Injuried Player and Try-Outs

[ca-dreamin]

How should a 16U player handle try-outs when still trying to come back from an injury - catcher with knee pain - no surgery needed! I have been going to a sports guy and seeing positive results

Take the fall season off, stay with current team or talk to the new coaches and explain the problem.

[SSdad]

Well if there was no knee pain, would you still be giving those 3 options?

[KT93]

Camunication is the key. Most team revamp in fall & build for the next season. If you are wanting to make a change I think your best chance is now. Providing you have played in the same area for a while I bet the coaches know what you can do & the tryout is just a formallity.

We have kind of the same situwation. Catcher tore her ACL & just had it repaired. We told her & her parents we needed to know her intentions before tryouts. Spots cant be held but quality players especially catchers are hard to come by. Taking the risk of further injuries just coz you wont talk tot he coach is crazy. We coaches like to talk & are normaly understanding in the situwations... Just dont ask my players about that...

[Sam]

How should a 16U player handle try-outs when still trying to come back from an injury - catcher with knee pain - no surgery needed! I have been going to a sports guy and seeing positive results

Take the fall season off, stay with current team or talk to the new coaches and explain the problem.

What year are you?

What happened to your previous team?

What do you do besides catch?

[ca-dreamin]

I am a second year 14U - 2011 and currently am being used as a utility player - 3rd, 2nd, and outfield. I have a good bat and used as a DH when I am not on the field.

Catching is my strongest position and was the starting catcher. But I have not been able to catch for a few months now. I could catch, if I had to, but it would set me back in my rehab.
(I did that already, not worth it )

My team is staying 14U and since I have to move up, I wanted to play 16U in the Fall. But I can stay with this team for the Fall. I love the girls, but I am ready to move up. But right now I am not 100 and I don't want to give a poor preformance.

[A's mom]

Communication is the key!! Talk to your Dr., and your P.T. and make sure to get an ok from them and find out about any limitations they want you to have at any given position you may be playing as well as an expected return to full play date. Armed with these tools, talk to all prospective coaches, or have your parents contact them and let them know you are interested in trying out but this is your situation. Then you take it from there. I am going through this right now with my DD although she did have two surgeries in 6 months. Most of these coaches will understand and especially for a talented catcher, will be willing to help you through the rehab process. I am finding right now that the more experienced coaches are all saying this to us "Come on out for tryouts, let me know when you arrive and I will have her do what is in her ability only and just by mechanics and knowledge I will be able to tell if she will be a fit for our team." On the other hand the younger, newer (just out of rec) coaches are saying things like "will she be ready for our first friendly, is she willing to push it, I want 100%, etc." The better coaches understand injuries will happen, especially with the more agressive players, they also understand that pushing the healing too much will hurt everyone in the long run and that bringing you on now and nurturing your healing will insure they have a healthy, strong, committed catcher when it counts in the spring. Please don't push yourself too much and do more harm, tryouts will come around again in January if you don't find a fit now. If your ultimate goal is to play college ball, or just to play for many years to come, be smart with your health now, and don't let anyone push you into anything your body isn't ready for. Good Luck!

[SSdad]

your knees are so important, don't try to push it. Finish your rehab and get better. if you play 16U in the fall, maybe play your other posititions and perfect your skills there. Then when rehab is complete and Jan. tryouts come around, go get your starting job back, with fresh knees.

[anonlooker]

Do the rehab, no question. You can always go back to catching next season. Not see easy getting a new set of knees.

Think in terms of the rest of your life, you have many years to live, and believe me, you want to be able to walk. Save your knees.