So how much time dedicated to softball is enough? Or more to the point, too much? This is a million-dollar question that has about a million answers. There are a couple things that I always think of when a parent talks about taking time off from playing and training.
Who really wants/needs the time off?
What are we going to do with the time off?
Now the first thing I remind these parents of is the simple fact that the softball is supposed to be the fun part! Right? If it is fun ,wouldn’t all kids want to keep doing it, all the time?
She deserves time away from softball with her other friends.
So who really needs time away from softball, the kid or the parent? Most softball players when asked about who their friends are usually start with a list of teammates. While most parents have a list that includes many people not affiliated with the team.
She needs time for her schoolwork.
Valid point, but before we think about how softball is keeping her from doing her homework, think about all the other things that fill her daily routine. There is a lot of time, it’s just how we choose to use it. And for what it’s worth, I have several students who are graduating as valedictorians and many more in the Top 10 of their class.
She needs to have balance.
Again, who needs the balance. If softball is the fun part, then your kid wants to make that a priority. She will find a way to have her softball and the other things that she thinks are important to her.
Going on vacation or taking a break is a concept we apply to our work world. I never wanted to take a vacation from coaching because I loved every day of coaching. It wasn’t something that I dreaded doing, ever! If your kids need a break from softball then something is way off. If they love it, they don’t need or want a break.
Now parents on the other hand…
About the Author: Tory Acheson brings a wealth of knowledge to the Fastpitch Prep staff. He has coached at all levels of the game, including the last 25 years at the college level at the University of Wisconsin – Parkside, Tennessee Tech and Kennesaw State. He began his coaching career at the high school level spending 9 years Whitnall High School in Greenfield, Wis. and is now working as a professional softball instructor.
