Who is in control?

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Parents, coaches and general fastpitch softball fans,

After reading many different topics on this forum is seems that there is a fundamental problem with Travel Softball. ?There is always an epic battle between the parents and coaches or between the coaches of different organizations. ?Everyone seems to have differences. (tryouts, recruiting, tournaments, umpires, team rosters, and etc) ?This is just a list.

My question: ?Is there a problem with the lack of leadership from the governing bodies (ASA, NSA, PONY, USSSA, FAST, WFC, USFA and any other)?

I am just suggesting that maybe these sanctioning bodies should set standards and limitations. ?(Recruiting practices, tryouts, registered tested and qualified coaches, tested and qualified umpires and a code of conduct for parents, players and coaches.) ? Again, this is just a list and you can add to it.

I understand that travel softball is a free marketplace and that different organizations can and may do their own thing. ?Which is why America is a great place to live. ?We are free to make choices, free to dream big and free to voice our opinion. ?But we still live under a set of laws.

Should there be something done? or Should it be left alone? ?

Please respect everyones opinion and do not find fault in some other persons opinion. ?There just might be suggestions that can make a difference in the future of softball. ?

 

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Leave fastpitch softball as it is, and most definitely leave the sanctioning bodies of softball out of the equation. The OHSAA has a stranglehold on HS softball, to the point that coaches can't even practice with girls that ask, unless its in season. Leave us parents, coaches and organizations to decide whats best for the game and for our daughters.

Whos in control? The people that should be!!

 

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Lady_Knights,

I had forgotten about that high school governing body. Your probably right about the others.

What about an Ohio Travel Ball Coaches and Parents association that sets the standards for softball?

 

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After reading many different topics on this forum is seems that there is a fundamental problem with Travel Softball. ?There is always an epic battle between the parents and coaches or between the coaches of different organizations. ?Everyone seems to have differences. (tryouts, recruiting, tournaments, umpires, team rosters, and etc)

Show me one human endeavor where all the participants are in 100% total agreement.

With thousands of players, coaches and parents involved in this wonderful sport, there are bound to be different ideas on how things should be done. The governing bodies do have guidelines for many of the things you list- some, like NFHS and OHSAA, a lot more than others. And every year I hear complaints that some of the governing bodies have too much control!

I suspect that just among the items on your list you would get a broad range of opinions on which issue causes the most problems and how to go about finding a solution. My personal pet peeve would be the issues regarding umpire training and evaluation. But that's just me, because I'm involved with those issues every season. That particular issue would probably rank far down the list to the majority of those involved with softball.

As for offering suggestions, you would have to be more specific as to what exactly is the problem you're trying to fix. A blanket statement like, "Something needs to be done!", ?kind of comes off like, "The sky is falling!". The first step to solving a problem is to identify it and simply saying, "Something needs to be done!", ?doesn't go far enough to exactly identify the problem.

To pick one item from your list, let's use "tryouts" as an example. What problems do you have with tryouts? Are there too many? Not enough? They're too long? Too short? They're not fair?

First figure out what exactly is the problem you're trying to solve- and I bet you you'll get a broad range of opinions whether the "problems" are even "problems" at all- then you can get to work on solving it. And good luck trying to find a unanimous agreement on what the solutions should be!

 

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The one thing I do think that the sanctioning bodies can do is come up with a common (cross-organization) rule on roster additions and transfers. That way, once a player is on a team roster, they are there unless they actually go through the transfer process. Maybe it will cut down some of the whining about players jumping teams during the season.

If there is an "epic battle" I have missed it. Teams have different goals at tryouts because they have different staffing philosophies. If all positions are really open, then say that. If there is only one open roster spot, and it is not for a pitcher, then say that. But don't say all spots are open when they really aren't open. It is misleading to all participants.

JoeA said it best. The tryout period for girls on the team this year is the regular season. There is nothing that they can show in a two-hour tryout that can't be observed across a 50+ game season. (That is if you believe that continuity is a factor in staffing your team and you have some loyalty to your existing players.)

The point is that this is a free market. Players can move between teams (at the appropriate times - outside of the season) at will. They need to move for reasons that satisfy them - more playing time, better coaching, tougher competition, free donuts, whatever the reason.

Players and families can vote with their feet and walk away from situations that don't suit their needs. Coaches and organizations create environments that suit their goals, and will eventually find families that can live within that structure.

 

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The ultimate control is in the hands of the parents paying the fees. If parents don't feel that a particular team/org situation is right for their DD they go elsewhere.

As far as sanctioning bodies having some control over they way things are done; they would all have to come to a common agreement as to who would be the governing body, and that will never happen.
I think the diversity adds to the whole travelball experience.

 

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My daughter has played Junior Olympic volleyball for the last 3 years in addition to travel softball. There is one organizing body (Ohio Valley Region) for the whole state of Ohio, West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. Every coach must be registered and take classes to coach. Anyone that will be interacting with children, not just coaches, MUST have a background check completed. All teams must register and all tournaments and tryouts are sanctioned and handled thru the OVR's website and all results are posted. You do not see players playing for multiple teams in the same season. Of course, the season isn't year round like softball has become. I'm not even sure how easy it is to switch teams during the season, although most clubs have a no refund policy. Teams are ranked based on their finish in each tournament that they play in. The only voting that parents can do with their money is which club to play for since ALL clubs are operating under the same rules. They even have a code of conduct, including disciplinary procedures that all players must sign and agree to before playing.

Sorry to ramble and I am not saying that this system is perfect, but...

 

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I agree with Lady Knights, leave softball as it is. It seems there is a natural inclination with people toward centralized control of anything. In the case of high school athletics, it yields the OHSAA. In college, it's the NCAA. Please spare me those organizations and bureaucrats in travel ball.

 

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I think Travel ball is the ultimate democracy! The people footing the bill have the total power...Bad situation you can take your money and play somewhere else! In little league, community leagues you have limited options as far as joining another group. We've only been in travel ball for 2 years but so far travel teams seem to govern themselves quite well. Have not seen any of the drama or problems that these other supposedly well governed organizations have displayed! Power to the players!!!!!!

 

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I agree with Lady Knights, "leave it alone". I haven't seen any epic battles.LMAO ?;D ;D

Gary

 

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sideliner the sanctioning bodies have different rules for a reason, ?the different rules justify their existence and therefore you paying a sanction fee. ? the general sentiment here is right, ? ?let the sanctioning organizations collect their money and then leave the teams alone.

 

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I am in agreement with Lady Knight and JoeA. Also Sideliner makes a great point - if you don't like a situation, walk away or even run if necessary. It's already difficult making sure that the guidelines of OHSAA are understood by some coaches and parents alike. IMHO leave Travel Ball alone. If there is an "epic battle" between coach/parent; parent/organization; coach/organization etc. then be an adult and walk away. No one is forcing anyone to play ball. (ok maybe some parents are - but no one else.)

 

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Godzilla,......Just wondering ,.....are you a democrat ? There is no silver lining to keep everybody inline,... in any team situation. When you combine the personalities of the coaches ,players, parents and siblings ,..your really assembling a lrg extended family. All families have disagreements (even in your household Im sure) and must learn how to be problem solvers ,..with respect for one another. With all due respect ,....most travel ball families are the kind of people I want my daughter to spend the summer with. This is a great sport with great people .

 

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Stating that there is a problem with travel ball was too strong. ?I was not attacking fastpitch softball. ?There are great organizations and the level of play is excellent. ?I just believe that travel softball could benefit with all of the organizations working together to achieve excellence.

How about tournaments? ?Can there be a standard format? ?Show up to any tournament knowing what is to be expected. ?How about every tournament must have at least one person with medical emergency experience. ?Heaven forbid that a girl gets seriously injured and have to wait 15 minutes for medical attention.

How about every organization having to register there coaches complete with background checks. ?I know there are organizations which police themselves, but what about the ones that don't. ?

How about the coach of X organization attending organizations Y and Z's tryouts. ?Don't you think there should be a punishment for that? ?Organizations spend a lot of time and money developing their programs.

Safety is my biggest concern. Seeing Ohio softball continue to improve would be second. I also would hope that we could keep in mind of others while taking caring of our own.

Lady_Knight and JoeA, ?I know that both of you are well respected coaches doing the best you can for the young ladies of softball. ?Please continue to do so.

Rod03, I am just an American who will ask a question or two.




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