JV teams

Evidence of decline

In 2000 Pitt County won it's first of several 12U Babe Ruth World Series. Four players from that team went on to be starters for D1 teams. There were twelve 12U teams in the rec league that year. Last year I think there were only five 12U teams. The League has survived by offering programs to younger and younger girls. Some of this decline can be accrued to more travel teams but there are also fewer kids playing the game at all levels.

 

elitist? specialized? mostly for college scholarships? must play TB to fit the mold?

I think in some ways, softball has taken on a far different personna over the years. non-travel ball girls not seeking next level play just may not see the point in the effort any more; do they feel like they don't belong?

lots of factors. soccer is one.

no but really, I would like to see thoughts of why the #'s are declining since the late 90's and early 2000's.

I've been away from the sport for several yr's now. does TB & showcase continue to grow in #'s and popularity?

 

Hard to say

Like you, I've not been involved in rec ball or younger TB in a number of years. I see some HS every year and get to a couple of showcases every summer, primarily to renew my relationships with some of my favorite college coaches.

It is clear the volleyball and soccer have become more popular in our area, especially among wealthier girls (and their parents). I think both sports are more in keeping with the 'yuppie' lifestyle. Girls can look better playing them (less dirt) and they are bit less intrusive in the summer vacation period. Also, at least in the case of soccer, it's a far more forgiving sport than softball in that, unless a kid is the goalie, she can be really bad and as long as she runs to and fro no one really notices.

 

Hard to say

I agree with duke on this one. However trying to have a glass that is half full I will say this. Numbers may be down and jv teams may become less common but the girls who have a passion to play regardless of position will continue to play through high school and continue to play at a relatively high level. I have even suggested to my daughter to look at the big D1 type school and investigate the club program. Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

Lack of JV

Part of the issue here in SE NC is the number of girls needed to fill all the sports in the spring. We have Softball 25-30 girls, Track 40 girls, Soccer 30 girls, Lacrosse 30 girls, Cheerleading (?), all in the spring. Of the 14 girls that came to our school as freshman this year, and played middle school softball, 4 are playing softball. The others were 3 or 4 sport girls in middle school and are playing something else this spring.

 

I think with all the travel ball "some" kids are just getting tired of playing by the time they reach high school.

 

Lacrosse is stealing a fair number of softball girls. It sure would help to move that to the fall.

 

We had a young lady who is playing club ball at Carolina right now and enjoys it immensely. Club ball in the state is highly competetive, and alot of the bigger schools have them.
Have also seen a couple of girls go from the club ball team to a walk on position on the team (B.A. Kleecamp at UNC-W comes to mind).
Bottom line is it's a very viable option for kids who may not be quite what a big team is looking for but has done the CORRECT thing and picked that school for her EDUCATION.

 

Club teams are a lot better than many would guess. Not only are some good enough for Division play, some have turned down Division play because of class conflicts. Many former TB players participate on club teams.

NC State, Carolina, ECU, Duke even, are among schools that field club teams. They even have their own conference and compete for a national championship. They travel to Ga., Md., Va., other states to compete with other D1 schools, also. Part of their restrictions are that coaches must be volunteers--no paid coaches. (Thank you to Coaches Jeff Hellmann and Curt Woods for the many hours they have given to make the NC State club team successful.)

Not only do the club team members play ball, they participate in many community projects as part of their club activities.

Your DDs owe it to themselves to check out their school club team. They will love it; it's very competitive (even the tryouts) but doesn't take away all their time. Practices, for example, are twice a week at NC State and flexible enough to allow for class conflicts.

Try it; you'll love it!