My kid quit softball yesterday

ROHfan

My daughter played SB from 1st grade to 8th and yesterday was her last game, probably ever. A few weeks ago she decided to quit softball at the end of the summer season. I know the travel ball life was getting hard on her as she was missing out on a lot of the fun a 14 y/o should be having. I think the final nail in the coffin was having to miss Warped Tour with her non-softball friends this summer because of a tournament. Me and wifey support her decision and it's good to know she's made the decision to put her happiness first. My daughter would like to join the drama club in HS this September which I'm thrilled over, having graced the stage many times, myself.

I've felt the sting before when Little League season ended but I always knew she'd be coming back in the spring. This time it really hurts, but I suppose that's just me being selfish. I can't help but look back at how I've handled myself on both sides of the fence in the past and wonder if I should have done things differently. Ultimately, my heart was always in it 100%, but there were times I should have just sat back and enjoyed the game instead of getting wrapped up in petty BS.

My kid was never "great," and I was always pretty realistic when assessing her skills, but she was good and sometimes made a "great" play or had some great at-bats. She's big and powerful which made her appear a little awkward at times but she had the potential to be a monster on the field and her instructor had high hopes for her. Like most softball parents, I had hoped to see her go yard just once but it never happened. There was a tournament recently where she crushed two hits over the CF's head and it would have went over the fence if one had been there.

Bittersweet, but I will try to be positive. Hey, I'll have more time for audio now. Maybe the wife will let me get new speaks. Yeah, right. She shot that notion down already.

D'prived

Good for you! Give her the support she needs what ever her decision is.

My son played (he's 24 now) Basketball, Baseball and Soccer from Kindergarten through High School. I always told him I would support his decision to play or not play but if he started a season he would finish it. He quit baseball at 6th grade but continued on with basketball and soccer. I know the feeling... you want your kid to continue playing but at the same time kind of grateful because it means more free time for you LOL! But in the end you need to support your child and try to give them the guidance and help they need.

shawn474

I know how you feel man. I work in athletics every day and have never pushed my daughter into that world. She likes playing basketball, takes guitar and piano lessons, does arts and crafts all day long, loves to build and launch model rockets with her dad and WAS involved in Girl Scouts. She will be ten and it seems that the harsh comments from her classmates have gotten the best of her and she has decided not to do Girl Scouts anymore. None of her friends do it and there is little incentive in her eyes to continue with the teasing and bullying that goes on. My wife and I decided to let her make the decision, telling her we thought it would be a good idea for her to continue. But we also didn't want to push her into doing it, making her resent it and jading her opinion further. It is sad to say, but kids are mean and while we don't want her to quit anything, I certainly understand why she is doing it. Growing up as a kid is hard these days - so much bullying, insensitivity and flat out meanness. I will not shelter her from it and will not intervene unless absolutely necessary as I think that sends the wrong message, but at times it does break your heart as a parent to know that your child is dealing with those issues silently. We try to establish positive communication and openness which I hope helps her.

I am glad your daughter made a decision that will make her happy, and even though it doesn't make you feel great I know you are a proud dad who will cherish a ton of memories being there with her. Maybe now instead of softball, you guys can enjoy concerts together!!!!

cnh

My daughter quit around the same time. She played Basketball, Softball and Soccer and was good at all of them. But when she got to HS her interests changed. And soon she started to "sing" and perform. And let me tell you as good as she was as an athlete, she's that much better as a singer/performer (absolutely phenomenal for an untaught talent--she's getting lessons now).

So you never know what they'll decide or who they will become but it's good to support them in their quest!

cnh

polrbehr

My daughter stopped trying out for, and participating in, school-based "theater" productions a couple of years ago; she felt that she had too much on her plate most weeks, and concentrated on academics instead.
She did have some talent in the voice dept. when it came to singing (like who am I to say?), and she could project out over the audience very well and did not have a single bit of stage fright. She was told by several of the drama coaches that maybe she should take singing lessons? She may go back to it one day, but if not, we have plenty of video to watch.

I know she had a good time during those years, and we supported her decision all the way, as I can see you will too with your daughter. Kudos to you both for keeping with it for as long as you did!

Dennis Gardner

14 year olds on Warped Tour......not my idea of a comforting thought.

ROHfan

Dennis Gardner wrote: »

14 year olds on Warped Tour......not my idea of a comforting thought.

Chaperoned, of course.

steveinaz

If it's important to her, she'll return to it. Not a big deal at 14. Rest easy Dad.

markmarc

I quit playing the drums at the end of 9th grade. As disappointed as my folks were they understood that I had zero interest in continuing even though I was to become the #1 chair on the kettle drums. But they knew my love for music would never wane, and it hasn't.

ROHfan

Thanks for all the comments. I enjoy reading other people's journeys and it's good to know I'm in good company.

F1nut

shawn474 wrote: »

Growing up as a kid is hard these days - so much bullying, insensitivity and flat out meanness.

That's pretty ironic considering your county is one of the most politically correct, liberal counties in the entire nation.

chumlie

Teenage Daughter, nuff said. Enjoy !!!

BlueFox

F1nut wrote: »

That's pretty ironic considering your county is one of the most politically correct, liberal counties in the entire nation.

One of the richest too, and I suspect the average educational level is also higher. Funny how all these traits tend to go together.

F1nut

BlueFox wrote: »

One of the richest too, and I suspect the average educational level is also higher. Funny how all these traits tend to go together.

That's true including, unhappy stressed out folks, taxes up the wazoo (they even have a rain tax), pretty high crime rate, speed bumps everywhere, big brother cameras and higher than normal gas prices. Funny indeed.

shawn474

F1nut wrote: »

That's pretty ironic considering your county is one of the most politically correct, liberal counties in the entire nation.

Not understanding the meaning of your post here. Care to explain?