by Dongers Army » Wed Nov 19, 2014 8:21 pm
Often times change is hard to deal with at first, but ultimately things work out. In this instance I do not believe that will be the case. This is a complete train wreck waiting to happen.
My favorite part of the whole Select conversation is how ASA is communicating the potential changes; leaking bits and pieces of information so the crazy parents can act consistently crazy, but not enough details for leagues to communicate or formulate a plan to implement. Rec Leagues may (or may not) receive definitive information at some point in November and then have less than 2 months to react, change By-Laws, and implement a program that will ultimately hurt a majority of their league (if a league has 6 teams, and the Select team is uniquely large and accepts 20+ players, that leaves 40+ players upset with the system).
There is nothing about this plan that benefits the girls. Girls that are not chosen will rightfully feel slighted and girls that are chosen will no longer be allowed to play on their "t-shirt Travel team" against theoretically superior talent on Sundays as the larger leagues typically support. There will be completely unnecessary division between the "Select" players and non-Select players, ASA will be feeding the parents delusional beliefs that their 9-12 year old daughter is the next Jennie Finch, all while crushing the dreams of 60% of the players in each rec league.
Confusion will ensue, motivation to earn a spot on an All Star team will disappear after the pre-season Select try out is completed, feelings will be hurt, and the parents will have new reasons to complain about the process and inherent Daddy Ball found in Rec Leagues.
The impact of not making Select vs. All Stars will be heightened, as the system is set up for all of the kids to play together on Saturdays and then exclude a majority of the league for the Sunday Select games.
If the goal is to attempt to reduce the number of players leaving for travel ball, that ship has sailed. Just look at HeyBucket where there are 3 pages of messages from people ranking top 2004 teams - 10u teams in the month of November - before the Turkey Tournaments and Toys for Tots tournaments.
Regardless of what happens, I will support my older daughter's travel team and younger daughter's rec team and take whatever ASA does as a parenting opportunity.