This seems really over the top.

Sports (of all kinds, levels, etc) have changed a ton in the 20 years since you probably were recruited. No matter the sport, kids are playing travel and getting private coaching earlier. It's crazy, but it's what it takes to stay at the top of the game if that's important to you.

Anonymous wrote:What is the end game here? I played in the ACC and outside of a couple of pitchers, no one took private lessons. While I understand things have changed in the past ten years, I still do not believe that doing all of this extra stuff is going to make you stand out. The best athletes stood out, were recruited and played. The majority of student athletes in college played two and three sports growing up. This seems really over the top.

It’s stupid. Just another example of the UMC trying to buy an advantage for their kid.