Ball State "camp" and "showcase"

[Scooby26]

I think this is a case of one size doesn't necessarily fit all. While I agree that the overall competition level was down from the previous year, there were still a lot of positive benefits that came out of our team participating.

1. Many new players---it gave the chance for the girl's to get accustomed to one another
2. New Coaches--------ditto
3. Opportunity to evaluate the players in game situations--in a low key setting
4. With many of our players attending various college fall camps that are coming up very soon-----any chance to see actual live pitching will benefit them.
5. A chance to support a university that puts a very good product on the field and has had several of the kids from our organization playing for them.
6. A bad day at the softball diamonds is better than a good day away from them.

I can see where a different team under different circumstances may feel that giving the kids a little more down time may be beneficial---but in our case I'm glad we went.

[killerbee]

I spoke to two D-1 coaches this morning and posed the time-off question to both of them. Ironically, both coaches give their players 2 weeks off after just 1 month of fall softball.

Ugh!!! Are they in post-season play in May?

The majority of coaches that I have built relationships with could care a less about the Fall playing season. Many tell me they would prefer recruiting over playing. Many conferences have restrictions on who they compete against and distance of travel etc..

Everyone has there own marketing strategy. Whatever works best for yall, stay with what you're doing.
I on the otherhand prefer to play while the weather permits and work for the unrecruited player. I make the contacts so that they come to see my players of interest, whether they(coaches) come to my practice or I set up games at their stadiums or tournaments within our region.
Gunshy, let me know when you're recharged so when can get those friendlies in! We need to face some top dogs!

[afastpitchfanatic]

I aspire to be like Craig aka Killerbee. The GODFATHER of fastpitch.

[ntheknow2]

I aspire to be like Craig aka Killerbee. The GODFATHER of fastpitch.

Hey Charlie Babbitt, you should practice what you preach! Why the derogatory remarks towards Bell? Take some notes and you may learn a thing or two!

[oldman22]

I agree. Pay some mind to the ones that have had some success like Bell, Clay and Knox. These guys are more than approachable and have lot of info to share.

duane

[killerbee]

Gee, another genius that put two and two together, and will probably never share their identity! Let it out Charlie! We all pretty much know who's who.(grammar error)

[coolstuff]

Having not attended the Ball State showcase in the past, I can't compare it to last year's. I did think that the competition was uneven. Of the teams I saw play against DD's team, one had no business being there, and the other was an all new team playing together for the first time so it was hard to judge. But saw some good competition from the Dreams (naturally). There were college coaches in attendance (at the Muncie complex, did not identify any at Selma), but not at the level of the number of colleges listed in the OP. Maybe they all went to the camp on Saturday (which DD did not participate in).

Great weather. DD got introduced to her new teammates for the first time and she's happy.

[ntheknow2]

Coolstuff, Glad to hear your DD likes her new team! Seems to be a crap shoot this year with more turnover of players. Looking through the "other "site there seems to be many more 14u and 16u teams popping up, most claiming showcase and ASA only. Whats the odds on these teams making it to December?

[msda8]

I am with "Looking In", players need some sort of recoup time after 6 straight months of competition.

Not sure where you are getting 6 straight months of competition? Not in these parts! If that were the case at my dd's high school, she probably would welcome the break. It's a nice social event only to make her hungry for competitive ball.

IMO, play the games while you can, once they get to the next level, 80% is spent in the gym, the running track, practice, bus, planes and airports.

Good luck to all this Fall!!

Maybe not six staight months of games, but IHSAA official season starts the first Monday in March. Games can start the last week of March. High school girls that play travel go from HS Ball right into travel season that ends at national in the beg of August---that would be just under 6 months. Not counting the months prior to March that most high school softball programs unofficially train. Heck our school has girls doing weights and fielding/hitting twice a week, then come January go to 4 days a week. Can't officially make the go (per IHSAA rules) but the girls know that if they aren't" in season" in another sport, then they better be there if they want to make it....And all this HS stuff goes (expect during official in season high school time)at the same time as fal/winterl travel. So taking part of August/September off from competition or even no softball practice for a few weeks give the girls a much needed mental and physical break.

[coolstuff]

So taking part of August/September off from competition or even no softball practice for a few weeks give the girls a much needed mental and physical break.

DD's HS softball coach just sent out an e-mail saying if you're not in a fall sport and your not doing open hitting (which began when school started a month ago), you may not have a spot on the team come March.

DD is a varsity player on both volleyball and softball. Add travel ball and she essentially has no break from any sport during the year. Plus she's in the honors diploma with distinction track and a member of the choir. She is nearing burn out and I suspect there is going to have to be some decisions made at the end of October.