? the need to travel around the country for tourneys

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I recently started a thread for fun. Just wanted to see who made some good improvements for next season. Instead I get two people on there arguing.One of them brings up some young lady who travels all over the country to face the nations best. I would like to say that there are plenty of outstanding players here in OHIO. There is no need to travel like that. I thought that is what nationals is all about. Playing teams that qualify. Travel like that is just to showcase the financial abilities to do so more than to show off the talent. I am sure the talent is there though. I would not want to do that travel money or not if they are not that good. What I am saying here Ohio is a good place to prove your worth.

 

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all depends on how high you are aiming. maybe some kid wants to play pac-10 ball.

 

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You need to think about the large number of potential D1 players in Ohio right now. The 2010 and 2011 classes are loaded. I told my players to consider looking at out of state schools that they might like. There may be more quality players than spots available in Ohio right now. The first 3 from our team in the 2011 class that have verballed are going to out of state D1 schools. At least 2 of them were only seen by their future coach while we were in NC,TN, or SD(Nationals). They had opportunities to stay in Ohio but really like the schools they chose better. We played out of Ohio 4 times [Compuware(Mi),Cardinal Classic(NC),ASA(SD), and Gold Diamond Fall Exposure(Tn)] last year and I think it was well worth it without breaking the bank.

 

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Oh I understand the opportunities are probably better out of state. What I was refering to was playing for a team that all they did was travel out of state. The comment was made on the other thread that they do it to face the nations best. The nations best play in the nationals. Right? My family is
not financially blessed. We are ok in the sense that we can afford travel ball
for her. There are young girls that I know can play ball just as well as some of the best Ive seen but there family can not afford it so they dont even play travel ball. What I am saying the fact that you play travel ball doesn't mean they are the nations best. Ohio rocks when it comes to talented fastpitch players.

 

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Yes, and Ohio has two excelent-established events in Ohio.. The Stingrays and the GAPPS. Now, the Lady Lasers had added another event in Marion, Ohio as well for the Summer program.

Best of the Best is another good one in the Fall.

But, Nationals is a wonderful place to be seen as well as some of the others mention above. There are a few in Texas that are wonderful events as well. The Sharks event in Illinois is another that comes to mind.

 

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Another point to ponder beside exposure is that by the time you are 16u you have been competing against the same teams & players for 6+ years. It is also to get some of your own exposure to things non-Ohio, and measure yourself against some unknowns ... boaden your knowledge, see what the "other" side of the woods looks like.

The player who is traveling all over with the Jersey team obviously has very high goals, and desires to push the envelope year round, while others are playing indoors on half a field, or playing basketball. There is also a price and sacrifice that you pay for that type of commitment. At least her parents didn't send her to Houston when she was 4 to train and live with some Romanian guy ....

 

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Oh I understand the opportunities are probably better out of state. What I was refering to was playing for a team that all they did was travel out of state. The comment was made on the other thread that they do it to face the nations best. The nations best play in the nationals. Right? My family is
not financially blessed. We are ok in the sense that we can afford travel ball
for her. There are young girls that I know can play ball just as well as some of the best Ive seen but there family can not afford it so they dont even play travel ball. What I am saying the fact that you play travel ball doesn't mean they are the nations best. Ohio rocks when it comes to talented fastpitch players.

Playing the nations best once a year and possibly getting a glimpse by a scout or coach is vary small percentage. Playing against Nations best week in and out certainly changes the landscape of opportunity and your potential.

And like MD stated, it all depends on what your GOAL is. For some it wouldn't ever make sense. For others, they can't afford not to go that route.

I don't believe anyone is stating that playing on an ELITE GOLD team that travels every week is something for everyone. However, the loftier the goals, the loftier the commitment. Not to mention, there's a ton of fun and relationships, and experiences to be had(NOT ALL GOOD either), but how many parents put their kids on a plane to Europe every year in the name of Foreign Exchange or once in a lifetime experience. Again, it's all about what Parents/Kids dreams/goals are.

Believe me, it's all too obvious that ELITE NATIONAL TRAVEL doesn't make sense for many. I was just simply advising where one of the Laser94 girls went to and showed much respect, appreciation, and admiration for that family pursuing their dreams/goals and realizing them right before our eyes.

 

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Out of state play is fun and a great experience. If they can afford it and the player can compete, hats off to them for going as far as they can. We have great players, coaches and teams in Ohio, but it is a whole different ball game when you play with the girls from out west or down south. It's a different level of ball and some want to test their skills and see if they can compete. When I played, we crushed most Ohio teams. But when we went to Texas or California, we got spanked like never before. It was an eye opener for us and a good experience. If you can do it, why not??

 

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Them Jersey kids are aewome because of the Radon in the drinking water It's ok I can say that being from there....

hey if someone has the will, desire and the means... more power to them to strive for their goal....

 

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Now the next college showcase to support is in Northern Ohio on July 4th weekend this year. If the teams support it to the point where we can get out of state teams to come in HERE... what a great thing that is for our girls.

Madness event http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=22123

 

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The ultimate is scoring a Sugar Daddy sponsor to fund those trips. I think "real deal" teams like the former Slammers stand a great chance of that - it's just doing the marketing, and finding an equipment manufacturer with the courage to "put their money where their mouth is", and support girl's softball. Some are already doing it, and I applaud them.

Parents self-funding trips like that is borderline insanity - unless your last name is Rockefeller. You better be doing it just for fun, because you'd be better off banking that kind of jack to pay for college!

 

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Bottom line is......... you want to be an elite team you go play where the elite teams go. As a coach if you want colleges recruitng your players you let it be known.... we dont back down from playing where elite teams are and we compete wth those teams. It is what it is.......... if you can afford it and your kid is good enough do it there are a ton of teams that advertise for players on hey bucket and other forums. If you cannot afford it or cant play at that level then keep the status Qo what it is and play where you are most comfortable and let the kid have her fun.......... save your money like Sammy said start socking it away and concentrate on her academics for college.

Tim

 

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looking back on dd's career i can see now that the coaches back then were porin same kool-aid you pore now with the ``there are great players, coaches, teams in ohio'' mentality
if i had to do all over again, id' get out of ohio as fast i could with my dd for her sake
you people are just foolin yerselves -- stay in ohio, see whaer ya end up

 

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I believe Ohio is a great place for fastpitch. From what I understand Ohio teams have played in nationals and some world series tournaments and have won them. Am I correct in saying that?

 

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porin pore id' yerselves whaer gladimdone-- you mixin' champagne in that OJ this am? LOL MD

 

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You need to think about the large number of potential D1 players in Ohio right now. The 2010 and 2011 classes are loaded. I told my players to consider looking at out of state schools that they might like. There may be more quality players than spots available in Ohio right now. The first 3 from our team in the 2011 class that have verballed are going to out of state D1 schools. At least 2 of them were only seen by their future coach while we were in NC,TN, or SD(Nationals). They had opportunities to stay in Ohio but really like the schools they chose better. We played out of Ohio 4 times [Compuware(Mi),Cardinal Classic(NC),ASA(SD), and Gold Diamond Fall Exposure(Tn)] last year and I think it was well worth it without breaking the bank.

2010 and 11 are loaded you are correct......... so far we have been amazed at what out of state colleges are willing to pay. That might have something to do with the majority of NAIA colleges here trying to go D2 to keep more Ohio Athletes n Ohio.

Tim

 

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Why is it that people feel the need to critique the extra efforts of others? If a player has both the ability, desire and financial means to travel around the country to play the great sport of softball, why shouldn't she do that?

It is no different than rec parents asking why a good player has to play community select vs staying with her friends at rec. Or, community select parents asking why a good player has to play club-travel vs. continuing to play for the community team - and so on and so on.

Cream rises to the top, the only debate is where is the top.

JHMO

 

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Why is it that people feel the need to critique the extra efforts of others?

Well my honest opinion is that most people root for the underdog and chastise the favorite. Most of this stems from the fact that those who can, continously rub it in the faces of those who can't. Maybe not intentionally, but the effect is just the same.
We all wants what is best for our DD's or our families for that matter, so when someone else can give a little more and get a little further ahead there is animosity and jealousy. Sorry folks but it's just that simple. Nobody likes a braggart, and everyone roots against them. So be humble and keep it to yourself, or be willing to take the criticism.

With all that extra money they should be able to buy thicker skin!!;&

 

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Lady Knights... You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about. None of the above posts were written by her parent. I am her parent and as you can see, I haven't posted on this message board in a VERY long time and never to brag about my kid. We made the move as quietly as we could. I have no control over what other people post.

Travel ball has afforded her a wealth of life experiences that I know will benefit her well beyond softball years. She's made great friends, met amazing poeple, and traveled to parts of the country I could only have dreamed of at that age. Unfortunatley, she will also have to learn to deal with people like you. That's life.

 

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I was thinking the same thing --no one bragged on her to start with ! The facts were stated with no embleshishment or chest thumping. A very talented kid decided to give the biggest of big leagues a shot. what's wrong with that ? Oh well

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all MD