Is Softball in Ohio on the rise???

[Bink44]

In my humble opinion...a resounding yes!! I was fortunate enough to attend the Ohio State/Ohio University doubleheader down in Athens, Ohio yesterday. Yes, there was great pitching, great hitting and especially great defense by both teams. The weather was nearly perfect with clear skies and 75 degrees, with a slight wind blowing in from centerfield. It was nice to see & talk with dozens of friends from my past, while enjoying the same love of the game we all share. Yet this wasn't what caught my attention most...what made me smile.

While driving home along Route 33 North, I couldn't help thinking about the game atmosphere I had just witnessed. I estimated the crowd must have been at least 500+ with a couple hundred young ball players ranging in ages 6 to 16 in attendance. Most of whom would watch a certain batter or two, maybe an inning and then they would be off running wild. Then they would be right back along the fence line again watching and surely dreaming of what tomorrow may bring.

Fast forward to this morning, while talking with several friends, I decided to check and see what the actual attendance was. When I checked the box score...attendance for the games was 864. Yes...I believe Softball in Ohio is on the rise!!

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

I feel like that is true as well. I point to all the Ohio raised major D1 players that make an impact right away as a result of that rise in the hotbed SEC and PAC12 conferences. Also,when you look at Ohio States roster it seems to be more home grown talent than ever. I believe, as Jenny stated on the radio show, that the sport in general is on the rise but Ohio is ahead of that curve. I hope those attendance numbers continue to grow and NPF is able to thrive as a result. Its an exciting time for the sport!

 

[TheSoftballZone]

864 in attendance, I can remember going to games and not even seeing 20 people watching the games. What a exciteding time it is for the growth of Softball.

 

[DanMaz]

i sure hope so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

baseball bores me. lol

 

[mike_dyer]

I'm in California, I'm not sure when I'll make it home.

I was in a room with some guys yesterday and they were arguing over the Padres, Giants, and Dodgers.

I chimed in with "Why do you even watch that boring **** when you have such good softball all over the place??"

At that point the rival baseball people joined forces in an effort to shut the wise *** in the room up. They weren't very effective.

 

[manitoudan]

864 in attendance, I can remember going to games and not even seeing 20 people watching the games. What a exciteding time it is for the growth of Softball.

Quite certain more the Reds the other night .

 

[Pacerdad57]

Softball is definitely growing here in the buckeye state, and I hope it continues to grow and introduce young women to a fantastic sport

 

[HITTER23]

I'm in California, I'm not sure when I'll make it home.

I was in a room with some guys yesterday and they were arguing over the Padres, Giants, and Dodgers.

I chimed in with "Why do you even watch that boring **** when you have such good softball all over the place??"

At that point the rival baseball people joined forces in an effort to shut the wise *** in the room up. They weren't very effective.

If youre in San Fran, bring me back sourdough lobster chowder bowl and some turkey leg sized prawns from the wharf....

 

[wow]

I think it is growing in certain areas. If you look at the number of communities with feeder programs there is growth. Seems like there are hotbeds throughout the state who consistently turn good programs (HS). Travel has such a large draw its hard to compare.

Seeing a lot of lacrosse clubs popping up so there is spring competition with soccer and fastpitch, and I do think those take away numbers from the sport.

 

[manitoudan]

The SE is ready to start dominating ( not, LOL)

 

[mike_dyer]

If youre in San Fran, bring me back sourdough lobster chowder bowl and some turkey leg sized prawns from the wharf....

Unfortunately I'm in Sacramento. I'll be in San Francisco in a few weeks.

 

[zombiehunter]

I would caution to not confuse a rise in fastpitch softball fans for a rise in actual player participation. Since softball has been out of the olympics and many heroes of the game has passed on softball participation has been overall declining in our state. It is strange that as people who enjoy watching softball on television has increased why then has it not equated to greater participation. Of course there are exceptions and pockets of areas where it is growing but overall it is down. 5-7 years ago may highschool teams had to have cuts. Now many cannot afford to cut and others still that cant even field a JV team. The rise of soccer and lxross have put a serious dent into the game. To see a rise in the game you need to go further south. It is really growing in the southern states.

 

[coachjwb]

Sometimes quantity can go down, but quality can go up ...

 

[Heavy Hitter]

I would caution to not confuse a rise in fastpitch softball fans for a rise in actual player participation. Since softball has been out of the olympics and many heroes of the game has passed on softball participation has been overall declining in our state. It is strange that as people who enjoy watching softball on television has increased why then has it not equated to greater participation. Of course there are exceptions and pockets of areas where it is growing but overall it is down. 5-7 years ago may highschool teams had to have cuts. Now many cannot afford to cut and others still that cant even field a JV team. The rise of soccer and lxross have put a serious dent into the game. To see a rise in the game you need to go further south. It is really growing in the southern states.

This isn't 100% accurate. The numbers have been relatively flat the last 3-4 years but are down from its high. This is due to a number of factors some are, the 2 or 3 sport athlete is the thing of the past. Specialization has effected both girls and boys sports. The rise of other sports and softball itself. Just read this forum both parents and TB coaches attacking high school programs. Heck I know of TB coaches who are actually holding practices during the high school season. The high school community and the TB community need to be working together make the sport stronger not fight within itself.

 

[dannyboy]

I absolutely love softball, but when TDs schedule a 10U game at 6:00 on Friday, and then 8:00 on Saturday morning, then I lose interest fast! Greed is becoming the downfall. There are no games scheduled after 3:30 on Saturday. Parents don't want to contribute to travel and tourism to Columbus. I want my kid to play the game she loves, and improve along the way. We are losing sight of how to train and teach the kids. Once again, we will be in the car, more than on the field. My 16U and 14U kids never play one game on Friday, but my 10U is 2 for 2 this spring.

 

[DanMaz]

I absolutely love softball, but when TDs schedule a 10U game at 6:00 on Friday, and then 8:00 on Saturday morning, then I lose interest fast! Greed is becoming the downfall. There are no games scheduled after 3:30 on Saturday. Parents don't want to contribute to travel and tourism to Columbus. I want my kid to play the game she loves, and improve along the way. We are losing sight of how to train and teach the kids. Once again, we will be in the car, more than on the field. My 16U and 14U kids never play one game on Friday, but my 10U is 2 for 2 this spring.

gate fees involved? seems like when there are gate fees they will spread out games for all three days to make sure they push as many as possible thru those gates!

 

[Shane]

I have been in the 10U trenches for three years now, this 10U season is by far the most competitive of the three. If this 10U class is a sign of things to come in Ohio fastpitch softball, I say look out!

 

[dannyboy]

Berliner....

 

[DanMaz]

Berliner....

ding ding ding!!! WINNER ~~ personally i hate Berliner! way too much traffic and of course gates fees!!!! sometimes you need 30 minutes to get out of the traffic jam between games and a lot of car breakins. hide your stuff! lock your cars and put on the alarms!!!

 

[Pacerdad57]

Just hope you stay on the central to northern Fields!
Fewer problems and at least some facilities exist. Looks like we are playing quite a few there this season, and all involve Friday games....... Hate gate fees....