Was it really worth it???

[brownsfan]

You can call it what ever you want. You can try and rationalize however you want. What would you call it if you had a player that was willing to cause there hs team to ff games and punish every player on his/her team because he/she doesn't want to follow the rules?

And what about those players who truly care with the second scenario I gave the most of the team only cares about the social aspect of it? Aren't they being just as selfish? How is that making the travel players any better?

The point is you can slice it anyway you want; but if you have a D1 program who's coach is in it for the stipend with girls are in it for the letter, fun while not trying to win anything is just as selfish as the travel player thinking about breaking the rules. Now if there's a D2 program that cars and girls are in it to win it BUT the travel player decides to practice with travel team, then you are correct.

You can slice it however you want, but I have seen both sides as well as a couple friends I know at another school. This rule should be banished and just for the FYI; I respect our HS coaches and the AD, I wouldn't take the chance on my dd working with her travel team during the season.

 

[tjsmize3]

Too much elitism out there these days and only 1 in 100,000 kids get a full ride anyway....

Funny that I would have argued against this statement 5-10 yrs ago, but the fact of the matter is you are so correct. Not sure how much money a kid gets to play is as important as just getting the opportunity to play, but you are dead on in your assessment.

 

[Bink44]

One reason I like this rule as a travel coach and a parent, is that it helps relieve potential mental burnout in some high-level athletes. I don't know how many kids I've seen burn out after 14U 16u 18u... or even those personal cases that I know that burn out after one or two years in college. I've talked to at least a dozen former players that I have Coached throughout the years who went on to play D1 softball. Many have shared, that they missed out on so many different things as a Teenager and wish they could go back in do it differently.

Then there is the physical burn out, especially with pitchers & catchers. Too many of our Female athletes have to go under the knife with shoulder, arm and knee surgery. Many times because people think they need to train 365 like the old Russian Gymnist Teams. I'm sorry, but I will to agree to disagree with some on here. I truly believe this rule protects the athletes from overzealous Coaches and people that don't quite understand the mental & physical pressures these kids go through.

 

[Run26]

Then there is the physical burn out, especially with pitchers & catchers. Too many of our Female athletes have to go under the knife with shoulder, arm and knee surgery. Many times because people think they need to train 365 like the old Russian Gymnist Teams. I'm sorry, but I will to agree to disagree with some on here. I truly believe this rule protects the athletes from overzealous Coaches and people that don't quite understand the mental & physical pressures these kids go through.

It does just that - it protects the athlete from themselves and is intended to take the decision making out of the hands of a 12-18 year old student. For some, it's not about the girls or boys but about how the coach wants to be perceived by his peers and fellow coaches.

 

[tjsmize3]

Lee I agree with you 100% when we talk about over-training, mental burnout and coaches over-doing it. I see this stuff periodically and it is certainly important to do what we can to prevent it. The kids playing at larger HS programs for the most part have a reasonable chance to face good competition and receive reasonable coaching (some great coaching). I realize for them, they are busy enough during the HS season that travel ball opportunities are not that critical to their development... potentially detrimental as in cases you point out. However, because there is such a diversity in quality of HS programs I really do feel for kids who come from programs that are lacking in good instruction, good competition or both. I have heard from a lot of those parents and they feel their children are disadvantaged as OHSAA mandates no non-scholastic softball contacts until season end for ALL athletes. If the rule changed today it would not affect one single thing for my own kids or probably any kid on my team. It would however give a number of athletes from less advantaged HS programs a better chance to stay on equal footing skills wise and not have to opt out of playing HS softball. For them, HS ball may just be more about the experience and hanging with their friends. It's ok not to agree on this one, but it's just such a pet peeve of mine that OHSAA mandates this without taking into account that not all athletes experience is the same... this truly puts some at a disadvantage in my mind and I don't think that's fair. Thanks for the opportunity to discuss and I'll stop venting on this one for now lol.

 

[backstop09]

So a middle school and a JV kid participate with their travel ball programs during the Ohio middle school/high school season. Big deal. If they're like most school programs at that level, their school is probably struggling trying to find games and their season is at most a dozen games. Hardly a risk of burnout from overparticipation. Sounds like Susie Benchsetter's mom got mad and complained to the OHSAA. Mom sure showed that girl who was boss. Nice to see that the OHSAA has their enforcement priorities in order.

 

[coachjwb]

Lots of good arguments both ways. Tom, while we disagree whether the rule is good or not, I respect and understand your argument, and know you well enough to know that you aren't going to break rules or encourage others to break them even if you don't agree with them.

 

[CoachB25]

So a middle school and a JV kid participate with their travel ball programs during the Ohio middle school/high school season. Big deal. If they're like most school programs at that level, their school is probably struggling trying to find games and their season is at most a dozen games. Hardly a risk of burnout from overparticipation. Sounds like Susie Benchsetter's mom got mad and complained to the OHSAA. Mom sure showed that girl who was boss. Nice to see that the OHSAA has their enforcement priorities in order.

Hey, if it is that insignificant then cancel the JV team altogether. Make the varsity or don't play.

I always think it interesting how people want to rationalize their actions. They know the rules but they are above them because they are more important than some stupid rule. Hell with the other people who follow the rules. They are stupid. For the players on the team that actually think the games matter, what the heck is wrong with them. They are a new level of stupidity since they haven't figured out that rules don't matter. For that matter, why follow any rules. Lets blame the state association for daring to have rules for all of the various school programs to follow. Hey, heck with varsity. TB rules and so, stop the charade that school ball matters at all.

 

[CARDS]

OHSAAs Advice to those bad summer/travel team coaches out there LOL...

I like how they put out a document that refers to males throughout the main body, (He His) In doing so one my think they are only talking about males that play Fastpitch....


http://www.ohsaa.org/sports/sb/girls/2016/SummerTeamAdvice.pdf

 

[thestuff142]

New to softball...not OHSAA vs Club vs Parent "rights" discussion. I also strongly dislike OHSAA in general....

1. Some OHSAA rules and policies are in place to protect athletes from their travel coaches, parents, and themselves. This appears to me to be one.

2. Here is a possible solution...don't play Jr. High ball for your school AND travel ball at same time. You have a choice A. social aspect of school team or B. High level travel ball...if your school team is not up to your "elite" standards...stick to travel team.

3. Parents knew rule, school coach knew rule, travel coach knew rule....girls (meaning parents really) made choice...you broke the rule, got caught, and now don't like the consequences. Kinda like complaining about a speeding ticket...we all take the risk..sometimes you get caught.

4. The "Millennial Parents" want rule changed to fit their DD recruiting, modern times, etc. Their own personal wants and needs are the priority. This is happening across the board in all sports, activities, and school that today's parents are involved in. soapbox

5. Many here are forgetting that these "choices" that were made had an impact on the rest of their teammates who had to FF all their wins...granted...FF at a JV or Jr. High event is not life altering, but for some girls..this might be the highest level they get to participate in.

6. Is Jr. High Softball in Ohio even a recognized sport? If not, how are they handing out punishments? If so, where are the rest of the teams...not all that many in Cincinnati...not that I am all that knowledgeable about Jr. High sport offerings.

 

[CoachB25]

Here is an unfortunate truth for most of you seeking that softball athletic scholarship. You are spending more money chasing that scholarship than what your dd is going to be granted. For some of you, in fact, most of you, academic monies will become a significant part of your dd's "scholarship monies" though most will not own up to that. It seems more impressive to brag/lie about the dd's athletic ride. When it comes to athletic money, common sense does not rule the day. Take a look at a typical college team. They have 18 to 22 athletes. Now, consider the number of athletic scholarships the various levels and associations can offer. Do the math. School ball and TB are not the same and should not be viewed the same. Both have very special qualities. IMO, both should be experienced for what they are.

 

[wow]

Here is an unfortunate truth for most of you seeking that softball athletic scholarship. You are spending more money chasing that scholarship than what your dd is going to be granted. For some of you, in fact, most of you, academic monies will become a significant part of your dd's "scholarship monies" though most will not own up to that. It seems more impressive to brag/lie about the dd's athletic ride. When it comes to athletic money, common sense does not rule the day.

Great point. Chase the experience not the scholarship. If it happens its a bonus, but if you play ball to get the athletic scholarship and not experience you will likely be disappointed.

School ball and TB are not the same and should not be viewed the same. Both have very special qualities. IMO, both should be experienced for what they are.

This sums up the HS vs travel debate right here. Well played. Understand what you want from both and the limitations of both. B25 you are a wise individual.

 

[wow]

6. Is Jr. High Softball in Ohio even a recognized sport?

That's Pandora's box!