Is there no more loyalty in softball

[2kocbb]

What if your kid has already committed to a college should she play in 18's or 16's ?

[Dugout Dad]

What if your kid has already committed to a college should she play in 18's or 16's ?

I would get her on the best 18 team she can get on. Her college coach would want that. They want her to play against the best competition in order to get ready for college ball.
JMO

[jonriv]

I would also suggest getting her on a team with a coach that will help her with any weaknesses she might have.

Weak part in my DDs game prior to going to college was her bunting(as a power hitter she was rarely asked to bunt) He final summer in TB was with a coach that worked on her bunting constantly- even had her try it from the left side. My DD is not only confident with her bunting, but has actually become quite good.

I also know of players that worked on their defence, learning another position etc....

[Tyler Durden]

I would also suggest getting her on a team with a coach that will help her with any weaknesses she might have.

Weak part in my DDs game prior to going to college was her bunting(as a power hitter she was rarely asked to bunt) He final summer in TB was with a coach that worked on her bunting constantly- even had her try it from the left side. My DD is not only confident with her bunting, but has actually become quite good.

I also know of players that worked on their defence, learning another position etc....

jon. You have a keen interest in all HB topics, that is obvious. Sometimes, I feel like you may be trying too hard to "hold court". You seemingly have insight on virtually every topic that is discussed....especially the many that you author. You seem like a well-intentioned person, but I often find myself wondering what makes you tick. In any case, now you are telling us that your power-hitting daughter, who was signed, and playing her final TB season, was "constantly" working on her bunting, sometimes as a slapper. OK.

[jonriv]

In her last summer in TB- yes(howver not slapping)

Coach had her bunt a great deal and spent a lot of time having her bunt. In the first tourney with that coach she bunted 5 times(4 times more than the past 5 years combined) She even got a bunt base hit from the left side(she had joked she was a "splapper") As frustrating as it was to watch her bunt as much as she did that season, it did pay off the following year in college. IMO too many players stay one dimenstional. The summer before college is an ideal time for a player to work on their shortcomings

[Fredegar]

Coach had her bunt a great deal and spent a lot of time having her bunt. In the first tourney with that coach she bunted 5 times(4 times more than the past 5 years combined) She even got a bunt base hit from the left side(she had joked she was a "splapper") As frustrating as it was to watch her bunt as much as she did that season, it did pay off the following year in college. IMO too many players stay one dimenstional. The summer before college is an ideal time for a player to work on their shortcomings

Sorry to hijack this thread, but why on earth would your power-hitting DD be wasting time batting from the left side? Yes, bunting is a good skill to have. And power-hitters are occasionally asked to do that (although very rarely depending on the coach). But from the left side? Seems like a waste of time when she'd be better off working on her shortcomings, as you say, and bunting from her normal right side. Sorry...doesn't make sense. But glad it worked for her.

[jonriv]

Coach had her bunt a great deal and spent a lot of time having her bunt. In the first tourney with that coach she bunted 5 times(4 times more than the past 5 years combined) She even got a bunt base hit from the left side(she had joked she was a "splapper") As frustrating as it was to watch her bunt as much as she did that season, it did pay off the following year in college. IMO too many players stay one dimenstional. The summer before college is an ideal time for a player to work on their shortcomings

Sorry to hijack this thread, but why on earth would your power-hitting DD be wasting time batting from the left side? Yes, bunting is a good skill to have. And power-hitters are occasionally asked to do that (although very rarely depending on the coach). But from the left side? Seems like a waste of time when she'd be better off working on her shortcomings, as you say, and bunting from her normal right side. Sorry...doesn't make sense. But glad it worked for her.

I thought the same thing, but the coach felt it helped players see the ball better and to work on their mechanics. It was only a couple of times- overall the bunting emphasis improved her overall hitting. Ironically her college coach had her do the same thing in a practice this fall(after she had trouble laying some down from the right side) she was able to do it fine from the left(go figure) My thought is if it works why question the method

[basher1]

Very good comment. It is always important to "know your place." This is especially true in all aspects of travel ball. It is also important to be realistic in your expectations.

If I were starting out again in 12U I would not hesitate to join a team with a coach that has a reputation for grooming players so that they are attractive to cream of the crop travel organizations.

[CheckWriter]

What if your kid has already committed to a college should she play in 18's or 16's ?

I would have DD call her college coach and ask. There are some really tight pipelines from some TB teams to certain colleges. Also, if she is not going to 'bama or AZ St or whatever top 20 program, DD may be better off playing more regularly on a 16 team than sitting a lot during showcases. Good 16U play may be perfectly appropriate prep for some mid level (or lower level) DI, DII, etc.

Former TB team mate of DD left a "name brand" team because she was one of 5 pitchers and, while not the #1 was getting significant innings relatively speaking, but her college coach "suggested" she go to a specific team where she was the #1 and got a lot more innings.

It just depends on the specifics of the situation and who better to at least get some guidance from than her future coach.

[Iluvblue]

Im pretty damn loyal to my players. I try like crazy to never cut kids, even though sometimes I just cant keep it from happening.

But i dont kid myself for a second thinking that if a parent thinks leaving my team si better for their kid, that they will be gone in a second.

im mad for about a minute, and then I move on. If you are REALLY concerned with developing players, it wont matter which players you develop. Do I want to win games? Sure, but it doesnt change my life one bit if we do or dont. The sooner a coach comes to that realization the better life will be.

So if a player leaves, another one comes right in. That player might not be as good as the player that left, but if you are really about wanting to help the player, should it matter?

Loyalty does exist. We only added 2 players from outside my organization to my Gold team. After next Summer, it will be the same thing as kids from my 16u will fill the spots made by those graduating. I may not even have a tryout next year.... and that would be perfect in my book.