Sue Trubovitz, Turbo wrote:Would be interesting to read what people have noticed in other states how their City leagues have grown or changed. My reflection is of California 12u and
under, perhaps a different view.
Taking a look at what rec ball has to offer. They offer a regular-season about 4 months. Then if you make all stars that's about one month. Now they offer select teams where the ' hold tryouts'. Also interestingly enough you can play on the select team and the regular Rec team at the same time. which I will say that for the parents that do both and their schedules having two separate team practices and team playing schedule is a pretty busy season. And anybody who wants to complain about players doing too much...guess what....Complaint department starts in rec ball now!
What has happened over the decades...
Regular season teams unfortunately at times do not have enough teams to actually compete against each other so they started branching off and competing with neighboring cities for the regular season.
Going out of their city...
'Traveling' to another city to play!
Then they have all stars. Which you know all-stars you get to 'go play teams in other cities' and start 'doing tournaments in other cities.' Does that sound like travel?
Now we have the select teams. Where people within this city leagues take a look at their own pool of players and ' hold tryouts' to make a super team. . Select teams are purposely created to go compete against other cities and plat tournaments.. Really starts to sound like travel ball now!
In looking at this, kind of seems that Rec ball is the launching pad teaching people what travel ball is going to be like.
I brought this convo up because I talked to a rec 2nd yr 12u player (or would be) this weekend who I had the pleasure to coach her first time playing back in her 1st year 10u, and after 3 seasons she told me she's giving up softball because all the rec coaches want to do is win, and never gets to play anything else other than OF (moving to Volleyball instead). I told her that's unfortunate, but good luck in Volleyball.
Here's a thought, let's have established TB teams and coaches work with some rec league volunteers and preach development, commitment and hard work over winning. This may keep more players in rec and make rec stronger, have potential TB players and families come to TB environment with that work ethic in mind, and in the end, it will benefit TB as a sport.
Make Rec a feeder league for TB, just like minor leagues. IDK just a thought