TROUBLE AHEAD ?

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Thursday at 12:30 p.m., five of the first six postings in teams need players was for 12U. That should give a little hint as to the condition of the overall talent pool in this age group. Either there are way too many teams or way too few players. Probably a little of both.

 

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True, bigtrain
Maybe there is too many or too little. I'm sure there are teams that could not field a team and send their players out into the pool. Then again, how much playing time would they expect. One of the tryouts we attended earlier this year had enough talent to field 3-4 teams, yet, those same teams are STILL looking for players. Go figure.

 

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delcruz, there is a crucial difference between talent and bodies.
The team hosting the tryout at which you attended possibly could have fielded four teams. Now, whether or not any would have been competitive is a whole different widget to pound!!
I think you're finding the answer on the ``help wanted'' postings.
12U is a crucial age group. It's when many parents feel comfortable to leave the rec ball setting and travel. Some like it, some don't. Having a bunch of 200-pound, 6-footers from a Southern California team named Wildcats staring across the field at you isn't every 11- and 12-year-old's cup of tea.
If you wait any longer than 12U to come out of the rec ball closet, you're in a very tough catch-up situation if you're looking to take softball to a higher level down the road.
And yes, there are too many and too little.

 

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One reason that elite teams are looking for player after a tryout that had plenty of talent and numbers is: Talented girl joins team then competes for position they want to play. They get worried they are not going to win the spot they want. Leave elite team and join team where they don't have to work to win or compete for position.

 

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Big Train: You hit it on the head. My DD started at 8, so the elite players normally go at it at the 10U range. At 12U, you get a wave of parents and kids blown away. $$, Talent, coachs. You are correct we played a team from S. Cal. , We looked like midgets and they could cream any Elite team we had in the state of Ohio and they did! I disagree with Strike three. We get players from other teams over the years. 90% were starters and very good. None left because of playing time.
1. poor coaching. WIN . WIN, but didn't know how to conduct a practice or train. That is why they want good softball players and keep looking....they can't make them better. # 1 reason my DD and most of her team mates left other programs.
2. Too much softball. Most kids ( Parents) don't want to player almost every weekened! I know my family went 5 years without a vacation. Softball was vacation. Very few fit into this area now and if they have other kids, no way.
3. Cost $$$ keep going up each year. This is more in the 2 area, because most of these teams not only play all the time, but they travel to other states to play after they qualify. Few parents can shell out the $$, That is why the 12U keep falling off. How much did we spend on a bat 9 years ago? Now to keep up with the Jones you drop $ 300.

 

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sbfamily, your points all are on the mark.
What the escalating $$ and time demands create is a diminished top-level supply. Hence, less competition for athletic scholarships in Ohio (not SoCal, softball is a way of life on the coast).
Those who have some ability, resources ($$$$) and, most importantly, dedication stand an excellent chance of earning an athletic scholarship to play softball at a Division I institution.
I am not going to argue the base math of how many players play high school softball vs. the 42-44 scholarships available from the 11 DI softball-playing colleges/universities in Ohio.
However, I will say that the statistics do lie -- 99 percent of the high school players have already eliminated themselves from the competition because of lack of preparation at 11u, 12u, 13u, 14u, 15u, 16u.
I will contend that the percentage among the talented young female athletes who have committed to the sport, who have trained to develop non-innate skills, who have made prudent decisions on selecting instructors, have nearly a can't-miss situation on earning an athletic scholarship. The more they produce, the higher the value of the scholarship and higher the level of the program from which it comes.
You MUST have three factors to succeed in this equation:
1. parent support (money, time, energy)
2. focus (dedicated to improving skills over a long period of time)
3. perseverance (stay the course)

There is no question fast-pitch softball with its equipment, training, team, travel costs is a financially-discriminating sport.

 

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I hate to rehash this tired subject but having a little time to read thru some of the posts again I just felt the need to.

While this thread has spun off in way too many different directions, at its core the questions still remains "Is there Trouble Ahead" It looks like it depends on what part of the state you are in, and what type of player you are looking for. My experience is that there are plenty of players (more then ever actually) and that finding the right situation for them is what really matters.

Keep in mind, that while this website and forum is an excellent information source for us in the fastpitch community reality is that most of the parents do not even know about it. More are getting exposed to it all the time but really the amount of people who use this site is merely scratching the surface of the parents who are involved.

If we as coaches continue to provide a positive learning atmosphere for the players at a young age then they will come and they will play. If not then they will find another option.

 

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Good point Rich.
Also there isn't the feeder system there was even 2 years ago.
Look at the teams that don't have a 10u this year.
It is very evident when you look at the tourneys that are posting teams entered.
No or very few 10s entered.
Now I see that they are adding 8u to the mix, does anyone know how that is coming?
Just my 2 cents.

 

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The Lasers started a 8U team this year and its going remarkably well. They had a lot of girls try out and have put together a very solid team. There is a huge learning curve for the kids as well as the parents about travel ball. They are having trouble finding other teams to play so they will be playing some 10U tournys. This was a dream of the Laserleader and I congratulate him on putting this together.

 

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I have always stressed to my DD that the sport of softball has been very good to her. Sometime after college and after she settles into "regular" life, I encourage her, in some way, to give something back to the sport. How is up to her. Maybe it's teaching young girls fundamental skills, or coaching a young team in some capacity, but the important thing is to just help out in some way.

I don't think she minds at all being a role model. When younger girls see what older girls can accomplish with hard work, but also having fun along the way, success will follow.

 

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"Is there Trouble Ahead" It looks like it depends on what part of the state you are in, and what type of player you are looking for. My experience is that there are plenty of players (more then ever actually) and that finding the right situation for them is what really matters.

I believe this with all my heart!! I can't believe that the "raw" talent isn't out there. Rich.. You must be an excellent coach!! I only wish I lived where ever it is you coach!

 

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After two fall tourneys, two winters leagues (one playing up at 14u/16u) and two indoor winter tourneys I have an opinion to share.
There are ALOT of new 12u teams from when my family first started in this level 8 years ago with my oldest dd or even 6 years ago with my youngst. Every team has approx. 5 stud players and 1 stud pitcher. Is there one or two stud teams ???? No I don't think so, but there are alot of girls getting a taste of what it is like outside rec league. The teams with the most number of experience knowledgable players will win the majority of the time this year, but you will have a sleeper with 5 studs having a good day out play them.
It will tail off in a year or two, as those who are not cut out for that pressure leave and the other push on. 14u used to be a different beast, but even that had tailed off as there are more 14u teams, then the boys, and other sports passions start to take over.
Unfortunately the older organizations with the longest history will with stand the storm, those that have lived on home grown talent will fold. The 5 talented players and 1 stud pitcher will be gobbled up by the big dogs in the end. Not to say the coaches are good or bad, but history and names prevails.
Many smaller organization mold and guide "green" players that no one is interested in only to lose them in a year or two while trying to develop more "green" players to build a stud team. Unfortunately at times players or parents cannot look at the big picture or long road at 12u to 14u, 16u and beyond and move on because the grass is growing faster in a bigger area.
Is there an answer? No, not really, just like anything there are fads and fashions. It comes back every generation.
This year we have done more and provided more for our players in the hope of developement and long hall commitment, not to mention our coaching staffs are well educated and do a great job on developement. Will it help after 6 years in the game? not sure, time will tell.

I admire and respect all the coaches for giving the countless hours, dedication and patiences to giving the over 1000s of 12u (and all ages) kids a chance to try the sport !

 

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Well said RamSftbl.

 

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I agree.

 

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great post!!!!!

 

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Great post ram. Actually lived through your home grown talent scenarios and you are dead-on.