u/unitedguy20

My 10 year old is playing on a 12u team, we just got on the team in February and it as new. We were looking for a 10u team with no luck and decided to go to the tryout, well they loved her. She’s the youngest on the team by far and has done great defensively when she plays. Her batting has been terrible, the adjustment from 10u hasn’t been good, these girls are throwing so much faster than she’s used to. We have her in lessons but she’s still struggling.

The coaches talked to me and my wife about it a few weeks ago and said it has to get better which we agree with, we’re doing all we can but ultimately it’s not us at the plate. They talked to us again yesterday and gave us two options: she can bat during pool play but will have to sit out of bracket play until things improve or they can help us find a 10u team. We have told her the situation and she is very upset about it, understandably so. The coaches said they dreaded making this call but they don’t want to tank her confidence any lower than it is.

I really don’t want to find a new team with new teammates, parents and more costs after all the work my daughter has been putting in but we are leaving it up to her. She’s made friends with her teammates, there is no drama, all the parents are awesome, I just feel so bad for her. I really think it’s a mental issue keeping her from timing her swing, she’s late with fast and slow pitching.

Any advice on how to navigate this? I know she’s the weakest hitter on the team but she’s made great plays on defense as a utility/catcher and I feel that can’t be ignored. We’re losing 2 catchers in the fall due to age and I think she’d be a valuable player.

Edit: She’s turning 11 next month if that even matters.

One more edit, sorry I keep remembering things: 3 days ago she brought up not seeing distant objects well but we’re not sure how far is too far. Don’t know why she hasn’t brought it up before. Optometrist appointment has been booked already.