Whats more important?

[Ace]

At this time of year, decisions have to be made. Maybe you just made one, or maybe you have to make one in the very near future. But given two options, what is more important to you: Role player on a very good well known team (runner, dp, utility, etc.) or starting at the position of her choice on a average, (at best) team. You know the ones, competetive, but didnt win a tourney last year, maybe went to NSA or Utrip nationals. Is it up to you, or is it up to your daughters?

[Martin]

What age?

Does your DD have a realistic shot at earning a college scholarship?

[anonlooker]

Ace? 12 and 14's sound good? That's kind of a middle ground and we'd get input (hopefully!!) from those who have been there, are there now, and about to be there... i.e. just about everybody!

[weekend4trvl]

At this time of year, decisions have to be made. Maybe you just made one, or maybe you have to make one in the very near future. But given two options, what is more important to you: Role player on a very good well known team (runner, dp, utility, etc.) or starting at the position of her choice on a average, (at best) team. You know the ones, competitive, but didnt win a tourney last year, maybe went to NSA or Utrip nationals. Is it up to you, or is it up to your daughters?

Sorry Ace, you asked a question that can not be answered. The only thing we almost all agree on is that we never know if we are making the right decision. A sub on a top team may allow your DD to work her way into the lineup or long hours of practice and little playing time may turn her away from the sport. A top player on a average team may get her to the next level with all that game time and game speed action that cannot be simulated in practice. The problem with average teams is that they primarily play other average teams and they cannot raise each others level of play. In conclusion she just needs some good solid coaching and it doesn't have to be Tommy Lasorda...be treated with respect...and they do need playing time...Girls learn alot more about softball in games than in practice...remember girls are not boys they have alot better things to do on weekends than sit on a bench and watch others play softball.JMO

[Hawk17]

There are so many other things to consider. Which team does she feel more comfortable with?
Which team will allow her skills to improve the most? What is the schedule for each team? Is there a realistic chance that she can work her way out of being a role player into a more substantial one?

I would talk to other players on the better team who have been in a similar situation. How did the coach handle them? Would they do it again?

Personally, I think that kids only get better by playing.

[DaMann]

Let me tell you my DD's experience, at 12U we came out of REC and joined a average team. My DD started and over the next year and a half and learned everything the coaches could teach her. Taking input from a very knowledgeable batting coach (3 daughters with D1 scholarships) we moved to one of the top organizations in the country. The players were clearly better than my DD, but I told her she would learn and develop more sitting the bench with this team than starting on a average team. Although she didn't start the coach did a very good job of getting all the girls plenty of playing time. After that season the top girls on the team went to the 18 gold team and the rest went to 16U. My daughter started on the 16U, continued to improve her skills and just verballed committed to a D1 scholarship (without sending out 1 letter). With all the politics involved I would recommend if you have the opportunity to play for one of the top teams, and the coach has a history of developing players, giving them plenty of exposure, I'd go that way. Remember at 16 and Gold the college coaches automatically follow the top organizations.

[Ace]

At this time of year, decisions have to be made. Maybe you just made one, or maybe you have to make one in the very near future. But given two options, what is more important to you: Role player on a very good well known team (runner, dp, utility, etc.) or starting at the position of her choice on a average, (at best) team. You know the ones, competitive, but didnt win a tourney last year, maybe went to NSA or Utrip nationals. Is it up to you, or is it up to your daughters?

Sorry Ace, you asked a question that can not be answered. The only thing we almost all agree on is that we never know if we are making the right decision. A sub on a top team may allow your DD to work her way into the lineup or long hours of practice and little playing time may turn her away from the sport. A top player on a average team may get her to the next level with all that game time and game speed action that cannot be simulated in practice. The problem with average teams is that they primarily play other average teams and they cannot raise each others level of play. In conclusion she just needs some good solid coaching and it doesn't have to be Tommy Lasorda...be treated with respect...and they do need playing time...Girls learn alot more about softball in games than in practice...remember girls are not boys they have alot better things to do on weekends than sit on a bench and watch others play softball.JMO

Yeah I agree it cant really be answered, thats why I out it out there. Answerable questions dont make for good discusion. I just wanted to get feed back from the board. In reality, I coach, but dont have a daughter, so im trying to see things from a different angle. Its just

[totsler]

funny you should ask this question, as we are discussing the subject right now. of course, there are 3 of us which isn't helping the situation. since we either have 3 different opinions or it comes out 2-1, so i was actually hoping somebody participating in this discussion could come up with the perfect answer. so far guys, you are killing me! i'm teasing. in our current situation, my daughter is playing on a team with coaches that are former texas all-americans with extensive experience and accolades to their names. however, this past season was their first one coaching and for some reason we haven't been able to pull in as many girls as we'd hoped for tryouts. my daughter has always been able to play the game and play it well but there is no doubt they have made her an even better player. if she stays with the team, she will benefit even more from what they have to teach her, however, until the word gets out that this organization/team even exists, the amount of games played/won may not be great.
we love these coaches and what they offer but at what point do you say we need to find a team that is more of a well-oiled and productive team gamewise overall as opposed to just becoming a better individual player. the problem for me is that i've always felt strongly about softball being a TEAM sport not just about one player and i'm not sure how this is going to work out in this situation.

[Softballshouldbefun]

Just speaking from personal experience with 12U....our DD played on an 'older' 12U team last spring and benefited greatly from both the coaching and playing with the older girls. She played in a lot of pool games and in the occassional blow out bracket game, but it gave her time to learn more about the game and her role. This year, a lot of those girls have moved up and she's starting, so I guess her work paid off!

IMHO, they learn more from game action rather than practice, but sometimes it's about the right environment or organization as well. It's tough to keep them interested in playing if they play for an average or below average team that keeps getting beaten on. Everyone likes to win and if they're not ever winning, it's going to get old real fast.

Just my 2 cents!

[3Bsnag]

my daughter is playing on a team with coaches that are former texas all-americans with extensive experience and accolades to their names. however, this past season was their first one coaching and for some reason we haven't been able to pull in as many girls as we'd hoped for tryouts.

I'm from TX and I don't know who you are talking about. Around here, if you aren't that team that everyone dreads drawing in their first bracket game, you are going to struggle more finding quality players. Take that a step further, the big names draw the better quality players so they continue to be the more dominant teams. Besides the exceptional few, I wouldn't put my DD on a team based on how the coaches played in college. Those that can do......