Gold

[FastBat]

I personally have heard some real horror stories lately about middle school and high school kids in Ohio being pressured to the point of being bullied into playing for their high schools "feeder" organization. If the kids don't play, they are viewed as back stabbers and told by the high school coach, assistant coach and AD, that they are: "not committed" to the high school, they don't care about "the program," and are viewed as having a crappy attitude since its "about them" if they choose to go outside the feeder program SAD SAD SAD

It starts earlier than middle school! Little towns that like softball need every little body in that "zip code" to win against other little towns. I just feel like little town softball isn't for everyone, but neither is travel. The two should co-exist, both are good for kids, it just depends on the kid.

 

[fpitchdad]

High School ball is bound to fail at recruiting for softball. It fails on many different counts. If you are not lucky enough to be in a Lebanon, greenville, Hoover type School systems that make it deep every year so college coaches can show up and watch, you have little to no chance at being recruited in High School, As both college and HS play at the same time of the season its just logistically impossible for college coaches to recruit . A huge amount of hs coaches do nothing for their players recruiting wise. Heck its difficult getting them to go to the meetings and push for one of their players for recognition after the season let alone help with recruiting. Not all but a large amount and I would say its a safe bet at around 75% are teachers making that extra couple of grand a year. Very few HS teams have coaches that are just coaches.

Kids are blown 10 different ways after HS ball because of the idiotic controlling bureaucratic baboons in charge of HS softball. Its their rule, no more than 4 or 5 from a school on one TB team. so the kids have to split up. They have so many rules and regs in place you almost have to be a lawyer to begin to understand it all. Travel ball has not ruined HS softball. The people in charge of High School softball have ruined it and kids just go where they can play competitively, get noticed and get to college if that is their wish.

Dang it Tim, I just love being able to come on here and picking on ya a bit about some of your posts....but pal, this one is dang near perfect. I'm so glad my kid is a senior in college having the time of her life playing the game she loves that I don't have to worry about HS anymore. Post of the year so far my friend.

 

[Captain_Thunder]

It starts earlier than middle school! Little towns that like softball need every little body in that "zip code" to win against other little towns. I just feel like little town softball isn't for everyone, but neither is travel. The two should co-exist, both are good for kids, it just depends on the kid.

Those "Little Towns" are gonna have to start calling their teams "Gold" & "Elite" if they want to keep up!

 

[Westler33]

Super duper gold elite get it right lol.

 

[BouldersDad]

Dang it Tim, I just love being able to come on here and picking on ya a bit about some of your posts....but pal, this one is dang near perfect. I'm so glad my kid is a senior in college having the time of her life playing the game she loves that I don't have to worry about HS anymore. Post of the year so far my friend.

Thanks Brad. We are almost thru with the ride. Just enjoy their last seasons and move on to the next stage in our lives.

 

[wvanalmsick]

platinum, elite, gold, college showcase, elite college showcase. cracks me up! Whatever happened to playing for your local high school and getting scouted there? Travel ball is certainly a competitive environment that allows kids to develop faster than we did back in the day, but I think travel ball is ruining communities and school districts because no one is playing at the local ball park anymore. Kids from each class go in 10 different ways during their travel ball years and then hook up in high school and have zero team chemistry, or much pride in playing for their school. The attitude becomes :"I can't wait for this school ball season to end so I can go play travel ball". It's kind of sad.

If you stick with the community programs, your skill level will stop well short of your potential because there is no one else in the "pool" to push you. You will level off at the highest competition level in that particular "pool". So, the girls will jump to a more competitive "pool" and play against players with like skill sets or better. This girl will then be pushed to increase her her skill set, or sink in the "pool".

 

[coop24]

In honor of shark week.....................swim with the sharks or get eaten by them.

 

[FastBat]

You mean, Gold, Elite Sharks!

 

[centerslapper3]

For the vast majority agreed, doesn't matter what they call themselves. There,s more than one way to measure a dd's growth as a player and the teams. Obviously my dd plays for a "small town team", ( her choice). She has made many "elite" teams, as have a few of the other players. I attribute the success of my dd ( in large part) to her batting coach. Yes he coaches a true gold 18's team, and he's has Laser focus when coaching my dd. So with players that work hard year around, dedicated coaches and the fact they,ve been together since they were 6-7. Not to mention entering stout tourny,s, and either winning them or doing well (NEVER been run ruled). I'd say we not on " keep up" on the field, we've developed dd's that MUST fight through adversity every game, accept the fact that most higher level teams think were chumps (until they play us). Which in turn creates an amazing amount of opportunitys to teach them about ( this is what it's all about FOR ME and MY DD) LIFE LESSON'S..............winning on the field doesn't hurt either! Please keep this post in perspective. These are my experiences, and I am ALL for big time travel ball!!!!!!! Regaurding original post: If your team sucks yet has GOLD attatched to it's name. You paint a turd gold......it's still gonna stink and it's still a turd. stop humiliating your organization/players

 

[fpitchdad]

dd's team back in the day had nothing attached to it, it was "92 Rays Morman", and that name scared the crap out of most.... Man, I miss those days.

 

[Ri-domination]

How about an 11u playing "elite" "showcase" tourneys

 

[Ri-domination]

I thought showcasing started at 14u.........

 

[wow]

Just be in the best tournaments you can and they will come. If you play and beat the best teams you will be whatever you want...

 

[Captain_Thunder]

I see that a coach is looking to finish his roster today for his 9U "Elite" team........
I wish I had an 05 to put on that squad!!!

 

[ApogeeDemon]

I see that a coach is looking to finish his roster today for his 9U "Elite" team........
I wish I had an 05 to put on that squad!!!

Im sure we will see Gold and Elite T-Ball teams next.

 

[Heat#12]

I literally added the tagline 'super duper platinum elite' to my teams' name this year and registered for tournaments as such (SDPE), strictly because it's annoying, lol.

This is too funny.

 

[ApogeeDemon]

I see that many teams are also putting "premiere" beside their name. Too funny.

 

[CoachTEA]

I see that many teams are also putting "premiere" beside their name. Too funny.

Hey whatever it takes! If you beat that team, more bragging rights eh?

 

[mike_dyer]

I thought showcasing started at 14u.........

Reserved seating for college scouts at a 14u showcase:

 

[CoachTEA]

Sad, but true. My team won a "showcase" a year ago and I doubt there were any coaches or scouts within 20 miles. Either than or they were *really* subtle.