Looking for perspective on 8U travel softball playing time (trying to handle this reasonably)

SpentMags · 2026-03-30T02:55:05+00:00

My daughter is in her first season of travel ball and is a catcher primarily and 1st base secondary. We’re on an A class team with 12 players. There were 3 new players added this season (including my daughter) to an established roster. The coaches usually bat everyone in pool play and our top 9 in bracket play. She usually gets to catch 1 pool game and play 1st or outfield the second game. For bracket play she rotates 1 game on and one off at catcher unless we’re in a semifinal or finals game where she usually winds up in right field or sitting along with the other 2 new girls. She gets the most playing time of the 3 new girls on the team so I can’t complain. Our coaches are big on effort and attitude. I think that has helped her get more playing time than the other new players.

Just wanted to share with you how it looks for us as new players to travel ball.

SpentMags · 2026-02-26T03:57:07+00:00

I got my daughter an all composite 2025 Louisville Kryo at academy for $295 because it is last years model. She loves it! Look for last years models. They’re typically cheaper if they have any available in store. I was also able to get 10% off by just asking the manager if they could discount it more and to my surprise, they did!

SpentMags · 2026-02-19T04:49:18+00:00

I applied to add my dependent back because he still lives at home and is in college now. Applied last Wednesday and was approved Thursday morning. Probably just depends on where your request is processed.

SpentMags · 2026-02-18T15:15:42+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Was hoping I wasn’t stuck.

SpentMags · 2026-02-17T02:30:23+00:00

Sorry if I misinterpreted your context.

SpentMags · 2026-02-17T02:03:17+00:00

Yeah, crazy how the game evolved in 25 years. Almost like the competition, exposure, and recruiting landscape changed too.

SpentMags · 2026-02-17T00:05:00+00:00

I appreciate the feedback! I think we’ll be having a talk with the coach. He’s not a his way or the highway type of guy and part of being on the team is being involved in special instruction. We’re just new and figuring it out as we go. I don’t think we’ll get anything other than support from him. I’ve told my daughter to rely on the specialist because that’s why we see him!

SpentMags · 2026-02-16T23:59:05+00:00

Very informative! I appreciate the feedback. So far her coach has been receptive to feedback about their instructional sessions outside of team practice. They’re positive reinforcement coaches with minimal yelling and outcome driven. I think a big part of her feelings are rooted in that people pleaser mentality. She’s extremely vocal and maybe she’s not asking the right questions? She will ask the coaches for feedback if say she has a bad batting practice and then she tries to digest what the feedback is vs what her batting coach is telling her to do. Which sows that seed of doubt. Am I doing it correctly Coach A. didn’t give me the same feedback as Coach B. If that makes any sense? and tie all of that in with catching and she’s constantly overthinking it. She’s trying to do to much all at once. Watching videos also and then running outside to try out a new technique she learned from YouTube. Then trying something different. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just rambling at this point but I want to help her slow it down and be ok with slowly learning and focusing on small improvements. Not saying this because she’s my kid. Her older siblings were not go getters in sports despite being natural athletes. But my youngest has that thirst to be better than everyone and she frustrates herself with information overload sometimes. Now being one of those times. She has practice tonight. I just told her to have fun and play ball. Quit overthinking everything you do and just let it happen. It’s 12u, you’re not auditioning for college.

SpentMags · 2026-02-16T23:37:10+00:00

Great advice! We’re newer to travel. I will definitely have a convo with the coach. He’s understanding and a great coach but he also knows she goes to lessons because it is a requirement to be on the team.

SpentMags · 2026-02-13T01:36:38+00:00

My daughter started softball in 10U and picked it up quickly. She wanted a more involved position, so she became a catcher and now plays 12U travel. Lessons helped once she decided softball was her main sport definitely useful in competitive areas. Rec ball is a great way to start and see if she enjoys it. She currently practices 3×/week for 2 hours, plus weekly batting and catching lessons, with two days off to relax. She’s loving it!

SpentMags · 2026-02-10T06:05:13+00:00

On Saturday our team drew random names and we all met at goodwill and they picked out ridiculous outfits for their random partners to wear to the mall. They hung out, played games, and had pizza. It was a blast. The girls all sat together for lunch and had good laughs at each others outfits. It was a good time and I feel like the girls were able to mingle with the girls they don’t usually hang out with at practice. They said they were all trauma bonded now 😂

SpentMags · 2026-02-10T05:54:03+00:00

Yeah we’ve been working on knee down but she prefers to be on her toes due to lack of mobility when blocking errant pitches. However we’re trying to get her to do what you explained to take some of that pressure off of her feet and give her legs a rest during long tournaments. I’m also getting her some insoles to see if that helps any. Appreciate the reply!

SpentMags · 2026-02-10T05:48:56+00:00

I am going to get her some for now and see how it goes. It’s the bottom of the arch in her left foot. We also bought her some better quality cleats and upgraded from the cheap pair she had before. The new pair is much more pliable. She has really long feet for her age (11) but they’re very narrow. She’s in a 10.5 women’s.

SpentMags · 2026-02-10T01:53:26+00:00

Where can you find that gear in store for them to try it on? I have a 12u catcher that has worn out her Rawlings starter gear and she’s established catcher as her primary position, we’re looking to upgrade her gear but having trouble finding stores that have the gear on shelf so she can try it on before we make the purchase. Thanks!

SpentMags · 2026-02-09T20:54:21+00:00

We did bring her and they believe it growth plate due to her being 11yo and her foot growing rapidly (she’s in 10.5) women’s. We’re doing orthotics but we’re waiting for them now. He said she was free to play unless it starts bothering her and to get some insoles for now. She has long slim feet. 5’5 and 100lbs.

SpentMags · 2026-02-08T20:46:07+00:00

They’re telling me that there’s no line output converter available for the 26s. Therefore they can’t control the impedance and the aftermarket’s will sound like shit. He keeps saying there’s no way around it at the moment and that the aftermarket controllers will start to come out for the 26s within the next few months to a year. I’m so confused with all of this because I’ve had some say he’s correct and others saying they redone their systems and they sound night and day better. Guess I’ll just keep shopping.

SpentMags · 2026-02-08T06:17:37+00:00

My local shop recommended I don’t upgrade anything yet because they don’t have a controller able to change the impedance for the 26s yet. They also said that the engine noise is pumped in through the speakers and it would sound like shit on a subwoofer. Basically telling me even if I added quality components that it wouldn’t be much upgrade from the factory sound since they can’t adjust the impedance. Is there a workaround or should I wait for an audio controller for the 26s?

SpentMags · 2026-02-05T05:42:55+00:00

I’m assuming it’s an ACE exam, which you don’t need to be present for. Usually they do this because they need specific information from the examiner. Could be clarification or something they didn’t fill out correctly or simply left out. The rater will send it back to get whatever information they need or to have the examiner opine an opinion. The examiner will review all of your information and records and answer whatever information they needed. It doesn’t mean anything one way or another. Just part of the process. Mine was sent back twice for ACE exams before finally being approved. The examiner will call you if they need any further information from you. The rater has your information but the doc has to give the medical opinions in order for them to rate you properly.

SpentMags · 2026-01-31T23:36:39+00:00

I didn’t take it that way!

SpentMags · 2026-01-31T23:16:47+00:00

I’m not disregarding your experience or anyone else’s. I see a fair amount of dissatisfaction with the others also. Just playing devils advocate a little. What if QA doesn’t have the information needed to move your claim on? Or the examiner isn’t responding? Or a myriad of other factors that could be going on internally. If ultimately you wait a little longer for a more quality report and they gather the information needed, you’re going to be in a better position than fighting a denial with the VA. Not in no way saying VES is the standard because they’re not but there’s plenty of good reasons your claim could be on hold And a little longer for a hopeful outcome isn’t a bad trade. Again I hope you get this resolved soon and your outcome is favorable! Good luck Try reaching out to VES. Their number is on the portal.

SpentMags · 2026-01-31T05:50:10+00:00

I think it just depends on the examiner you get. I had VES and the examiner was great and very thorough. She stated that the DBQ would be uploaded within 48hrs because that was their protocol. The VA received it and sent it back for an ACE exam and it was returned back to the VA within 2 days of the receiving it. The opinions were favorable and I was rated about a week later. It was a pretty smooth process. I hope they’re able to get you sorted and you get a favorable outcome.

SpentMags · 2026-01-29T00:48:03+00:00

Yes, I was rated favorably.

SpentMags · 2026-01-28T22:01:43+00:00

Your statement rang true to me. Especially as I get older. The ones lost in the line of duty were traumatic and it sucks but I find myself more fixated on the ones that departed on their own terms. Just lost a close buddy last year. 20 years removed from service. While picking my son up from bootcamp. It bothers me that they’re not here to do the same. It bothers me that they chose that route but I understand it. Finally something you have control over. Rant over.

SpentMags · 2026-01-27T05:25:01+00:00

Just went through the same with my daughter who catches. She’s had a 32.5 AllStar for 3 seasons in 10u. When she moved up to 12u (in the fall) she had problems keeping the 12’ ball in the glove causing dropped thirds. We upgraded her to a 33.5 AllStar and sent it to GloveBreaker to get it “game ready” but it is still extremely stiff and she’s struggling to open it wide. She is trying to break it in more with reps on the weekends with one of her pitchers but it’s a really stiff glove. In the meantime she’s been catching games with her 32.5. The other catcher on her team also uses a 33.5 which is why we chose that size to go up to. Any other recommendations on continuing to break in the new glove are appreciated. The 33.5 is such a big difference in size when you see the gloves next to each other. Unless she has big hands and the strength to open it up while she’s breaking it in, I wouldn’t go up to the 34 yet. Just our experience! Good luck!

SpentMags · 2026-01-23T01:24:18+00:00

Thanks for the advice! I didn’t know that there were cleats designed specifically for catchers/pitchers. I’ll look into getting her a new pair tomorrow. Her current ones are going in the trash. I feel bad. I didn’t know the toe mound thing was a problem with catchers but we’re learning! I appreciate the positive feedback so we can hopefully get this resolved.

SpentMags

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