High School vs. Travel Softball

with respect....

Now Braves, while I like you as well and I agree with you on some points!
Like the attention brought to the sport of fastpitch by the State Games is a plus!! No doubt!
My main point was that not every TB player would even have to worry about the conflict of dates/times!
I am sure that the state games have their benefits, for those chosen few that the HS coaches deem deserving! Yes, it is a chosen few from each team. What if a HS team is totally loaded to the max with extremely talented players, then what? Yes, there are teams that fit this description. There are some conferences that have more than 1 team that fits into this description.
However there are A LOT of players in HS ball that do not get the recognition that they deserve because of and for various reasons! Therefore they are not asked or nominated to participate in the State Games. Anyone not agreeing with this statement can feel free to disagree!
Now do I think that the State Games are another way for the HS players to strut their stuff, sure! Do I think that it will help fastpitch in general, you bettcha! Any attention that is brought to any sport in turn, helps the cause of that sport.
Do I feel that the State Games are necessarily a clear and true representation of the best HS players in a particular state, no not completely! I will agree that the players that are at the State Games are talented, good, some great! But do they truly represent the best of the HS players, not in all cases! Because, I do not feel that the selection process for this event is done in a totally unbiased way! But then I do not feel that HS ball is unbiased or unpoluted by politics and such, so in turn this process can not be fair and equal to all worthy/deserving candidates!
That is jmo on the matter!

 

=blue]I am sure that the state games have their benefits, for those chosen few that the HS coaches deem deserving! Yes, it is a chosen few from each team. What if a HS team is totally loaded to the max with extremely talented players, then what? Yes, there are teams that fit this description. There are some conferences that have more than 1 team that fits into this description. [/COLOR]
However there are A LOT of players in HS ball that do not get the recognition that they deserve because of and for various reasons! Therefore they are not asked or nominated to participate in the State Games. Anyone not agreeing with this statement can feel free to disagree!
Now do I think that the State Games are another way for the HS players to strut their stuff, sure! Do I think that it will help fastpitch in general, you bettcha! Any attention that is brought to any sport in turn, helps the cause of that sport.
Do I feel that the State Games are necessarily a clear and true representation of the best HS players in a particular state, no not completely! I will agree that the players that are at the State Games are talented, good, some great! But do they truly represent the best of the HS players, not in all cases! Because, I do not feel that the selection process for this event is done in a totally unbiased way! But then I do not feel that HS ball is unbiased or unpoluted by politics and such, so in turn this process can not be fair and equal to all worthy/deserving candidates!
That is jmo on the matter! [/QUOTE]

I respect your opinion. You have taught me alot. Okay, let's take this at each point:

I agree, but I don't know of any honor that does have an unbiased selection process; All Conference, All State, even Players of the year

Good point, but not many teams will have all juniors on that team, plus there is a limit that is allowed from each team (for obvious reasons)

I totally disagree. They must get the application from their HS coach. The HS coach is the one that recommends a player to the tryouts. If your HS coach won't recommend you, then one's lack of recognition plays no part, you have a different concern.

It is a great representation of the talent in NC, but you are right, it is nowhere near complete. There are a lot of reasons that players don't get selected. Some don't bother to come to the tryouts. Some choose not to play and others have family situations. Some regions may have 25 players to tryout for 20 positions, others may have 60 tryout for 20 positions. So, many very talented players do not make it.

The bottom line is it is impossible to say the "best" play at the State Games, but I believe it is correct to say some of the best are representing their region....and as the interest becomes even stronger, the competition for those positions become even more controversial.

But put aside the politics and the potential controversy of the selection process (that will always be a mainstay in any selection endeavor) for a minute. The State Games, itself, is another very good vehicle for your DD's to be seen.

 

OK i'll weigh in on this

There is NO doubt in my mind there are girls in this state who do not because of various circumstances get the recognition they deserve. Just like at somewhere like ND or CC or Butler there are kids ON the JV or Varsity team that will see little to no PT because of the level of ball player there (nothing against any of these programs, by all means load up, nothing wrong with capitalism). Most of these ladies could be 5 miles north (at say Parkland lol) and start varsity as a freshman and probably be all-conference.
Until the state games i had never heard of Hannah Shoemaker at Bartlett Yancey or Kaci Evans at Graham (just some examples). These young ladies may play for a local travel team and be perfectly content with their school and their travel schedule but just hadn't made it on the map. This gives them that opportunity and you don't really have to be nominated anymore, just fill out a form at the website, pay your $10 bucks and go try out. If you don't want to then by all means don't (leaves more room for the girls that do).
Is there bias, yep, is their favoritism , probably, just as there is in almost every other aspect of life. Get a clue guys, already been said to death. Tried to get it during the week, couldn't this year.
Continuing to bring it up or to bash Pop or the organization is not only juvenile but assinine (not for you softball4ever, off on a little rant about the guy who supposedly has "big balls" ).

 

If you're good enough to make the State Games squad, then most likely, you're already signed or are pretty sure of where you're going to college.

Therefore, if I knew where I was going to college, I'd play the State Games as a farewell tour out of high school., Conversely, if I had no idea where I was going to go to college, I'd go to the Dynamite showcase to try to sure up the next 4 years of my life.

It's about planning and being prepared to graduate high school. Some people get it...and some people don't!

I LOVE the State Games!!!! Get off Pop's back....

 

Agreed !!!

Well Said !!!

Guru

 

From a Seniors perspective that is correct. Not from an underclassmen.

 

OKAY !!

I guess the decision should be the kids not the parents...Ask yourself this question HONESTLY..is your kid playing for you or herself ??? I'm guilty getting caught up in my DD meeting my goals...at least I'm HONEST about my faults. But I came to realize if she really don't want to I'll drive myself crazy trying to make her. I know a lot of you out there ,and I have seen the way you push your kids to meet your requirements.My DD and I have had a lot of talks over the last several months,and I'm going to sit back and watch what see really can do this upcoming year, because she wants it NOT ME !!! She knows what she must do to reach the next level,and she doesn't need me to show her at the 18 & Under level. Last year up in Burlington she proved to herself what she has the potential to do through her athleticism by making an awesome diving catch in centerfield,and throwing a kid out at the plate from centerfield, also hitting a triple off a rising D1 pitcher. I'm glad that she has realized her ability,and now she doesn't need me telling her what to do. Sorry I got off the subject slightly,but please don't make some of the mistakes that I've made, sometimes it can stifle your kids abilities,and kill her potential to rise to the next level..I'm done !!!

Guru

 

A fine job indeed...

I respect your opinion. You have taught me alot. Okay, let's take this at each point:



I agree, but I don't know of any honor that does have an unbiased selection process; All Conference, All State, even Players of the year



Good point, but not many teams will have all juniors on that team, plus there is a limit that is allowed from each team (for obvious reasons)



I totally disagree. They must get the application from their HS coach. The HS coach is the one that recommends a player to the tryouts. If your HS coach won't recommend you, then one's lack of recognition plays no part, you have a different concern.



It is a great representation of the talent in NC, but you are right, it is nowhere near complete. There are a lot of reasons that players don't get selected. Some don't bother to come to the tryouts. Some choose not to play and others have family situations. Some regions may have 25 players to tryout for 20 positions, others may have 60 tryout for 20 positions. So, many very talented players do not make it.

The bottom line is it is impossible to say the "best" play at the State Games, but I believe it is correct to say some of the best are representing their region....and as the interest becomes even stronger, the competition for those positions become even more controversial.

But put aside the politics and the potential controversy of the selection process (that will always be a mainstay in any selection endeavor) for a minute. The State Games, itself, is another very good vehicle for your DD's to be seen.[/quote

Nicely done my fellow poster!

 

No offence, No disrespect here

myself or my Huge Imaginary Balls, took no offence! LOL

I want to make something perfectly clear, I mean no disrespect to Pop or the organization, in any way, I am just discussing my opinions on the matter, and the issues surrounding processes involved with the State Games!!

 

Bullseye!

You are 100% right on target..thanks for the wake-up call!