Ideas- Increasing The Number of High School Games Allowed In A Week

A question from an outside observer. In baseball, Showcases are a place where you will find the best competition. Some of the tournaments are flooded with the best players in the country. The games can be very, very competitive, but in all of the years that I have followed TB and Showcasing, I never witnessed the intensity one finds in a HS conference game against one's rival. An intensity that can be so strong that it envelops not only the field, but into the stands. Is it like this in softball? And if it is, why would anyone advocate eliminating HS ball from their DD's experience?...an experience, when their playing days are done, they will look back with fondness and pride for their teammates and school.

Great topic and discussion

 

Just as intense and many times more fans from all types of life get into it. Example students, parents, other fellow teams at the competing schools, and most of all community. I have seen or been to many games where not just hundreds of folks are but over a thousand have attended. That is where the pressure on these young ladies can be tested.Great electricity!

 

That is HS sports at its best! I'm glad to hear it is like that in softball.

 

The cool thing about HS ball is the student involvement that you don't get at the showcase, tournament ball, etc. You also get grandparents, aunts/uncles, and cousins that aren't gonna make the trip halfway across the state or country to watch these games. HS rivalry games are the best. I know for baseball we have a group of older, retired guys that make every home game. Haven't had a kid play in years. Some of our loudest fans.

 

Yeah..but cheeze, that makes it even better. In baseball, TB & Showcasing has diluted the rivalries somewhat because of the familiarity of the players and parents. In Charlotte, before there was TB, there was a true hatred between some of the schools. They didn't like the players, the parents or their dogs. The school's students picked up on the rivalries..... and the intensity at those games could be cut with a knife. Every pitch of every inning was met with a cheer or a groan.

It's not like that anymore, but there are still rivalries...just not as intense.

 

In the mountains, the rivalries are alive and well. The West Henderson vs North Henderson game will have 2,000 plus in attendance. West vs Brevard 1500 plus. West vs East Henderson 1500 plus. Softball not quite as big of crowd but still large and noisy.

 

Totally disagree. Been to some great Butler and Central Cabarrus games as well as others around Charlotte. TB helps promote not wanting to lose to my summer teamates.Also fan support is pretty thick and wonderful.

 

Great...I'm glad it's like that in softball. But the fact that you are playing against your summer teammates, I doubt that the intense dislike that once made up a rivalry is the same as before TB.

Let me give you an example of what I'm talking about. Before TB, players from different schools may have played each other in All Star games growing up, but never knew each other as friends. By the time they reached HS, the rivalries became very intense. The students would line the field forcing the opposing team to walk through a gauntlet. Those gauntlets were never very friendly. The parents did not know each other and would never be found shaking hands with the opposing parent. Signs would be made, horns a blasting and pots and pans would be clanking. Anything that could be done that would intimidate the opposing teams. The schools hated each other, the players disliked each, the parents would never acknowledge an opposing parent. I'm not saying this was right, I'm just stating this is how it was.

Now, you find parents talking to each other before, during and after the games. Usually, they are talking about experiences shared during the summer. The players know each other and many times wish each other good luck before the games. It's not nearly the same environment. I'm not saying that it is better or worse...its just different.

I miss the environment of the old rivalries, but I much prefer the sportsmanship that is displayed now. Now, for the most part, the rivalries are on the field only. But it was very entertaining in the old days.

PS- sorry for getting off topic

 

Our rivalries are heated but the sportsmanship is good because the kids all grew up playing youth ball together. Parents and kids all know each other, but the students still get fired up making for exciting games.