|
|
Post by thetruth on May 21, 2013 14:57:05 GMT -5
I saw that the Bandits are adding a team from Ohio now to their program.
I'm not sure either way quite yet, but I ask: is this good for softball? What is the purpose of adding elite players from other states to your team?
What I fear for is the promotion of softball. What are coaches in this for, getting young athletes into college or hanging plaques in their offices?
What do others think?
Bill Conroy has done a lot of good things for softball and I am not taking a shot at him. I only use the bandits in this scenario because of recent news.
|
|
|
|
Post by pgfdirector on May 23, 2013 9:15:26 GMT -5
Powerhouse teams and players from multiple states has been going on for some time. I will say this, when programs like the Bandits and other well connected coaches attend round robins, tourneys and exposure events, it helps everyone in the recruiting process. As a long time college exposure event host, I count on not only my extensive list of college contacts, but people like Bill, Gerry Quinn, Jim Abbott, Kim Clay, Don Dobina, Don Dreher, Brad Dennison, Joe Abrrezze, Steve Cihlar and so many others to attract as many colleges as possible and create OPPORTUNITIES for student athletes beyond our teams to be recruited.
I look at softball in several lights, I got in when my oldest daughter was 7, never coached or saw a fastpitch game before, and fell in love with the game and it's nuances. As my initial team progressed and got exposed to playing "travel teams", I was able to connect the fun of the game with the competition and wanted to enter travel ball as well. So at 11, we made the jump, I have never looked back, made so many friends and the rest is history.
1 - softball is a team experience - valuable lessons learned
2 - enjoy the sport with your daughter
3 - see where her passion takes her, see how hard she wants to work and grow - let her push you to higher aspirations
4 - the hardest workers and most talented will always rise and have college opportunities
5 - the average to just above average need some breaks and some luck, and having highly skilled teams and well connected coaches drawing colleges to events only adds to your chances
6 - recruiting and exposure is work, in so many ways, not just on the field ... but first you must do some self assessments to see where you want to go forward
7 - selecting a college, at any division, location, size etc is a 40 year decision, not a 4 year choice. Pick the schools that fit your life time goals and vocations. Select where you would like to go, close or far. How big is too big for a campus? What majors interest you most? Put together a road map to where you want to go ... then focus on achieving those goals.
There are huge programs and one team programs, there are some very aggressive in recruiting and others that just have fun and don't plan to play in college. What ever your choice, either playing on elite teams or not, everyone has a place and a role in the game ... chase your dreams and let others chase theirs, and you will enjoy the journey, as well as the result, that much more.
And Joey, watching you around the park last weekend brought back so many memories of all your dad and I did together. Midnight madness, the Turkey trophies, the championship game delayed by the fireworks show, the battles in the Morton Fieldhouse, the original Four Horseman dinners, my daughter dropping his wrestling championship diamond ring down the stairs, the Doom at the Lagoon, etc etc etc ... I hope many of you have the same opportunities to work with people you respect, admire, and enjoy being around.
The direction of softball ... it really is YOUR CHOICE ... each of you and your daughters. There are many roads, more than one may be correct, but follow one you enjoy and the rewards will be worth more than you can imagine.
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by joeyd on May 23, 2013 9:51:15 GMT -5
I agree with almost everything you said here. Every opportunity and decision is up to each individual. I promise any young athlete if you work hard at your craft you absolutely have no regrets, because you put everything you had into it. You won't have those what "ifs" floating around.
It was good seeing you as well. Those are all good memories and I hope to develop new ones along the way in this crazy journey we know as travel softball. ;D
|
|
