23U v. 18U

Give me the advantages/disadvantages of either one of these age level teams when:

1. Your DD, just graduated HS, already signed to play in college.
2. Your DD has just completed her first year in college competition but still
has 18U elgibilty.
3. Your DD is a rising Sr. in HS and has already committed to a college
program.


Thanks,
Fishman

 

Once the 23U level is established and serious softball is played at that level I believe more kids will play it. 23U is just now starting in this area and will take some time to develop. I see no reason for kids already in college playing showcase ball, but the 23U needs to offer great teams and competition for kids to migrate towards it. Now, if a kid can play 18U and a serious team is a contender to go to the nationals then that may be something worth looking at, but it needs to be a serious contender and the college kids really only need to play in the qualifiers and tune ups.

 

My Response !!

I think 23U ball is a great idea especially to those college girls that want to stay in shape. It alows the girls to stay sharp with their skills while playing for fun,and still being competitive all in the same realm. I hear that Coach Dobbins has an awesome 23U team that he is now establishing. He is one great coach that knows the game ,and maybe one day my kid can play for him !!

 

Been There, Done That

My DD played 18U (showcase) the summer after her senior year primarily to help the younger kids on her team get seen. Her presence usually allowed the team to stick around longer once the elimination games started. She enjoyed it because the pressure of coaches watching was not there like it had been prior to her signing. She played 23U last summer for a team out of northern VA and had great time. Didn't play that much (three tournaments) but for her, coming off her college season, it was just right. She got to play OF/1B and hit, things she didn't get to do as a pitcher on her college team. The team had players from George Mason, Radford, UVA, JMU and Boston U. She really enjoyed getting to know kids that she played against on her college team.

The good news is that there's no bad choice. The 18U thing will probably be more intense while the 23U will be 'just for fun'. If she plays for Charlie I know he'll make it good time.

 

23u

There is another local 23u team that is trying to get established. They played this past weekend, and had a blast.
Any players out there looking to play at this level, just PM me.

 

Why instead of 23u don't they change it to an open team with any age elligable. I know you won't get a lot of girls older than 23 but there will be a few that want to play. Sort of like the national team but on a local level. After the kids hit 23 not a advantage to be had from being older so that wouldn't be an issue. I think this would help establish that group of teams

 

When I played...

When I played(in the 80's) my fellow college teammates and I played either Women's Class A or Women's Major. There was only a handful of 18U and they were strictly for HS players.
In Class A and Majro, we played side by side with other college players(D1-D3) and some women who graduated college but continued to play on a competitive level. You can play Class A and Major at any age.

 

Things may be going that way

Based on what I see nationally I think the ASA may go combine 23U and women's majors soon. I think there were only five or six that showed up for the 23U nationals in Auburn, AL last August.

 

Big Blue Dot ie.. NCAA

Until the NCAA gets out of the amateur business, woman's major and 23U will stay separate... 23U has specific rules to the players and coaches involved with NCAA programs.., Momma Blue wants to keep control of the players with eligibility left.

1. No more than 4 kids from any NCAA program
2. Coaches cannot be involved with the team if any of their current spring roster are playing on the team...

My groups of kids are pretty much Triangle based..

Got 3 from NCSU, 1 from UNC, 3 from Campbell, 2 from ECU, 1 from UNC-W,
2 from UNC-C, 1 from Jacksonville state, 1 from Mt Olive and 1 from Greensboro, 1 from Mars Hill.
No pressure, lots of playing time,
Hopefully this will get them ready for the fall.

We will be at the Cardinal Firecracker and 23U ASA National....
Looking for DH's on weekends

PM if interested.