Double Standard?

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There is another thread running about what makes elite softball teams, but very few seem willing to give a truly honest answer. Whether it be political correctness, the buddy system, or whatever, maybe the fear of being chastised is too great to give an honest opinion??? In my mind, this forum is a great place for lively discussion for the BETTERMENT of softball. There is no reason for anyone to get hostile - I just think the thread could give some insight about how a team becomes successful. If we can't even agree on the definition of what a successful travel team is in Ohio, and WHO they are, we certainly have some MAJOR mindset hurdles to overcome before we can compete with the best.

NOW - with all that being said, why is it OK to poke fun and belittle college football teams for struggling, but when it comes to a softball team, or program, you're on thin ice? Difference between boys and girls? Sure, I'm a Buckeye fan - Go Bucks, Beat Michigan and all - but why do some folks get so uptight when it's even insinuated that their DD's travel team just might not be one of the "elite" teams in Ohio? Is it a double standard that boys can take it, but girls can't?

 

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You, or us, do not have to play Michigan or Penn State, or Notre Dame. ?They are in a different sport and at a different level. ?Those individuals/teams are beyond the basics and fundemental stages in their athletic careers. ?I try to talk about all teams that DD's team plays against with honestly and in a positive light. ?That is how I would want to be treated. Now, boys do learn differently that girls. You might be onto something there.

 

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Well, if we knew that Lloyd Carr or Jim Tressel you might see some more 'political correctness' in the Michigan/OSU threads. For the same reason you won't see coaches trash another organization, at least not directly.

 

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Sammy, you must be still be hung over from the weekend. D1 football is not even in the same hemisphere as Ohio travel ball. Compare D1 softball and it will be a little closer. You could say Arizona is an elite program but Podunk U. is not and nobody would get upset. They would say, "Yep, your right."

Now, I'm back to other thread and continue to beat on Michicant and Notre Lame.

 

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Maybe there was no real definitions in the other thread because there simply is no real definaition. I think of it as more of a reference then an absolute description. In many cases it seems people on the OFC refer to the "Elite teams" that way in a tounge and cheek manner. No always but often.

I see it this way. If you have the oppertunity to play a good team that is well coached then give them their props. They deserve it. If you play a team that is not quite there yet but is trying hard or a team that may never get there then it does nobody any good to bash them or try to compare them to teams that are better prepared at that time. Every team and organization goes thru a process, and during that process there are often some tough times. I say kudos to all who are trying to be better. Keep up the good work.

 

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I agree with the first part of Sammy's statement about not being honest with saying who are the elite teams in Ohio. But I have a problem with the thought that anyone would find it ok or want to make fun of a child's team at all. These girls playing on the teams on this forum are minors, children on local teams. These football players are college adults in the national spotlight. In all the big newspapers, ESPN and sports talk shows. So I see this as comparing apples to oranges. Boys or girls makes no difference. Picking on a local youth team has no place on a forum that these girls get on and read. Now some constructive criticism done in the right manner would be ok but to make fun of them as we do college teams would just be wrong. The college students that play for these teams are mature enough to handle this kind of banter and dish is back out without taking it as a personal blow. That is the difference that I see. Nothing to do with gender.

 

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Why not go with the old adage, " If you have nothing good to say, don't say anything".

 

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Sorry Ringer - I was too busy watching softball games out of town this weekend to even sit down and have a cold one. But, some good discussion nonetheless. Sounds like we have a dividing line that says when a kid reaches the collegiate level - regardless of sport or gender, they should be prepared to "take it" as well as dish it out. High school and under is off limits. Actually, I think most kids playing competitive softball have thicker skin than some adults - a positive that will carry them a long way in competitive sports.

BTW, nowhere did I say it was acceptable, at least in my book, to "make fun" of a youth team or individual youth player. Those who take that route have lost sight of what youth sports are all about - regardless of gender. Sherlock has a very good point - a creed parents should live by when asked by a stranger about another youth athlete or team. If you can't speak of her in a positive light, refrain from speaking about her at all. I think it's fair to say that every youth can be thought of as a "work in progress".

 

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I agree with you that say to only give the teams positive feedback. Why should you talk poorly of another team regardless? Think how it would feel if you were the other team that wasn't doing really well. It would stink, right?! So give the other team a break. If they are trying hard or did well give them their dues. If they didn't as stated don't say a thing. Wish them good luck and move on.

I too agree that the ladies have thicker skins that most of us think. As parents we are usually over-protective with our DD's. Remember that all of this is a lesson in life for them. Let's be adults and help show them how this can be a positive experience and not a bad one. IMHO

 

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Strange this topic keeps popping up but for what its worth...my two cents....been around coaching for almost 30 years and there is always an organization who is long standing and carries a good reputation and for the most part has good if not great coaches...thus the perceived icing on the cake is to play for them at some point.......however, with that being said what I have picked up reading some of the threads is that some folks feel these top teams should get their pick of the top players and start-up organizations should never start up.....baffles me as many girls with a little patience and dedicated coaching can become a top player if given the opportunity....(something they would never get with an "elite" organization)...perhaps the reason some of the younger posters feel this way is they never want their "position" to be taken by one of these girls who may become as good as or better than the so called elite player....or even worse one of the startups becomes an organization parents and players want to join!

 

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As a parent who has taken my dd to many team tryouts, I will tell you what separates an "elite" team in my book (and this is strictly my own personal opinion). Whether it is a group tryout or a private tryout, I have noticed a huge difference in how various teams conduct themselves. The teams I consider to be "elite" had stations set up and ready to go, they were organized, the coaches interacted with both returning and new potential players, they addressed nervous girls and tried to relax them, parents were provided some information about the team either by the coaching staff or a parent of a current player, they were prepared and ready for tryouts to begin............

At private tryouts, an elite team brings in some of the current team members so the girl trying out can meet them, see how she fits with them, and also to give her some girls to 'show her stuff' with. A non-elite team has a coach who is interested but maybe doesn't bring any players with him so it's just the girl and the coach.
Elite teams take the time to make that phone call to let the player know if they were chosen for the team. Non-elite teams may not do this and run under the assumption that if I didn't call the kid, they know they didn't make the team. Whether it's a group or private tryout, the elite teams make the phone call!!!!

Elite teams have class; the coaches lead by example in their behavior and attitude at games and the parents and players follow this example. Elite teams respect the players on the other team, even when they are winning by a considerable margin. Of course, most of us would say that an elite team is the team with the winning records but to me, there is more to it than that. There is a reason they are winning a great deal of the time and it goes beyond physical abilities and talents.

I admire any and all coaches willing to give of themselve and their time to the girls. They have my utmost respect and admiration. Dealing with the hormonally-challenged ages that we see in girls fastpitch can't be easy (and that's the parents ;D) However, some of these coaches forget that these are still young and impressionable girls and even adults can learn a new thing or two. Elite teams show class--that's what makes them elite to me.

There is a thread about mental preparation and that goes with what makes an elite team in my book. Classy behavior by coaches and players shows that the team is physically and mentally ready to compete. Girls throwing temper tantrums, throwing bats, cussing, complaining about umpires, yelling at their parents or coaches, blaming girls on their team or pointing out a bad play, making fun of a player............you won't see this on an elite team because they have been coached in all aspects of the game, they are coached to behave like champions. THAT'S what makes an elite team in my book!

Thanks to all the coaches who demonstrate what elite and classy behavior is every time they hit the diamond! You are all gems! ;D