Gas Crunch

Got Gas?

Expect a lot of college ADs and coaches to be scrambling to recalculate their budgets because of the higher gas prices. It could impact everything from scheduling (especially long distant tournament trips) to recruiting efforts.

The upside? It could result in more coaches staying closer to home, attending more tourneys nearby and paying even more attention to instate kids. The downside? Local, state or regional college coaches may not be able to afford to head off to big summer tourneys at faraway locales such as Florida, California or Colorado to see the "Gold" teams play. Then again, high fuel expenditures could create a hardship for those organizations to make the trips anyway. Fund raising goals would probably need to jump to new, unanticipated levels.

Note: If the NCAA follows the same pattern as it has recently established in basketball (let's hope not) where this year coaches are being severely limited in evaluating prospects in non-scholastic events (two fall days - Oct 1&2; two spring days - April 15&16), the recruiting landscape for aspiring softball prospects could get a big jolt, too. While the two sports have not generally been linked in the past in terms of such rules, if we've learned anything about such things it is that they are unpredictable and often surprising. We probably will not see that rule's impact on softball until after it's been in place for a year or so and all the feedback has been considered, if at all. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

Recruiting

Could make HS Softball more important in the recruiting process if I read your posting correct. I do not see any cost savings for the schools if that occurrs

 

Sounds like videos and attending team camps will be more vital. Maybe the schools could put on more camps to bring the players to them. There again that would be a better outlet for the local talent. Or even better other organizations such as NSA will get some looks if they have tourn. in their general area. Possibilites galore.

 

acfan, looks like I will have to find someone to carpool with, or cut down on my games! Maybe gas prices will be down by next spring?

 

What is really tuff is when you live out in the sticks and have to travel say 2 hours for pitching lessons, an hour and a half for travel ball practice, one to three hours to tournaments and on and on.........:banginghe

 

Have to?? Just play at home for a while!! Its still the same game.

 

I wish we could Cougar. Our little town just doesn't have any fastpitch to offer.