The CT Softball Blog

Last week, the “Voices of Summer Softball—Part I” was posted. For that story, I interviewed eight girls who have been part of my softball journey. 

As part of my interviews with them, I asked each girl, “What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring travel players?”

The girls responded with advice that is not only great for younger travel players, but also for older ones, as well. 

Looking back on my travel softball career, I think that advice from seasoned travel softball players would have been very helpful when I was younger.

I have actually followed some of the advice that the “Voices of Summer Softball” shared in the interviews.

So, let’s take a look at what the girls had to say.

Have Fun!

“I would definitely find a team where you can have fun and grow your love for the game instead of it being super competitive and making you lose love for the game. You should definitely put fun before intensity.”

— Jess Mizia, Former Lady Dukes

Find a Community!

 “Tryout for a bunch of different teams and find the one that gives you community and will uplift you no matter what, even if you’re losing or struggling. Find a team that will always be there for you.”

— Gabby Otto, Run and Gun Lady Nightmares

Stick with a Team!

“Getting bounced around from team to team is difficult. You have to meet new people and work with new coaches, so I would say find a travel team that you would want to stick with.”

— Amelia Deschaine, Former CT Mirage

“Just do it. I mean, obviously it’s scary going to tryouts and playing with a bunch of girls that you’ve never played with before, but you just have to stick with it. There’s not really a right or a wrong when it comes to travel ball, you just have to find the team that works best for you, and if you like something stick with it.”

— Anna Meisenkothen, CT Tides

Do What is Best for You!

“I’ve never had the experience of playing on a travel team for a long time. In my five years of playing, I’ve only stayed with the same organization once. One of my friends calls me a ‘team hopper,’ and even though I may be one, I do it to find a team that will meet my goals for each season. I would tell younger players to do what is best for you. If moving teams every year is what will be a more enjoyable experience and will make you better, do it. You know what is best for you.”

— Taryn Adams, Former Rapids Softball

Try Your Best and Work Hard!

“People can’t be mad at you if you try your hardest. If you just struck out, but you were trying your hardest you just did your best. Just try your hardest and keep practicing because eventually it will pay off.”

— Victoria Budarz, CT Charmers

“Go out there and play…If you stick through it and work hard and be open to new coaching and new teammates, you’re going to have a really fun time.”

— Charlotte Lombardi, CT Monarchs

Don’t Get Discouraged!

“Don’t let anything keep you in your head…even if you make errors or mistakes, don’t let it get to you or take down your whole performance. I would know from experience because the amount of times I’ve gotten in my own head, it sucks. You never want to take yourself out of it because once you’re out of it, you’re out of it for almost a whole day.”

— Jazz Delprincipe, Rapids Softball

“Never count yourself out. Never think you’re not good enough to play a position or for a team. Don’t be discouraged because you have seen better than you. If you put in the work, you can be the best one of the field, and the best one in the room. It feels so good when you are.”

—Hope Giammatteo, CT Lightning

A Final Word

Not everyone’s travel softball experience is the same. Some girls stay on one team their whole softball career.

Others change every year like me.

We each value different things whether it’s friendship and community, having fun, or getting better. No matter our experiences, we each have a story to tell and things we’ve learned and taken away. We hope that our experiences and lessons learned will help younger players on their travel softball journey. 

Thank you again to all of the “Voices of Summer Softball!” 

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