Once They Get There-- Can They Take Being Equal

Question to all you fortunate parents that have produced college bound athletes.....Why do kids after they get to the college that they are playing for that you hear less about them,and their accomplishments like we hear all the time on TBR???....like the 22K's and the .600 batting averages for IE...I mean lets face it once they get to college there maybe 5% that still prevail like they did in high school....your thoughts ???? I remember a kid that was so smart in high school when she took the SAT she scored 1420 ,and got accepted into Carolina @ Chapel Hill,and all the kids in the high school knew she was smart,but once she got to Carolina she was just like everybody else..THERE WAS NO BIG CHEEZE ON THE BLOCK, and she had a hard time not getting all the attention she once did...GURU

 

300 becomes the number for hitters in college...especially at the D1 level. If you hit over 300 you are a big dog. If you hit 400 or better you are in an elite status.

 

My oldest daughter is now 30 years old and played four years in college. My observation at that time was the high school super stars had a difficult time in college. The A- and B+ players were much more successful. Of course this isn't 100% but it occurred more than not. You gotta be a team player and love the game to succeed in college. It is way too hard to accomplish. Just MHO...

 

in a comptetition based society the higher up you go on the pyramid the more narow it gets towards the top. Everytime you are selected for the next level everyone else at that level was selected because they were good also. I barely cracked a book in college but when I got to law school, after the first month or so I looked around and thought.... hmmm this is going to be work!

 

There is more

My daughter plays at the D1 level and is successful. She was a high school star, but the team she is on is all high school/travel ball stars from around the country. She had to work hard as a college freshman and proved herself again to become a staple on the team.

One of the biggest differences I see is they are on their own and have to be mentally strong enough to withstand the competition. They also have to continue improving to an even higher level and be more dedicated than they were. All while going to class, shopping for food, doing laundry, and figuring out life. It is not easy and time management is a big key.

The lower stats come from facing top pitchers and batters from around the country every game. There are no easy games or bad pitchers/hitters. Games can be won and lost on a simple mistake. Also, the press is reduced becuase the local newpaper is not around. In my case, I have not been on this website in over a year. I was tooling around for lunch on the web and thought I would visit.

A coach from a D1 school said to me at a recuiting tournament I was helping a friend at a few years ago, "It is a little different now that you look at it from the college perspective isn't it". She was correct, if you took the 9 best players from 100 teams at a major tournament, you may be able to beat a D1 team if everything goes your way. But I would not bet on it.

 

Exactly-the competition level is much higher and it takes some adjusting to be out on your own. IMO-it is a major accomplishment to be playing at the college level not matter which college you choose.
You can follow some of the local girls on the "next level" forum.

 

GOOD !!!

All good answers------Keep them rolling in !!!

 

winning?

so of what importance is winning at the college level? especially what about the girls that have always played on the championship teams in youth, TB, HS, etc when they get to college and their team is middle of road or lower.

with all the time commitment involved travelling, practices, on your own workouts to stay sharp, etc.............the girls must really love the sport to continue ; also the scholarship money is the biggest incentive probably?

 

Everybody Is Thinking !!!

Well,I want get on the scholarship thingee last time I got a nasty PM about scholarships, but I do like the part about "THE LOVE OF THE GAME" ,that's right, everybody want play D1, but does that make them less a softball player?? Some may think so,but as long as the player is happy that's all that matters, and in the end it aint going to matter if she plays D1 or D3 as long as she gives it all she's got !!!

 

Hmm..

They are competitive at heart and want to win regardless. This is why you never pick a school just for the softball program. Pick it for what they will enjoy and get out of it.

In my case, there are many things to weigh in addition to just ball. First, one of the best schools in the state on scholarship, meeting people (contacts), meeting athletes from all over the country (some turn pro), leadership training mandatory for athletes (gets to meet famous people/speakers and learn from them), community service highly encouraged (well rounded), academic advisor assigned to the team, tutoring when needed, and gets to see the country (including Hawaii).

And, not to metion the none essential perks; admission to the basketball games through the media entrance (for me!), front row seats at spring training for Yankees/Red Socks in Florida (not me ), meeting the best coaches in the country (they pop in for games sometimes), and believe it or not the young girls line up for autographs like crazy after games. It is really cool to watch your daughter be a role model for a younger person.

Also there is an opportunity in the business world. She is a junior and was offered a job interview when she graduates with a high profile company in California. They hire 90% athletes because of their work ethic and dedication. I guess achievement in one arena helps in others.

Bottom line, she is happy and successful. What else could you want for your little girl.