16U question

I agree with you on the theory of what you say, but the reality seems a little different. It would be interesting to see how many D1 pitchers that played with the Shamrocks pitched at the 16U level while juniors in high school and then only pitched 1 year at the 18U.

Don't get me wrong, I wish all the players would stick to their age groups for the 2 years. I do believe the ASA would be better served to go to an odd numbering system...9,11,13,15,17...what do you think about this?

 

The latest example

Click here to see one example: http://shamrocksoftball.org/18/2006bgardner.html

You can see that last summer '05 she was still play 16U. Faced this kid at the Dynamites in 2004. The 16U Shamrocks "played up" in the showcase. She can bring it. If you click thru the roster you'll also see that UNC signee Sam Engersoll played 16U in '05. Not a pitcher but same idea.

 

OK, so they played 16U as a sophomore...I wish more would do the same, but the trend is going the other way. Hardly any dominate pitchers today are pitching at the 16U level even as sophomores. The problem is that is they pitch at 16U as juniors they will be out of high school the next year and if they haven't already signed by then it is probably too late. BTW...Lauren and Carol were sure fun to watch in those days!! I have been meaning to get to a Campbell or Elon game to see them, but just haven't been able to do it yet...I will this year for sure.

 

Both those kids were fun to coach... great kids...
Will be interesting to see how much of a sense of humor Patti has...
We play Elon in the NCSU Fall tournament on 10/8/06.....

 

OK an idea

I always thought that a good set-up would be 10U, 12u, 15U, & 18U.