News story re: TB and impact, if any on kids, rec leagues and HS programs

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A news-producer friend contacted me today to tell me of a story being developed for sweeps week for sister Youngstown, OH (NEO) news stations WYTV and WKBN. They will be airing a series of reports on what, if any, impact TB has on the kids, communities and schools, both positive and negative - should be interesting, to say the least and a good opportunity to promote TB. She would like to interview a variety of people, as it will run over several consecutive newscasts next month. If anyone (coaches, parents, DDs) would like to share their insight via an interview please PM me or leave your info here. Neither the reporter nor the producer has a DD in TB.

 

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Whos the reporter?? I'm friends with several of the WKBN staff and hadn't heard aqbout this.

 

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I know it was a man's name but I rarely watch the evening news and can't recall. The producer is who called, as she knows my DD has played travel for several years. I thought this would be a good place to look for people, as I have no interest in being interviewed (and don't know enough about all aspects anyway.)

 

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have them call JoeA!!

 

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WKBN's always been a big supporter of HS softball in our area. Especially with the success the local teams have had at the state level over the years. Joe Alusio and Ryan Allison have done an excellent job giving the kids their due. Reporters like Shawn Jordan and Kristi Branan as well.

 

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The story is airing tonight at 11:00pm on WKBN out of Youngstown (channel 27,) not sure if it is a one-parter or if there will be more. I passed on everyone's contact info who expressed interest so thanks again (my family did not volunteer.)

 

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I don't know if they'll put a link to a video out, but here's the story link:

Travel sports forcing difficult decisions for kids, families | WKBN.com

 

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Sure sounded a bit one sided. Sure it's a commitment like anything else. Kids these days are being forced to do a lot more than we did when we were their age, and not just from an athletic standpoint. Kids the age of 3 are using computers. Kids by the age of 8 can program a TV to record shows, they can type, etc.
I had to take a typing class....now it's a fundamental part of their upbringing.
More with less, or more with the same is the underlying tone for all kids nowadays.

 

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The story was pretty lame. Not much real info, just a whole bunch of "could be". It kind of made travel ball look bad and it blamed travel ball for numbers in the HS being down. I am not a big fan of WKBN news. They always report with a slant.

 

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The story was pretty lame. Not much real info, just a whole bunch of "could be". It kind of made travel ball look bad and it blamed travel ball for numbers in the HS being down. I am not a big fan of WKBN news. They always report with a slant.

I just read the article, and think that most of it is fairly objective, however I cannot see where the author, or the "off the camera" coaches can logically connect travel ball with decreased numbers on their HS teams. Are they assuming that non TB girls are afraid to try out? No. Or are they saying that TB players are the ones not playing because the coaches and programs don't compare to TB? No. Maybe girls are finding something else to do with their time? Maybe.

 

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That is 2 minutes and 42 seconds that I will never get back!!

 

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That is 2 minutes and 42 seconds that I will never get back!!

At least you didn't invest time in asking people to participate! I didn't find much of value in it either. Would have been nice to at least have gotten some footage/coverage on one of the local tourneys from the last several weeks. I was told that it was to be covered over several broadcasts - could have been much better

 

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While it wasn't as clearly stated as it could have been, what I took from the story is that kids in all sports are focusing more on just one sport, and therefore not going out for other sports. And this affects softball as well. Additionally, girls that don't play softball all year have a hard time keeping up with girls who do, and I think most people agree that total high school numbers are down somewhat.

 

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I know at our high school, there were a few who quit because they knew they'd be on the bench because of the upcoming "travel" players and they were sick of playing JV for three years.

My oldest DD learned the hard way when it came to "rec" players and "travel" players as she was more of a rec player. She enjoys the sport as long as it is fun. Well, she lost her sophomore year for her knees after a "travel" second basemen took out her knees in a JV game that finished her season (this was the 3rd game of the year), then that next winter (junior) she received a concussion for the very same reason. After she was cleared, she trained a bit harder to prevent injuries.