Little League

[superD3]

Can anyone tell me what influence (if any) Little League has on girls softball in your area ?

[simmerdown]

Very little, our girls like to watch the boys that play Pony Baseball instead of boys that play Little League!

[sbfan]

no little league for girls in North Texas that I know of.

[SSdad]

I'm just worried for the day that the boys will come over and watch the girls.

[Fasterpitch]

Central Texas has a very active little league program. For the most part, Little League and travel ball do not mix until 12-13 years old. Here most begin playing little league, then move onto travel for a bigger challenge.

There are a few exceptions..... If a girl has early talent in LL, they normally move on at a younger age.

Little League and travel ball does not mix well here. Parents of each seem to have differnet beliefs on competition and how much they want to travel and play.

[SSdad]

The way you describe LL is the same way as rec ball here in California. More for the fun of the game, everyone has to play, etc. etc.

[Martin]

In Clarksville, TN (where I lived from 1998-2002) LL was HUGE. LL All-stars would form ad-hoc travel teams and travel through the fall, usually with USSSA.

In Northern VA (where I currently live) LL is nonexistent for softball but a major player for the boys. There are rec leagues for the girls which sometimes act as feeders for travel teams, but by 12U, most girls are in either one or the other program with little overlap. The boys are very different. Travel teams must work their schedules around Little League through their regular season and the All-Star tournament. Incredibly, this continues right up to American Legion Ball.

[TheCloser]

One of the biggest disappointments that I see every year is that ESPN televises the 12U girls softball LL World Series. I think they should get their act together and start televising the 12U ASA/USA nationals tournament. Some of the best players and most of the Olympic softball team are from California but LL girls softball to my knowledge is non-existent here.

[sball14]

from what i've in socal, the competion gap in fastpitch looks like this:

travel ball




rec. ball












little league

[th33]

One of the biggest disappointments that I see every year is that ESPN televises the 12U girls softball LL World Series. I think they should get their act together and start televising the 12U ASA/USA nationals tournament. Some of the best players and most of the Olympic softball team are from California but LL girls softball to my knowledge is non-existent here.

I AGREE!!!