What is Softball Like in Your Area

[jonriv]

What is softball like in your area? We seem to get a good picture of what is like in California here on Hey Bucket, but the softball landscape can be very different depending on where you live. What is it like by you?

My daughter is 3 years out of the travel scene, but I am pretty sure it has not changed that much . Connecticut has a fairly robust softball scene. Towns all seem to have either Little league or Cal Ripken programs. Most of these Rec leagues have an all-star team that plays that play other town teams in organized leagues. These are the dominate programs from 9u-12u- by 14u most players either stop playing or move to TB. Some of these town all-star teams venture to tournaments and some even try to become full-fledged travel teams. Towns with strong softball programs and traditions(Stamford, Seymour & Newtown) have been more successful than others. There are many TB organizations that have been a long time(Tradition, Eliminators, Mirage) to name a few. True Gold teams(those that fly around the country to play tourneys and PGF) can be found in NJ, Mass, & RI. With NY, NJ MA, and RI close by there are a LARGE number of tournaments-mostly PONY and USSSSA- with a sprinkling of ASA and TCS. NJ and LI both have reputations of having very strong teams in this area. There are not many “friendlies” like I see posted on HB- most tournaments are competitive to qualify for some kind of summer tourney. Most teams play in close by tournaments- (less than 2 hr drive) because they are available. Some teams will do one (overnight) with also a big end of season tournament. Many participate in “play-vacation” type tournaments. Of the teams I know(at least the top teams mentioned) Many girls go on to play in college with the majority staying in the Northeast playing DII & III Teams tend to go to the Tradition Showcase, Devens Showcase-- some venture to Pennsbury and many attempt Rising Stars in Florida as well. More and more are trying to get out to Colorado as well

During my DDs playing days she played at the TCS Tourney in Park City, Rising Stars, Devins, Pennsbury, TCS Myrtle Beach, PONY in North Carolina, and NSA in North Carolina

[rfmnz]

Political

[jonriv]

There is also a little quirk to hs softball. Conferences are set by geography, while the state tournament is set by school size. In season schools play schools of different sizes, but in the state tourney you play like sizes. Usually qualifying for the state tourney takes 8 wins. It is usually harder to qualify for your conference tourney than the state tourney