- May 25, 2010
- 1,070
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After a solid 2-month layoff, kiddo began practicing a week or so ago and is loving it. She's back in her groove and looking forward to a very exciting season. She's been using the 11" ball and pitching from 35'.
She's eager to face the challenge of moving up and is one of those kids who adapts well to almost any situation. I don't have (m)any reservations about her playing with the 9-11 year olds with respect to the dugout situation, nor do I have any real safety concerns. She likes wearing her mask and knows she'll have to wear it in the infield.
When the topic has come up, though, many unbiased softball people have suggested that - because she's a pitcher and that's what she wants most to do - I should keep her down in 8u.
She's been wanting and preparing to move up, but just found out that she would NOT be allowed to participate in all-stars or in a (neighboring league's) select program until she is age-eligible to do so a year from now. Competing for a spot on the all-star team was one of the things motivating her to move up.
My primary issue was always the overall weakness of our 8u program. I don't expect anyone else to be at her level locally - that's not the point - but I don't think it's a good idea for her to be on the same field with so many players who are so inexperienced. She's not the best 8u pitcher in our region - I've seen a few other girls her age who were a lot more accurate, though not with the same speed - but they're not in our league.
Other coaches whose teams faced her in the fall season remarked at her speed and when she was hitting the strike zone, she was untouchable. She gave up her fair share of walks, but I don't think she gave up any hits. One fairly notable TB coach (who was watching his granddaughter play) found me to talk about her and suggested I move her up because she 'should be playing TB 2 seasons from now'.
Now, I know some will take issue with my position but, for me, the issue is bigger than just doing what's best for my daughter. I'm interested in boosting the quality of our league and I think that results from increasing participation levels over time. Some parents might look at our 8yo and say 'Wow, my daughter could be that good in a year or 2' and really encourage their girls to stick with the game. But what about those parents who'll gripe about how unfair it is for their brand-new 8u players to have to face a little fireballer who will turn 9 in the summer?
As much as I tell people not to overthink things, I myself am a classic overthinker, and in this instance, I've somehow convinced myself that it serves the greater good for me to be concerned about the gripers not bringing their girls back to play in the years to come.
I will add that, knowing it's no longer a given that she is moving up, our daughter has asked me to decide for her...something I do not relish at all. Initially, the deal was that she'd move up if I felt she was ready, but now that we're in GO time and have to declare in just a few weeks, she is ready...and the deal has changed. She tells me she still wants to move up if I think it's for the best, but that she'd be content playing 8u one more season.
So, with all that said, what are some of your thoughts on our situation? And do you have a different philosophy for pitchers vs position players?
She's eager to face the challenge of moving up and is one of those kids who adapts well to almost any situation. I don't have (m)any reservations about her playing with the 9-11 year olds with respect to the dugout situation, nor do I have any real safety concerns. She likes wearing her mask and knows she'll have to wear it in the infield.
When the topic has come up, though, many unbiased softball people have suggested that - because she's a pitcher and that's what she wants most to do - I should keep her down in 8u.
She's been wanting and preparing to move up, but just found out that she would NOT be allowed to participate in all-stars or in a (neighboring league's) select program until she is age-eligible to do so a year from now. Competing for a spot on the all-star team was one of the things motivating her to move up.
My primary issue was always the overall weakness of our 8u program. I don't expect anyone else to be at her level locally - that's not the point - but I don't think it's a good idea for her to be on the same field with so many players who are so inexperienced. She's not the best 8u pitcher in our region - I've seen a few other girls her age who were a lot more accurate, though not with the same speed - but they're not in our league.
Other coaches whose teams faced her in the fall season remarked at her speed and when she was hitting the strike zone, she was untouchable. She gave up her fair share of walks, but I don't think she gave up any hits. One fairly notable TB coach (who was watching his granddaughter play) found me to talk about her and suggested I move her up because she 'should be playing TB 2 seasons from now'.
Now, I know some will take issue with my position but, for me, the issue is bigger than just doing what's best for my daughter. I'm interested in boosting the quality of our league and I think that results from increasing participation levels over time. Some parents might look at our 8yo and say 'Wow, my daughter could be that good in a year or 2' and really encourage their girls to stick with the game. But what about those parents who'll gripe about how unfair it is for their brand-new 8u players to have to face a little fireballer who will turn 9 in the summer?
As much as I tell people not to overthink things, I myself am a classic overthinker, and in this instance, I've somehow convinced myself that it serves the greater good for me to be concerned about the gripers not bringing their girls back to play in the years to come.
I will add that, knowing it's no longer a given that she is moving up, our daughter has asked me to decide for her...something I do not relish at all. Initially, the deal was that she'd move up if I felt she was ready, but now that we're in GO time and have to declare in just a few weeks, she is ready...and the deal has changed. She tells me she still wants to move up if I think it's for the best, but that she'd be content playing 8u one more season.
So, with all that said, what are some of your thoughts on our situation? And do you have a different philosophy for pitchers vs position players?
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