Boulder

Sorry Fish, here I go again!

15-20 years ago, highly skilled baseball players in this area had to go and play in leagues like the Connie Mack League or the Area Code Games. None of those were here, so a high school kid who wanted exposure had to head west to play in the summer. Then things started to change.

AAU baseball led the explosion of travel ball teams. As the kids got older and the desire for high level competition grew, showcase baseball was the next logical progression. Many rejected the showcase type set up because of what they thought was too much travel and expense. Then something happened... NC boys were getting recruited and signed by big DI programs, by college coaches who saw this "home grown" talent not only competing, but beating teams from all over the Country.

Now, we have Showcase events here that are well attended by both professional scouts and college recruiters. You won't see schools, or teams, from the "left" coast here but... we don't need them! The scouts and recruiters know the talent they observe in NC is just as good as from anywhere in the world. The top showcase teams still go and compete in national events at East Cobb and down in Florida. They go seeking out the best competition, they go to win!

Another "biggie" for the diamond boys was the national exposure Carolina's runs in the College World Series brought. With rosters made up of mostly young men who grew up playing AAU and showcase ball right here in NC, the talent spotlight certainly shines brighter here now. Consider that around a third, or more, of the players on those rosters all played with one NC showcase organization. That draws attention big time!

As teams like the Blues continue to do well in Boulder, and other national events, there will be an evolution for NC softball. At some point one of the NC schools will build a team loaded with NC talent and start making serious runs in the NCAA Tournament each year. Then the light will shine on all the softball talent like it does on the boys.

 

[qGman you are all over this one, it is an evolutionary process we certainly have girls in NC who can play with anyone. Once the D1 schools in NC, SC and VA fill a large part of their rosters with these girls and are sucessful we will get the respect that is now afford the HS baseball players in our state. But it will take the continued work and success of teams like the Lady Blues, Cardinal and TFS to go and play in the larger venues out west. We may never draw the west coast teams because just don't have the venue to do it in but our players will certainly draw the respect at programs throughout the country.
uote=Gman13'sdad;2460667]15-20 years ago, highly skilled baseball players in this area had to go and play in leagues like the Connie Mack League or the Area Code Games. None of those were here, so a high school kid who wanted exposure had to head west to play in the summer. Then things started to change.

AAU baseball led the explosion of travel ball teams. As the kids got older and the desire for high level competition grew, showcase baseball was the next logical progression. Many rejected the showcase type set up because of what they thought was too much travel and expense. Then something happened... NC boys were getting recruited and signed by big DI programs, by college coaches who saw this "home grown" talent not only competing, but beating teams from all over the Country.

Now, we have Showcase events here that are well attended by both professional scouts and college recruiters. You won't see schools, or teams, from the "left" coast here but... we don't need them! The scouts and recruiters know the talent they observe in NC is just as good as from anywhere in the world. The top showcase teams still go and compete in national events at East Cobb and down in Florida. They go seeking out the best competition, they go to win!

Another "biggie" for the diamond boys was the national exposure Carolina's runs in the College World Series brought. With rosters made up of mostly young men who grew up playing AAU and showcase ball right here in NC, the talent spotlight certainly shines brighter here now. Consider that around a third, or more, of the players on those rosters all played with one NC showcase organization. That draws attention big time!

As teams like the Blues continue to do well in Boulder, and other national events, there will be an evolution for NC softball. At some point one of the NC schools will build a team loaded with NC talent and start making serious runs in the NCAA Tournament each year. Then the light will shine on all the softball talent like it does on the boys.[/quote]

 

Good point. We can only hope that it will work that way for softball too. One of the obstacles will be getting a NC school to build that team with the NC talent. Until college coaches are willing to take that chance and realize that they have the talent in their backyards to do it (see UNC baseball - and, NC area football is starting to catch on) - they will still judge all by what they see elsewhere.
The transformation is beginning though, every year we are seeing more NC schools recruiting local talent.
Keep up the great work Rodney, Ray, Rick and others....

 

Agree To A Point !!

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Old Friend

Every time this subject is brought up we make a vicious circle about cost, travel, coaches will find you, etc. Once and for all from my perspective, I do not care if any other team from NC ever goes to Boulder, New Jersey, Nationals, etc. I certainly wish other teams would experience the thrill of these very exciting events, there is nothing to compare these events in travel ball! (not speaking of HS) The economy is killing many and I understand.
Guru, you are one of the most knowledgeable softball guys in NC and I know are well respected by many on this board, I consider you a friend but must disagree with they will "find you" mentality. Now this subject is not even considering travel out of state; consider any showcase tournament and let's use 50 team as average attending and 12 girls per team. By my math, that is 600 players for coaches to view, what are the chances a coach is going to see one particular kid if that kid has not sent e-mails, letters, had a coach write on her behalf to colleges? Sure it can happen but I believe I heard from a well known source that only about 10% (high #)of all the girls that play travel ball actually receive a scholarship to play ball at the next level. There is probably a percentage of girls that walk-on or have guaranteed walk-ons that can be added to mix. Just like finding a job, you can have all the skills, experience, and passion but without a connection, a link to a job, you have to prove you are the best candidate for the position and get some one to belief enough to give you an interview. Same with softball, you have to get the coach to give you that interview, "watch you play", to watch you play they must be there at the game. Three 2010's came to me this fall and ask to play for me as they had spent three years playing for teams in NC, heck one even played with a team out of Missouri to try and get signed but they had no help from their teams and even though all three can and should play college ball, not one had really had interest to the point of a visit being scheduled. To me this is at least partial proof that you can be a good player and go unnoticed.
Back to my original post concerning Boulder, I can give you at least a half dozen true examples of players having a great game in Boulder and getting offers after that one performance. These kids had pursued local schools for three years with no real "LOVE" but that big hit, pitch, steal, throw in Boulder seem to wake up a sleeping giant and all are now committed or playing for NC schools.
To end, I will say again, Boulder and other tournaments are not for all but it can be as cheap or as expensive as you want to spend. Hotel rooms, food, gas, etc. is about the same as you spend in NC & SC (gas in SC is less) except for flight, my team spends as much for trip to Raleigh, Florence, Columbia, Va Beach, Atlanta,etc.
To each his own, we will continue to go to Boulder until my parents decide I am insane as I feel it makes us more marketable to the college coaches and prepares our kids for the next level better than any other event or item we could provide.
Guru you are the man! Have a great week and remember for every NC team that does dare to challenge themselves, several other teams and players will reap the benefit of those efforts. My goal is to help all softball players in NC not just Blues. Go NC!

 

Rodney Ole Friend !!

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Point

Happy for Becca, wonderful kid and happy for you and the family as well. None of the Lady Blues have signed or committed with an "out west" school nor do I believe there will be one in the near future.
Never got personal with you or doubted your knowledge nor did I ever paint myself as the reason one kid got signed, never did, never will, just simply provided information that has worked for 7 years for the kids that play with Blues.
End of my posting on this subject.

 

My post was mean.....therefore, I deleted it.

I'll say it this way, because it is nicer: If you don't want other peoples' opinions, then maybe you shouldn't start the thread in the first place.

Have a Nice Day!!!

 

Most of the coaches I've talked to at tournaments have a list of players they are wanting to look at. These appear to be players who have shown an interest in the coach's school.

Somehow, I don't quite see why a player would not be able to play in a tournament that the coach would be attending unless, of course, their school of interest wasn't convenient to the tournament. In other words, if a player was interested in Peace or Carolina or State for example why would it be necessary to play out West. There are very competitive TB teams in this area.

I'm sure the trip is nice and the competition great; nothing wrong with that. But to be seen doesn't necessarily require that venue. There are teams in NC that can demonstrate players' skill levels to the satisfaction of even the most demanding coaches.

I don't remember a tournament in Raleigh where I didn't see many coaches from all divisions in attendance. Get your information to them and they will come. Every softball player who enrolls at their school is a feather in their cap. You have to look for them; they aren't necessarily looking for you. Find the school you like; then find the coach!

 

Did you even read it?

Brian,
Sorry to interrupt yours and Rodneys mutual love fest of "left handed compliments" - but...

It is because of the opinion you stated that I wrote what I wrote. The point was that it doesn't matter if your DD wants to go to school in NC - going to places like Colorado, NJ, California, FL - (not all those places, but SOME) - will help the local coaches decide. Yes, the cream rises to the top, I agree with all of that however, think of the girls you know that have played on any particular team that SHOULD have gone D1, COULD have gone D1 (and wanted to) - but didn't get any offers from D1 (or D2 for that matter) schools - MY POINT WAS - had they gone to a tournament such as Colorado, they might have received that offer. Another thing is I was referencing top 25 D1 programs. I can pretty much guarantee you that you won't see a player on one of those teams that hasn't played in the big tournaments - unless she is a "1 in a 1000" type player.

You brought up money. You brought up owning your own business etc...
well, "guru" - I own my own business, and YOU probably make more money than an I do - and certainly get more time off....most business owners work 12 hour days 6 and 7 days a week. Point is, it CAN be done - if you have the motivation and the determination. It is that very attitude that keeps alot of quality teams from at least trying to do it - which keeps NC players from getting the recognition they deserve.

you might want to go back and READ what I wrote. And, I'm not being "mean"....

Most importantly Congrat's to Becca - that's one great kid you got there.... and she got what she got because she IS such a great kid, fantastic player and hard worker!!! ya goober...... Luv ya man... lets go eat some Japanese real soon!!
Onward and upward to bigger and better things!!!