CraigS

[quote name="tpriddy" post="1391465" timestamp="1365130750"] How much is too much? While most of us hope one day that our daughters can one day play at the college level and be successful, when is it enough? After my daughter has played select softball for approx 4 years and talking to many people in the softball community I have come to find out that most of the Gold or high level coaches own daughters either A. Chose not to play softball in college or B. Started playing at the college level and decided they have had enough softball. Then there is C. Didn't even finish playing High School or Gold Level softball because of burnout. So how often and how hard should we work them out? We can have dreams for them, but if it is not their dream will it ever happen? Sometimes I think there is so much drama, anxiety and emotion amongst parents in select softball world it turns the girls off and it is no longer fun for them. It almost seems as if the kids are working a job for their parents. My daughter says she wants it and works hard for it, I'm just afraid she will end up being a casulty of burn out. Let me preference this, she has never once said she is tired of playing or doesnt like playing anymore. [/quote] First: To each their own. Every kid is different and should be handled accordingly. It is very important (as it is in any other situation dealing with kids) for parents and coaches to communicate with their "athletes". Talk with them about their dreams and desires, make it very clear, you only do what you do, to help them be successful in reaching THEIR goals. Second: Even if a kid is very clear about THEIR goal of playing a sport at the college level, they can still get "burn out" on something they do truly love. Take fishing, golf, hunting....we (Dads) may be obsessed with these things, but if you were a guide or pro and HAD to choose only ONE, and had to do it every day rain, snow, sleet, or shine, some of the fun factor would start to fade....its no different for these kids. Third: Multi-sport athletes (and this has be beat to death on this site) kids may learn somewhere down the line that they enjoy another sport more or that they are actually better at something else, or the better opportunity is in another sport. With that said, it may take until a kids Jr year to decide that....until then, let them play other sports in school. ANSWER: COMMUNICATION AND BALANCE, it very important to maintain an open door policy for you kid to be open and honest about how they feel with you as a parent and with their coaches. Kids who participate at a "select/club" level, be it softball, volleyball, basketball, etc spend an enormous amount of time practicing and/or playing their sport. They miss out on many things that non select kids get to experience (birthday parties, sleep overs, "normal" family vacations, etc). As in anything, the devil is in the details.

Congrats Hannah!

Congrats Dominique and good luck.

After a life spent as a softball player, she has now completed the transition into her new world of track. Congrats Kori! [Hidden Content]

[quote name="colliecw" post="1283675" timestamp="1348793736"] We live in Winnie and play for Orange Crush.  And she is loving it!!! Great kids, coaches, and parents!  Couldn't ask for more... [/quote] Good, that's that the way it should be. Good luck, and enjoy the journey!

[quote name="colliecw" post="1283128" timestamp="1348758839"] She can hit the crap out of the ball (to the outfield and she has hit to the fence a couple times) AND run like a deer... She is only 10 right now though so only time will tell where she ends up, but if her brother is any indication, she will be tall, athletic, strong, and fast. I'm a very proud Dad!  Can you tell? LOL... [/quote] Ok, now I have to ask these questions: Where do ya'll live? Who do ya'll play for? We are always looking for prospects... ;D

[quote name="colliecw" post="1282838" timestamp="1348705567"] obviously I don't know enough...  She is a power hitter that is a lefty so she is learning to slap and slap bunt... Baseball was much easier... [/quote] I would have to ask myself this BEFORE I spent alot of time with the slapping lessons. If she is already considered a "power hitter" why bother with small ball technique? (Unless she has the unique ability to hit the crap out of the ball and run like a deer) I'd utilize my time building on what she is naturally meant to do, drive in the runs, not set the table.

IMO....regardless of left/right ....power/slap.... Louisvile Slugger XENO....the best bat since the Navy Catalyst

www.gtshockers.com Click on logo for schedule and rules

Hoping to have schedules done by end of this week. Still issues with JUCO's....probably wont have enough for various reasons. You did see a list on our website...I took them down  to put the results of the "Classic" up and to modify the "Showcase" teams....just havent had time to get it back up....it hasnt changed much from what you saw....the sched will be posted on-line as soon as I get it completed. This is my post, someone else had logged in on my laptop, I didn't notice.

[quote name="DOGS1988" post="1275037" timestamp="1347979589"] Thanks, y'all put on a good tournament.  Lot of competitive teams there. [/quote] Thank You..we appreciate ya'll being there....we will definately do it again.

[quote name="sball124" post="1275008" timestamp="1347977078"] I usually check your website and i must have missed it.  Sorry.  I like to keep up with all the teams in the area to see how they do.  Was GT the only area team to play in this tourney? [/quote] No. several others, not sure how many. In fact the pool sched was posted and the brackets.

The tournament was posted on our website for MONTHS. Teams were added as they signed up....

[quote name="sball124" post="1274568" timestamp="1347915986"] Not sure?  What local golden triangle teams were entered into this tourney? [/quote] Not sure = I didn't watch every game, only the finals!

Not sure how they fared...none were in the top 3.

Thanks to all that attended and participated. Great group of teams and exceptional competition from all over Texas and Louisiana. For results and pictures of top finishing teams go to www.gtshockers.com

Very good. The select teams "spots" are full....Juco's a bit tough due to some sched conflicts.....for no more teams entered and our first year we are happy with the number of coaches attending for recruiting.

[quote name="Be Smart" post="1246162" timestamp="1345216284"] My DD played from the age of 10u to 18u and then decieded that she did not want to take the full ride to college. Still would do it again. the people in this sport are some of the best peole you can meet. they want to give their DD the best oppertuity they can and want the best they came get. It does not matter if they play college ball at a small are large college or even if they play. Some like me still work with young ladies on a daily bases [/quote] I agree 100% Billy! Mine got injured, no longer plays SB (she is a Sr and does track now) - I am still very involved, JH's DD has grad and moved on and JH is still involved....Trout's DD got injured and hasn't played in many moons...he is still involved....the common ground is...every one of us would do it all over again, regardless of the ending. However, the original post is very accurate, you COULD pay for their college out right if you just saved your money....but that's not really the point. Many kids who's parents can outright pay for college seek the athletic scholarship because of personal accomplishment....mom and dad aren't paying for this..."I" (the player) earned this on my own, for a game I love to play. The time I spent with my girls (3 of them) supporting what they love doing is priceless....its really about the experiences....all the stories to be told...good and bad....will be times never to be taken away....and to be told for many years to come. The friends made...players, coaches, parents.... As the commercial goes: Bat - $300 Glove - $125 Spikes - $80 Player fees/ hotels / gas / food $1000000000000 The total softball experience - PRICELESS

ttt

The GT Shockers will be hosting the Cardinal Showcase September 29-30. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO LAMAR UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL PROGRAM - THIS IS [color=red][u][b]NOT[/b][/u][/color] A GT SHOCKERS FUNDRAISER! The Tournament will consist of 4 Juco teams and 18 Select Teams (12-18U teams - 6-16U teams) being held at the College Street Complex in Beaumont, Texas. Each team will play 5 - 90 minute games. The 18U and Juco teams will be entered into one of 4 pools, consisting of 1 Juco team and 3 select teams. The 16U will compete in a regular round robin format. 18U entry - $350 (includes umpiring fees) 16U entry - $250 (includes umpiring fees) Several teams have contacted me already, we will be getting with you ASAP to confirm. For more information, contact Craig Soignet @ 409-284-6809 or [email protected]. Remember this is a fundraiser for LAMAR SOFTBALL, anyone interested in sponsoring or donating to LU Softball please let us know that also.

[quote name="sball124" post="1241475" timestamp="1343917052"] [quote author=Craig S link=topic=101371.msg1241381#msg1241381 date=1343869304] [quote author=sball124 link=topic=101371.msg1241263#msg1241263 date=1343854285] Some of the teams have a website.  Most dont.  A lot of the area teams play USFA.  Some play other organizations but the majority is USFA. You can go to USFASTPITCH.com to view the tournaments and points for all the teams in the area. This is just a guess but i would say most teams carry between 10-12 players.  Of course, the older they get the more they will carry.  This may not answer everything but it's more help than the shameless plug before me. [/quote] And you know for sure the poster hasnt taken the information i offered.....called a specific coach, board member or myself....and got EVERYTHING they needed to know.....rather than wait for an online answer that you admit and i quote "may not answer everything"..... [/quo They may have called you.  I don't care either way.  I tried to help with a little information and get you riled up.  Looks like i'm batting 1000 for the day. [/quote] Congrats on your 1000 for the day......but....i have answered the posters questions and provided them with an unlimited line to many people as needed to continue to answer future questions.....ill take that 1000 for the day rather than whom (only in your opinion) who you've "riled up".....by the way....you didnt "just" try to answer a question...you felt it was necessary to take the opportunity to take a jab at me with your "shameless plug" comment.....FYI...if promoting an organization that has assisted 32 kids to playing college softball in just under 5 yrs with a 100% signing rate from conception is shameless.....then so be it. For that i wont appologize. God bless you....and have a great day.

[quote name="sball124" post="1241263" timestamp="1343854285"] Some of the teams have a website.  Most dont.  A lot of the area teams play USFA.  Some play other organizations but the majority is USFA. You can go to USFASTPITCH.com to view the tournaments and points for all the teams in the area. This is just a guess but i would say most teams carry between 10-12 players.  Of course, the older they get the more they will carry.  This may not answer everything but it's more help than the shameless plug before me. [/quote] And you know for sure the poster hasnt taken the information i offered.....called a specific coach, board member or myself....and got EVERYTHING they needed to know.....rather than wait for an online answer that you admit and i quote "may not answer everything".....

[quote name="hevanleea" post="1241188" timestamp="1343841839"] My daughter is new to the select ball world. I have been reading the posts with the different teams and understand the need to find a good fit for her and the team. I have a couple questions, that I hope can be answered by a few of you veterans. 1)  How do you find out information on each of the teams?  Is there a point system or a website for general information and tournaments? 2)  How many players does a team usually carry on their roster? [/quote] www.gtshockers.com go to contacts and call any of the board members /coaches listed, or call me Craig Soignet @ 284-6809

[quote name="sbparent" post="1241003" timestamp="1343767712"] .....kinda like "rotational hitting" and "linear hitting"......you will never get a true answer.....or definition. What ever happened to the great debate over these?  Oh the online arguements. [/quote] The older the wiser...pick your battles.....to each their own....any number of sayings would work here....

The terms "A team" "select team" "travel team" and "Gold team" are all relative terms.....kinda like "rotational hitting" and "linear hitting"......you will never get a true answer.....or definition. Bottom line....search til you find a team or organization that meets your kids needs and desires.