As pay for play becomes more prevalent, and (PLEASE NOTE!!) "some" HS programs and coaches continue to provide a less than productive experience for their players, it would not suprise me to see some, spring select team options for players that are interested in that.
Please before you jump all over me for stating the obvious, I support this option as an alternative for the player that could possibly simply choose NOT to play for their HS team, and would like to continue to work on her skills with an occasional trip to a tournament. I consider dealing with and overcoming the adversities inherent in some HS programs to be training of a different sort both in softball and in life. Having said that if a player is not going to play at their HS, I would rather see them doing something, than nothing, I don't believe it is a "play HS softball or suffer the consequences" situation.
This year more than ever this topic has had a life of it's own, simply ridiculing anyone that suggests it or states that they consider their particular situation to be destructive rather than constructive, doesn't solve the issues, I am very happy for those of you that have what they consider to be a great situation, the fact is even on your teams and in your programs there may be players and parents that are very unhappy with the situation, and before you go there, anyone that will not admit that there are frustrating factors in some HS situations that have nothing to do with a players talent level or attitude, are either not well informed or simply ignoring the facts.
Again, I am really happy for you if you have a good productive situation or if you are a coach that believes you are doing things right, but the fact remains that until there are options for players in the spring and individuals can vote with their feet, there will be few changes in some HS programs, as far as I know it is not written on stone anywhere that HS Softball has an absolute and inviolate monopoly on spring softball in Ohio, if the need and the players are there it MAY happen.