The Future of North Texas Softball?

[Fusion Gold]

I obviously don’t have the answers, and the purpose of my post was to get people to think of everything that is going and see if we can get the conversation started that maybe some ideas will come from, basically brainstorming in an open forum.

Our organization is going to be getting involved with a couple of the Leagues in Dallas and trying to find ways to build the system back up. I know that some people view the rec league players moving up to select teams as a positive result based on the fact that they aspire to move up and play better competition. And quite frankly, I completely agree with that, and I’m sure most of us started out along that path at one time or another. My concern is how do we get more kids coming into the sport? Because it seems as though as players, teams, coaches move out of rec. there is no one to replace them. Maybe I’m not seeing the clear picture; maybe more and more kids are getting started with softball at the select/club level. But it still seems like there is an abundance of kids out there that should be playing softball at the rec. level.

In a picture perfect world, I would love to see more collaboration between the City Leagues and the club teams, that is what we are trying to do, but it is very difficult because it goes back to the same thing I was originally talking about. In general people are more concerned with holding onto what they have, or dividing up the pie instead of working together to build something even better than we have ever seen before.

Back to my point about ASA as the governing body of softball. I am still not convinced that the VTD, USSSA or Premier can recruit, develop, train and grow a strong network of umpires. Someone mentioned that if an umpire does a Premier event that they can put NCAA on their resume’? – Please help me here because I am in the dark on that comment. It is my understanding that the Premier league is going to play by NCAA rules, which is great, but that doesn’t make it an event to which an umpire could put on his resume’. In fact how many of the umpires that we see at the local levels are really that familiar with the NCAA rules? I don’t know the answer, I’m just throwing another situation out there to consider.

National Championships are the bloodline of an organization. The way that ASA has done things as far as Championship play is concerned over the years is a really good system in my opinion. It allows the coaches to use the fall and other non-championship events to prepare their teams for Championship play, it allows the qualifiers and Championship play to become like the “regular season” if you will, and for Nationals to become the post season. To put it in a nutshell that’s how we have coached our teams and the basic philosophy that we have used over the years and it has worked well for us and many other teams. I’m not saying that other governing bodies can’t make this happen, I just don’t think people realize the amount of work and logistical planning that will go into making it happen at all levels from 10U through 18U Gold. There are a lot of people involved with ASA softball, and there is so much more to it than what I will ever comprehend. My take on all of this is simply, even though almost everyone has something to complain about or an axe to grind on some level, sometimes we won’t realize what we had until it’s gone.

I am all for making the changes and working to continue to grow this sport, think outside the box, etc.. however I just hope that the people that have the wheels in motion realize that the changes may be better, but it is also important to keep the foundation of the sport intact. And that foundation includes, am influx of new kids to the sport, a strong umpire base with training and development plans, and a road to the National Championship for all of the kids to be able to experience.

[HUH???]

FUSION GOLD---Thanks for getting this dialogue started. Until the larger organizations (Fusion, Glory, and to a smaller degree Batbusters) will help with getting things changed in FWASA and Gotcher specifically, then us in the western part have no other choice but to leave for "greener" (or in this case, less chaotic) pastures.

What do you say? Can we expect you guys to lead a revolution for change in FWASA so we can all stay ASA?

The main fight is not all about ASA in NTX, it is about specifically, how most teams are treated unfairly in FWASA. No oversight, no resolve, and no communication. Total dictatorship.

When the contract for VTD and ASA was not renewed, I am not sure how other tourneys handled it, but it basically became a license to manipulate tourney outcomes.

EXAMPLE: On the VTD their is a congratulations post for a pitcher (no names) who signed for a Dision I college. YEAHHHHHHHHHH. I am estatic for her, and let me state that this is not about her.

This is the same pitcher who plays on a 18U GOLD team, and yet was pitching in a 16U tourney that was half full of 14U teams. Sure she was age elligable, but there were 2 - 18U college look tourneys going on in the area. Why would a great pitcher of that caliber want with a 16U tourney? My thought was that if we wanted our team to play 18U Gold ball, then we would have signed up for 18U Gold ball! This happened because no travel permit nor rosters needed. I would bet that 80% or more of the teams signed up before the switch and had no idea that this is the way it would be ran. Sad that in order for their team to win a piece of plastic that a Gold pitcher would want to pitch against 13 and 14 year olds.

Welcome to NTX ASA. This is what is allowed to happen under ASA's watch.

[HUH???]

After reading back through my post, I should have put more smiley faces. I don't want anyone to think I was upset when writing. I am not. I am very serious about big oragnizations offering a hand up, not a hand out. Continue to lead so we can follow. Fusion teams have ties in FWASA too.

[Dunder_Mifflin]

FWIW, here's my take:

-
3. Diluting talent- I don't blame ASA by any means for earlier verbals and recruiting and I realize I'm being a hypocrite, for those that know me. BUT, the potential for abolishing or diluting an age group (the fall of 18A, or as some mentioned, possible 16U) could have been prevented by requiring kids to play their age/classification. Would we have all liked that our kids had to move down and change teams. Heck no, but maybe it would have been better for our sport overall and eventually, the players. Same goes for the A and B classifications.

.

Couldn't agree more.

[dgorsuch]

I obviously don’t have the answers, and the purpose of my post was to get people to think of everything that is going and see if we can get the conversation started that maybe some ideas will come from, basically brainstorming in an open forum.

Our organization is going to be getting involved with a couple of the Leagues in Dallas and trying to find ways to build the system back up. I know that some people view the rec league players moving up to select teams as a positive result based on the fact that they aspire to move up and play better competition. And quite frankly, I completely agree with that, and I’m sure most of us started out along that path at one time or another. My concern is how do we get more kids coming into the sport? Because it seems as though as players, teams, coaches move out of rec. there is no one to replace them. Maybe I’m not seeing the clear picture; maybe more and more kids are getting started with softball at the select/club level. But it still seems like there is an abundance of kids out there that should be playing softball at the rec. level.

In a picture perfect world, I would love to see more collaboration between the City Leagues and the club teams, that is what we are trying to do, but it is very difficult because it goes back to the same thing I was originally talking about. In general people are more concerned with holding onto what they have, or dividing up the pie instead of working together to build something even better than we have ever seen before.

Back to my point about ASA as the governing body of softball. I am still not convinced that the VTD, USSSA or Premier can recruit, develop, train and grow a strong network of umpires. Someone mentioned that if an umpire does a Premier event that they can put NCAA on their resume’? – Please help me here because I am in the dark on that comment. It is my understanding that the Premier league is going to play by NCAA rules, which is great, but that doesn’t make it an event to which an umpire could put on his resume’. In fact how many of the umpires that we see at the local levels are really that familiar with the NCAA rules? I don’t know the answer, I’m just throwing another situation out there to consider.

National Championships are the bloodline of an organization. The way that ASA has done things as far as Championship play is concerned over the years is a really good system in my opinion. It allows the coaches to use the fall and other non-championship events to prepare their teams for Championship play, it allows the qualifiers and Championship play to become like the “regular season” if you will, and for Nationals to become the post season. To put it in a nutshell that’s how we have coached our teams and the basic philosophy that we have used over the years and it has worked well for us and many other teams. I’m not saying that other governing bodies can’t make this happen, I just don’t think people realize the amount of work and logistical planning that will go into making it happen at all levels from 10U through 18U Gold. There are a lot of people involved with ASA softball, and there is so much more to it than what I will ever comprehend. My take on all of this is simply, even though almost everyone has something to complain about or an axe to grind on some level, sometimes we won’t realize what we had until it’s gone.

I am all for making the changes and working to continue to grow this sport, think outside the box, etc.. however I just hope that the people that have the wheels in motion realize that the changes may be better, but it is also important to keep the foundation of the sport intact. And that foundation includes, am influx of new kids to the sport, a strong umpire base with training and development plans, and a road to the National Championship for all of the kids to be able to experience.

Our select team has been doing skills workshops, clinics and helping the rec teams at our park for several years now. We have quite a few of the girls and coaches on our 14U team helping coach and practice with the younger rec teams. We also host select leagues at the park which exposes more of the rec girls and coaches to a higher level of play and gets them and the coaches excited about softball. Many of them have been regulars at the select games and are learning things that they can carry back to their practices and games. Support the rec program in your area as much as possible. It will make a difference. All of the select programs could do more clinics, help at practices and offer to do more teaching for the rec teams in their area. Its good for the organization because you are giving back to the same place we all came from to begin with.
Doug
Lewisville Force

[heybuckettexas]

Our Association has got commitments from 5 select team coaches whose girls are playing HS ball to come down in March and help the new rec teams in the younger divisions. They will not only be teaching the girls but also the new coach's what they know about softball. Hopefully this will allow the new coaches to run their practices more effectively and help both the coaches and players learn how to throw, catch, hit, and run correctly. I think it will make for a better experience for everyone and in return I think more will be recruited into softball. We will see.

[Joe]

I obviously don’t have the answers, and the purpose of my post was to get people to think of everything that is going and see if we can get the conversation started that maybe some ideas will come from, basically brainstorming in an open forum.

Our organization is going to be getting involved with a couple of the Leagues in Dallas and trying to find ways to build the system back up. I know that some people view the rec league players moving up to select teams as a positive result based on the fact that they aspire to move up and play better competition. And quite frankly, I completely agree with that, and I’m sure most of us started out along that path at one time or another. My concern is how do we get more kids coming into the sport? Because it seems as though as players, teams, coaches move out of rec. there is no one to replace them. Maybe I’m not seeing the clear picture; maybe more and more kids are getting started with softball at the select/club level. But it still seems like there is an abundance of kids out there that should be playing softball at the rec. level.

In a picture perfect world, I would love to see more collaboration between the City Leagues and the club teams, that is what we are trying to do, but it is very difficult because it goes back to the same thing I was originally talking about. In general people are more concerned with holding onto what they have, or dividing up the pie instead of working together to build something even better than we have ever seen before.

Back to my point about ASA as the governing body of softball. I am still not convinced that the VTD, USSSA or Premier can recruit, develop, train and grow a strong network of umpires. Someone mentioned that if an umpire does a Premier event that they can put NCAA on their resume’? – Please help me here because I am in the dark on that comment. It is my understanding that the Premier league is going to play by NCAA rules, which is great, but that doesn’t make it an event to which an umpire could put on his resume’. In fact how many of the umpires that we see at the local levels are really that familiar with the NCAA rules? I don’t know the answer, I’m just throwing another situation out there to consider.

National Championships are the bloodline of an organization. The way that ASA has done things as far as Championship play is concerned over the years is a really good system in my opinion. It allows the coaches to use the fall and other non-championship events to prepare their teams for Championship play, it allows the qualifiers and Championship play to become like the “regular season” if you will, and for Nationals to become the post season. To put it in a nutshell that’s how we have coached our teams and the basic philosophy that we have used over the years and it has worked well for us and many other teams. I’m not saying that other governing bodies can’t make this happen, I just don’t think people realize the amount of work and logistical planning that will go into making it happen at all levels from 10U through 18U Gold. There are a lot of people involved with ASA softball, and there is so much more to it than what I will ever comprehend. My take on all of this is simply, even though almost everyone has something to complain about or an axe to grind on some level, sometimes we won’t realize what we had until it’s gone.

I am all for making the changes and working to continue to grow this sport, think outside the box, etc.. however I just hope that the people that have the wheels in motion realize that the changes may be better, but it is also important to keep the foundation of the sport intact. And that foundation includes, am influx of new kids to the sport, a strong umpire base with training and development plans, and a road to the National Championship for all of the kids to be able to experience.

ASA deserves credit for 'inventing' fastpitch as we know it.

Likewise, IBM deserves credit for inventing the computer. It wasn't until Dell and Microsoft came along and kicked IBM in the nuts....that Big Blue (IBM) decided that it was time to change their marketing plan and stop living on the fat of the past. The marketplace wanted something new, IBM was too fat and complacent to think outside of the box....Bill Gates left the company and started Microsoft... and the PC (Dell, HP) revolution exploded onto the marketplace. IBM recovered somewhat, but never to its frontrunner position that it enjoyed for decades.

The same comparison could be drawn when describing the rise and 'potential' fall of ASA. The marketplace is asking for something different and someone, somewhere will figure out a way to deliver. It's called capitalism...and eventually the consumer will be the winner. Either ASA gets their act together.... or Premier, VTD or whoever will do it for them. Afterall, no one can blame the "diluted product" on Premier or VTD...at least not yet.

A strong umpire base is important. Over the last several years, I've seen that base dwindle with barely any effort to bring in new, younger personnel. In fact, the good old boy system of protecting some of the old guys is well established while ignoring the needs and wants of younger talent that would eventually support the game in the future. A classic example of an archaic system is the one practiced locally where umpires are not allowed to travel across district boundries to call games...that is, an umpire registered in Dallas was never allowed to travel to Fort Worth to call games. Without Billy Monk's approval, it didn't happen. I also might add that most umpires simply want to work...without all the BS along the way.

So Slade, while you bring up some great and valid concerns...the diluted product, the lower participation levels in the rec leagues, the lack of a revitalized umpire workforce weren't caused by the presence of Premier or VTD. These groups have yet to take the field so the blame cannot be directed at them.

I would submit to anyone who would listen that a little competition won't hurt fastpitch...but will wake some folks up. If it doesn't...they need to move aside and let the innovators lead the way.

[Joe]

Replacing the rec player that moves to select? Fastpitch has to be more aggressive with their marketing to the new player.

Schools....I know in Texas, kids in PE classes are introduced to soccer, basketball, even volleyball in schools but not softball. They may have a week or so where a baseball is thrown around, but with mixed classes of male and female, this activity is dominated by the boys while most girls are on the sidelines watching.

TV.....why doesn't ASA broadcast some of it's championship play? Little league does and it can't hurt the marketing campaign.

Costs....soccer and basketball will put you out $50 for league play. Softball league play starts at $75 before buying glove, bat and cleats. Lower income say "no thanks".

Facilities...why no fastpitch facilities or leagues in Dallas or Fort Worth? We're writing off all those kids in the city limits, that is, unless they can get themselves to the suburbs where all the decent facilties and leagues are.

Politics...it's everywhere...the office, the schools, the govt. At some point, those in control have to recognize why they are there. The kids.

[Underdog]

Maybe Glenn could be the next Bill Gates .

[mesquic]

I just wanted to clarify a couple of items posted here with regards to Dallas Metro ASA umpires. As most of you know by now, I was appointed by John Phillips to succeed my friend and mentor Billy Monk as Metro Dallas UIC. John also appointed Steve McCown as fastpitch UIC, and we will be working together to make Metro Dallas the premier place to call fastpitch softball. Our most important objectives are the recruiting, training, and retention of umpires. We will work with all of the local chapters to help them attain these goals.

One item that was mentioned was local umpires having to obtain permission to cross state and other metro boundries to officiate games. This is done to help eliminate the problems of double booking of umpires, and insuring that local tournaments and leagues have the required number of people to cover their events. After this is done, we are then able to help our neighboring chapters fill their needs. All of this is co-ordinated with the UIC's and is not a difficult process.

Also one post mentioned that the umpire base seems to be drying up, and that is true in a few areas. When I took over as UIC in Mesquite in 2002, we had 16 registered umpires whose knowledge and abilities left a lot to be desired. This year we had 51 umpires, and have 8 to 10 more waiting to begin training in January. We also provide umpires for Forney, Duncanville, De Soto, and Cedar Hill. All of this is due to the hard work and dedication of the people we now have onboard, and I think this shows in the quality of our officials. They are considered to be both professional and approachable on the field, and it is very rarely that the UIC is called to their fields. We are also trying to get a stand alone chapter for the southwest area of the Metro, and probably this will happen in 2011. I only mention this to give you an idea of what Steve and I will try to accomplish all over the area.

As far as umpires working other sanctioning bodies, we will continue to request that ASA umpires make sure all ASA commitments are covered, this includes Metro requests as well as our neighboring requests. When this is done they are free to work wherever they wish. However most ASA umpires want to stay within our organization for various reasons.
1. ASA is who hired and trained us.
2. ASA is the ONLY fastpitch organization with a training program that begins at the national level, and comes down through the regional and local levels, such as the National Advanced School (a week long school), the National Developement School (two day school), Regional Development School (one day school), as well as local clinics and training.
3. ASA umpires have goals that they work very hard to attain, such as assignment to National tournaments, Elite Umpire status, National Indicator Fraternity, The four level Awards Program-Blue-Bronze-Silver-Gold. Many officials work to become NCAA, and ISF (international) umpires through the ASA system. High School umpires in Texas and many states use ASA umpire mechanics, simply because they are the best around.

I hope this has answers a couple of questions, and I will try to post more info as time goes along. Please feel free to contact me at any time if you have questions with regards to umpires. Also for North Texas teams registerasa.com went online Dec. 1st, unfortunatly our information has not been uploaded yet but should be done in the next couple of weeks. This is where we will register ASA teams, and post tournaments.

Danny Flanery-Metro Dallas UIC
mktx@flash.net