The Softball Clinic.com
Building Better Faspitch Softball Players
Why isn't my daughter playing?Yes, we're all parents and we all want our darling daughters to shine, be the best softball player on the team, and always get the game winning hit. Okay, maybe we don't always expect them to get the game winning hit, but we sure want them to be given the opportunity to be in that position. In the video clip to the right you'll see 12 very happy young women, all who were pulling for the same common goal, and while all 12 weren't on the field for the ASA championship softball game all played an important role in this accomplishment. This is what teamwork in softball is all about. Read more below on helping your daughter find the right team and what you might see at various levels of play.
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Finding the right team...
This is very important particularly as your young softball athlete is starting out in the game. Find a team where the fastpitch softball coaches teach the fundamentals of the game. Early on this is making sure that they know the right fielding positions for ground balls, fly balls etc, that they're learning the game, the difference between a force out and when a tag is required, how to throw the ball and swing the bat properly. While this sounds overly simplistic you would be surpirsed that how many young girls get to the 16u level for example and haven't developed reactionary skills to running bases, have an understanding on where to throw the ball in basic situations and while many of these skills are more mental then physical, they are the very skills that keep a lot of physically talented young athletes on the bench in crtical game situations.
Rec ball vs. Competitive High School or Travel Ball...
Rec ball
This is where every kid should play in every game! I once read on a forum of a father who coached his daughters rec ball team, they had a big game coming up for the rec league championship. He seemed very excited, then he proceeded to speak of his record against this coach and how he would only put his best team on the field for this competition. Really? I've seen countless 10-12 year old girls give up on the game because of circumstances like these. Rec ball should be fun for each kid! Rec ball should be where the kid puts their toe in the water of competition, to begin to gain confidence, to develop a passion for a sport or activity. This is where the love of the game should begin.
Travel Ball
Hopefully at the younger ages travel ball takes on an elevated feel of Rec ball. While it will be getting more competitive ideally you'll find a team where the coach plays every kid on the softball team during the Saturday pool play rounds. It's these pool play rounds where the young softball athlete will experience the physical and mental aspect of the game and most importantly begin to devlop confindence in their abilities.
Sunday elimination rounds may be a little different and playing time may become a little more sparce for some players on the team. Here many coaches begin to teach competition stressing that Saturday performances play an important role in earning a spot for Sunday's games.
As your daughter advances in age they begin to understand the competitive reality of the game and the importance of beinging prepared at all times.
High School (Varsity)
While only a handful of kids in each graduating class will play beyond the high school level, this is a very competitive brand of softball. Playing time for some may be very limited, and understanding that making the team doesn't guarantee playing time, however it does guarantee that the coaches of the team recognize your daughter as one of the best 12-14 fastpitch softball players at that school.
This is where every kid should play in every game! I once read on a forum of a father who coached his daughters rec ball team, they had a big game coming up for the rec league championship. He seemed very excited, then he proceeded to speak of his record against this coach and how he would only put his best team on the field for this competition. Really? I've seen countless 10-12 year old girls give up on the game because of circumstances like these. Rec ball should be fun for each kid! Rec ball should be where the kid puts their toe in the water of competition, to begin to gain confidence, to develop a passion for a sport or activity. This is where the love of the game should begin.
Travel Ball
Hopefully at the younger ages travel ball takes on an elevated feel of Rec ball. While it will be getting more competitive ideally you'll find a team where the coach plays every kid on the softball team during the Saturday pool play rounds. It's these pool play rounds where the young softball athlete will experience the physical and mental aspect of the game and most importantly begin to devlop confindence in their abilities.
Sunday elimination rounds may be a little different and playing time may become a little more sparce for some players on the team. Here many coaches begin to teach competition stressing that Saturday performances play an important role in earning a spot for Sunday's games.
As your daughter advances in age they begin to understand the competitive reality of the game and the importance of beinging prepared at all times.
High School (Varsity)
While only a handful of kids in each graduating class will play beyond the high school level, this is a very competitive brand of softball. Playing time for some may be very limited, and understanding that making the team doesn't guarantee playing time, however it does guarantee that the coaches of the team recognize your daughter as one of the best 12-14 fastpitch softball players at that school.
I need to speak with the coach...
I know for a fact that most coaches welcome the conversation between parents and understand the importance of your individual concerns. It's the timing of these conversations that have the potential to backfire. It's really important to understand whether or not you like the coaches decisions during the game, that they are doing what they feel is right at the time. Trust me, many times after the game is played on the field, coaches will replay the game in their heads and admittedly on many occasions would have done things differently in hindsight. Approaching a coach right after a game or in the middle of a game though is like throwing gas on a fire and not recommended. If you have concerns and want them to be heard, find a time that will work to your benefit, ask the coach to be honest with you and then be willing to hear what they have to say.
Your Daughter is the best...
While fastpitch softball is only a game, the life lessons it teaches all of us; players, coaches and parents is also a game of riches. 15 years from now very few, if any, of todays 18u fastpitch softball players will still be playing the game competitively, yet all of them will take something they've learned from this game to their everyday life. They will be stronger for the competition that this game has taught them no matter if they were an everyday starter or a spot player. They will be prepared to compete in the real world of business and face challenges head on, they will be prepared to teach and encourage others, they will understand that while winning is the goal, that failing to prepare is preparing to fail, and lastly when things seem to be at there worst they will be able to reach back to find the confidence required to get through. Yes, your daughter is the best and the support that you give them makes you pretty special as well. Enjoy the game!