Last month, we published an article detailing the decision that talented sophomore outfielder Ava Venturelli from Massachusetts had to face this year: to play or not play high school softball as COVID pushed her team’s season back and the prolonged schedule would conflict with key club events in the summer.
You can read about her decision by clicking HERE.
In Nebraska, another talented underclass softball player had a tough decision to make, this time about playing one sport or multiple ones and why she chose playing volleyball over softball at the high school level…
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Delanie Roeder is a freshman outfielder who plays for the Nebraska Gold 15U National team and is currently ranked #134 overall in the 2024 Extra Elite 100 and 61st at her position.
She has a desire to play in college and continues to work hard to move up the ranks and be the best softball player she can be.
You would think that would entail playing all the softball she could, but Delanie had to make the agonizing decision to not play high school softball this season (in Nebraska, the season is in the Fall).
Why not?
“When making the decision she felt exposure for playing softball at the next level primarily comes for her through club and the college camps she’s been invited to,” her mother explains. “Thankfully, with the dead period coming to an end she is receiving invites to showcases and elite camps.”
The decision wasn’t an easy one, the athlete admits, but she had sound reasons for the path she chose to follow.
“I chose to play high school volleyball this year instead of high school softball because I enjoy playing volleyball too,” Delanie says. “I’ve been playing volleyball ever since I was little and I missed playing it this last year. You only get to be in high school once and I want to pursue softball at a higher level outside of high school so this is the only chance I will have to be able to play volleyball.
Delanie played varsity softball as a freshman and has many friends on both the high school softball and volleyball teams.
“She loves to compete and she’s blessed—God gave her natural athletic ability—but in Nebraska softball and volleyball are both in the Fall so athletes must choose one,” her father Corey Roeder says. “She missed playing volleyball last fall and, although she won’t play volleyball at the next level, she loves it. When she asked us as her parents to weigh in on the decision our response was ‘Do what makes you happy. We love watching you compete in both sports.’”
Delanie has been told by many softball coaches that with continued hard work and determination she has the ability to play softball at the next level. Her dream since she was 8-years-old was to play D1 ball and that opportunity made her decision that much harder.
Her parents have supported her in her dreams while emphasizing that there are other priorities too.
“We’ve always told her it takes a lot of work and commitment and her grades must be her first priority,” the athlete’s mother, Joy Roeder, explains. “We’ve also emphasized playing any sport at ANY college level is an accomplishment.”
“With that said, we also don’t want to discourage her from setting her goals high and pushing herself to reach them. She has been looking at several D1 schools and continues to get information from the admissions departments and invites about softball camps and showcases. We have let her know we will transport her to anything she wants to attend and do our best to help her navigate her future.”
Delanie has recognized that if she chose to play volleyball in high school with the ultimate goal to compete in softball at the next level, she will need to be even more focused and disciplined to compete in her four sports now (volleyball, basketball, track and club softball) at a high level.
“She knows it is not going to be easy but her family, including her brothers Darrent, an 8th grader, and Dylan, a junior in high school, believes she can do anything she puts her mind to!” says the athlete’s father. “Ultimately, it was her decision.”
After weighing it all out, the talented athlete decided on playing volleyball in high school instead of softball.
“I think for her it came down to taking on a challenge and being able to make the most of her high school athletic career,” Corey continues. “Sadly, the emphasis from many club and HS coaches in any sport is athletes needing to become ‘specialized’ in a single sport and not participate in multiple sports.”
“I have heard arguments for both sides and have heard college coaches weigh in on this issue. Many college coaches still prefer a multi-sport athlete. I also think it’s worth noting that many students in my daughter’s situation, who are working so hard to keep their edge in all the sports they play, keep their grades at 3.5 or higher (Delanie maintains a 3.85 GPA) and continue to be involved in their communities as leaders.”
The dilemma the young Nebraska athlete faced is not an isolated one. It’s ironic that the better an athlete may be overall, the more he or she may have to forsake using all the tools and physical gifts but, instead, concentrate in just one area.
So what pressures does a multi-sport athlete face? Is it wrong for such a talented athlete to want to “spread the wealth” and play a variety of sports with a variety of people? Does today’s culture of specialization, including the ever-growing importance of travel ball, channel and almost force a well-rounded athlete to focus on just one sport?
Delanie and her family certainly caught some flak once her decision to play volleyball at the prep level went public.
“I don’t let it get to me,” Delanie says, “because I know that if I want to do something badly enough that I won’t let anyone stop me from doing what I think is best for me and what I want to do. I know I have the work ethic and determination to be a four-sport athlete and the people that doubt me honestly just make me more determined to prove them wrong.”
“We’ve heard the rumblings,” the teen’s mom admits. “Things like ‘She’s making a big mistake,’ ‘It isn’t a good idea,’ ‘She’ll never get recruited,’ and ‘She won’t be ranked anymore.’”
Having made the decision, the freshman who excels in four sports is plowing ahead with plans to make it all work knowing it won’t be easy.
“I will have to sacrifice being able to go to group activities other than sport related ones,” Delanie states. “I will also be sacrificing my own free time because I will have to be practicing and playing with my team and when I’m not doing that be practicing on my own. I think my biggest challenge will be managing my school work on top of having multiple practices for different sports constantly.”
She has the full support of her family on and off the fields… and courts.
“As a parent I choose to believe in my kid, support her decision and do all I can to help her pursue her dreams,” Delanie’s father states. “I’ll admit it: I’ve been challenged by her commitment, but I see how bad she wants to make it work.”
The athlete has put together a summer schedule that includes as many as eight softball camps and/or showcases and will fully compete in her club tournaments, participate in her high school team volleyball and basketball camps as well as some league games in both of those sports.
“She’s always been a driven kid,” her mother adds, “but watching her set goals and prioritize what she needs to do to be competitive in all four sports while still pursuing her dream of playing softball at the next level has challenged everyone in our family.”
“That being said, as parents we encourage her to focus on always improving her skills and helping her teams compete.”
It’s been a long road up to this point and Delanie reveals there was a time when she didn’t think softball would be her future dream sport.
“I’m not going to lie—there was a point in time when I was very discouraged about softball and felt as if I could never be as good as the other girls on my team,” she admits. “My parents always believed in me and took me to multiple tryouts as a kid just to see what I was like compared to others. I kept working hard at softball and finally found my confidence in this sport.”
“I have always been a very talkative person and find it very easy to make a conversation with someone even if I’ve never met them before. So I never had an issue with coming to a new team or tryout where I knew absolutely no one. I’m pretty flexible when it comes to change which has helped me so much throughout the years. I moved across the state when I was in 6th grade in order to play for a softball team and it was better for our family. I think that that experience really helped me with change becoming easy to me.”
“I was once asked to go to a tournament in Colorado and sub for team based out of Iowa. I didn’t know a single person on that team and found out about the tournament two days before we needed to leave for it. I showed up played for them and had so much fun. I ended up joining that softball club and would drive up there for practice and travel the country to do what I love, play softball.”
“I have learned that my biggest competition is myself. I’m constantly pushing myself and I am a little bit of a perfectionist so when I do a drill or anything I’ll do it until it feels perfect.
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Coaches Comments
What do Delanie’s coaches at Beatrice (Nebraska) High and her Nebraska Gold club program think about her decision?
Here’s what they have to say…
Craig Boyer, Head Coach, Nebraska Gold 15U National
Challenges of playing multiple sports:
Being a multi-sport athlete you have to have a special work ethic and mindset to be playing the in season sport, but then get your reps in for softball. We have quite a few on our team that play multiple sports and they will have a practice or game and before or after hit or do fielding work. Delanie has shown she can do this and compete at a high level.
Characteristics needed to play multiple sports and maintain balance in school and life:
I think the key characteristic to being a multi-sport athlete, maintain a high GPA, and getting the extra practice needed to play at a high level in softball is time management. Not only will this help when they start college, but throughout life.
The attributes Delanie has to succeed in multiple sports:
Since joining our team earlier this year Delanie has shown she has what it takes to achieve her softball dreams. She has laid out the path needed by researching different Universities not only for softball, but academics. She has put her list of schools together and started signing up for camp with those schools. As with all the athletes on my team and the organization we make it about them and support them on this journey.
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Larry Swift, Nebraska Gold Fastpitch Softball Director
Challenges of playing multiple sports:
Multi-sport athletes have to have a certain work ethic and drive to find time for not only the in-season sport but also finding time to get softball work in. Delanie continues to show she possesses this quality.
Characteristics needed to play multiple sports and maintain balance in school and life:
In my opinion playing multiple sports and maintaining a high GPA will prepare PSAs even more for the next level. One of the biggest things I hear from college freshmen is learning time management. If this is being done in High School this will prepare these kids even more.
The attributes Delanie has to succeed in multiple sports:
Delanie has done a good a job laying out a long-term plan of goals she would like to achieve. She has already started researching multiple universities to understand not only about their softball program but also what the school offers academically. She has identified several camps to attend and understands over the next few years she will continue to narrow those schools. She’s has been living the work ethic needed by pushing herself in multiple sports and excelling at these at the highest level. She will be prepared to make a sound decision for college when the time comes because of her preparation and work ethic.
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Jalen Weeks, Head Varsity Basketball Coach, Beatrice High School
Challenges of playing multiple sports:
I think that the main obstacle is similar with any other multi-sport athlete: to make sure they are able to continue to manage their time in order to get school work and other priorities done while competing in their in-season sport. Now, while doing this, they should also make time to get some softball work in if they are committed to playing at a high level in college. It is great for athletes to be involved in other sports, but they need to understand that there are sacrifices that they are going to take in order to earn a scholarship at a high level.
Characteristics needed to play multiple sports and maintain balance in school and life:
Athletes like this need to be very organized and have great time management. The need to have a lot of self-discipline to be able to get school work done or go to practice before they have free time. Athletes also must have a sense of toughness to compete in multiple sports while working out to earn a scholarship in softball. They will have to be able to work their bodies to the max and taking little days off.
The attributes Delanie has to succeed in multiple sports:
There is no questioning Delanie’s competitiveness in all sports and contests. Delanie wants to win whether it is in a basketball game of game of checkers. She shows up every day and is ready to battle. Delanie is extremely coachable and is willing to listen and try new things to be successful. Finally, Delanie is an unbelievable teammate. She is selfless and is constantly giving encouragement.
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Melissa Carper, Head Varsity Volleyball Coach & Middle School Track Coach, Beatrice Public Schools
Challenges of playing multiple sports:
With any sport, there will always be obstacles, challenges and setbacks. Some obstacles can be peer influences and not able to prioritize your time. Students can be influenced by their peers to do the right thing or the wrong thing. With constant peer influence in person or on social media, comparisons lurk everywhere and all day for these student-athletes. These kids are student-athletes where academics come first, they need to manage not just their school day but the effort that comes with comprehending the subjects/courses. Student-athletes need to maintain eligibility.
Characteristics needed to play multiple sports and maintain balance in school and life:
Student-athletes need to be organized, punctual, able to prioritize & be determined. Any sport ‘at the next level’ will take those characteristics because it’s a higher level of commitment.
The attributes Delanie has to succeed in multiple sports:
a freshman in high school, Delanie already possesses great organizational skills. She is demonstrating a great deal of focus on her academics while managing her involvement in her sport(s). She will need to keep her dreams listed in front of her at all times, especially when negative feelings or obstacles present themselves.
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Karen Schlueter, Head Varsity Track Coach & Middle School Volleyball Coach, Beatrice High School
Challenges of playing multiple sports:
Playing three sports in high school requires time management skills, paying attention to your training regimen to remain injury free, and communication with coaches especially if you will be pursuing softball during your other high school seasons. An involved high school student athlete probably has other commitments and activities that they are involved in which adds to the stress of accomplishing homework, focusing on in season training, and participating in out of season training all at the same time.
Characteristics needed to play multiple sports and maintain balance in school and life:
Time management skills are crucial to the student’s success both academically and athletically. The student athlete needs to be able to use class time wisely and be willing to give up some free time with friends and family to stay on top of their busy schedule. The athlete also needs to be aware of what their body is telling them—they cannot push themselves all the time—they need rest in order to recover and actually get better at their physical and mental skills instead of continually breaking their bodies down through overtraining when involved in more than one sport at a time all year round. Maintaining a high GPA must be important to the student athlete. If it is not important that will be one of the first things to suffer or decline.
The attributes Delanie has to succeed in multiple sports:
Delanie’s strong personality will allow her to lead and not be a follower which will help her with time management. She will be able to focus on what she needs to get done instead of “what are my friends” all doing. I have seen her become more confident and trust the overall process and goal instead of only looking at short term success or ability.
