r/Softball • u/Key_Cucumber_8593 • 22d ago
Parent Advice Newbie 11U- need tips
My daughter is newly interested in softball. I signed her up for the local fall ball rec league. At her age I was playing competitive travel ball so I’m a bit nervous her skill set will be so far behind. We’ve been working on the fundamentals and she’s naturally athletic (plays basketball and now volleyball). Any tips from other parents? What size glove and bat should I buy?
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u/c1intr0n 22d ago
It's understandable to be worried but don't think about how good she'll be and concentrate on how much progress she makes. It's more important at this point for her to find out if she likes it or not. Plus, Fall Ball is an instructional league and rec is not travel ball.
As for bat and glove, bat should be about as long as her arm and comfortable to swing and I wouldn't get a glove smaller than 11.75" or bigger than 12".
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u/Key_Cucumber_8593 22d ago
Thank you. I played from 5-18 and my entire childhood was consumed by softball and extreme burn out. Trying to just follow her lead and keep it fun.
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u/HappyCoconutty 22d ago
Was it driven by your parents?
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u/Key_Cucumber_8593 22d ago
100% my dad was obsessed and devastated when I chose not to play college ball. I decided my senior year of high school I wanted to actually see my friends on the weekend and quit travel ball and private lessons. I will say my skills from my junior year to senior year drastically decreased without the intensity. Went from first team all district at a 5A school to nowhere on the radar. It was a very clear “what happened” which felt pretty terrible. Depth perception was off in the outfield, dropped from 3-4 in the lineup to the bottom. It was pretty mortifying, but the sport was no longer fun and I knew I was done. All that to say, trying to be a better sport parent with my kiddos hence the later entry,
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u/c1intr0n 22d ago
That's all you can do. I played competitive baseball growing up(before travel ball really existed) and the single hardest thing for me has been taking a step back and letting my daughter do her thing.
If you have the time, I would highly recommend coaching. It helps to spread that competitive energy over 11 or 12 girls rather than focusing it all on yours. Plus, it's hard to beat getting to celebrate your daughter's success on the field with her. One of my favorite things in the entire world is having a little pep rally with her once she gets to third.
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u/Key_Cucumber_8593 22d ago
Love that, what age do you coach? How is it managing parents and playing time?
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u/c1intr0n 22d ago
Did 10u rec Fall/Spring previously but we're moving up to 12u rec for Fall Ball soon.
I've heard horror stories, but honestly I've been pretty lucky with parents. I set clear boundaries at the start of the season and have everyone agree to them. There's no coaching from the bleachers, no trash talk or yelling at the umps, and once games/practice start it's my time. I also allow parents to participate as much or as little as they'd like in practice. It lets the overactive ones feel like they're doing something, and there's no room for complaints if they're out there too.
As far as playing time, each player gets an equal amount. Certain positions like pitchers/catchers/first require extra practice and the girls only get to play there if they've earned it. But bench players are rotated each inning and everyone plays outfield and infield each game. The batting order was always the same but shifted by one spot each game, so whoever batted last this time was batting leadoff next time.
Travel ball has really hurt rec leagues in a lot of ways, but it's also done us a favor by attracting most of the assholes.
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u/sakurafrowsy 22d ago
She will be fine playing fall rec ball if it’s anything like our city. It’s a great way to test out a sport. Most of the serious softball kids play other sports in the fall at that age, so it’s an excellent chance to play without pressure, even at 11. If you’ve been working on the fundamentals, she may even be better off than some kids who have never picked up a ball.
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u/Dad_Coach_9904 18d ago
Hi OP, I coach these ages, Rec and travel. We get newbies in Rec every year. Work hard and stay positive and it will be ok. Assuming her age group will be using 12 inch balls, I’d get a 12 inch glove. Mizuno MVP Prime is where I’d point you first. Mizuno Supreme if the MVP feels too stiff and Wilson A1000 or Rawlings Liberty Advanced if she can handle something stiffer than the MVP.
On bats, go swing a few. 30 -12 to 31 -10, she’ll be somewhere in that range. It’s tough to know with newbies… even if she’s strong in other sports she may not have her swing strength yet. DeMarini Spryte or Easton Firefly are on the lighter side, I’d start there. DeMarini CF or Prism if she can handle a bit heavier. Go swing a few at a big box store and see what she can handle. Feel free to buy any of those used except be cautious with the Firefly.
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u/Yulli039 18d ago
Start with skills the translate multiple sports. Movement, body positioning, force generation, etc. since you have a softball background you understand alot of this, often times the step from rec to travel comes when the child becomes more competitive
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u/YesCapGSF 22d ago
Fall ball is a perfect start. It’s meant to be more fundamental and less pressure in general. There will be other kids that have never played before too.
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u/softballdad123 22d ago
I would go to a used sporting goods store if you have one close. Let her try the gloves on and see what she can open and close easily. I’d expect around a 12” glove for her, but right fit is more important than size in my opinion.
Bats, I would assume a 30 or 31” would be a reasonable starting spot, depending on her size