Should DD Take Fall Off?

[Coach11]

Does she play another sport? If not, and her goal is to play softball in college, lightening up on her Fall softball schedule and adding a secondary sport to her resume would be a good idea. If she already does, even better. Let her devote her time to that sport, and play in the Rec league you mentioned. Multisport athletes are one of the top criteria college coaches consider when recruiting.
Pitching lessons can wait a few months. And she'll likely WANT to return to them after a break. A greater concern is what softball will she have over the winter. Does the team she's currently with work out during the winter. Can she take advantage of that while searching for a new team for next summer? IMO, the jump from 12s to 14s isn't as critical as the transition from 14s to 16s.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

12s to 14s not as big of a jump as 14s-16s? 16s is the most depleted age group and probably one of the weakest overall. A highschool freshman isnt that far off from a sophomore, but an 8th grader is much different than a 9th grader. Pivotal development year.

[tnbrowser]

Alot of good questions and opinions on this subject.I think the jump to 16s is big in the sense that there is some real power there in places.Daughter is 96 pitcher and at this point the pitches are uncountable.I think we are fortunate that she has fall off,but at some point i'm sure would want to pick up just to be part of the game.I think daughter should have most the input on the decision here if possible.Young adults at this point

[Coach11]

12s to 14s not as big of a jump as 14s-16s? 16s is the most depleted age group and probably one of the weakest overall. A highschool freshman isnt that far off from a sophomore, but an 8th grader is much different than a 9th grader. Pivotal development year.

Not a whole lotta 8th or 9th graders playing varsity ball. Those that are are likely playing up with the 16s on their travel teams.
It has also been my experience that the girls who aren't built for softball most often drop off after the 14s. Those still playing come 16s are more serious. JMO

[ontheblack]

12s to 14s not as big of a jump as 14s-16s? 16s is the most depleted age group and probably one of the weakest overall. A highschool freshman isnt that far off from a sophomore, but an 8th grader is much different than a 9th grader. Pivotal development year.

Each jump weeds out more players, but 2nd year 14U is where you really see it happen as the studs tend to play up.

16U has been the blackhole of FP for a while now. The good players who do play 16s only do so for one year, and the very best in that age skip it altogether. If the change from 40 to 43 at 14U does go through, 16U will become even weaker as more pitchers will be weeded out in 14s.

Taking some time off now at 12s and 14s wont hurt many. Healing nagging injuries is always a good thing. I have noticed that girls who have taken time off tend to come back hungrier and I have seen breakout seasons in the spring from girls who took the time off to do other things in the fall. The exception is the pitcher who misses that fall jump from 35 to 40, or 40 to 43, as they will be at a huge disadvantage.

There is also a lot to be said for multi sport disciplines. We just see it more with boys than girls.

[chill]

Good repost as we start thinking about Fall Ball. Does anyone have anything to add about the pros and cons of skipping Fall ball. In my opinion as long as you keep your DD in shape and work her out they will be mentally & physically re-energized come spring ball when it really matters and avoid burnout.

[Joe]

Chelsea Collins; Steven and Cindy Collins
v.
Amateur Softball Association of America; Does 1-10; ABC corporations 1-10

7/18/2011 CV2011-013234


Negligence lawsuit where plaintiff Chelsea Collins, a former pitcher and registered player with the defendant, "suffered cumulative and catastrophic damage to ... portions of her pitching shoulder, right arm, back right hand and perhaps other areas" after she was called upon to throw hundreds of pitches over a single weekend from age 11 through age 17.

Perhaps...? Too much play may get you where Miss Collins is...

[ICMTM]

I'd say fix the problem that's causing her to "lose her edge." If it's too much softball then adjust her softball schedule. These kids have to sacrifice a lot of social time to play this sport. It's an age where they are changing as people. Their friends are changing. We as parents are changing. Don't assume softball is the reason she's lost her edge.

I tend to agree with watchtonsofsoftball that sitting out has its own set of issues.

[ICMTM]

Good repost as we start thinking about Fall Ball. Does anyone have anything to add about the pros and cons of skipping Fall ball. In my opinion as long as you keep your DD in shape and work her out they will be mentally & physically re-energized come spring ball when it really matters and avoid burnout.

It's kind of hard to burn out on doing something you love. I was on a team where we practiced 4hrs a day 7 days a week as a child. When we had games we'd practice 90 minutes after the game even if it was a double header. It was easily the best summer of my life.

Burnout can come from things that surround the game. Regretting the fact you miss hanging out with friends, boyfriends, best friend drama, pressure from parents, and other things go into burnout. Each kid is different. A novel idea is to ask the kid "what's wrong?" Once you figure out what you're dealing with make a plan from there.

[Gone in 2.6]

Should DD Take Fall Off?

If she wants to, absolutely.

I'd say fix the problem that's causing her to "lose her edge." If it's too much softball then adjust her softball schedule. These kids have to sacrifice a lot of social time to play this sport. It's an age where they are changing as people. Their friends are changing. We as parents are changing. Don't assume softball is the reason she's lost her edge.

I tend to agree with watchtonsofsoftball that sitting out has its own set of issues.

At 12 or 13? I tend to disagree with both of you. It's just not that serious.