Pulling out just before Nats ?

[SoftballJunkie2]

I am one of the parents that should have their head examined for going to Nationals. I have been laid off for 7 months now. Cashed in my 401K to afford a running car and to take my 18U DD to nationals. Then the big question - do we sign up for next year? My DD needs the exposure tournaments in the fall to hopefully go to college to play. But when do I say enough is enough? But if my DD does not go to college - her life will be worse than mine in just a few short years! I was in the construction industry for over 20 years. Never laid off till now.

There are reasons for leaving but I also feel that once you committed you try to find a way. And leaving due to financial reasons only to pick up with a different team is not the same.

[hotwheels]

My question is when is enough enough? You try to qualify out of state, not good enough, in state, not enough, regional, not good enough, out of state again, not good enough, all the long losing to teams that also aren't qualifying. With the exception of the one local qualifier (only gas & food money), the rest of these trips cost a minimum of $1K. Then when you refuse to spend anymore money the coach wants to kick you off the team. Doesn't the coach have a responsibility to the parents and players, to evaluate his team instead of just wanting to feed his/her ego?

Absolutely...I think if you go to State and fail there and you know that your team is NOT good then you shouldn't go anywhere......It's a TOTAL waste of money and trust me.......9 or 10 of the parents don't want to go at all when you know your team has no shot.....Don't fool yourselves.....

[Sftbll4ever]

I am one of the parents that should have their head examined for going to Nationals. I have been laid off for 7 months now. Cashed in my 401K to afford a running car and to take my 18U DD to nationals. Then the big question - do we sign up for next year? My DD needs the exposure tournaments in the fall to hopefully go to college to play. But when do I say enough is enough? But if my DD does not go to college - her life will be worse than mine in just a few short years! I was in the construction industry for over 20 years. Never laid off till now.

There are reasons for leaving but I also feel that once you committed you try to find a way. And leaving due to financial reasons only to pick up with a different team is not the same.

I'm not sure there will be that many scouts at 18u Nationals, as in past, they typically go to 16u. If I were in your shoes (and by the way, I am sorry to hear of your layoff), I would have saved the money and used it to travel in the fall for the showcases where there will be scouts.

Good luck to you and your dd!!!

[SoftballJunkie2]

That is true about the scouts. But then my DD is letting down the entire team by not going to nationals. I guess that is my point. It is expensive to stay committed to a team. But I do believe it is the right thing to do. When we committed to the team I had a job and plenty of vacation time to go to Nationals. And if she didn't go to Nationals she would not be invited back to this team. Not complaining but that is the problem with the economy the way it is.

[Sftbll4ever]

That is true about the scouts. But then my DD is letting down the entire team by not going to nationals. I guess that is my point. It is expensive to stay committed to a team. But I do believe it is the right thing to do. When we committed to the team I had a job and plenty of vacation time to go to Nationals. And if she didn't go to Nationals she would not be invited back to this team. Not complaining but that is the problem with the economy the way it is.

Great attitude and good job!!!