How to Survive School Ball Season

There’s something about school softball and baseball season that brings out every emotion under the sun – sometimes all in one game. For some, it’s a time of home runs, dugout jokes, and feeling like part of something bigger. But for others, it’s not just about missed plays or tough practices – it’s about feeling invisible. It’s showing up day after day, giving it everything, and still getting passed over while the same names keep getting called. The politics of school sports can be just as exhausting as the games themselves, especially when it starts to feel like effort doesn’t always equal opportunity. It’s a season that can lift you up, sure – but it can just as easily wear you down.

These days, the path to college ball looks a little different than it used to – or at least different from what many families expect. While school ball can still be meaningful, college coaches are focusing their attention elsewhere: showcases, recruiting camps, athlete emails and online profiles that give them a clearer picture of a player’s skill and drive. That means the decision to play school ball isn’t necessarily about exposure anymore – it’s about what the athlete wants from the experience itself. Is it something that brings them joy, challenge and growth? Or is it adding more stress than it’s worth? It’s not about walking away when things get hard, but about being intentional with their time and energy – and learning how to choose what moves them forward.

What Are the Positives of Playing School Baseball and Softball?

There’s still a lot of good that can come from playing school baseball or softball, even if it’s no longer the main route to college recruitment. For starters, there’s a unique kind of pride in representing your school, wearing that jersey and playing in front of classmates, teachers and your community. It’s one of the few chances athletes get to blend their sport with their everyday world. For many, those senior nights, after-school games and early morning bus rides turn into core memories – moments that stick long after the final inning.

One of the underrated benefits of school baseball or softball is the chance to stretch outside of your usual role. You might be asked to play a position you’re not used to – not because it’s your specialty, but because the team needs someone to step up. That kind of challenge can feel awkward at first, but it pushes you to grow as an athlete and become more versatile. It also forces you to slow down and relearn some basics, which can actually sharpen your overall game. Learning to adapt instead of staying in your comfort zone is something that sticks with you, both on the field and off.

There’s also something different about the leadership opportunities that come with school ball. On a travel team, everyone tends to be on a similar competitive level. But in school ball, you might be one of the more experienced players surrounded by younger teammates still figuring it all out. That opens the door to a new kind of leadership – not just leading by example, but figuring out how to support others without taking over. It also teaches you how to handle the ups and downs of working with a coach who might not know your game yet. Every coach has their own style and expectations, and learning how to adjust to that – how to communicate, listen and earn trust – is a life skill that matters far beyond baseball or softball.

But, what happens when the benefits aren’t as visible, or worse, don’t exist? What happens when you notice your athlete coming home after every practice or game feeling defeated – not because of the score on the board or their performance – but because this experience isn’t what they expected and isn’t what they deserve? What do you do when your athlete begins questioning their love of the game, because of a coach who isn’t knowledgeable, the politics completely out of their control or the toxic environment a team has become?

Understanding the Downsides of School Ball

When the positives of school baseball or softball don’t shine through, the experience can quickly lose its appeal. Instead of fostering a love for the game, it becomes something your athlete dreads.

When school ball isn’t adding to an athlete’s development, it can feel like a waste of time and energy. Coaches who aren’t well-versed in the game can make it difficult for athletes to improve, leaving them stuck in a routine where they’re showing up day after day without seeing real progress. This is especially frustrating when athletes are putting in hours of practice, sometimes five or six days a week, only to find that their skills aren’t being refined, their weaknesses aren’t being addressed or their growth isn’t being supported. Instead of leaving practice feeling challenged and motivated, athletes often feel stagnant, which can eventually chip away at their enthusiasm and love for the game.

On top of the coaching challenges, the behind-the-scenes politics in school sports can be another major hurdle. When decisions are based more on favoritism, relationships or other external factors than on merit or effort, athletes can feel overlooked or undervalued, even when they’re working their hardest, and sometimes, even when they are more talented than the other athletes on the field. This is compounded by the potential for a toxic team environment. If cliques form, negativity spreads or communication breaks down, the whole experience becomes emotionally draining. Instead of an encouraging atmosphere that pushes athletes to grow, they are left questioning their own abilities and whether they should even be playing the game.

How Do You Handle the Challenges?

One of the most important skills athletes can learn when facing challenges in school baseball or softball is communication. Once they’re old enough to play at this level, they’re also old enough to take ownership of their development and express their concerns in a respectful way. When an athlete feels overlooked or is questioning their playing time, it’s crucial to approach the coach in a manner that opens up a constructive conversation rather than resorting to frustration or comparisons. Instead of asking, “Why is Johnny playing instead of me? I’m better at shortstop” an athlete can take a more proactive approach by asking, “What skills do I need to focus on to have a chance to showcase my abilities?” This shows a willingness to learn and improve, while also giving the coach an opportunity to provide feedback that can lead to growth.

Similarly, if an athlete feels they aren’t getting enough playing time, instead of saying, “Why am I not playing?” they can approach their coach with, “How can I best support the team?” This allows the coach to see that the athlete is committed to the team’s success and is eager to find ways to make a positive impact, even if it’s in a different role. While these conversations may not resolve all issues related to politics or playing time, they serve as the first step toward understanding the bigger picture.

If an athlete feels they’re not getting the development they need from practice, they can take the initiative by asking the coach if they can stay after practice to work on specific skills they want to refine, like live pitching or fielding scenarios. Bringing a few teammates into the mix to run through drills or get in extra reps can also help, and it shows a commitment to improving. If the coach agrees, they might be curious about what areas the athlete is focusing on, which could lead to more targeted development in future practices. Taking responsibility for their growth, even when the support isn’t immediate, can help athletes stand out and build stronger skills.

Dealing with a toxic team environment can be tough, but it’s all about keeping your focus on what you can control. First, try not to get caught up in the drama or negativity – keep your attitude positive and stick to your own progress. If the environment starts affecting you, it might help to talk to your coach or a teammate you trust about how things are going. Sometimes, just opening up about it can make a difference. If things don’t improve, though, don’t be afraid to protect your mental health. Sometimes the best way to handle it is to focus on your own game and find joy in the parts of the sport that matter most to you – especially if the team dynamic is taking away from your love of the game.

How to Make Tough Decisions

Deciding whether or not your athlete should walk away from school ball is never an easy choice, especially when you want to encourage them to push through challenges and learn how to advocate for themselves. However, there are situations where stepping away might be the best decision for their growth and well-being.

If your athlete’s love for the game starts to deteriorate, and they’re no longer excited to play or practice, that’s a sign that something’s off. It’s also crucial to consider their mental and physical health – if poor practice or game conditions put their physical health at risk – whether it’s unsafe equipment, improper techniques or overexertion – then it’s important to prioritize their safety.

Additionally, if the environment is causing undue stress or frustration, or if the team or coaching situation isn’t providing opportunities for your athlete to actually improve – where practice becomes more about stagnation or regression than development – it might be better to step back and seek a more positive environment where they can grow and truly enjoy the sport again. While resilience and self-advocacy are valuable lessons, there are times when recognizing when a change is needed can be the best choice for your athlete's overall well-being and future growth.

If you’re looking to improve your skills to further your game, reach out to Elevate Sports Training in Dayton, Ohio. With past college athletes and current college coaches on staff, we can help guide your baseball and softball player in the right direction! To learn more about our baseball, softball or strength and conditioning packages, give us a call at (937) 848-1990 or schedule a lesson today.