Is Norcal getting to many teams?

[rbi]

A lot of good points on this thread. Now I dont know where my DD stands as far as talent on her new team, and they are probably one of top teams around, its tough to tell its early and we have not even played a game yet. What I do know is that the college coachs that my DD spoke to and a very highly respected softball person told me was basically the same thing. "Your DD needs to face the pitching that she will be seeing in college NOW, so its not such an adjustment when she gets there, and making her a better hitter at the same time". Now your not going to see that pitching on a consistent basis playing for team B, so its a decision we made as a family that DD needed to be at the highest level NOW and face that elite pitcher weekly, and at the same time be challenged on her own team fighting for the #1 spot. I do know that after the first weekend of practice she worked harder than she has ever worked, and how can that be a bad thing. IMO if your kid is mentally tough enough it is a good situation to be in, otherwise you are just hand delivered the starting job and #3 in batting order on team B, and never have to fight for a job, therefore IMO not growing as a softball player. I also know that if and when she gets to the college level she will be fighting for a job right out of the gate and therefore getting a feel for it now will help IMO. Now shoot who knows it may back fire on us, but if you dont give it a shot and continue to be the big fish in the small pond i dont see how that is growing as a softball player. Now a lot of this all depends on the kid and parents being realistic about there kids talent level. JMO...

Now its not always about the letters on the front of your shirt that should drive you, but whats inside your shirt that will make you.....

[artomatic]

I also know that if and when she gets to the college level she will be fighting for a job right out of the gate and therefore getting a feel for it now will help IMO. Now shoot who knows it may back fire on us, but if you dont give it a shot and continue to be the big fish in the small pond i dont see how that is growing as a softball player. Now a lot of this all depends on the kid and parents being realistic about there kids talent level. JMO...

I think that is one of the most important reasons to look for a team where your kid will have to compete.
If your kid is going to play in college, they need to learn how to walk, act, play, etc as a "top of the food chain" player.
They need to learn how to compete with other players gunning for their spot.
Not only in softball, but in life.

That being said, there should also be a place for every kid that wants to play.
Rec, "B" teams, "A" teams, every level for every kid.


As always, JMHO.

[Iluvblue]

The mistake that so many people make when speaking softball in regards to the "College player" is that you speak in terms on the UCLA, Alabama, Arizonas of the world. There are only so many of those teams out there.

The rest of the college teams out there have plenty of players on the roster and in the lineups that I view as weak players.
Just playing college doesnt make a player elite by any stretch of the imagination, and if you think it does, Id say you dont watch much college ball except for the big time d1 players on TV.

[Jar19201]

Blue I agree with that. My point was that most coaches, nearly all, don't make decisions that they know are unfair and undeserved. Some are just not good at what they do, but I don't think even they let a kid continue to hit "after going 0 for the month." That was my only point with that.

Art and RBI---good points.

Checkwriter---I think the main thing is not to compromise the level of competition to be a 1 instead of a 2. Finding coaches who understand the how to get the best out of a kid, fundamentals, work ethic, mechanics, and mental game is essential. Going to another team where they won't get that, in order for them to be number 1, is a bad decision. Going to another team that is nearly as competitive and has quality leadership comes down to the individual decision.

[CheckWriter]

What's the long term goal?

[Bad dog]

OK - considering the 12u talent pool is watered down throughout NorCal, who are going to be the top 5 teams in NorCal? I know that nobody knows squat at this moment, but let's hear your predictions just for fun.

[Wilson Bats]

Well having no tournaments played as of yet, I will try to take a crack at the top 10 12U teams for Fall 2010;

1. Grapettes-Norwood
2. Sorcerers-Rojas
3. Tri-County Smash
4. Cen Cal Dirt Dogs
5. California Breeze-Riley
6. Valley Stompers
7. Grapettes- Vasquez
8. San Jose lady Sharks
9. East County Vipers
10. Salinas Storm

[Fun4All]

OK - considering the 12u talent pool is watered down throughout NorCal, who are going to be the top 5 teams in NorCal? I know that nobody knows squat at this moment, but let's hear your predictions just for fun.

I know you said this is just for fun, but... what exactly are we supposed to base our predictions on?? No one even knows exactly who is on what team, which 98s opted to move up, which ones stayed down, etc...

[outnlftfield]

Hey Wilson, take a look at young 12 team coming up from 10s, RR Gold/Miller should be able to crack your top ten after a couple of tourneys

[Iluvblue]

I guarantee there is no young 12u team that will be hanging around with the top 12u teams. The difference between 1st and 2nd year 12u players is simply too much to overcome.

So while a young 12u team might do ok and play some nice games, no 1st year team will be doing much against some huge 12u pitcher throwing 55-58mph pitches, or that nice pitcher coming out of 10u is going to get whacked by those 140lbs mashers that are 2nd year 12u.

So if you have an entire team of YOUNGER 12u players..... making top ten is a HUGE stretch.

but since nobody has seen anybody.... go for it, place them at number 1:)