by TXfastpitchsoftball » Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:39 am
Depends on age, but by the time your DD is in high school if she wants to play in college - especially at the Div. I level - and softball isn't her undisputed No. 1 priority, she probably doesn't need to be trying to earn a college scholarship, and therefore, doesn't need to travel, play every weekend, etc. If she already is wanting to be "just a high school student," she is probably at some point going to want to "just be a college student," and college softball isn't where she needs to be.
I would suggest sitting down and having a serious, heart-to-heart about what your daughter really and truly thinks she wants out of softball; her talent level; and what she and you are willing to do to achieve that goal and have success once she gets to college. Sooner is better than later.
I'm always amazed at parents and players who say they want to play Division I softball, but then the daughter and/or parents complains about committing almost all of their time in the fall and summer to weekend showcases/qualifiers, traveling, etc. What do they think college softball requires once they get there? And it's beginning to be no different for Division II.
We were sitting around the house with the spouse's parents this weekend, and they were saying how great it was that Gabby Douglas, the U.S. Olympic gymnast, had moved away from her family to Iowa to pursue her Olympic dreams. They went on and on about how so many kids today just don't have that kind of dedication, commitment, etc.
My DD quickly pointed out to her grandparents that they sure don't think it is great for her to play softball almost every weekend, miss family outings, birthdays, weddings, vacations, Friday night football, etc to pursue her college softball dreams. I had to stifle a laugh as my spouse glared across the room at me.