GAME TIME LIMITS

My opinion on this is if it's not fun why do it???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????. My girl got to play in college and got some money to attend but it pales in comparison to all the fun she had just playing TB. Some of the most fun we ever had was being battered by her pitching and all the work we did then going out and winning a tournament.

 

....I'll take the $3000 scholarships and you take the trophy and the fun.

 

Seems like there is just a difference of interpretation among us on the word fun.

The girls I'm talking about call all of the above things fun. Fun doesn't mean you don't work hard, put everything on the line, risk physical injury, etc. Fun means all those things.

When you have worked as hard as you can work, played as hard as you can play and defeat your opponents who are loaded with girls trying to do the very same thing you are THAT IS FUN!!

And when you are lined up down first base line, sometimes with blood streaming down both knees or other injuries, or so caked with mud and dirt your parents won't let you in the car, and they present you with that first place trophy, THAT IS FUN!!

Maybe we just need to use a word other than fun.

While we're at it maybe we could earn a little scholarship money at each tournament. Illegal, I think.

Oh, and Marlin, what's $3000 to you? If LW needed a $3000 bat guess what she would get! Oops, I had to edit this. She would get a $2700 bat! I forgot about your discount!

 

Never said

Never said showcases were not good places to be seen, if so we would just all play tournaments around here and hope we get seen. Unfortunately, all the coaches are at showcases, Gold and A Nationals during the summer and that is where we have to go. Reporter as said earlier we all have our opinions and yours is obviously negative about showcase ball. All the kids that come to play for us know what we are doing before they come and want to play the schedule we play. 53 former players for our organization are playing or have played college ball and many other NC teams have had success. Something worked. As far as me as a coach, I could care less if anyone knew who I am, as long as my players get what they seek while playing for this organization. No glory or gains can beat the feeling of going to the signings of young ladies. Not sure where $3000 figure arrived but if that was a year, it certainly helped. Average package over the years has exceeded $7500 per year. As stated in previous post, playing a sport can assist in getting additional assistance beyond your softball ageement. If the players are gifted academically, more assistance will be found.
Let's address fun and college ball! All college coaches are paid to win and to recruit players that are skilled and want to be the best softball player they can be! It is not for everyone and that is why there are all the ASA, NSA, USSSA, ISO, IFA, and others so the girls that want to play for fun, as you say certainly can do that and not feel the pressure of performing in front of college coaches. Rick, Howard, and others work hard to make all their tournaments competitive and I know all enjoy same. College coaches seek top "employee" just like businesses so college ball is more like a part-time job to pay for school, not as much, "fun". However, the majority of kids I know have enjoyed college ball, maybe not always the coaches but the game.
Lastly, Dynamites, Boulder, and several other Showcases we attend have elimnation rounds after the showcase games! We get to win and or play for something many times. Anyway, best to you, I hope you continue to enjoy the game as it is truly a great thing for all types of girls and each can decide to play at what ever level they may choose and if it is enjoyable or not.

 

The "fun" for of any high level competitive athlete is in the satisfaction of performing at their highest possible level and ability. Also it is "fun" to be a part of a team that is made up of like-minded athletes. The "fun" is the result, not the reason, for these athletes competing.
Like someone said earlier, maybe fun isn't the best word here. If life was all about fun then there wouldn't be traffic jams every weekday morning... those folks are going to work and they do that so they can have a little fun on the weekends.
My two favorite sayings I've heard teams say in their pregame huddles were "Do Work!" and "Play Hard, Go Home!" The players on those teams were there to kick butt by utilizing the talents they had developed through hard work.

 

Showcase Ball

...... where did it ever say that you did not try to win in showcase ball? My DD's team, the Cobras, played to win every game! When those girls stepped on the field they expected to win! They HATED losing, whether it was a practice game or a championship! They played hard, & never gave up. If you have 1 hr& 10 mins, you as a coach better plan accordingly with your game. Bat 1st, get a run on the board, & put pressure on the other team. Coaches come to see the girls, but will follow a winning team!Just look at the Blues, Cards, etc. You play to win, but get all the girls seen at the same time, & it can be done.Time limits are just something you have to live with.
There are too many so called "showcases". Play the big ones Dynamites, Hot Times, Boulder, & Nats, plenty of coaches there. But you do have to market yourself if you plan on playing ball in college.

 

....I'll tell you what fun is......selling that "$2700 bat" to the first $1000 on the table! lol.
And if you buy today, I'll throw in some magic potion that will increase your pitch speed to 85 mph, and WAIT, thats not all, a very special "home to first" secret speed gizmo!


Billy, the Fishman, Mays

or is it Ron, the Marlin, Popeil?