The simple reason Cali teams are better then Ohio

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If a kid doesn't work on drills without being told, IT'S THE PARENT'S FAULT. If a kid doesn't do their homework, IT'S THE PARENT'S FAULT. That's called being a LAZY PARENT!

Kids are not automatic self-starters, they have to be taught how it works. The average teenager will take the path of least resistance. They will do whatever they enjoy, usually without regard to whether it's good for their future or not. Teaching a good work ethic is a gradual process, and must be taught beginning at a young age. Some of these stupid "reality" shows are great examples of that! If a teenager has planted their lazy a$$ on the couch in front of the TV since they were 6, how do you expect them to just magically become motivated to actually DO something when they are 13?

Ability (both developed AND genetic) and work ethic are completely separate entities. And great softball players will possess BOTH. Having just one won't get you to the top. There are good athletes that somehow get onto a college team, then are overwhelmed by the workload, physical requirements, etc. and drop out. Then there are the kids who are lacking in ability, but make up for it with hustle, hard work and attitude. That's all commendable, but the harsh reality is that it still takes superior skills and ability to compete.

There is no simple reason Cali teams are better - but there are many logical and statistical ones.

Logical = There is a culture of getting the cream of the crop athletes in Cali all on a few top notch teams. In Ohio, this formula gets short-circuited by egos and other priorities (she wants to play with her friends, the coach is a good friend).

Statistical = Sheer numbers. The weather is somewhat a factor, but there are other states that also have great weather not producing superior softball players like Cali does. It's like Ohio is D-IV in Ohio high school, and Cali is D-I. Many more quality athletes to choose from.

The simple fact that this topic is being discussed is a sign that at least some softball folks have identified the disparity. And getting the gears turning is a positive thing!

 

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Not to get nit-picky but the question was asked " who hit on their own without a coach or parent last week". That doesn't mean they didn't pick up a bat in 7 days before the clinic. It can be they are working with dads and coaches as well as doing games indoor etc.

The point was made and my DD is stepping up her training and working on a log to track her work.

That was the point exactly, what did you do on your own to improve your skills!

About 10 of our kids came through for the holidays to work out and I posed the question, "What is the number one thing you have had to focus on as to going to college?"

TIME MANAGEMENT!

We have 20 to 30 hours a week of soft ball related activities, 8 to 10 hours of study tables, class time, home work, I have to find time to eat, wash my clothes since mom is not here and then work on my hitting individually!

If a kid can not raise their hand when ask a simple question....they will get ate up by the college coaches and the environment of real competition verses a parent being the coach in short order in my opinion. Dan you should not have to vouch for their work ethics you should be concerned with why they can not stand up for them self and be accountable for what they do or do not do concerning improving their skills.

Ask these kids that came home from college how they lost the weight they took to college, or why they are stronger, quicker and faster now? They never knew it was going to be this tough and who did not prepare them? Mom, Dad, travel ball coaches, instructors or did they look into the mirror and say me? You want to play at the next level, then train for the next level and stop making excuses...it is their choice unless Mom and Dad are forcing them! The next level to playing is like having a job and many of these kids have never had a job before either.

Dan I understand what you are saying and that you know 13 girls there that work hard. If here were 49 teams there that would be about 441 girls at 9 per team and only 7 stepped up to raise their hand?

Please note: Some of our kids walked on the team and have FULL academic rides so they did not need the money! They wanted to play ball at the next level!

Howard

 

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I think the answer is pretty simple. West coast teams are better because, more better athletes being more dedicated, getting better training, playing more often against better competition. See not complicated at all.

 

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I think the answer is pretty simple. West coast teams are better because, more better athletes being more dedicated, getting better training, playing more often against better competition. See not complicated at all.

Next time you see Jammie J. ask her what it takes as she is from California and played at Ohio State.

Howard

 

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Next time you see Jammie J. ask her what it takes as she is from California and played at Ohio State.

Howard

I know Jamee well. "Some" Ohio kids already do similar to what the west coast kids do, but it is a fraction of how many kids do it out there. I remember when Jamie, Coco, Schwab, Devrees, Jen Johnson Wendy Allen,Anna Smith and several other came to OSU. Even as freshmen, their hitting skills were well advanced from our Ohio girls. These Ohio girls were certainly some of the cream of Ohio`s crop. It seems to take our Ohio girls at least a year of college ball to catch up.
Now take a look at OSU`s current crop of west coast kids, they are unbelievable. The size, strength, speed and skills these kids possess is amazing. They were not a top ten college team for nothing, last season.

 

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So..... at 14 years old(frosh), is working 1 - 2 times a week during the winter as a hitter enough? We are looking at it as a building process and she is working more this year than last and will increase next year. Also playing basketball and obviously school work(which she has to work very hard at to be a B student - not gifted but a hard worker)
We refuse to look at softball as the "Golden Goose" but it is definately a great motivator.

 

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No. As Bustos stated, they may have to much on the plate. Mine made the choice. She does softball related activities at least 5 days a week. Some days a lesson in the morning and a game or camp in the afternoon. Last week she took the hitting camp, then played a game, then went to practice hitting again, since we was not happy with her results. This is not for every kid. School work still comes first, but as they get older they may have to decide what sport they want to play.

 

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So..... at 14 years old(frosh), is working 1 - 2 times a week during the winter as a hitter enough? We are looking at it as a building process and she is working more this year than last and will increase next year. Also playing basketball and obviously school work(which she has to work very hard at to be a B student - not gifted but a hard worker)
We refuse to look at softball as the "Golden Goose" but it is definately a great motivator.

Two times a week is getting there. Three is even better. It is not only the hours of working on hitting she puts in, but exactly what they are being TAUGHT to become better hitters that matters. There are also fielding and throwing drills that need to be done, playing indoors, etc.

What I have to say next is important.



Your kid will need to decide which sport, if any, she is going to try and play at the next level. If you "refuse" to look at softball as the golden goose, then softball will NOT be the golden goose for your daughter. Success is not an accident, but the results of a carefully though out plan, put into action.

She will have to decide which sport she plays seriously and which one is for fun.

 

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So..... at 14 years old(frosh), is working 1 - 2 times a week during the winter as a hitter enough? We are looking at it as a building process and she is working more this year than last and will increase next year. Also playing basketball and obviously school work(which she has to work very hard at to be a B student - not gifted but a hard worker)
We refuse to look at softball as the "Golden Goose" but it is definately a great motivator.

Do you think a hitter who practices 2 times a week is going to be any match for a pitcher who trains 5 times a week? (two times with the instructor and 3 times with dad on his bucket)

 

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^^^ will be passed on to my Darling Daughter !!!!! thanks ! MD

 

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well said punchout -- you gettin wiser in your oldage!
now how many kids and mommies and daddies understand what you just said
this is all simple stuff, we just make it hard

 

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Do you think a hitter who practices 2 times a week is going to be any match for a pitcher who trains 5 times a week? (two times with the instructor and 3 times with dad on his bucket)

Simply, no. But getting better. Are their alot of pitchers working 5 times a week year round?
When does a pitcher reach her full potential compared to a hitter? How much can a pitcher improve fro 14 to 18 compared to a hitter? This is a serious question, not a shot on pitchers. Does a good hitter have more time to develop and catch up to a really good pitcher? How much does marginal pitching effect the ability of a hitter to adjust to a good/great pitcher?

 

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^^^ will be passed on to my Darling Daughter !!!!! thanks ! MD

Mani, I asked my DD once, why she displayed so much confidence in the circle. She told me she didn`t think there was one hitter she was going to face who had outworked her.
I guess that says it all right there.

 

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Mani, I asked my DD once, why she displayed so much confidence in the circle. She told me she didn`t think there was one hitter she was going to face who had outworked her.
I guess that says it all right there.

Love that confidence...mine feels the same way about pitchers

 

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I've wondered why my daughter gets really really nervous playing hoops against some rinky dink local middle school but doesn't even blink when playing at gapss or stingrays --confidence I guess. MD

 

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We worked hard when dd was young and still work hard today. We do 2 days a week practice out west with the team and 2 to 3 tournaments a month. Hitting one day and fielding the next, hitting practice is 90 minutes and fielding is 3 hours. DD and I still work at least one day a week for 2 hours and sometimes 2 days if we include an off Saturday.
We can discuss parental laziness all we want, but sometimes we do need a break. Every day when I get home my dd is ready for ground balls, pitch, or hit and I do tell her NO because I'm allowed to be tired! I have more than one kid as we are chasing him around golf lessons now. Daughter has chosen to give up BB as an 8th grader due to the schedule conflicts, but will continue to play volleyball! Kids can work on their own every day, strengthening the core is one important thing that we are yet to discuss on here. Ca. kids are in conditioning training at a young age, 2 days a week softball and 2 days a week strength training and playing every othe weekend is 5 days a week work. Doesn't always have to involve a softball and a glove or a bat.

I get annoyed when I hear some people say they need to choose a sport while in H.S., Jenny Finch played them all and was an all star at them all. I wish someone would look up the softball studs we all know and see what sports they played in H.S., I think choosing one sport is such BS and any parent recommending it is doing a dis-service to their child, because when they are older and look back they will all say I wish I would of played BB, VB or attempted Track! Because female softball players do make millions after graduating College and playing Pro Softball! (yeah right, lol)

As they say in sports there are 3 types of athletes that play.
1. Natural Abilities-just need to keep this one motivated and sharp and teach advanced skills
2. Hard Worker-needs to put in more time to be as good as the Natural to get to the advanced skills lessons
3. Never had Never will-needs to find another sport or activity

Once every parent/coach knows which category their kid's fall in to, then teaching and motivating becomes easier. My opinion from Ca. to Ohio is the top Ca teams have more Natural athletes combined with some Hard Workers and do not posess any Never Wills. When you have 11-13 kids with the same goals and aspirations and you know how to coach each individual as well as the team, then you will have success and not a bunch of parents shouting success.

 

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We worked hard when dd was young and still work hard today. We do 2 days a week practice out west with the team and 2 to 3 tournaments a month. Hitting one day and fielding the next, hitting practice is 90 minutes and fielding is 3 hours. DD and I still work at least one day a week for 2 hours and sometimes 2 days if we include an off Saturday.
We can discuss parental laziness all we want, but sometimes we do need a break. Every day when I get home my dd is ready for ground balls, pitch, or hit and I do tell her NO because I'm allowed to be tired! I have more than one kid as we are chasing him around golf lessons now. Daughter has chosen to give up BB as an 8th grader due to the schedule conflicts, but will continue to play volleyball! Kids can work on their own every day, strengthening the core is one important thing that we are yet to discuss on here. Ca. kids are in conditioning training at a young age, 2 days a week softball and 2 days a week strength training and playing every othe weekend is 5 days a week work. Doesn't always have to involve a softball and a glove or a bat.

I get annoyed when I hear some people say they need to choose a sport while in H.S., Jenny Finch played them all and was an all star at them all. I wish someone would look up the softball studs we all know and see what sports they played in H.S., I think choosing one sport is such BS and any parent recommending it is doing a dis-service to their child, because when they are older and look back they will all say I wish I would of played BB, VB or attempted Track! Because female softball players do make millions after graduating College and playing Pro Softball! (yeah right, lol)

As they say in sports there are 3 types of athletes that play.
1. Natural Abilities-just need to keep this one motivated and sharp and teach advanced skills
2. Hard Worker-needs to put in more time to be as good as the Natural to get to the advanced skills lessons
3. Never had Never will-needs to find another sport or activity

Once every parent/coach knows which category their kid's fall in to, then teaching and motivating becomes easier. My opinion from Ca. to Ohio is the top Ca teams have more Natural athletes combined with some Hard Workers and do not posess any Never Wills. When you have 11-13 kids with the same goals and aspirations and you know how to coach each individual as well as the team, then you will have success and not a bunch of parents shouting success.

I agree with you, a kid can play more than one sport in high school. They normally do need to decide which sport is the sport they intend to play in college. A lot of this decision to play a couple sports depends on the athletic ability of each kid. Some kids will only reach their potential on their main sport if they put all the effort aimed at that sport. Some athletes can easily add the second sport with out much sacrifice to their main sport. This was a conversation here a few weeks ago. I told them to go look at UCLA`s bio`s of their players. Over half the team played and many excelled at a second sport.

 

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Simply, no. But getting better. Are their alot of pitchers working 5 times a week year round?
When does a pitcher reach her full potential compared to a hitter? How much can a pitcher improve fro 14 to 18 compared to a hitter? This is a serious question, not a shot on pitchers. Does a good hitter have more time to develop and catch up to a really good pitcher? How much does marginal pitching effect the ability of a hitter to adjust to a good/great pitcher?

I know of some of the best who took little time off and did throw 3-5 times a week. Obviously, the way pitchers dominate most hitters there is still a wide gap. Ask Bill Lilly who has had a boy play baseball at Notre Dame (now in the pro`s) and two daughters who played/play in the Big Ten how much time his kids put into hitting. I can tell you first hand what it took for DD to become a pitcher at OSU. She also put in the time hitting wise. She also transfered a grade point of 4.0 to OSU from DeSales. It all can be done, but it is not for the squeamish. Success is not for the lazy(players or parents, it is a team effort)

How much work should a kid put in? It depends on her goals and ability. Not all kids want to play college ball, nothing wrong with that. Not all kids want to play at the division one level, there is nothing wrong with that either. But for the kids who DO have those goals, they better understand it is going to take a lot of work to get there. It might not be easy, but the destination is well worth the journey.

 

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I know of some of the best who took little time off and did throw 3-5 times a week. Obviously, the way pitchers dominate most hitters there is still a wide gap. Ask Bill Lilly who has had a boy play baseball at Notre Dame (now in the pro`s) and two daughters who played/play in the Big Ten how much time his kids put into hitting. I can tell you first hand what it took for DD to become a pitcher at OSU. She also put in the time hitting wise. She also transfered a grade point of 4.0 to OSU from DeSales. It all can be done, but it is not for the squeamish. Success is not for the lazy(players or parents, it is a team effort)

How much work should a kid put in? It depends on her goals and ability. Not all kids want to play college ball, nothing wrong with that. Not all kids want to play at the division one level, there is nothing wrong with that either. But for the kids who DO have those goals, they better understand it is going to take a lot of work to get there. It might not be easy, but the destination is well worth the journey.

Who was it that said and that is the bottom line! Steve Austin!

You can not wish it, will it, demand it, and that is they get off their butt and work for it. Well said Punchout, we know some of the same people and you can read between the lines as to IF some of these kids are even close to having their talent or commitment!

Reality is hard to face at times.

Howard

 

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The biggest reason is population. California has more than double the population of Ohio and has a better chance to get the top quality athletes. In Ohio the top athletes go to college to play basketball where they have a better chance of getting a degree. This takes away alot of very good athletes from softball. In my opinion Ohio will never be at the same level as California because of this. Colleges in the east put more importance on basketball and track than softball in girls sports. When the Universities figure this out, then maybe the east will compete with California in softball. Untill then be happy with what we have.