What if?

[ApogeeDemon]

Is this possible? Split the state of Ohio in 2. Northern and Southern. Combine the best organizations under one name. Lasers, Outlaws, Stingrays, etc. Bring in the best coaches. Have true "elite" teams in each age group. Could Ohio then be a threat Nationally? Seems like some of Ohio's best find teams outside of Ohio. Would this keep them here? Thoughts?

 

[CARDS]

Who are the players that are currently on a out of Ohio team or on a Ohio team that you think would make these organizations better than they currently are?

IMO, A lot of the Ohio ladies playing for some of the bigger national clubs would still go there. (Most left quality organizations to make the jump). When you look at some of the rosters from the more nationally recognized teams the players generally come from several states, Ohio does have some talented teams that have done well the past few yeas nationally. These teams also have ladies from other states or other ends of Ohio on them like what you are looking to do. Do the coaches of these teams wish they had any other talent than what they have had success with?

 

[ApogeeDemon]

Who are the players that are currently on a out of Ohio team or on a Ohio team that you think would make these organizations better than they currently are?

IMO, A lot of the Ohio ladies playing for some of the bigger national clubs would still go there. (Most left quality organizations to make the jump). When you look at some of the rosters from the more nationally recognized teams the players generally come from several states, Ohio does have some talented teams that have done well the past few yeas nationally. These teams also have ladies from other states or other ends of Ohio on them like what you are looking to do. Do the coaches of these teams wish they had any other talent than what they have had success with?

but would combining work the best?

 

[Coach Sonny]

This has been a long standing debate in our state. The great minds of yesteryear that I learned so much from in the early days always said that Ohio is too cut throat and has too many EGOS, teams/orgs pulling from the elite talent pool to truly compete for a National Championship at the ASA "A" or Gold levels. We have a great deal more teams today than we did back then too so it cant be any easier since it has been watered down even more since then. I wish we could have a mafia style of the "five families of fastpitch"! It would solve so many problems with team jumping, problem players/parents and daddy ballers starting a new team every time he isn't happy about Sally Sues playing time or position! If all of the talent could be consolidated into a smaller bowl of water, such as with the "five families of fastpitch", it would make it a lot easier to put together the best possible Ohio team to compete at the highest National levels. The hard part would be getting everybody to agree to rules that hold each other accountable to ensure a high level of integrity is subscribed to by all of whoever was considered to be the "five families of fastpitch". There would need to be rules that required that all players and parents were held accountable to that same level of integrity as well. There are so many "fastpitch families" otherwise known as "orgs" right now that even getting to the "five families of fastpitch" would be a nearly impossible task.

 

[CARDS]

but would combining work the best?

"If" several of Ohios top organizations could come together and would be willing to give up their top talent in their organization with the goal of forming a national super power team yes it could be done.

However; in building this structure I do not see any impact on the ladies/families that have or want to leave the state for out of state super clubs. Most do so because they do not want to be part of any of the top Ohio programs or feel major D1 programs do not recruit Ohio clubs.


A couple of questions: What age ranges do you propose?, Who manages the organization money, Is coaching and players up for grabs from the lesser known organizations? Who decides what organizations get impacted? What is the trade off for the organizations involved? What is the overall goal? Is it top 20 top 10 top 5...

Like Coach Sonny suggested, is softball built in the future with a hierarchy of organizations? Does Ohio really need to do this since I cannot think of any other state with such a set up?

Here is an easier way of doing it that is done in other states.
You need to have someone with connections and the ability to bankroll the team to draw top talent like most of the top boys baseball teams. Have an open tryout inviting players from Ohio and the surrounding states to build a super team based out of Ohio and you could call it Team Ohio, Ohio FORCE etc. Talent will come to you.

Having played many of the top Ohio teams and top teams around the country we faced a team ILL. Southern force in a tournament a few years back that I would put up against anybody.
This team was set up in this fashion stated above with players from KY, MO, ILL. all were 18U eligible and all signed to big D1 programs. If someone wanted to do it this way they could and build a team that could compete well at major PGF,ASA events.

 

[wow]

This is topic we could all give insight on. Michigan Pride plays under the pride umbrella and has multiple age divisions. Batbusters of CA draws kids from all over the southwest, multiple age divisions. Ill Chill draws from all over the Midwest. See the pattern? Ohio would be well served to have the Lasers, Stingrays, Outlaws, and a few more have elite programs at EACH level. Right now there are just too many teams with diluted talent. Just take a look at the teams needing kids sections. There is also a disparity between travel ball and true elite travel. The big names from Texas ( Impact ), GA, CA (A's, batbusters etc), ETC are playing the best teams from their own states and traveling routinely throughout the year. The daddy who started his own team is just looking to play local and win a game or two. Here lies the problem. Unless you frequent this site or are somehow experienced with travel ball you really don't know the difference between a team like 3n2 ( which is a first year team) and Lasers. I think the elite kids would be best served by a "five families of fastpitch" but that is up to these originations directors to create those teams at each level not just 16 and 18. Another concern is at the older ages its easier to separate the contenders from pretenders, at 10 and 12U not so easy. By having elite 10 and 12 u teams you discourage leaving because you are already on the best team. Really this is a tough topic but I think there is tremendous value in having some truly elite teams.

 

[daboss]

Never going to happen so don't waste your time trying to find an answer.

 

[wow]

The sun revolved around the earth until 2000 years ago..The world was flat until about 500 years ago. The point is just because it was always that way does not make it right. Eventually it will change...

 

[wvanalmsick]

There will be some parents who think that they can "do it better" and form their own team and give it a try. This is the way it is in the business world. Who knows, maybe they found a better business model.

However, when little Susie doesn't make the cut, then Mom or Dad will go form/bankroll their own "Elite" team and surround little Susie with true athletes. That aspect will always be around.