Should a Great player Play HS ball if team is horrilble?

I have asked this question many times but never get a clear answer.....
Hopefully some of the great softball minds here can help.

If a great player is on a really bad high school team, does it hurt their chances to get recruited? She plays for a gold level showcase team but her high school team just gets hammered. No pitching or defense. Run ruled every game. To the point of only 2 at bats a game. (takes a lot of time to participate only to get pitched around and hammered each game)

She has a legit opportunity to transfer to a much better program but is very hesitant about leaving her friends. The school is not far away so she will still be near them but it is still a very tough choice.

It seems that most of the recruiting takes place at camps and showcases but I feel like being on a successful high school team has got to mean something.

I look forward to the discussion! Thanks for your help

 

Get Serious

Really, I have ony seen a college coach come to one high school game to look at a kid and that was in the state playoffs, not saying it dosent happen but not often. Most coaches are aware of the huge difference of competition from one team to the next in high school thats why they dont show up, that and they are in the middle of thier own season. If a kid is going to be recruited it will be from travel ball and showcase tourny's where the level of competition is much better.

Why would you even think about moving her away from her friends that she is happy with to play 20 something games that has no affect on her getting to the next level.

By the way what standard are you comparing her greatness to? the highschool or the travel ball.

 

Hope this helps a bit

My daughter is committed and signed to a Division 2 College. In her recruiting process we heard varying opinions on High School ball from College Coaches. Here was the best:
1. "I don't go to High School Games, nor do any other coaches." It is our season and we are busy coaching. All our recruiting is done at the high end travel ball level.
2. There are 3 reasons to for you to play High School Ball:
- Love of the Game
- School and team pride
- To win a State Championship. That is a special time that will stay with you forever!


I thought this was a great explanation from the horses mouth, so to speak.

 

Totally agree!

 

intersting....

Thanks for the quick post.
First, I guess I didnt explain myself well. She is a gamer. Great? Maybe could be... She has a desire to win. Tough as nails. Hit it a ton and hates losing.

Second, I guess it goes beyond recruiting.... You get 4 years in High School. The chance to compete for a state title flies by. No promise of college ball.....

Finally, Thanks dkaz 20. I think that was really well put.
Here is the problem.
-She loves the game to the point it kills her to the point of thinking of quitting the team. Who wants to get run ruled every game? No fun for anyone.
-School peers think team is a joke.... Team pride is not there.... They lose. Will be 0-20.
-To compete for a state championship she will need to leave the school.
I think that is the one that is killing her parents... They know how unfortunate it is for their daughter who has the talent to help a team compete for a title, not have the chance. Life is short and you don't get a second shot!
Thanks for the input!

 

I think you would need to define great first of all, I have seen many high quality good ball players but only a couple I would term as a great, over a 12 year period. To me it would come down to love of the game, if she is that good she should bring players around her up I would think, its not a me sport. Also I guess it could have a little to do with her year in school. If she is already signed with a school then maybe I could see why risk injury, but if not why not play. I can assure you if she goes college and plays she will deal with adveristy at any level, this could be a positive for her moving forward learning to play her best and battle under less the great circumstances. Just my thoughts and good luck.

 

Any day playing is better than a day not playing

Lots of talk on this..

2 things...

my guess is if she is that strong a player, the coach has her batting 4th... She probably keeps leading off in the 2nd inning...
Lead her off.... get her all the bats you can..

I remember a girl that played softball at a big Raleigh high school that is known for soccer... They made the softball HS playoffs her freshman year, went 1 and done... that was it...

She did ( and maybe still does ) own the NC HS HR record, and set a national record for 77+ games with a hit.... She went on and had a great career ( All ACC ) for the Pack....

She still is close with her HS teammates and coach....

Don't step over today, looking for tomorrow...

 

By now your daughter should be on a Gold level or Class A level team (16U, 18u would be better if she is ready). This way your daughter will get the best exposure in both the fall and summer. Two important things you need to understand. First, that while high school softball is important for continuing skill development, extra work-out and playing time, and socialization, most college coaches these days look first and foremost at a player's travel ball experience. High school ball varies too much from region to region, even county to county, in terms of consistency of competition, coaching, etc. Your daughter can view HS ball as her time to get ready for summer ball while contributing whatever she's asked to her team and school.

Second, the Travel coach and his rapport and relationships with college coaches play a HUGE part in getting players recruited. Gold level or Class A level team coaches usually have already placed players on a college team and these college coaches rely on this “travel network” when they are filling in the college roster. Go to the Travel Team’s web site and see how many alumni girls are playing college ball. If the team is not regularly placing players on college teams, then you may want to look for another Travel Team!!

 

yes

Let's say this girl is a high D1 prospect. Yes she should play even if her HS team is terrible. See what WndMillR said below... If nothing more than just getting in field and batting time. You only can play HS ball one time around and be close to you friends. Play and enjoy the time.

 

Winner ^^^