I'm in Southern California and there is no 8U travel ball.
Thank goodness!
Thank goodness!
My 6yr just completed her first yr in t-ball. She was fortunate to make the A team allstars ( which i totally disagree with ). But Amy you are one that i really resoect your input on this website, but on this matter i have to disagree with you. I not for a full 8 tournament season for 8u, but i could see a 4 tournament season. besides i couldn't see holding my 6yr out of softball till she was 11yr. She loves the game that much after watching her old sis playing the last 3 yrs. Most of the 8u tournaments or the same as rookie ( baseball ). They use the machine pitch.MOO - It is way too young. They can't possibly protect themselves from a line drive. 10U is hard to find here in Tucson. 6 and 7th grade seems about right to start travel ball. Remember that I played all of my life and started in 4th grade. I held my daughter out until she was 10 and then, only rec for awhile. She did every activity (scouts, church, band, dance, etc.) and decided to specialize in softball after her freshman year.
I don't have any statistics about who drops out, but I think that these girls that start early are more likely to want to do something else later on.
Have fun. Make it fun. And don't let the girls hear you say "It would break my heart, if she quits."
Let's see, you're in So Cal which has the best youth softball programs in the country and consistently produces most of the great players in each year group.I'm in Southern California and there is no 8U travel ball.
Thank goodness!