Advice Requested Regarding HS Softball

[CatWoman]

ExD1Dad - Just finished watching the Cal - ASU game. Cal had a player beat out the throw to first and the commentators said that she ran track in high school and had never played high school softball and credited running track for her great speed. If we had to do it over again, my dd would still play high school softball, however, I would have liked to have known that maybe there were some other options and maybe some of those other options would have been very good for her too.

[Battle]

No she doesn't play HS Ball. If this is the case, I also promise you the college coach will say Why Not? Now, what you don't realize is, THERE IS NO GOOD ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

Let's run thru your options......1-She runs track instead (College coach thinks, kid just isn't that into softball). Yes you will trot out all the nonsense about 'working on her speed'. Coach won't buy it. 2-She is working on her academics (College coach thinks kid is not competent to handle college academics and college ball at the same time) 3-Our HS team sucks, HS coach is a moron, HS team too political, whatever. (College coach will conclude DD is a diva, DDcan't handle adversity, DD doesn't know what the word TEAM means, DD is self-absorbed.
I hope this helps.

Give some examples of college coaches that feel that way. I haven't talked to one that really gave a crap about HS ball.

[exD1dad]

Catwoman you're missing my point completely..IE helping others, school pride, leadership etc which are many attributes lost on the more recent generations of entitled, greedy & selfish Americans, now I'm not saying you're one of those but I was raised & I raise my children to have character... part of which means doing things for others & not thinking that the world revolves around them.

You want an example of a track athlete ? A girl @ my DD's HS not only broke her HS long jump record but set some other JO somthing or other in the process when she was in the eight grade! granted this same HS has 8 or 9 student athletes currently competing for the likes of UCLA, Stanford & several Ivy's & they also had their Asst track coach win a Gold medal @ the London Olympics & it isn't your normal run of the mill HS.

My point ? People who ask for advice on this board generally don't have the freaks of nature like you're talking about.... the God gifted few who can excell at whatever they choose, otherwise they wouldn't need advice because they'd all ready have coaches all up in their DD's chilli

[CatWoman]

ExD1Dad - I do see your point but I have tried to give another opinion to the op's original post. She asked for other parent's experience. My dd is on her third set of coaches, fourth if you count one that was there for one game. The best recommendation/reference letter dd ever received was from that coach who wrote about how she held the team together and the leadership she exhibited during a difficult time for the team so I completely get what you are talking about. However, I am merely trying to give this parent some other options as she wanted to know if there are any.

[CoachKari]

I coached high school softball for many years. All of the players from my teams who went on to play in college earned their scholarships through travel ball. That being said, the best letters of rec for college applications/coaches (yes I wrote letters of rec for my players who were looking at college teams, I knew their character) that I ever wrote were for kids on my softball teams. I knew them better than most other teachers and I was able to see their sportsmanship and leadership skills that are not usually found in the classroom. In addition, I am still friends with many many of my former players today. Most have families of their own now. The relationship we built in high school has stood the test of time. These same players are also still in contact with many former teammates. There is so much more to high school softball than hits and runs. Leadership, school pride, lifelong friendships, a place to land and call home in the large high school environment, memories, and fun. Please do not forget the fun. For many excellent travel ball players, high school softball is fun. There is less pressure and stress. The girls play the sport with their friends, they compete locally and against travel ball friends at other schools. High school softball and travel ball are not the same but offer their own, unique, experience. I say play in high school.

[CatWoman]

I am clearly in the minority with my opinion but I have attempted to give another side to the questions asked. So many have had their kids in or in the case of CoachKari coached in stable and consistent programs and that's nice to hear. However I think it's a good idea for parents to be educated about various options. They may or may not fit for their dd but at least they know about them.

[ontheblack]

Lastly had this player already verballed 1 would think the OP would have mentioned it

Having verballed or signed is not the issue. Some of you are saying that it makes a difference to the college coach. We see kids committing now that havent played an inning of HS ball. If they can play the game, do you think the coach cares? There are so many factors involved here so why pile on Catwoman who offered up a legit opinion which you cant prove to be wrong anyways?

@Tyler, it was on topic. Dont be a d1ckhead just because you can.