How To Get Your Daughter To Practice

You're always on this mission to get your daughter to practice, right? I mean, she's all about becoming a pitcher, you're investing a ton in lessons, she's got the athleticism to ace it... but for some reason, she's just not hitting the field! You've even gone as far as turning your basement into a mini Rosemont Dome! You've tried nagging, reasoning, laying out all the perks of practicing, but there she sits, comfy on the couch, remote in one hand, phone in the other.

Sound familiar? So many of us parents grapple with this fear of pushing too hard. We don't want to kill our kids' passion or damage our relationship with them.

Here's the dream: You roll up after work, and there's your daughter out on the front lawn with her catcher, both geared up, in the middle of their umpteenth practice session. They're laughing, having a blast, going through drills like it's a breeze. "Hey Mom! Just nailed 100% strikes at 60 miles per hour!"

Ah, wouldn't that be something?

But let's face it, that might just stay a dream. And if by some miracle it does happen, start planning those vacation spots because your daughter's on the fast track to a free college ride. From what I've seen, most pitchers who hit above-average levels didn't just practice solo as kids. They had a partner in crime, usually a parent, who was right there with them.

I chatted with my buddy Kelly Ostler, a former pitcher and current assistant coach at U of Chicago, about her childhood practice routine. It was nothing fancy, just her and her dad putting in the work. When I asked how many pitches she clocked in, she just laughed and said, "A heck of a lot."

Funny thing is, when Kelly reminisces, she doesn't dwell on trophies or championships. It's all about the hours spent practicing, the goofy moments during games, and the bond she built with her dad.

So, instead of dreaming up that picture-perfect scenario, let's paint a more realistic one: You come home, toss your daughter a glove, and head outside to the makeshift mound. She might grumble a bit, but she'll follow along. You don't need to give lectures or correct every move; just being there, catching her throws, and throwing in a joke or two does the trick.

And here's the kicker: Success down the road ties back to these practice sessions. When your daughter sees the results, she'll understand the value of putting in the work.

My own story? Well, I had a supportive but laid-back dad. He'd come to games and catch me at lessons, until I started throwing too fast for him to handle! But he didn't push practice like a drill sergeant. Looking back, maybe a bit more practice with him would've made a difference.

Long story short, align your actions with your goals. If your daughter's not hitting her pitching goals, maybe it's time to reevaluate your practice partnership before anything else.

The moral of the story? Push your daughter by pushing yourself. You'll both achieve something pretty awesome in the end.