SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT OVERFLOW OF TEAMS

[Joe]

Before you start bashing my post, I am not saying a girl has got to be a superstar player. EVERYONE makes mistakes! However, by 12-U, she better have a head for the game, a good glove, and be able to put a bat to the ball. I am finding myself sitting on the sidelines getting more and more concerned about the safety of some of these girls and for some of these teams.

I also agree with both Tex and Softball 98's comments. Someone has got to step up and get a handle on this situation. With all the money and experience around here, you would think that these organizations would be applying some of it toward the recreational programs. In order to fill rosters, you got to have players. In order to be competitive, you got to develop the talent. I think of the recreational league like a farm team. Get the girls where they need to be and feed them into the system.

May I be the first to bash your post?

Let's see...by 12U... "a better head for the game"? How do you suppose that happens? Playing a game or two a week in rec ball? Then what happens if they don't have "a head"? Get lost sucker??? Tina...get a clue sweetheart! I've seen quite a few 14U players find their game and develop into D1 players. Writing them off at age 12 years isn't exactly the formula we need to grow the sport.

Safety? You're concerned about safety as in an experienced player going up against a novice? Then by God, you'd better shut down every HS program in the state. In these here "Northern" parts almost ALL HS teams are made up of a core of select players and then the roster filled with whoever fits in a uniform. Without the "whoevers", UIL might as well shut the program down.

And finally...the strongest (???) of yours...something about all those select teams you saw the last time you visited. Makes me wonder why you had to visit in the first place with all that talent at home you could have played instead. I see the exact opposite...loads of young people trying to excel at a game called softball. There'll be plenty of time to weed them out at around 16-18 years when real decisions need to be made. Until then, let these kids play the damn game.

Finally, finally...my friend...volleyball! Gyms cannot hold all of them. Girls are flocking to the game leaving softball. By age 12, there is no rec league volleyball. A typical tournament involves teams signing up for their requested classification, followed by Saturday pool games. On Sunday, all teams are seeded into different brackets based upon their pool results. When the games count, each team ends up playing to their own level of competition...and everyone goes home happy...without anyone being told the game doesn't need them.

[Joe]

I realize those of you hunting your kids scholarship might have a hard time believing that but there are girls that at 12U still play this game for the joy of it.

Those who have narrowed the game down to seeking a scholarship need to sell the doublewide and buy some academic tutoring for DD before it's too late.

[twinsmom]

I have posted and been blasted before regarding this subject.

Unfortunately, where we play our rec leagues are HORRIBLE! You can say that if people (me included) would step in and work with the league, coach and help bring the level up that would solve it, but here that is not the case. I have coached. I have donated time and money. I have brought in D1 players to give clinics. Unfortunately, the system is in itself flawed. The rec league here will not change its rules to allow for regular practice. Currently you are allowed only 1 hours 2-3 X a week (depending on where you are) and that includes games! 2 games a week for 5 weeks and one practice a week for one hour. Total of 10 games. And oh, only one week of practice before you start the games (6 weeks total of "softball" time). That is it. We have to travel out of town an hour or more to find a Fall ball league. Where we are, select is the ONLY option for any kid that wants to play ball (and we travel for that as well - some of our team parents an hour each way).

We are currently in this situation with my youngest. At 5, was told to play with 7-8 year olds as other kids would "get hurt". Played fall ball that year and actually sent 2 kids to the ER with busted lips and nose because they didn't have the reaction time or focus to get their glove up quick enough (at that point was made the permanent first baseman so that she didn't have to throw at anyone). This year at 6 was told to play with 10y/o group as to not "hurt" anyone again and I was quietly pulled aside and told that I should find a select team for them because the local league couldn't keep playing them "up", and it was dangerous with that kind of "skill level". Now, I understand that we have been thowing with her since 3 as the older two DD's started this for fun to see who could teach the most...LOL!! But skills are what I would consider better than average at best. WE aren't talking Cat Osterman or Jessica Mendoza here. Unfortunately, I will be looking for a select 8U team this year, despite the dire warnings on this board that I will burn her out. What else do I do???

I suspect many rec leagues are run this way. Don't know where it started. I think as each rec all-star team finished the year, they just wanted to keep playing and then those kids never return to league ball. Just my suspicions. I stand by my previous statements that I wish someone from California would come give Texas an inservice on how to run a rec league. They seem to get it done right. BUT, until that happens, I totally understand why there are so many teams out there and feel that they should all have their fun.

If you have a true A level team, you know who the other A level teams are. Go to tournaments where those teams are and leave the others alone. If you look, many of the tournaments unintentionally end up this way anyhow.

[TinaD]

I didn’t expect anything less from you JOE! You took pieces of my statements and twisted them in an attempt to … well, who knows what. But, from your past comments on the message board, I guess this is your MO. So, I shouldn’t even indulge you, but hey, you called me “sweetheart!”

I never said I am writing girls off by 12 years of age. I don’t see that anywhere in my post. I didn’t say that I came and visited either. We reside here and are part of your North Texas “system.” As far as how do girls get better playing one or two games a week, where I come from we call it PRACTICE! I don’t know if you are just not seeing some of these 12-U teams play, but…..honey, scores are being run up without even trying, players are stepping-off bases just to make an out, and people want to call that “fun” for these girls? PLEASE … I think not! Actually, the girls I know hate to lose. I think the proper term is “competitive,” which is why we are playing select, right?

As far as your comments regarding safety: I have yet to experience a HS softball game here. So, if what you say is true, I am once again shocked. Your telling me that these big ole’ Texas schools can’t put 12 girls on a roster that can play ball? WOW!

As to your volleyball comment, you finally impressed me here:!: I actually liked it. This seems like a solution to the problem. Fortunately, the volleyball system must know what they’re doing. Most tournaments don’t seed from pool games, and I’ve read plenty of comments on here opposing seeded pool games because “it’s an opportunity for players to play other positions.”

I have an idea Joe, since you seem to be in the know and been around the North Texas block, why don’t you be the front man and get the ball rolling on something similar here to the volleyball scenario? I think the system would accommodate everyone then and … you would have a lot of sweethearts!

As to the Twinsmom, thanks for the insight into the recreational organization! I guess we, too, were very fortunate where we came from to have a wonderfully ran recreational league. I can't believe some of the stuff you posted about it here. My daughter would not be at the level she is currently, but for her coaches at the recreation league level. Admittingly, my daughter is not some big powerhouse, but she can hold her own on a field and she loves the game.

[Joe]

I have an idea Joe, since you seem to be in the know and been around the North Texas block, why don’t you be the front man and get the ball rolling on something similar here to the volleyball scenario? I think the system would accommodate everyone then and … you would have a lot of sweethearts!

I am in the know...
and I also know who runs the show.
Until that changes...
ain't nothin' changin'.

I've ruffled a feather or two along the way,
but now it's almost time for me to go away.
If the game is to survive,
all should work... to keep it alive.

[doittoit]

Your a turd Joe and I wish you would go away. You can take mental giant, 3 monkeys and whatever that phatoms guy calls himsefl these days. Look up and log into fastpitchdirt and stay the hell away from HB.

I will say that all of you have been quiet for a while and I heard 3 monkeys and phantoms team is no longer. Not sure what happened to mkental giant, he might have pissed off somebody and got his little a$$ whipped.

[softballfan98]

The point is, in my opinion - you need all stages of softball to develop girls and meet their skill level and competitive desire. You need rec leagues, and for girls who choose to grow out of them, you need a place for them to go. Select "B" ball is a great place to transition. Once a girl has developed to a greater ability - if she and parents so desire - seek higher level team or an "A" team. However many teams it takes, and however many levels it takes... do what it takes to give every girl a place to play at her appropriate skill level. Not everyone expects to be the next Cat Osterman... some just play because they love it! They want to be challenged and compete at the highest level they can. My point is the powers that be have to work together so that each level of play remains in existence, but that the distinctions are relevant and should be adhered to so that everyone's argument can remain relevant. Play for fun, play for the competition, play for Nationals, play for a scholarship - WHATEVER. But to meet all the needs of the girls and parents our N. TX system must allow the creation of "A" Teams - "B" Teams - and then support "REC".

The original post is are there too many teams?, and is the talent diluted? NO there are not too many teams. Yes the talent becomes diluted because there are no distinctions between the levels being bantered about on this thread. Every tournament can't be open. We need B and A tournaments. We need teams to be monitored and graded and forced to play at the appropriate level, so the tournaments meet all the needs being talked about on this thread. It is not about being an A team or B team, or that anyone is any less important in the game of softball. it is about providing the platform for everyone to succeed and compete at the approriate level.

[dueceduece]

I know there are times that I disagree with JOE but I have to say I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH HIM!

Look there are alot of select teams why are they playing select because they love the game and want to excel at the game. People want to complain about the Rec side but trust me you would have few parents on the rec team that would be willing to practice anymore than the allowed times Rec Leagues allow. As having coached rec in the past you will go crazy concerning yourself with players coming to practice and putting Softball ahead of other activities. THis is why you have players moving to select. They are willing to put in the time to get better and put softball first. They want to be on a team were everyone has the same level dedication. There is no way to police the number of teams. I sure wouldn't want to be the one that told a team they were not GOOD ENOUGH to play. I have seen many teams and players that were not so great in 12U turn the corner in 14U and they are the ones that get the scholarships not the 10U and 12U studs. Just saying.

[Joe]

Your a turd Joe ...

Let me help you here mental giant...

Your is the possessive pronoun form. This form is used to express that something belongs to "you".

The word you are looking for... you're... is the contracted form of you are. This form is used in sentences using "you" as the subject of the sentence with the verb "to be" used as either the helping verb (e.g. You're going ..., You're watching ...) or the principal verb of the sentence.

So...for your statement that "Joe is a turd" to have any meaning, validity and/or clarity...you would have needed to graduate from middle school...

Presently your statement simply states that "the turd belongs to Joe".

...and yes, Joe does...at times, posses a turd or two....

...albeit for a short time only.

Please try again...

[tex]

Those who have narrowed the game down to seeking a scholarship need to sell the doublewide and buy some academic tutoring for DD before it's too late.

Joe you appear to be a person with a good mind and someone who knows the game of softball so why waste your time and other people's time by taking the opposite of everything and bashing everybody. Become part of the solution in helping our dd's instead of part of the problem. We all have our dd's best interest in mind and yes I totally agree that all the dd's should keep their gpa up as high as they can. Even the best player is only 1 injury away from never playing at a college level. So help us with some solutions instead of bashing everything and everybody