It's cut day for most high school teams any news to share?

[Coach11]

Judging from some of your other posts you are from New York right? What grade can kids start playing JV sports there?

In Indiana 8th graders are not allowed to play varsity or JV sports. I think there may be an exception for the private schools that are not part of the IHSAA. I'm not sure on that one, but I am pretty sure that none of them would have softball.

Yes......I'm in NY.

AFAIK, students become eligible to play varsity/JV in 8th grade. I honestly don't know if that's state regs, or each district determines for themselves.

I know of several....3 or 4....8th grade pitchers that played varsity here in this county last season. Personally, I think that's a bad move, as they only see a few innings each week as opposed to the regular work they would have seen pitching on their JV teams.

I was on the fence at the start of last year regarding my own DD and whether or not she should have played varsity. Normally, I prefer kids to stay down and see regular playing time, and even get a chance to shine amongst their peers.(big fish little pond, rather than little fish in the ocean) I think it can be a great confidence booster. But after watching what was essentially a travel ball player competing in a rec league, I'm not so sure spending more time on the bench with the varsity squad wouldn't have benefitted her more.

All water under the bridge now....just looking forward to opening day.

[Cannonball]

DD is a soph but started on V last year. While running springs and with 2 left during the opening day, she slipped on the gym floor. We see a knee specialist on Monday. She is very depressed.

[bucketboy]

I'll take the bait gunshy what's the magic number?

I wish you guys were still on the schedule as it would be a good time.

DD's new coach really wants a JV and was hoping to get 20 kids out and at the beginning said she had 17 coming out, but in reality only had 13 come to tryouts. 10 have some level of travel experience and 3 rec ball kids.

I agree with your statements on making those phone calls to the parents of young players you don't have room for. Good advice to a 12u coach.

Sorry to hear about your dd's knee cannonball hope she heals quickly and can get back to practice asap.

[gunshy]

Bucketboy, no bait and nothing magic about numbers. I meant that our school usually doesn't cut, just asks those trying out what number they want on their jersey. There are 33 girls in my DD's grade, which is pretty representative of all 4 high school grades, so it is very hard to chase away ANYONE with even remote athletic ability. We ended up with 19 players, which will allow us to have a JV team. Some varsity players will have to play JV from time to time, to make sure we have enough pitching and catching AND make sure we don't exceed the max numbers of games played per season. It would be good to have you on our schedule; most of our kids couldn't handle your pitching, but it would make us better to see it.

[Stratos]

We had 37 girls come out, with no cuts. Going to field a freshman, JV, and Varsity team.
With approxiamately 30 of those girls either playing or have played travel softball.

[coolstuff]

DD is a soph but started on V last year. While running springs and with 2 left during the opening day, she slipped on the gym floor. We see a knee specialist on Monday. She is very depressed.

After DD made the first cut, she came down with the flu. She's home again today. She's going to try to go to Saturday's practice. Hope they don't send her home.

[clayface74]

Well, here is how it went..remember this is rec all star situation...(our league lost 7 girls to travel ball this season..and there are a at least 2 more that could make the move but haven't for various reasons..very competitive for rec ball here)I cut 2 ..parents took it very well. I was open and honest and quick to the point. They thanked me for my honesty and wished us well. 2 more i kept as alternates..I was very open about not being able to promise any playing time but would like them to work out with the team and will help them progress. I'm glad I did a second tryout. I think their nerves were on high at the first.

[coolstuff]

DD went to practice Saturday and didn't get sent home, so that's a good sign! And the coach gave her a team batting helmet, so I think that's even a better sign! The coaches are speaking to each girl individually about what their role in the team will be. DD didn't get "her" talk Saturday so she doesn't know where she will roster. There was a strange rumor she heard about a freshman who told the coach that if she wasn't going to play varsity, she didn't want to play. And she is not a travel ball girl. And she wasn't at practice Saturday.

[coolstuff]

The freshman-pitcher-who-only-wanted-to-play-varsity story seems to be holding true. At least, the girl isn't showing up for practice. So it could either be true, or the girl herself made up the story because she got cut and is trying to save face - the "You can't fire me! I quit!" response.

DD still doesn't know where she's going to roster. Final cuts have been made. Other players have had their meeting with the coaches, but not DD and I suspect others - yet. The coaches have said that rosters won't be finalized until after spring break. Last year's varsity players and other invited players are playing two games the weekend after spring break, March 27 & 28, against Bloomington North and Jasper. DD is one of four freshman girls who have been invited to go. I guess she will find out at practice during the 30th.

Is this the usual procedure? When DD played volleyball, the girls knew after two days of tryouts whether or not they made the team, and after the first week knew which roster they were on. But then, the VB team had less than two weeks from tryouts to the first game of the season. Not counting this weekend's games, the softball team will have over four weeks before the schedule really kicks off on April 7.

[bucketboy]

Coolstuff you may find out where your DD stands this weekend if she gets PT at the varsity level.

As a freshman in a successful high school program dressing varsity the first game of the year is a good thing in my opinion. If they start her then be proud as there are some schools that have the mentality that no matter how good a freshman is they won't play varsity. I hope the weather is good to us all this spring.

Good luck to her and you this season.