Who are the top travel teams in our area?

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Hey I have a U14 daughter and tallented. I need suggestions future teams. I'm looking for training and getting seen by colleges. I have a few friends who gave a couple of suggestions. What do you all think?

 

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Welcome.

First thing, Bear or Johnnies will probably move your post to the "Player Looking for Team" section.

Second, is she a 14 or 13 year old? Is she currently participating on a school santioned team (Middle school or High School)? What position(s) does she play?

Third, everyone on OFC can tell you about any particular organization, but what it really comes down to is your family, parents and DD, fitting with an organization. I take it from your post that DD is not currently on a travel team. Most teams are filled up but there are still some rosters that need filled. Please do not jump at the first offer. Take your time to do research on the organizations that you are interested in. There is great competition among the different organizations but they will help you find the right fit for your family. Yes, we are friends and we do talk to each other . We really do want what is best for your DD.

There are older threads that deal with what questions to ask and why. But if you cannot find it, please ask on here and someone will be glad to answer you.

As for the college aspect. Yes travel teams are a good place to HELP get your DD seen and some organizations can help you with the process. However, it really comes down to your DD letting prospective coaches know which tournaments she will be participating in and your family doing the majority of the work. College coaches come to tournaments to look at girls that have contacted them. They do not have the time to look at every girl at a specific tournament. There are different threads about what families need to be doing about recruiting. The major factor that I feel really defines what colleges that your DD would be interested in is how far from home does she want to go? Once that is defined, then you can research the colleges that fit into your scope. The next factor would be what academic study she wants to pursue. No need to try for a college that doesn't offer the academic study.

Good luck on year search.

 

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What is our area? Btw take anything you read on here with grain of salt. Especially on this part of the board.

 

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If your talking about Central Ohio, Buckeye Heat is one of the best!

 

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Central Ohio Stingrays - Class organization, been around awhile. Interviews the parents and the girls. Has 2 teams for each age group. Well known by colleges, just a real good program, IMHO. But, there are a few good ones in Central Ohio.

 

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Ohio Heat! ;D

 

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Could you tell me if Heat plays Gold at the 18U level

 

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The Heat hasn't played Gold at 18-U. ASA "A" yes, but not Gold. In fact, to the best of my knowledge, the only team in Ohio that has played ASA Gold in the last couple of years is the Miami Valley Xpress.

It's probably safe to say the Slammers (from Canton) will play Gold when they get to 18-U in a couple of years. That might be who you're looking for.

 

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Joe isn't there a 18U Gold team out of Cincinnati ? I tought it was the Cincy Tribe? I know Howard works with a 18U team in Cincinnati.

 

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18U USA/ASA Gold from Ohio
1998 ?Maddogs, Grand Slam
1999 ?Maddogs, The Dogs
2000 ?Green Lasers, Road Runners
2001 ?Maddogs
2002 ?Maddogs
2003 ?Maddogs
2004 ?Maddogs, Miami Valley Express
2005 ?Maddogs
2006 ?Miami Valley Express
2007 ?Miami Valley Express

 

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Does anyone know who the top travel teams are in North Indiana, and Lower Michigan. (within 2 hr drive).

Also thanks all for th Ohio information.

 

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http://www.fwdome.com/nsatourn.html You will see some of the better teams playing here in the winter. If you look at who is playing , they all have web pages . Then you can see where they are located and 2007 records.

 

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College, huh?

Think math tutors, not softball.

There are posts in other threads that talk about the number of girls that will get scholarships to play in college, and how most softball scholarships are not even full scholarships. To make matters more clear, the scholarships are year to year.

If your daughter isn't in the top academic tiers (say top 25%) many college coaches won't even look at you. The demands of college athletics are too severe on someone who isn't already a good student.

So live the dream, but study hard. The academic scholarships are much easier to find.

 

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Well stated sideliner, school is more important in the end....

 

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as a High School and summer coach, being on a certain team is in no way a guarantee of getting seen by colleges. College scholarships should be a partnership where the player/parent with guidance, locks into 4 or so schools they are interested in AND fit the talent level of the player. Then a good video, contact by the coach, and IMO most importantly try to attend any camp that school puts on. Start this process at least in your sophmore year, and really lock into visiting the camps the Junior year.

 

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If you want to chase the scholarship dream, then sports such as rowing and golf are much more fertile ground.

 

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College, huh?

Think math tutors, not softball.

There are posts in other threads that talk about the number of girls that will get scholarships to play in college, and how most softball scholarships are not even full scholarships. ?To make matters more clear, the scholarships are year to year.

If your daughter isn't in the top academic tiers (say top 25%) many college coaches won't even look at you. ?The demands of college athletics are too severe on someone who isn't already a good student.

So live the dream, but study hard. ?The academic scholarships are much easier to find.

Very well said ..... Most people do not realize most softball scholarships are not full rides. Its better to get the grades. I know of many girls that accepted softball scholarships and didn't last past the first season. Its alot of work trying to balance sports and academics.

 

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Thanks everyone for your advise. My daughter has great grades (not bragging) she just wants to play college ball. She wants to play as elite as possible but I am trying to get a handle on the type of tallent it will require and how to access the colleges.

Your advise was educational.

 

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IMStarfire,

Top teams in Indy are, in no order.

Dixie Chixs
Indy Edge
Indy Crush
Shockwaves
Team Indiana (New Org). but has done a nice job.(3 yrs).
Indy Dreams

Sure I am missing a few but cant think of all of them. ?

 

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Tbolts

thanks looks like Indiana and Michigan don't have any.