The Good, The Bad, & The ugly

[insoftballnut]

Intresting new year for softball coming up as the boards are sounding, some un happy board guests from team Indiana are a bit upset and some happy, some slamming a good team like Bell's , probly cause dd didnt get a scholorship. [ maybe wasn't drafting material ], but walkons are always welcome to any college tryouts.

Some teams are breaking up to consolidate with other teams to make a powerhouse like the Raiders black 99 and Outlaw organazation, { good move from both sides }

Many new teams are coming into play of an already packed Indiana schedule, My opinion on this is that you'll have as usual 2 - 4 very good players trying to hold the team up while the rest keep trying to better themselves. This is ok in 10's, & 12's.. but age groups of 14's - 16's it's time to shine cause we all know High School and travel ball show cases are where reality starts.

Coaches, team organazations, individual teams, and especially parents should expect nothing less then high expectations from all players and all players should expect the same in return.

Parents, Guardians , and others involved should open their eyes to reality and say ''YA'' maybe my dd does need more work on her skills and not think she's better then what her averages says she really plays.

[bucketboy]

Well said and tend to agree with teams combining it will make for a better end product.

Retirement from coaching a team was a good decision for me and I know that the few kids I had with eligibility left will have good teams to play for going forward.

I spoke with many college coaches this summer and asked them all the same question with regards to the pitcher/hitter debate. Yes hitting has improved, but I am of the opinion that the pitchers in general do not get the practice time they used to especially in the off season and they commented the pitching in general is not what it once was. The general answer I heard was there a bunch of good pitchers, but very few that are dominant.

I know when DD was between 9 and 16 we were able to pay a monthly open gym time at a couple of different facilities to just practice so we would go throw 2 or 3 days a week on top of her lesson and of course she always wanted to swing the bat some while she was there.

Are those opportunities still out there for pitchers to get the extra practice sessions in or are they just going to their lessons and that's it? I am unaware of any facility that has open time just for practice around central Indiana and if there is please share it so those that may need the extra work to get better can take advantage of the opportunity.

There are no short cuts to get better you must practice and work to get to the next level.

[insoftballnut]

Well said and tend to agree with teams combining it will make for a better end product.

Retirement from coaching a team was a good decision for me and I know that the few kids I had with eligibility left will have good teams to play for going forward.

I spoke with many college coaches this summer and asked them all the same question with regards to the pitcher/hitter debate. Yes hitting has improved, but I am of the opinion that the pitchers in general do not get the practice time they used to especially in the off season and they commented the pitching in general is not what it once was. The general answer I heard was there a bunch of good pitchers, but very few that are dominant.

I know when DD was between 9 and 16 we were able to pay a monthly open gym time at a couple of different facilities to just practice so we would go throw 2 or 3 days a week on top of her lesson and of course she always wanted to swing the bat some while she was there.

Are those opportunities still out there for pitchers to get the extra practice sessions in or are they just going to their lessons and that's it? I am unaware of any facility that has open time just for practice around central Indiana and if there is please share it so those that may need the extra work to get better can take advantage of the opportunity.

There are no short cuts to get better you must practice and work to get to the next level.

Also a good point on pitchers and hitters you brought up, As time goes on hitters are really becoming dangerous at the plate, like you stated that pitching time has eroded somewhat do to the lack of commitment and dedication to a minimum of 3 - 4 pitching practices per week, every week and not counting your practices with your instructor - all year round with a warranted rest of 2 - 3 weeks off probly in jan.

Dominant pitchers in my opinion would be the ones who average 10 k's or more per game, but on the other hand, a consistent pitcher who can keep the ball on the ground or playable within the infield of play has done her job also and can have the same ''era'' as dominant [k] throwing pitchers have as long as everyone does their jobs.

Thats why sports gives you what you put into it. If you dont put hard dedication into your practices alone and wait just untill team practice, you might just lose your playing spot also.

I have seen college kids that were very very good, just to lose their spot later on in the year because of their over confidence in themselves and lack of that extra mile that a 2nd string girl kept giving and wanting and striving to get her spot, and ''yes'' that young woman that strived and kept wanting just snatched that starting position from her.

Hard work, dedication to never stop getting better is the key, being overconfident, and boasting will lead to a players destruction. I'm sure your best players will always be the ones who say ''I have to prove too myself that i'm good, befor others can say; yes; she has a proven record''

[NumeroUno]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQGGQ-FCe_w