Rant: I am just going to say this, because it's happened quite frequently. This is something that has not/will not ever happen on the Ohio Storm '08 team. Although it's not illegal in some sanctioning bodies, in my opinion it's wrong and sends the wrong message to young players. The majority of the teams in these rankings are doing the right thing, practicing and working with the players on their roster and pushing them to be better. Some however, feel the need to pick up ACE pitchers from other out-of-state organizations to come pitch for their team in tournaments. The need to pick up another player or 2 because you only have 8 players for a tournament is one thing, but to bring in what you consider an ace pitcher from out of state, when you have enough players on your roster to play a tournament, is another thing. Not sure exactly why coaches do this, but in my opinion, you are so desperate to win and compete with the top teams, that you don't care about the message you are sending to your regular rostered players. Nor do you care what some of your parents are saying behind your back, when their daughter doesn't get to play, pitch or bat, or plays very little. As evident this past weekend, upon talking to one parent from another team while watching their game. I simply asked them, "who's the pitcher?" Their response, "she's from out-of-state, apparently our pitchers aren't good enough, but I don't have anything to do with all of that." I will close by saying this. Coaches that do this, if you think some parents are not talking behind your back about your decision to do this, they are, and when you get beat by a team that is doing the right thing, well you don't really want to know what they are saying. But remember this, there is always plenty of conversation in the car between parents on the way home after a tournament, with a player from your team sitting in the back seat and overhearing that conversation. I have to say, the Storm in 57 games this season, has not faced any out of state Aces brought in by teams and this rant is not because the Storm got beat by any out-of-state Aces. So if the batting helmet fits, wear it, and try coaching the players you have. Instead of having a negative impact on your young players, by giving them the indication that they are not good enough to compete with the top teams. If the batting helmet doesn't fit, then kudos to the teams doing the right thing, by being dedicated, committed and making a positive impact on the young players you picked last August to play for your team. JMO
