Children making decisions

Verbal

Haven't posted on this board in a long time, but reading this thread and having been around the game a few years, VERBAL means nothing until the NLI is signed. It doesn't stop coaches from approaching players and I have seen verbal commitments from coaches changing their mind and players changing theirs.Enjoy and play the game and have some fun and pick the school that will provide you with an education that you choose and not them.

 

I realize that a verbal commitment means nothing and isn't a binding agreement but that isn't what the thread was started for. It is about 12, 13 & 14 year old girls being enamored with idea that they should make a life changing decision while being mentally unprepared for such a decision. I get and understand that college coaches want to lock girls up as soon as they can as their job is always on the line based on performance of the team and they ALL want the next great player. A girl can be a "stud" at age 12-14 but that doesn't mean she is going to still be that same "stud" when she is 18 and ready to move onto the collegiant level. Some girls develop faster than others while some need more time. At least one post has referenced it, some of these girls that commit at such an early age just aren't able to make it at the D1 level while there are many others playing D2 & D3 that certainly could make it at the top level. I applaud any young lady that sees it all the way through as she will sacrifice so much to make it all the way through to the very end showing desire, dedication but most of all, commitment.

Bottom line, no one has posted anything to change my way of thinking on this subject. The fact that college coaches are looking for this doesn't make it the right thing to do. Furthermore, why does it only have to be about playing D1 ball? Shouldn't softball only be a mechanism or resources to help a young lady further her education????? Children have no business making adult decisions ever and gilts & glamour are nothing more than that. I believe that the NCAA should create a rule for loss of scholarships for this type of behavior

 

What part of life changes that the player needs to be mentally prepared for?

 

this is a great thread a lot of good input, bottom line it appears unless NCAA can regulate this it wont stop, on the topic above I would be interested to know what the retention rate is for all the top travel organizations in the NC and SC are? Those numbers would add a little more substance to discussion.

 

Retention rate would also need to be compared with the retention rate for Junior / Senior commits.

 

Seriously???? All aspect of a kids life changes we they enter college that a 14 year old has no concept of. If you don't think a kids needs to be mentally prepared for college then I don't know what to tell you. I guess that you believe that 14 year olds can make any decision as well

 

Absolutely I would like to see what the top organization are actually producing for the next level, no matter when they commit,

 

I wasn't asking about what changes to expect when they enter college? I was asking what is life changing about verbally committing to a college. At 14 years old life changing decisions may only last a summer. Or a tournament as far as that goes.

There seems to be quite an over-reaction. Let the kids enjoy their moment! I can think of much worse things they could be doing!

 

I never said that at age 14 it would change their life, I believe you are reading to far into things. You are correct and making my exact point, at age 14 a child doesn't have the metal capacity to make this type of decision and therefore they quite often change their minds. I don't say it's "over reaction" with stating that a kid should wait to decide. What's the harm with letting a kid just play and have fun for another 2 years instead of being concerned or consumed with a business decision.