Travel Teams instead of High School Team

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previously: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)


I have a two part question?

One: ?What would be things one would need to consider if they were interested in putting together a ?spring? team. ?This would be a team of girls that are U16 eligible next year (2009) that would play during the high school softball season (again - next year). ?They would play in tournaments in northern Kentucky, western PA, and eastern Indiana. ?The girls would play on this spring team during the high school season and would then return back to their normal summer team (i.e. the team would be made up of girls from a number of summer teams). ?The team would NOT play in any World Series (even if they qualify). ?The team would only play during the high school season and would go their separate ways when the season was over. ?Anything need to be considered here?


Two: ?I am aware of four or five solid U16 eligible girls in 2009 that would be interested. ?For whatever reason? ?high school does not have a softball team, no one is committed to softball at the high school (players and/or coach)? whatever the reason? ?how much interest is there in putting together a spring travel team that would play together in 2009 in northern Kentucky, western PA, and eastern Indiana? ? ?When possible the team would practice together throughout the season. ?Also? we would need a coach.

Anyone?

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

I don't think I am alone when I a say..."I am confused"!

If you are not happy.. go somewhere else that offers you what you seek. There is no shortage of teams that offer you that opportunity. (ie... Caches or Teams looking for Players) If you accept your situation you have no one to blame but yourself. There ARE alternatives. Are you willing to seek out these alternatives. If not?

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

They are talking about not playing High School ball, just going around playing tournaments until their other travel team takes the field. I know of a team in Indian that did the same thing last year.

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

I don't think I am alone when I a say..."I am confused"!

If you are not happy.. go somewhere else that offers you what you seek. ?There is no shortage of teams that offer you that opportunity. (ie... Caches or Teams looking for Players) ?If you accept your situation you have no one to blame but yourself. ?There ARE alternatives. ?Are you willing to seek out these alternatives. ?If not?

it sounds like he is looking for a alternative other than high school ball.

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

Correct.

We have 1 girl whose high school does not have a softball team.

We have 3 or 4 girls whose high schools have teams but there is no real committment to the team either from the players and/or coachs. They have played for their respective high schools in the past and have gotten no real benefit from playing with the team.

They are just looking for alternate options to playing high school ball.

The girls would play together in the Spring (during high school softball season) and then would return back to their normal summer teams onces the high school season ends.

We are just trying to determine if there are 6 or 7 girls out there that are in the same boat as the 4 or 5 and are looking for other alternatives to high school ball.

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

If you recruited statewide I'm sure you could get enough to field a team, however, if your goal is to "play in tournaments in northern Kentucky, western PA, and eastern Indiana" I think you'll be somewhat disappointed. maybe TN, GA, AL... Outside of that, you'd have the usual considerations for any other travel team, insurance, uniforms, practice facilities, etc.; plus the need to balance school work with the travel.

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

I am new to this forum (and I have enjoyed it since finding it!), but not new to the game. This may have been discussed before, so please bear with me if so...

Does anyone else feel that travel ball will eventually be (or already is) the downfall of High School softball, especially in Ohio? I don't think it hurts the larger Division I programs as much because of the talent pool, but reaching into Division II-IV, especially if we begin to allow Spring travel ball organizations to be created, thus giving the HS girls the option of abandoning thier HS programs?

As far as committment goes, how committed can you expect a girl (with average talent) to be when the more talented players bolt for greener pastures because it appears to be a rebuilding year, or there is not a plethora of supporting talent to ensure a deep run into postseason?

Maybe I'm "old school," but I guess I thought sports (whatever the sport) taught the kids just as much about loyalty, respect, and perserverence as they did about hitting, fielding, etc.

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

I understand where you're coming from, but if you have a program where the coaches don't even care, how can you want your dd to play for someone like that? You have 4 short years of high school ball before they go off to college. Can you risk having her move backwards just to teach her a lesson about commitment? I am lucky, in that, our school program is a good one, and next year when my dd is in 9th grade she will be playing freshman or high school ball. But I would not let my daughter play for a team if it wasn't moving her game forward.

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

Gobux
This is just a personal opinion, but I do not believe that travel ball has or will ruin high school softball. It may change, but high school sports have never been dependent upon having all the "stars" playing the sport. I would bet that many of us can remember a "stud" athlete from our own high school years that opted not to play a sport, because they couldn't stand the coach, didn't like the rules, had job, the list goes on. Some are probably glad of their decision, others probably look back with regret. School teams represent their school and community. They are not feeder programs for colleges. Regardless of how good your summer team becomes within just a few years most that were not on the team will have forgotten your accomplishments. Your teammates will become seldom contacted though fond memories.
Regardless of how poorly your school team performs, at your 25 year class reunion, memories will still be replayed. Friendships will be renewed, and many of you will still feel a kinship with your schools team.
Even though the game may be the same, they are different experiences.

If high school sports go away, it will more likely be due to apathy on our part, or lack of funding. (maybe those are the same things)

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

Doing this sort of thing could be an eye opener for some of the hs coaches, but many are there for the paycheck.

I am supportive of this type of team. We used to live in a school district where the coach was terrible, and everyone knew it. The AD was just as bad. Finally the coach was fired, but it was too late. There are probably four girls from that school who would have had a genuine opportunity to get a DII scholarship or lower had they stuck with softball. One of the girls stuck with the program and also played on our summer team. She is considering multiple offers now.

Thankfully our jobs moved us to a different school district. While no program is perfect, this one makes the former school district look pathetic.

If you can't get enough players together at 16U, you might try 18U as many HS players must play at the older level.

 

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Re: Central Ohio Dropouts (2 questions)

If you recruited statewide I'm sure you could get enough to field a team, however, if your goal is to "play in tournaments in northern Kentucky, western PA, and eastern Indiana" I think you'll be somewhat disappointed. maybe TN, GA, AL... ?Outside of that, you'd have the usual considerations for any other travel team, insurance, uniforms, practice facilities, etc.; plus the need to balance school work with the travel.

I went out to ezteams and was able to put together a fairly decent schedule just using the three states identified above. I did not go as far as to figure out in what part of the state the games are played in- I might have to be more selected in the tournaments but there were a number to choose from.

A fake 2008 schedule:

http://eteamz.active.com/fastpitch/tournaments/search.cfm


NSA - Spring Fever - 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Apr 5, 2008 - Apr 6, 2008

Girl's FP Spring Opener
Warsaw, Indiana
Apr 11, 2008 - Apr 13, 2008

2008 Kentucky Spring Fling - USGF State & World Qualifier
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
Apr 26, 2008 - Apr 27, 2008

NSA - Quatro de Mayo - 10U,12U,14U,16U,18U
Allentown, Pennsylvania
May 3, 2008 - May 4, 2008

PONY Spring Fling (5gg) PA Softball
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
May 10, 2008 - May 11, 2008

2008 Battle In The Bluegrass-USGF State & World Qualifier
Hopkinsville, Kentucky
May 16, 2008 - May 18, 2008

 

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Travel Ball the downfall of High School Ball????? ? ?Bah Humbug.......would stretch it to say if not for the Elite programs getting the ball rolling with travel ball I would go as far to say that many high school teams would be even worse than they are. Go watch ummm er lets say 3 different high schools play.....varsity games only...then go watch one tournament...umm er ? say a 14 yo bracket......most likely anyone of the travel 14yo teams would play neck in neck if not beat most varsity teams. It is not travel ball killing the HS game it is the "contract" only coaches who have no clue how to develop a so so player into a good or great player...they don't have the time or the desire....they just know that so and so's parent is a big booster so she plays...so and so's Dad I golf with so she plays.......but of course...in order to get a sniff of a scholarship one has to play so the girls who do have talent bite their tongues and go through the motions until they get back to their summer team. As far as relationships at their 25 year reunion goes....my guess is at least for my daughter she will invite her travel team friends to go to the reunion with her!!! She still has good friends from her 10&12 year old travel teams and stays in constant contact with girls who had to move up to a different age group.......whoever said they won't remember the travel friends is all wet!

 

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You might have a roster problem playing NSA tournaments, if the players will be playing in NSA tournaments on a different team in the summer.

 

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High school ball is nothing more than glorified rec. ball. Most teams are lucky to have several players that have put in the time and effort that most travel ball players have put in. High school ball is a waste of time because just like everything else, you can only progress at the rate of your weakest player/players. High school ball should be an excellent opportunity for the girls to really develop their skills (practicing 5-6 days a week) but due to the deplorable weather this does not happen. I know that working on technique and fundamentals is extremely important but how realistic is it to field grounders on a gym floor or hitting off of a pitching machine. I would like to see ohsaa change the softball season to fall instead of spring. Volleyball is played in the gym anyway and the ever changing weather patterns would not disrupt this sport. I know this would never happen but it would give the girls and the high school coaches more of an opportunity to simulate games as they would be able to work on a field.

 

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One of the elite travel organizations in Indiana has a policy that if a young lady is invited to play for one of their teams and they accept the invitation then they are not allowed to play high school softball. This organization plays year around and does a lot to promote their players to college coaches.

Is this good or bad? Right or wrong?

 

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High school ball is nothing more than glorified rec. ball. Most teams are lucky to have several players that have put in the time and effort that most travel ball players have put in. High school ball is a waste of time because just like everything else, you can only progress at the rate of your weakest player/players. High school ball should be an excellent opportunity for the girls to really develop their skills (practicing 5-6 days a week) but due to the deplorable weather this does not happen. I know that working on technique and fundamentals is extremely important but how realistic is it to field grounders on a gym floor or hitting off of a pitching machine. I would like to see ohsaa change the softball season to fall instead of spring. Volleyball is played in the gym anyway and the ever changing weather patterns would not disrupt this sport. I know this would never happen but it would give the girls and the high school coaches more of an opportunity to simulate games as they would be able to work on a field.

I like the idea of playing in the fall... the one thing to consider.

Pitchers and catchers report... what? 45 days before the season starts? Everyone else... 30 days? (I am guessing here... but close I would think.

If the high school season started say September 1st... pitchers and catchers would report July 15th... right middle of summer season. Everyone else would report somewhere around most World Series.

I can speak for a number of high school coaches that i am aware of... they would not accept dual loyalities here and would expect the girls to be at high school practices.. "if they expect to play."

That would be one thing to consider.

 

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I am one that thinks that the high school softball experience is an important one. While I will agree that not all prgrams are the same and that not all coaches are as up to speed on the game as they should be I do think that there is much to be said for playing for and representing your school and your community.

I have heard this idea kicked around before about playing travel only in the spring and I see a few problems with it. For one my bet is that the level of competition will not be as expected. The way I see it many if not most of the good players will still be playing for their high school team. Most for thre same reason I mentioned above. I have seen many great players stick with their high school team and try to make them better. Even when the overall talent level on the team was not the best. I suggest that those who have coaches who are not as committed as they would like try to find a way to help him or her instead of trying to nab a few of the better players and make the problem even worse. May I helping to start a Jr. High program or trying to get some of the other good athletes in the school system interested in this great game. Just keep in mind that while you may serve your own selfish needs during your DD's career you may actually be doing long term damage to the rest of the high school and its program.

Many travel ball coaches have this same issue with thier high school coach and typically they simply do not understand all of the dynamics of the situation. I would suggest having an open dialog with the high school coahces about what can be done together to help make the overall situation better. You may find that it is a welcomed conversation.

High school players deserve the oppertunity to go out on the field and represent thier school and thier community. I have two daughters who both had dramically different expereinces at our high school. My oldest played for 3 different coahces in 4 years on a team full of talented players but they did not have the on field success that they would have liked to. My youngest played her final two years for the current high school coach and had an awesome expereince with perhaps less overall talent. If I asked either of them today they would simply tell you that they loved representing thier high school and having a chance to make the varsity team.

 

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In my opinion I would have to say there is nothing like playing for your high school and representing your community. Lets face it who besides parents and relatives are coming to see travel games. Your high school friends will come and support there school. Also when you get right down to it how many girls are getting scholarships to play softball in college. Maybe 30% of a travel ball team. Is it worth giving up high school ball for that. I would say be a good student play hard and the rest will take care of itself.

 

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I just think putting on a college recruiting questionnaire that she doesn't play high school ball looks bad.

If they have no college expectations and just want to play, that is one thing. If they want to go farther, they should play HS if it is available!

 

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I just think putting on a college recruiting questionnaire that she doesn't play high school ball looks bad.

If they have no college expectations and just want to play, that is one thing. If they want to go farther, they should play HS if it is available!

Not playing certainly doenst show the coach they can balance Academics and Athletics. So I tend to agree with you LC.