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“Keep Slow Pitch Alive” A Possible Course of Action
For those who are in agreement that there is a place for both fast pitch and slow pitch, I offer these ideas for consideration. It is proposed that those who care to do this…do it together.
1) Community slow pitch leagues are foundational to this effort.
In recent years, community programs have “switched” their slow pitch programs to fast pitch, rather than merely “expanded” to include fast pitch in addition to slow pitch,. The motivations for adopting fast pitch programs are clear. Yet, the end result is often a reduction in the overall number of participants within the community playing the game. Many contend that, from a community aspect, this harms more than it helps.
Recommendations: 1) All softball below 11&U should consider itself to be merely softball, not fast pitch
or slow pitch. Then, 2) beginning at 11&U or 12&U, community leagues should allow players to choose fast pitch or slow pitch. Leagues should maintain both offerings…so long as coaches, parents, and players choose to play either. In addition, an atmosphere of support must be shown for both programs. One game is not better or preferred over the other and no stigma should be associated with the choice to play one, the other, or both.
2) Slow Pitch Tournaments round out a successful program.
Community programs have long found that offering tournament play is good for their players, their budgets, and their communities. Community programs should look to find ways to work with one another to build a tournament “circuit” for their local programs and then actually participate. In a short playing season, one-day tournaments keep travel expenses down and afford multiple communities to band together to provide playing opportunities. A tournament circuit might target communities within a standard driving distance, but then allow other teams to also travel in, if desired. Target travel time by automobile might be “no more than an hour and a half.” This is not a rule…merely a reasonable target for aiming our efforts. Thus, tournament circuits might exist in Northern Ohio vs. Southern Ohio, Northern Indiana vs. Southern Indiana, etc.
Complementing these smaller local tournaments, larger, more prestigious tournaments are desirable…to spark interest and excitement. These should include State Championships, National Championships, or World Tournaments. Such events are more difficult to host and run, but communities should be encouraged to host such events and to support such events elsewhere whenever possible. Smaller, community-based events could be used as “qualifiers” for such championship tournaments. This approach is not intended to exclude teams but encourage teams to participate. It is participating which qualifies teams to continue playing.
3) Common affiliation with a true national softball association makes the effort more likely to succeed.
A common constraint is affiliation costs. All softball associations have expenses which must be paid to provide insurance coverage, if nothing else. It is not uncommon for softball teams, whether adult or youth, to be faced with sanctioning fees from three or four different associations. On top of the expense, is the challenge of rules which differ from one association to another. Most especially at the younger ages, this causes teaching and playing difficulties which are a source of frustration for coaches, parents, and the players themselves. In addition, not all softball associations are true national organizations or offer robust support. A simple test is: does the Association provide good support to you via people, processes, tools, or rules? Do they have your interest at heart? Do they currently hold successful events and are they interested in running more?
Affiliation has numerous advantages, including comprehensive and reasonably priced insurance programs, umpire training and assistance during shortages, more diverse playing opportunities and locations, and a network of Directors who are typically focused on success for all the Association’s members.
It is my contention that common affiliation will facilitate tournament date and location coordination and that remaining fractured and affiliated in multiple directions merely gets in the way of such coordination and cooperation.
4) Slow Pitch isn’t just for girls. Arguments made for slow pitch in addition to fast pitch for girls hold just as true for slow pitch softball vs. baseball for boys There is room for both and both have something to offer for the participants and the community. There are also examples of successful community programs which play co-ed/mixed youth teams. The object here is participation and community involvement…for everyone.
5) Marketing/Sponsorship? Approach SGMA and/or major manufacturers about supporting the resurgence of youth slow pitch. (Message is currently out.)
6) People are the key to success. People who have a passion for slow pitch are the key to this effort’s success. Initial goal includes a footprint which includes Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee and West Pennsylvania. Each of these states should identify Directors and identify them to us. In addition, each state should look to host a State Championship to spur interest in slow pitch championship play.
Any association’s #1 goal should be to appoint good Directors to serve their customers. In turn, good Directors should be looking to maximize their offerings for the benefit of the game.
Interested? Please contact Scott Kuhnen at
Kuhnen@PlayWSL.com.
