Core Training

Softball Parents: The Softball Journey

Today we start the first of a monthly column of perspectives from a softball parent. We hope that for those just starting the softball journey with their daughters it will be helpful in getting discussions started between parents, and between parents and their daughter-athletes, about some of the off-the-field aspects that stem from the incredible journey of competitive softball.

Like many of you, we started down the road of competitive sports with our kids not because we had visions of a college or professional athletic career for them but because it was something you just did and you hoped to find things that your child would enjoy and grow from. However, if you are reading this, it is probably because you have now at some point fell into the wonderful world of competitive softball and before you knew it you, and your daughter, are being swept along by the rush of training, travel, competition and at some point probably college searching and recruiting.

While the “rush” is very consuming and fun, it is important to along the way take a step back and both think about what you truly want for your daughter-athlete and to get your daughter-athlete to think about what they truly want out of the journey. To just “make it all about softball” would be, in my opinion, missing out on some of the greatest aspects of being part of the competitive softball family and the journey it takes you on.  Also, now that we are on the back-end of the journey with our daughter-athlete being already in the middle of her college career, we are realizing how the “non-softball” aspects of the softball journey have been at many times the most rewarding part of it all. What do I mean by that?

Do you want it to be just about being on the “top club team” or do you also want it to be about your daughter learning to compete, how to handle success or failure with character, how to persevere through setbacks, and how to set and strive for personal goals?

Do you want it to be just about playing time or do you also want it to be about learning how to work towards excellence in something, how to be a good teammate, and how to become self-motivating?

Do you want it to be just about playing college softball someday or do you also want it to be about travelling the country as a family, enjoying many car rides and hotel stays together talking about issues in your daughter-athlete’s NON-SOFTBALL life, having them develop time management skills, and having them develop a strong sense of self-confidence and strength?

You get the point. Every softball journey is similar in many ways but also can be very unique and about far more than “just softball” if you want it to. Take this as an encouragement to make YOUR daughter-athlete’s journey one that, in the end, is the journey that is right for THEM. See you next month.

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