2011 miss softball canidates

[mwestsb]

Cougar-

Your statement about Natalie's college choice (Bethel-NAIA) being nothing would indicate to me that you are really not in touch with Indiana softball at all. Bethel is far from nothing. They have become an NAIA national power. They've made five straight trips to the national tournament and were ranked as high as #3 in the country last year.

Bigger doesn't always mean better. I know for a fact that the Bethel coach has turned down offers to interview for the head jobs at Butler, Valpo, and Indiana State in the last year alone.

Maybe she and Natalie realize that DI isn't all that its cracked up to be. I know Natalie had DI opportunities as well. DI isn't necessarily bad but if you have a choice to go to one of the many many DI programs who will lose %50-%70 of their games or go to a national power and compete for a national championship which would you choose?

Take a look at the WCWS this week. Its the same 10-12 schools every year. You'll never see a team from the MAC, Summit, Horizon, etc at the world series.

Its nice to say you went DI but after that, its not all that great unless you are at the top of the top.

I don't think a high school award should be based on where you choose to go to college. Natalie is one of the best in the state of Indiana along with many of the others listed on this thread. Based on her HS accomplishments I'd say Natalie is well deserved to be mentioned for Miss Softball.

[sballfan]

Great point mwestsb...college decisions are very personal and no athlete should be criticized for their choice. Athletes, no matter what the sport, have to (or should) base their choice on more than athletics. When they graduate, it will be their degree that gets them a job, not whether or not they played on ESPN. Proximity to home, major, social life, scholarship money....these are all important factors. I'm certainly not saying that an athlete needs to go to the highest bidder but if the family is in need, that is obviously a concern but again NOT the ONLY concern. Girls that want their college experience to include sorority life, for example, shouldn't choose a D1 program. If they want to play right away, again a smaller program might be the place. D1 is awesome and if you have the talent to get recruited by a top 25 program and you love everything about it...do it but it is not the only option and certainly not the best one for everyone.

[coolstuff]

First convince me class sports is a good idea.

Does it matter? We got it and it ain't changing back!

If I remember the class sports debate when it was put in effect, a single Miss/Mr. sports award was preserved as a way to soothe those who were against class sports.