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I relocated to Arizona to afford my kid the chance to attend the University of Arizona, as that is her goal! I knew there was no way for my kid to attend UA while living in Ohio (unless I paid for it), it's proven that West Coast does not recruit in the Midwest because the money they save by recruiting in state versus out of state. Any kid could be the best Ohio has to offer, but the expense to have out of state players versus in state players on scholarship is very substantial, thus decreased the odds of my kid getting a shot at UA, but I've increased her chances by probably 40% because we are now in state, the rest is up to her now! I did my part as a parent and now it's her turn as well as the organization she plays for to make her better and afford her and the team the opportunity to be successful and get scouted!!
I'm not saying people need to go through what we did and then move West, but you can always get on a plane and make it happen! I think Ohio offers great pitching as well as hitting, we moved here and my kid hasn't missed a beat, thanks to Ohio Coaching and the Stringray Organization.
The biggest difference I see from West to East is winning is #1, even on Saturdays! If your kid is to be the pitching stud on the team and be the stand out or where parents can brag and say we won because of her pitching, they are not on the elite teams. It's absolutely about team ball, knowing your roll, always being agressive and not worrying about parents thoughts when making coaching descisions. I see girls getting benched and not for just a game if they have an attitude or are not agressive, they dont allow them to play if the GPA falls below 2.5, they absolutely cut "I" players and parents.
It took me 3 teams/organizations to find an Elite team with same goals and aspirations as my kid, otherwise we joined the same type of teams that we had seen in Ohio, and as an Ohioan those are classified as "B" teams. I'd rather my kid sit the bench on an elite team and have her work to earn a spot, than put her with another organization that cares about playing time or Daddy Ball, and say they want to play against the best, but yet go play in weak tournaments. I witnessed the Head Coach suspending his own dd out here, cutting players that wanted to goof off!
Check the organizations that did well at ASA/USA Nationals last year. Ask them what thier goals were and what did they do to get there? I'm sure they all will state they had control of their team, didn't care about playing time and played to win every game and didn't go around to weak tournaments to get a trophy! Follow their lead, as they are doing it correctly, it takes a team of players to win a softball game, not a team of parents (they should get along is all). Keep in mind kids get better by playing with better kids, not by playing to keep a team together for 10 years, it's either about winning or it's about a very expensive social group for both parents and players. I love to drink and hang out with the parents, it's a good time, but at the end of the day, its about winning and doing what it takes to put the best team on the field in every situation and affording the kids the ability to be successful and furthering thier abilities to play at the next level. I'd be happy if the parents didn't socailize if that's what had to be done to make my kid better and for the team to be successful, but as we all know, friendships are built through winning, and not whinning!!!! You want be like West Coast, then ask Ca. if they recruit players from all 4 courners of the state, if practice is mandatory 2 days a week, if driving 5 hours at least once every 2 months to play the best competition is required, if parents are allowed to give thier kids any advice during a game, ask if they care how many innings each player plays is important, ask if they have a problem with fund raisers, if real travel softball costs a family an average of $3500/$5000 a year, if trophies are important, ask if they play all year to make a run at the ASA/USA Nationals? Get those answers and you will understand West Coast Softball!! It's not about friendships (that's a bonus) it's about softball and what ever it takes to get to the next level, and if you cant handle criticism or failure then go find another sport!!
Here is where we play and a list of teams this coming weekend Jan 23/24th, and I'll be more than happy to ask any Ca. team any questions Ohio may want answered. Let me know
http://www.triplecrownsports.com/whoscoming.asp?results=False&sportid=3&tournyid=3788
I'm not saying people need to go through what we did and then move West, but you can always get on a plane and make it happen! I think Ohio offers great pitching as well as hitting, we moved here and my kid hasn't missed a beat, thanks to Ohio Coaching and the Stringray Organization.
The biggest difference I see from West to East is winning is #1, even on Saturdays! If your kid is to be the pitching stud on the team and be the stand out or where parents can brag and say we won because of her pitching, they are not on the elite teams. It's absolutely about team ball, knowing your roll, always being agressive and not worrying about parents thoughts when making coaching descisions. I see girls getting benched and not for just a game if they have an attitude or are not agressive, they dont allow them to play if the GPA falls below 2.5, they absolutely cut "I" players and parents.
It took me 3 teams/organizations to find an Elite team with same goals and aspirations as my kid, otherwise we joined the same type of teams that we had seen in Ohio, and as an Ohioan those are classified as "B" teams. I'd rather my kid sit the bench on an elite team and have her work to earn a spot, than put her with another organization that cares about playing time or Daddy Ball, and say they want to play against the best, but yet go play in weak tournaments. I witnessed the Head Coach suspending his own dd out here, cutting players that wanted to goof off!
Check the organizations that did well at ASA/USA Nationals last year. Ask them what thier goals were and what did they do to get there? I'm sure they all will state they had control of their team, didn't care about playing time and played to win every game and didn't go around to weak tournaments to get a trophy! Follow their lead, as they are doing it correctly, it takes a team of players to win a softball game, not a team of parents (they should get along is all). Keep in mind kids get better by playing with better kids, not by playing to keep a team together for 10 years, it's either about winning or it's about a very expensive social group for both parents and players. I love to drink and hang out with the parents, it's a good time, but at the end of the day, its about winning and doing what it takes to put the best team on the field in every situation and affording the kids the ability to be successful and furthering thier abilities to play at the next level. I'd be happy if the parents didn't socailize if that's what had to be done to make my kid better and for the team to be successful, but as we all know, friendships are built through winning, and not whinning!!!! You want be like West Coast, then ask Ca. if they recruit players from all 4 courners of the state, if practice is mandatory 2 days a week, if driving 5 hours at least once every 2 months to play the best competition is required, if parents are allowed to give thier kids any advice during a game, ask if they care how many innings each player plays is important, ask if they have a problem with fund raisers, if real travel softball costs a family an average of $3500/$5000 a year, if trophies are important, ask if they play all year to make a run at the ASA/USA Nationals? Get those answers and you will understand West Coast Softball!! It's not about friendships (that's a bonus) it's about softball and what ever it takes to get to the next level, and if you cant handle criticism or failure then go find another sport!!
Here is where we play and a list of teams this coming weekend Jan 23/24th, and I'll be more than happy to ask any Ca. team any questions Ohio may want answered. Let me know
http://www.triplecrownsports.com/whoscoming.asp?results=False&sportid=3&tournyid=3788
