Are there too many teams in NorCal ?

[dittoz]

See it several times every season... DD doesn't get to play "X" position, parents go ballistic and leave the team. Same thing happens at team #2 and suddenly dad has formed his own team...

Each time a new team pops up, the talent level is watered down further. Really noticing it this season where many teams only have 1 and sometimes 2 marquee players (at best!) whereas in past seasons, teams carried 1-2 "developmental" players.

Is it just me or are there just too many marginal teams out there these days?

[CheckWriter]

You're right. Just don't let those other lame girls play. We can encourage them to stay home with their X Box instead. They don't need to have the opportunity to play to find out if they like the sport beyond rec ball.

Let's just have one team of studs (that we some how determine to be the next Natasha Whatley when she's 10) from Nor Cal in each age group and beat the world.

Sorry, didn't mean to be THAT sarcastic, but sometimes I can't help myself.

[beentheredonethat]

There is

[dittoz]

Checkwriter - of course there's a place for every kid to play - no doubt about that whatsoever!
My DD is by no means the stud as those who know her will attest... Still, I understand the sarcasm and will ignore it.,

What I'm seeing and referring to and I hear a number of parents agree about is that there seems to be an over-all degradation of team quality lately. Compared to a few years ago when there were 3-4, maybe 5-6 studs on a team, it seems like there are now 1 or 2. It appears that Dad thinks he can do things better and in forming a new team, has to water down the level of the teams over-all if he can manage to draw a player or two away from another team.

I have no problem with forming NSA or rec teams - as said, there's a place for everyone to play. But not every girl or team is ready for "A" level ball and not every girl should play on an "A" level team if they're not ready for it.

[mr.flamboyant]

SoCal has alot of teams also (from what I see). Just as many as us if not more (rough guess)

[softballjunky12]

Hmm, I am not seeing this as much down in the Bay Area. However, we do have our share of team jumper for the reason you mention. NOW.. we are seeing a new trend of Rec League starting to create year long "A" teams leveraging thier exsiting infrustructures ie fields etc.. These teams are mainly playing USSSA, it appears! Probably cause that is the only local tournament for them to play in without staying overnight. (Yes, one could drive home from Stockton but no fun in that).

[dittoz]

SB;

I too have seen the rec leagues leveraging and forming and that's a great idea. In all probability, it brings up the level of play in the rec leagues and may well make for better players all-around in future years.

Funny story on that... years ago, we started a travel org after emerging from an All Star rec season like so many. Played NSA, USSSA, IFA at 10u as the girls got used to the higher level of ball. They did great and we wound up making the championship game in virtually every tournament we played in that 10u season. It grew our popularity locally and a LOT of the better rec players wanted to come play for us. Needless to say, the rec league was furious with us and it started a small war between the two as they attempted to keep their players "in house". Finally, they formed a couple off season "B" travel teams to try to compete with us. Still didn't work and ultimately I believe the whole venture collapsed leaving them back with a generic rec league. I may be off somewhat on the details, but that's the gist of it. The kicker...? The main coach and chief protagonist at the rec org in that war took his daughter a year later to a travel org and is now coaching !

Not surprising, but cannot help laughing at the irony...

[Joe]

See it several times every season... DD doesn't get to play "X" position, parents go ballistic and leave the team. Same thing happens at team #2 and suddenly dad has formed his own team...

Each time a new team pops up, the talent level is watered down further. Really noticing it this season where many teams only have 1 and sometimes 2 marquee players (at best!) whereas in past seasons, teams carried 1-2 "developmental" players.

Is it just me or are there just too many marginal teams out there these days?

Yes..definitely!!! There are way too many teams. This sport isn't for marginal players!

ASA should allow only marquee players, plus 1-2 developmental. The rest should go back to band, ballet, or cheer.

[mr.flamboyant]

The way I see it (and once again..in no way am I any kind of expert)..everybody has the right to play. I also think they should play B tournaments till their ready to play "A" tournaments but if they want to get their butts kicked playing in tourneys they dont belong in..well who are we to tell them no

[Old Darter]

The way I see it (and once again..in no way am I any kind of expert)..everybody has the right to play. I also think they should play B tournaments till their ready to play "A" tournaments but if they want to get their butts kicked playing in tourneys they dont belong in..well who are we to tell them no

Because the true A teams did not sign up to play in a tourney full of B teams.