Teams. What makes one elite?

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ABSOLUTELY HAS TO BE THE PLAYERS DREAM.

Elite teams exist and if you polled the masses on the board they would list the same three or five teams out of a list of say, ten.

Elite is a team of outstanding players at every position. Not average, but outstanding at their position and outstanding with a bat. They walk on a field fearing NO ONE, expecting to win, because they have a better chance to win that game than most of their opponents. They don't have to act cocky and their parents can be very, very nice. The higher they go competitively is when they are challenged typically.

There will always be a few at the top to lead the group, doesn't mean they can't be beat, just means you really have to bring your "A" game to do it! Elite because not just anyone can make the team, only the best. You make elite sound like something bad when in fact, it is elevating your level of play that will make you a better player. Traveling to tougher tournaments to play other elite teams, will improve their game. Parents that can and do, are helping their player daughters' reach their dreams, hopefully.

Eite doesn't have to be a dirty word!!!

JMHO

 

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Sammy...you hit the nail on the head!! ?Fancyfanatic you drove it home!! ?Here I'll do the pleasure of lighting this match.. ?

Go to the ASA Nationals Class "A" and be sized up by the best in the country in your age group. ?Don't worry about your standings in Ohio. ?"Elite" is not a bad word it is a level and a level that Ohio needs to have. ?I know we have two in the 13u and maybe a third. ?If we don't have this level to shoot for and go after well then were going to have problems. ?It's not always pretty for the girls and they also give up a lot in their young lives to be at this level. ?Colleges want that...they feed off that. ?It's an animal that gives 150% and then asks for more. ?Intimidating..? you better believe it. ?Ohio needs to take advantage of these two "elite" teams and strive to be like them. ?That is the tape measure used to find out where you stand not only in the country but in Ohio. ?Now use them, study them and say "how can I be like them or BETTER. ?These girls eat and sleep for the one thing that will bring them that "dream"...to be pushed, shoved, and driven to perfection, doesn't always turn out perfect but that's OK because they know the next game will be in just an hour on this field and that one will be perfect and they never think otherwise or they would never be where they are now. ? ?

What I'm getting at is there are such teams as "elite" in Ohio. ?ASA-"A" has just sized two of them in Ohio. ?So feel privileged..not to many states east of the Mississippi can say that..now Ohio can. ?So use them. ? ? ? ?

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? There's only one ?ASA "A" now go after it.

 

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Now I do need to say that ASA "A" is not for all young ladies and that's OK. ?That is why we have other National Tournaments. ?Nothing to look down at by any means. ?I feel you just need to know what it is your looking for...fun competition, hotel pool parties or big-D1...it's all good. ? ?

 

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Elite teams and organizations are made up of "ELITE PLAYERS" and capable quality coaches & organizers. Elite players not only have talent and desire, but a willingness to sacrifice for a commitment to team goals and personal excellence and the things it will take to stay there at minimum, and hopefully advance further by plan, on both team and personal levels.

Great teams and organizations are only as strong as each of those bricks that build their foundation though, and can crumble just as fast as they appeared if they don't do the right things to provide the attractive environment for drawing the best to their banner. Credit should be given to those teams which have "been there done that" year in and year out for a long period of time, and continue to be strong.

How many great (elite) teams have we seen over the years at all levels that have folded or underachieved versus great competition. A few other teams just win somehow when there is no explanation for it. Take players that have talent, desire, and commitment, then add a dose of heart, character, leadership, and team chemistry & orientation and you have the "potential" for an elite team.

When any of these ingredients change, so does the overall team status seem to change, in micro increments which all add up to large sweeping changes year to year, and even week to week, sometimes even game to game. An elite team occurs in a ?moment in time, the best have many of those moments strung together over time, and can be judged as truly elite in retrospect. ?

There is a lot that goes into being elite on a personal and team level, and staying there, and it begins & ends with INDIVIDUALS that are involved and come together on the same page over a period of time, IMHO.

 

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I can buy that not all estbablished teams are elite year in and year out talent wise. Our family wants to be part of an elite level team . It's just tough when others in your geopraphical area don't have the same passion. guess thats why they call it "travel" ball MD

 

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Are Michigan Football and Notre Dame still considered elite programs? There are 0-4 combined. Do you have to win all the time to maintain elitiism status?

 

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Wow! I must have pushed someones buttons. :'( I've never been quoted before. LOL ;D ;D

Didn't mean to upset anyone. I was just answering the question with my opinion. Opinions are like a....... everyone has one.

 

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Ringer - Those teams, Cinci Reds, and even "The Poor Brownies" are elite in my book. The organizations just haven't dumped their stinkin' coaches yet!
;D ;D ;D

 

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Coaches also make an elite team. You might have 9 or 10 girls out there that are the best of the best, but I would bet money on a team that might not be better, but will beat that elite team, because they play to win for themselves and the coaches. Players having respect for their coaches and coaches having respect for their player is a whole different ball game. We don't have to travel 2 hours to get this. It is right here in our home town. We have beaten teams better than us. They were just out coached. No I'm not a coach. I am a parent of a girl that plays on a team that is coached very well. I have played the game for 38 years been to many nationals, and we played to win not only for ourselves, but for the coach. I'd take one of these teams anyday.

 

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Wow after reading this, I should take my DD out and shoot her for playing hard, being dedicated and only making it to DII or DIII.( OH and getting a college degree ) I'm just curious Does anyone know the % of girls that receive assistance for playing softball in College( this would be I or II). Better yet How many girls play HS softball and get the opportunity to play in college. I would like to know that %. Great ? Would you rather have a DI scholarship softball player that is the nasty, shi*** personality and expects everyone to treat her like a queen or A young lady who is pleasant to be around and can make a DII or DIII and get a college degree. My favorite comment on this thread is the person who said if you don't win ASA A then you must suck. ( I know I'm paraphrasing ) This has to be coming from someone who must not win much. I don't care if you win Zanesville it's a Championship. Now we know the best tournament is ASA A National however there are still a lot of good teams and players that play NSA and Pony and they go on to play DIII, DII and even DI. I know this is to long and no one will read this whole thing but we need to give the girls a break or Dad's forget your HS days you weren't that good!!!!!

 

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I just didn't want to brag on our team as being an elite team, but we are. My DD is 13 and has already been appoached by 3 different colleges (Arizona, Northwestern and Texas). I give alot of her success to her coaches.

 

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I just didn't want to brag on our team as being an elite team, but we are. My DD is 13 and has already been appoached by 3 different colleges (Arizona, Northwestern and Texas). I give alot of her success to her coaches.

Bigtrain has arisen!!!

 

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I just didn't want to brag on our team as being an elite team, but we are. My DD is 13 and has already been appoached by 3 different colleges (Arizona, Northwestern and Texas). I give alot of her success to her coaches.

Break out the troll spray. : MD

 

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I had to consider filing a restraining order against some guy by the name of Mike Candrea! Every single Monday, he would call and literally pester my DD - something about playing for a nationally ranked college softball program.

I just told DD to tell him to bug off, because she already had made a commitment to our local community college, who's softball team plays every Sunday in the local church league, and with a Wednesday evening practice, that's enough softball for anybody!

I tell you, this Mike Candrea guy must think he runs an "elite" program...

;D

 

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lady, from what i've read on here, didn't bgtrain's daughter sign with northwestern?

 

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OUCH! Don't mention Northwestern on here!! They could be construed as one of those nasty "elite" programs! Heaven forbid any kid would want to strive for that!


Drip, Drip... the sarcasm can has just overflowed...

 

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bkdoor - I know many DI softball players and I have yet to meet one with the attributes you describe. Why so much hostility toward DI players?

 

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Hey now, give lovesfastpitch a break. I'm sure there are plenty of 13 year old 8th graders out there that are good enough to have "elite" D1 colleges risk NCAA recruiting rules violations. What would rather have, that super elite future recruit or some silly old scholorships to offer to current players. Use you brain people, you're lagging, don't make me go over to huddle.

 

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lady, from what i've read on here, didn't bgtrain's daughter sign with northwestern?

And your point is, as it refers to a 13 year old being "approached" by a D1 school? ?My DD has talked to numerous coaches at clinics and camps, but I don't confuse that with being "approached." ? ;D

 

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Lady, my point is u mock the guy and he apparently has a kid signed with a school that has been in the CWS each ofthe last two years
Nwern also ain't shabby in academics!