Be careful what you asked for: softball is becoming an elitist and an individual sport

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Tennis,swimming, gymnastics, golf....those used to be the sports that required bigbucks if you wanted to be a top level player. After the private clubs and lessons and coaches, the families where still stuck with high sanctioning and entry fees, the travel and everything that goes with it.
Softball can now be lumped in that group. Back in theday when you could pay your fees and have a team sponsorship help with uniforms and tournaments, the pure competition of playing as a team is a dinosaur.
Another thread addresses the issue of ASA Gold losing its charm? ? because the PGF has decided to use free enterprise and a huge marketing blitz ? flashing college scholarships in front of all the future Cat Osterman?s and Jessica Mendoza?s.
Lets begin with your travel team. Team fees may start at $1500.00 or more. This team may play a fall showcase? schedule (the definition of showcase is a bunch of individuals participating under the same name in order to be discovered) where winning takes a back seat to who will be seen by whom. Is this what Abner Doubleday envisioned when he put together a reason to play 9 on 9, and proclaim whoever has the most scores at the end of the nine innings will be proclaimed a winner?. But the team fees will not cover the cost of travel or hotels if you want to play in the top showcases? (that definition isthe most expensive and the events that bring in the most college coaches). Tack on another $1000.00 conservatively?
Fallpractice? Can this actually happen, or do the players just show up and the manager makes out a lineup card. Maybe a Sunday marathon workout featuring a boastful six hour workout that could have five hours of standing in line waiting for your turn? Or is that Sunday workout a friendly that will feature more games with nothing on the line and could fall under the registration clause that additional fees will be required for additional events.
Well there has to be drill time, and it will probably be as an individual with a private instructor whether it be hitting, pitching, defense, or Gilad the conditioning guru. Ok, sounds like tennis if we add the sports psychologist, and now we are at around $200.00 a week. To practice, to prepare for a team sport that isn't really a team, its a SHOWCASE TEAM.
The winterworkout schedule may or may not constitute up charge in fees to cover facilities to practice in since it is a little cold in most areas of the country to go outside. The clause kicks in, and the players are now kicking in additional money to cover the Sunday marathon again, getting the six hour workout with five hours standing in line waiting.
Now Sally and Jenny will need to attend college camps so they can be seen individually by the college coaches, especially since they received a personalized letter telling them how much the coaches want them at camp, even though they can not contact the player until their junior year which everyone who knows anything about softball knows that is way too late to get discovered in today's world of college softball. 7th grade is where you get discovered. This along with the five or six showcase events that are now being franchised around the country to bring in 100 or so individuals at on average $250.00 a pop, again a teamsport as individuals, so college coaches can discover these future Monica Abbot's. Did I mention the hotels, meals, and travel to these events?
To prepare for the showcases or college camps, back to the private workouts if you want to stay on top of your game, and now the family must decide between the electric bill, gas bill, or sending Sally to prepare - who needs light or heat.
As summer rolls in, lets repeat the fall, but add four more events and one of the 25 national championships you can qualify for if you know the tournament director or have the entry fee or have a pulse. For a nominal fee of $950.00. PGF started a Platinum division and regional tournaments that will waive all qualifications as long as you can pay your bill and stay in one of their softball tournament only accommodations for as little as $35.00 over market rate per room.
This BostonTea Party Softball Showcase room tax is now standard, as each event has a travel coordinator -they are part communist because if you are caught not staying in the rooms of choice at this nominal fee, you will be banned from all events, blacklisted, because at 100 teams, 15 rooms per teams, at two nights at $20-30 bucks per room, the TD will make - you do the math. Any wonder why these tournaments are beginning on Thursday now? And if you believe it is because we want to give the players the best opportunity to see competition and get better......
I think I have enough to get this thread rolling. My tally is anywhere between a conservative $5000.00 to half a million dollars per year.
Before you pat all of these higher ups on the back with the showcases, the PGF, the out of state organizations that are coming into Ohio to offer their services to guarantee your kid gets that scholarship because THEY REALLY CARE - and in the words of Rodney Dangerfield 'about what I don't know', they all get paid, and paid well at that.
This message was brought to you by someone who is saddened by the fact that whether people know it or not, softball is becoming an individual and an elitist sport.

 

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Well, that was quite the uplifting Saturday morning Op-Ed. While I agree with your general breakdown of fees and the concern of the growing "industry" this is nothing new to organized sports. I do, however disagree with the much overused term "elitist" that you used several times in your commentary. Many families will budget in order to give "Jenny" the opportunity to play in showcases and stand in line at winter practice marathons, etc. and even if the total fees approach, say 6 or 7 thousand dollars a year, how is that "elitist". EXPENSIVE, may be a more accurate term, but not ELITIST.

 

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Interesting points, perhaps compounded by NCAA recruiting rules on college coaches that limits how many staff days they can spend annually to see players. I believe D1 schools are limited to 50 days a year. If two coaches go to a HS game, they just burned two of them. So you can see why they will go to showcases and TB tournaments to maximize benefits per trip. That means a player is less likely to be directly noticed by them unless you fork over the bills and play the TB game. The more you are willing to pay, the better your chances of being seen by many colleges (of course, performance is a big part of it too). I hate that it has come to this but that is reality and I don't see it changing. Kind of like the whole health care issue...follow the money and you can see the vicious circle that is funded by those pay health insurance.

I mostly feel bad for the kids that are athletically talented enough to play college ball somewhere but whose familes simply can't afford to pay for the training and exposure that others receive. But then, that's true in most other walks of life as well

 

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Well, that was quite the uplifting Saturday morning Op-Ed. While I agree with your general breakdown of fees and the concern of the growing "industry" this is nothing new to organized sports. I do, however disagree with the much overused term "elitist" that you used several times in your commentary. Many families will budget in order to give "Jenny" the opportunity to play in showcases and stand in line at winter practice marathons, etc. and even if the total fees approach, say 6 or 7 thousand dollars a year, how is that "elitist". EXPENSIVE, may be a more accurate term, but not ELITIST.

Elitism in sports is common terminology when you look at the multicultural influences - which socio-economics is a huge variable. With that said, an urban kid doesn't stand a chance in certain sports, especially "elitist sports" in which the cost influences the participation. That is why I chose that word as it is commonly used in pedagogy and sports. More power to the family that can budget the cash to give their kids the opportunity, but that is not the typical case, and certainly becomes a rural and urban problem. Sports in general, has always been an effective tool and avenue to give kids more than a "physical education", but promoting the spirit of many disciplines. I go way back in the infancy of the sport, and believe me when I say it was a great game without the expense. And, it was open to all athletes and affordable, given the outlet for many kids to participate in something to give them too many benefits to list here. You are fortunate to be in the position to budget for your family, and I applaud you for that, but there could come a day when you or your offspring will not be able to afford the opportunity to play this game of softball.

 

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Everyone, everyone, has the same equal opportunities to go for what they want if they want to, as far as economic status and affordability. No college for me and worked my way from entry level to where I got today and I hate when people talk about elitist statuses. Everyone has the same opportunity, some, NOT everyone, just are too lazy to work for it. Elitist isn't just because you can afford it, Elitist is the attitude.......



work hard and reap the rewards of it. I didn't put in 31 years of hard, fun work with same company so far for people to think of an elitist status because we can afford things. If you asked my wife, I'd work for free I like our company so much for opportunities offered over the years, I've been blessed, not elite......

 

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Everyone, everyone, has the same equal opportunities to go for what they want if they want to, as far as economic status and affordability. No college for me and worked my way from entry level to where I got today and I hate when people talk about elitist statuses. Everyone has the same opportunity, some, NOT everyone, just are too lazy to work for it. Elitist isn't just because you can afford it, Elitist is the attitude.......work hard and reap the rewards of it. I didn't put in 31 years of hard, fun work with same company so far for people to think of an elitist status because we can afford things. If you asked my wife, I'd work for free I like our company so much for opportunities offered over the years, I've been blessed, not elite......

Everyone is not beginning on an equal playing field, and all circumstances are different. All teacher effectiveness and sport in society uses the global term elitism in referencing the type of sport and how it fits in society. If you have ever spent time in the urban neighborhoods of Columbus, Akron, Cleveland, or Detroit, you would understand what I am saying. Go to the rural, and I'm not talking Delaware, I'm talking Jackson to Waverly or in West Virginia or Kentucky and the one room schools. People have the opportunity but everybody's fiscal situation is different. When we use the "country club" comparison, softball wasn't even in the mix twenty years ago. Now, you can more than argue that softball has become as much a revenue bonanza and cash cow (or burden) on certain fronts as tennis, golf, gymnastics, and ******. The evolution whether positive or negative is ambiguous at best, but do not keep the blinders on when stating that everyone has the same opportunity if they just work for the money - go to urban Columbus or even sections of central ohio suburbia and it is getting out of control. And if you think the up charge on hotel rooms to everyone has their hands in your pockets - we are not that far away from Wed-Saturday tournaments to "showcase" talent, you are living the ivory tower myth. Its big business and will get bigger at the expense of kids and parents trying to find a way to subsidize a college education.

 

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Too long for this 'elitist' to read, gonna sit by the pool and let my servant read this to me.

 

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Too long for this 'elitist' to read, gonna sit by the pool and let my servant read this to me.

lmao

 

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Excuse me you have any gray poupon?

 

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Interesting points, perhaps compounded by NCAA recruiting rules on college coaches that limits how many staff days they can spend annually to see players. I believe D1 schools are limited to 50 days a year. If two coaches go to a HS game, they just burned two of them. So you can see why they will go to showcases and TB tournaments to maximize benefits per trip. That means a player is less likely to be directly noticed by them unless you fork over the bills and play the TB game. The more you are willing to pay, the better your chances of being seen by many colleges (of course, performance is a big part of it too). I hate that it has come to this but that is reality and I don't see it changing. Kind of like the whole health care issue...follow the money and you can see the vicious circle that is funded by those pay health insurance.

I mostly feel bad for the kids that are athletically talented enough to play college ball somewhere but whose familes simply can't afford to pay for the training and exposure that others receive. But then, that's true in most other walks of life as well

HS games don't count against evaluation days.

13.1.7.11 Evaluation Days?Softball. In softball, each institution is limited to 50 evaluation days (measured August 1 through July 31) per Bylaw 13.02.7.2, which do not include employment of coaches in instructional camps/clinics or the observation of prospective student-athletes participating in high school softball competition.

Coaches just don't have time to watch very many HS games because they are so busy with their own teams.

 

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Not all kids play the sport to subsidize college expenses

. Its big business and will get bigger at the expense of kids and parents trying to find a way to subsidize a college education.

 

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Don't worry yourself. I'll just give you the highlights. Think of me as your version of Cliff Notes.

 

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[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]I have to say I am struggling with why exactly you have taken this avenue while trying to define the future of this sport. Usually there are more reasons than simply pointing out the obvious state of the sport. Are certain levels of this sport becoming cost prohibitive for some people - absolutely. But the sport is also offering those same people an opportunity they never would have had. Top level programs offer training and equipment through sponsorships and fundraising. I find your comment "You are fortunate to be in the position to budget for your family, and I applaud you for that, but there could come a day when you or your offspring will not be able to afford the opportunity to play this game of softball" Sort of odd. Participation in softball has never been this high and it continues to grow. Recreational and local travel programs flourish all over. More and more girls are being exposed to the sport. It is truly growing by leaps and bounds.

I too go back the sports infancy. When the girls I went to HS with played travel softball in the summer it was still slow pitch - and they spent money. When my daughter (she is almost 30) began playing travel softball it was after many years of select ******. Softball was equal in cost. Your assessment that "it was a great game without the expense" is only half right. It was a great game - much the same as it is today. "Without the expense" - hardly!!

Whats the real agenda?[/FONT]

 

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I just have to add this. Cost should never be the reason a team/family doesn't participate at the top level they are capable of. I have been involved with teams that do 3 fundraisers a year that generate between 15 and 20k a year. Not many travel teams need that type of budget. If you want to do it it can be done. If you want to use the cost as an excuse you can do that as well.

 

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Whats the real agenda?[/QUOTE]
Real agenda? My right to start a thread on a public forum exercising my civil rights. And posting opinion is what I am doing, on how I see this particular issue in relationship to softball. Individualism, due to more private instruction and less team practice as it relates to the Midwest. And cost, I have worked with inner city kids for over thirty years, and the multi cultural and socio economic influences are much larger than you seem to realize. These kids are down two strikes before they hit the first grade. Fundraisers? Good idea and should be utilized more - I don't know about you but my cost of necessary living has increased over 25% over the past four years which happens to be the national average - people have less money in general - yes there is sacrifice but most people are trying to keep up with mortgage, utilities, food, necessities. If you do go back that far, then you will acknowledge that games where elimination and meant something and not showcases. Really, a travel service to book rooms for showcases becoming the norm? So agenda, I think the game is now about PROFIT more than for the kids.

 

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First of all don't assume that you are the only person that understands the economic plight of different cultural groups. And if that is your agenda then simply own it. It is a good agenda to have. But don't assume that because others do things that they automatically become elitists. That is bad form.

Definitely more for profit softball than what we used to see. That isn't going to change but there still are Organizations that do showcases as fundraisers. Both have there place and both are sought after.


I think if you follow the showcase trends you will see that more and more are going back to competitive elimination rounds. Some don't but others are moving that way. But I don't know what showcases you are experiencing - but the days of playing and not worrying about the outcome are long gone. Showcases are now played to win.


Back in the day most tournaments only advanced the top two teams in each pool to Sundays elimination round. I wonder how that would go over these days. So my point is things have changed - and they will continue to do so. Just like in every other product or service available to consumers.

One point you continue to drive home is the individuality of the sport. Well yea! Even in the early years of baseball the sport was described as the best "individual team sport" in the world. To be successful in the sport you have always had to work as an individual and seek advice and training. I tend to look at it the same as I look at a young ballet dancer, or a pianist, or a math genius. If you find that your child has a talent you want to help them attain their potential. And that always means tutoring, or lessons, etc. That said there are also parents that will use that same training to help their child that might not have the same natural talent. I would hope that these parents are seen as good parents helping their child learn lessons and reaching their potential - not be seen as elitists.

 

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I don't know about everyone else in this forum, but I for enjoy the heck out of watching our children play a game they love to play.
Is it the goal of every travel softball player to secure a college scholarship? Sure that should be the goal and we all strive for that for our DD's. However, boys....that should not be the end all.
The journey has a destination and that destination is "college ball". However, I for one, won't overlook the fun we are having along the journey!

 

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I'm pretty sure that Lebron James and his friends didn't have the means to play AAU basketball and travel to tourneys without sponsors or assistance yet they did it. If kids can find a way in basketball, then they can find a way in softball. The main difference is that they don't promote softball as much in urban areas.

 

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Flarays
Never once did I say I was the only one who knows so your accusation is an assumption in itself being off base. I am giving opinion taking into consideration more than just team fees - as I addressed many economic issues

And as for your individualized approach to the sport I agree 100% about individualized work. The context of my opinion is the concept of team sport is going by the wayside without organized team practices. Now as a coach if you are comfortable with just meeting on occasion and playing games that is your call for your team. And if your team includes fall and winter an summer workouts at no additional charge for facilities as it is incorporated in your fees-fantastic!

 

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Billy, are you lamenting the direction of rec softball or travel softball? Travel softball or showcase softball? There are literally thousands of kids playing the game that maybe fork over 60-100 bucks to play an entire season if their townships provide a league. Inner city? opportunity? Socioeconomic blight as an influence? heck that just doesn't touch softball, those kids lack in many cases and environment where they can safely learn, their diets are poor, they are being accosted by drugs and alcohol, crime, you name it. I'm not sure how you can compare the cost of a showcase team with the access that inner city kids don't have and somehow turn that into a portentous rant on elitism in sports, namely softball.
I mean...There are some elitist sports...like:
Bobsledding
Polo
Curling

thats all I can think of.