Is it a good idea to let your DD play in an older age group?

[FullCount]

Did they "dominate" this tourney as a team? Based on Sunday's results using your definition, I'm forced to agree that they did not. BUT I have to part ways with you from there. Knowing now that this team had only 1 practice coming in, seeded 1st in their pool in the gold bracket, and then lost what turned out to be an upset on Sunday considering the score going in to the final few innings, I'd have to say that they did pretty stinking good. I'd have to agree with GameTime, give 'em few weekends together to mesh & this team has the POTENTIAL to give teams some pretty good games I'm betting.

[Iluvblue]

Too many kids play up, just to play up and say they are doing it(or I should say so their parents can say they are doing it.)

Get your kid on the best team they can be on with the best coaching, where they will be a major player, .... PERIOD.

2 years ago was my last year in 14u. We had multiple kids that could have played 18u on that team. I can hear it now... yeah sure they could have.

That wasnt what those teams in 18u were saying the last tourney of the summer as they got their butts whipped by that team. Two of those 18u teams we beat that weekend had won their association championship and qualified for 18u asa nationals. I can remember being warned by another coach about a particular team and how good they were prior to us playing them in our first game Sunday. That was a run rule game in our favor.

So what that tells me is that just playing in 18u means nothing. All teams are not created equal. Is your kid getting the best training available in your area? or are they just playing on an avg older team that gets spanked when they play the top teams in their area?

Stop worrying about the age, and start worrying about your kid getting better each season.

[Smokey]

Couldnt agree with you more ILB!!! Some parents are too worried about saying their DD is playing up and that team is so great and their winning, even though their DD is getting limited play time. But that is more important then their DD getting PT and improving in her own age group.

[1st to 3rd]

Well said blue! Couldn't agree more!

[FullCount]

I agree. It can't be a blanket statement though. It's on a case by case basis. I know many cases where a kid is playing "up" on a mediocre team with below average coaching, and so what's the point? But I also know of a few who play up, are on a competitive team (based on stats & results), are starters, and in the top of the line-up. Edited to add that these few have been to at least 1 OnDeck Jamboree/Camp. If they're on the radar of a guy who is recognized by College Coaches to "find young talent," well we definitely cannot include them in this scenario. But a point very well put ILB.

[lookingIN]

Couldnt agree with you more ILB!!! Some parents are too worried about saying their DD is playing up and that team is so great and their winning, even though their DD is getting limited play time. But that is more important then their DD getting PT and improving in her own age group.

Bingo.....

[Tenshun]

I think the OP confused the idea of a dominant team with that of a dominant player. TS may or may not be a dominant team, but IMO it does have some dominant players.

Obviously some parents believe their own DD is as good as the other girls who are playing up or on TS, and thus this thread was started.

It shouldn't really matter whether or not someone else thinks your daughter is good enough to be playing up. If bragging rights (and not skill) is the only reason she is playing up, she will likely struggle and lose confidence. If she fits in with the older girls, gets good coaching and faces better competition, she'll probably up her game. Either way, it's your decision.

[beentheredonethat]

I think the OP confused the idea of a dominant team with that of a dominant player. TS may or may not be a dominant team, but IMO it does have some dominant players.

Obviously some parents believe their own DD is as good as the other girls who are playing up or on TS, and thus this thread was started.

It shouldn't really matter whether or not someone else thinks your daughter is good enough to be playing up. If bragging rights (and not skill) is the only reason she is playing up, she will likely struggle and lose confidence. If she fits in with the older girls, gets good coaching and faces better competition, she'll probably up her game. Either way, it's your decision.

What is your definition of a dominate player?
I did not see anyone that would be out of place in the 14's. JMHO

[Tenshun]

I think the OP confused the idea of a dominant team with that of a dominant player. TS may or may not be a dominant team, but IMO it does have some dominant players.

Obviously some parents believe their own DD is as good as the other girls who are playing up or on TS, and thus this thread was started.

It shouldn't really matter whether or not someone else thinks your daughter is good enough to be playing up. If bragging rights (and not skill) is the only reason she is playing up, she will likely struggle and lose confidence. If she fits in with the older girls, gets good coaching and faces better competition, she'll probably up her game. Either way, it's your decision.

What is your definition of a dominate player?
I did not see anyone that would be out of place in the 14's. JMHO

My definition of dominant is a player who possesses a talent or skill set that gives them a distinct advantage over their peers.

When a dominant player is added to a team, it is usually instantly better than it was before. Take a look at TS's pitchers. They are at the top of the heap in Norcal and most batters will have a much harder time hitting off of them than 95% of the other pitchers in the area. They can make many very good hitters look ordinary.

I didn't say the whole team was dominant, but I do think they have some pitchers who can dominate almost all but the most dominant hitters... Had to have a little Dominate vs. Dominant wordplay fun.

Do you disagree?

[onlooker]

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