What Happened to FREE???

[silverstreak]

I wrote a long reply that disappeared, so here's the short version:
I'm not a team representative or a coach, or a sponsor. I just post the ads for the team. In all the ads, I was very clear to contact coaches or sponsors for more information.

I say things like "my understanding" or "I think" because I don't know. I was not trying to be deceptive or "political", I just have limited information, so I make a point of telling people where to get more information.

In my opinion, they should not have made a big deal about the fees. The big benefit is the coaches, and most people would happily pay more for those coaches.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

One more note... As accomplished as those coaches are it doesnt necessarily equate to a great team nor putting kids in the right tourneys and position for exposure. Im not trying to bash them by any means as everyone has to start somewhere. But for me a red flag is 'silverstreak' asking what tourneys they should be in. I offered up my experience in another post as we have been in that position before but these coaches should have that in order prior and not having a parent or manager or someone without the experience figuring this out for the head coach. Playing in 4 tourneys doesnt seem worth the gear/lessons no matter how talented your team is. Of those 4 how many are down south? Seems low for exposure for their kids. Right now thats a new team that needs to make a name for themselves and get on the map with these TD's down south. Otherwise they will play on a field where nobody is watching anyhow (granted it is up to the players/coaches to invite college coaches to their field). 16s-18G is such a different dynamic and many 16u teams go through some serious transitions their first year. At 16s most kids are one and done for many reasons, one of them being your wasting time if your team doesnt know the direction they should be going. If you hang on to long the recruiting process will pass you by.

[silverstreak]

IMO the best players don't necessarily make the best coaches. Those Olympic players have no idea what 99% of the world of softball feels, what it's like to not be the best as soon as you get out of the car. Most players have to work amazingly hard to me good, these ladies showed up as the best on the field from a young age.

I agree that the best players don't necessarily make the best coaches. I can't speak for Lyndsey Klein, I haven't seen her coach. But Granger and Topping are coaches. I've seen Topping run practices and they were very good, very focused. I've seen her teach catchers, and I was very impressed. Granger sets very high expectations for the girls and is a very good teacher. Anyone who's watched the development of Silverstreak over the last couple years or the turnaround at Granite Bay High can see that she gets results.

I know that Granger was playing international ball before she was in High School, but Klein played two years at Sac City before D1 and international. I think she has some idea of how much work is involved.

[A&&hole Coach]

Proof is in the pudding! let's not put this team in the championship game just yet...

People pay more for a new product but the real test will be how many players leave the org next fall. My guess is this will be just like any other team out there, albeit more expensive than most. Time will tell...

It is nice of "silverstreak" to post some clearer statements though!

[A&&hole Coach]

Every coach in the world knows and every parent should know...talent trumps all. SStreak got to winning because they added a workhorse P (stud) and some key bombers to the line up. It took 3 years for SS to start winning if memory serves...

[silverstreak]

My impression in talking to the coaches, Granger in particular, is that they're not super worried about what field they're on. They know the college coaches already. They played with them. They talk with them all the time. I know that Granger was asked by several college coaches to "take a look at" various players while we were at nationals. If your kid can play, schools will know about them.

I asked about the SoCal tourneys because Granger asked me to find the toughest competition possible in preparation for national competition, not because she's worried about kids "being seen". I doubt very strongly that my report of the HeyBucket response was the only resource she consulted in building a schedule.

The opinion she has expressed to me is essentially: 'If you can't beat the local competition, why would you go somewhere else to get beat?" After winning metros, and what I consider a decent 3-3 at nationals (she views it as a very poor showing) and picking up some quality players, she's ready to take a team to SoCal.

[A&&hole Coach]

Sooooo...post the 16U roster already then!!!! All SStreak plus 2 maybe 3 newbies is my guess. carrying 15. just a guess

[silverstreak]

I have no idea how the team will perform. I do know that the players on the team will get better, because she is a great coach who sets high expectations and pushes the girls to meet those expectations. Sadly, in 16U, there are very few championship games to test.

The Silverstreak roster (and winning) has built pretty steadily. The 'Stud' pitcher has been with her since the summer of 09. Most of the team's best hitters were there by the fall of 09.


There were a couple of very good players who were added after HS season who definitely helped. I would imagine that she will keep most of the best players from Silverstreak, and add the best available players from what looked like 50-75 kids trying out.

Her refusal to guarantee spots to girls already on Silverstreak meant that she lost some good players to the Heat and Lady Magic, but she doesn't have to build from scratch like she did with Silverstreak.

[artomatic]

Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose,
Nothing don't mean nothing honey if it ain't free, now now.
And feeling good was easy, Lord, when he sang the blues,
You know feeling good was good enough for me,
Good enough for me and my Bobby McGee.

[lookingIN]

I say things like "my understanding" or "I think" because I don't know. I was not trying to be deceptive or "political", I just have limited information, so I make a point of telling people where to get more information.

In my opinion, they should not have made a big deal about the fees. The big benefit is the coaches, and most people would happily pay more for those coaches.