Most talented 18U teams in 2006 ???

RE: Dates

Dates & cities for the qualifiers will be decided by each state's ASA directors.

You are correct in that alot of the GA qualifiers are usually held in May. The only one I can speak for personally is the 16u NQ in SC. It wil be held in June.

As far as the Hall of Fame Qualifiers, they have to be held by May because the Hall of Fame Tournament in Oklahoma is in June.

 

I agree with most of what you said. The only difference for me is that most girls are not that intrested in playing in college and the ones that do seem to find out after a year or two that college ball ain't all it's built up to be. I also think that high school ball around here is a waste of time. Only a few all around good teams and most of the competition is lacking the talent you see in travel ball. The only thing I don't like about the "show case" type tourneys is that as you say they don't really play for a champion of the tournament. Most of the girls want to try and win tournaments and it makes the overall experience better and much much more fun win it is an elimination tournament. As for the few girls who do want to SERIOUSLY play in college there are much better ways to be seen than at a showcase tournament packed with hundreds of other girls but that is another subject. All in all a good post TFS. I would like to see fall highschool ball or see the better players just play travel ball and leave highschool ball to the rec league players

 

mom

Showcase tourneys besides the ASA Nationals bring in more 18U teams than any other tournaments in the country. U are right, if U simply show up at Showcases without contacting college coaches ahead of time, sending them your profiles, schedules, and other information, U are probably wasting your time. I am sure there have been some girls recruited that simply showed up but that would be an exception. If U want to say that most girls that play all types of fastpitch softball do not want to play college ball, I would agree. However, the thousands of teams through out the land that go to Showcase tourneys and qualifier, and Nationals, 99% of those kids do want to play college ball. INterested in your comment about many better ways for a player to be seen besides showcase tourneys? Please elaborate a little on that comment. We all have our opinions about Travel ball, Showcase ball, college ball, etc. I respect your opinion and your feelings. I think some girls that go to play college ball do not want to work or did not understand the committment it takes to play at that level. If U have played on an elite travel team U have been told of the effort it will take and have been exposed to the rigors of a typical practice, however not the weight lifting, conditioning, study halls, travel, missing classes, etc. Many girls that have played for me would not be in college w/o that softball/academic funds. I am getting to long winded so I will end by saying the girls are winning playing Showcase, they are performing on stage to a potential employer, the school! If they do well, if they have send in their resume', if they have shown interest in the school, if their grades or experinece is up to snuff, and if they truly understand the committment, college softball can be rewarding. Out of 24 Blues players, one quit college softball, she injured her shoulder, another quit with a shoulder injury plus she wanted to get married. Odds are pretty good, that if U work hard, give your best, and pick the right school, U will do fine, if not U will not be happy. Isn't that like a job search? Prepare for what U want to acheive and most things will not be a surprize. Have a great day! RET

 

Very true. 18u Nat. Qualifier was in May last year. 16u Nat. Qualifier was and Hall of Fame were early in June as well.

 

Showcase Ball

Most of the young ladies I come in contact with, dream of one day playing in college. Showcase tournaments are the marketplace to sell their goods. I have coached HS ball and attended many games at different HS's. I have rarley seen a college representitive at a HS game. Not so with showcase tournaments. They are a necessity for our sport just as food needs a Food Lion.
I feel fortunate to have every young lady that has come through our program, that has wanted to play college ball, attain their goal.
Winning a backyard tournament didn't get them there. The college rep's I've spoken to could care less how many games we've won. I am very competitive, and I love to win, but that's not all it's about.
I've got a building full of trophies collecting dust. The "win" comes when that kid gets an invite from the college they wish to attend.
I have had some girls that couldn't cut it.
Not all of them can stand up to the rigors of college practice, preparation and studies. Some will fall by the wayside. The ones that truly dedicate, not only to softball, but to their studies, will one day become the achievers in the marketplace. Those are the type individuals that I want working for me; dedicated, hardworking, multi-taskers. Those that have a dream and go get it!
Thats all I got to say about that.

 

All I'm saying is that for every 1 player out there playing travel ball to get to college there are there are 10 or more playing for the enjoyment of the game and it seems many of the people especially here on these boards forget that. I have personally been on both sides of this topic and am very happy for the few who do want to play in college and get their opportunity. But I also want to see the others that just want to play in tournaments and ARE the majority get their wishes to. 18 and under tournaments have really fallen off locally and it has left many without somewhere to play. I miss the early years when we just played for the enjoyment of the game

 

At the highest levels the girls are playing to go to college and be a student-athlete. Less players in this area do not end up going to play in college because they don't know how to get there. The ones that make it to college, don't know a lot of times what to expect with the amount of time, lifting, conditioning, and many of the things LadyBlues1 spoke of as well end of quitting. I've heard and seen that happen a lot over the 10 years I've been around this game. The last 3 years have gotten much better. I see more girls wanting to play more/compete, but are still not as committed to preparing to play as much as they want. If you don't prepare accordingly, it's hard to make it through/complete things/be successful in endeavors. This is where travel teams/JO teams have to start stepping it up at the lower age groups and start teaching/showing players what's expected. Year round conditiong, weights in the off season, etc...Players start doing those things in this area at 14,15,16 then you'll see players become more dedicated and this area will grow.

 

If you're not interested in playing in college, then leave the showcases to the teams and players that are.

 

and where do we get off deciding who plays what and where?
showcases would be lonely places if only those that definitely, without a doubt want to play in college were able to play.
might even be a little difficult to field a team

 

If you're going to put the time and effort into it, the right way, then you should want to go college whether it be DIII, DII, and DI. Lot of time and money to go put into it if there is not an end result is all I'm saying. Granted I know there is a wide range of cost to play travel/JO ball.