by Cannonball » Tue Jan 08, 2008 4:29 pm
When it comes to playing up, I don't think it is as much about being able to hit as it is being able to defend themselves in the case of a hard hit ball etc. Therefore, a part of what the parent has to think about is the child's position. We moved our kid up a year or two ago and were worried that she might not be good enough despite encouragement from others. She is a pitcher. She is OK but not great. Sure enough here she was 12 pitching in 14U where some of the girls are really 15 and a shot was hit back at her. It hit her in the pelvis. She recorded the out and then screamed. As parents, we knew that was enough. We needed to let her mature some more. I guess what I'm saying that a parent shouldn't get caught up in the mystique of playing up where they overlook the safety of their child. It was a hard lesson for us. Thank goodness it worked out. We're very lucky!
Granny said sonny stick to your guns if you believe in something no matter what because it's better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you're not.
CoachB25 on other boards.