2011 miss softball canidates

[23Skidoo]

The young ladies mentioned are all solid players. I've seen nearly all of them and they can play. Also, ladies don't get recruited by upper and middle tier D-1 programs unless they have been thoroughly scrutinized by the programs' coaching staffs. I'm not sure if this is part of the process, but it might be something that should be considered.

Although I am not a fan of a player's "body of work," I'm reasonably certain that it enters into play, especially in determining All-State selections and where a player lands. So, I am assuming that this is also part of the process.

Stats are always an issue, but they are the only real "measuring stick" that some coaches are able to use to assess a candidate, especially if they never have a chance to see a young lady play. I don't know or understand the "magic" behind the slection process, but stats have to be a part of it. I'm just not sure how you compare one candidate to another given the fact that they all play in different areas and against different qualities of teams. This certainly isn't the fault of the player, because many do not chose where they play or set the schedules.

Your points are well-made LP24, but I can assure you, speaking from personal experience, that not every coach is looking to pad a player's stats, but I know it happens. In my experience, I have had to make a case to get stats corrected. Depending on the team, number of games played (based oftentimes or weather conditions, etc.) one or two hits can significantly change a batting average. Perhaps a new thread should be started, but I wonder how different schools handle their "bookkeeping" duties and what efforts are made to make sure that the stats are correct. I also wonder how a player's parents feel about approaching the coaching staff to address errors in bookkeeping. What is the best approach, assuming there is one? DLauck, would you mind sharing your thoughts?

[slapperdad]

Speaking only for myself, I want accurate stats, period. One of the members of our coaching staff keeps the book. As I've stated many times, stats do mean something, and sooner or later you're going to have to back them up. Whether it's fibbing on a home to first time, calling an ROE a hit, or scoring a hit an error to help you're P out.

Will people pad stats, absolutely, is there anything you can do about it, absolutely not. Life just ain't fair.

[DLauck]

My 2 cents...

I want as accurate stats as possible. Period. The school leaders at RHS make this a point of emphasis at HC meeting. We must also report these stats and game summaries to our sports information director, VarVee, and the Indy Star in a timely manner.

My guess is most HC would love to keep the book during every game. This would ensure what they saw transpire on the field is accurately put in the book. However, that is nearly impossible if they want to coach third, call pitches, and manage other aspects of the game.

Aside from the HC doing the book, and being the initial decision maker, there is no perfect way to do it. I have 2 student managers keep our book. They know if there's a question about a play to ask a coach immediately what should be put in the book. I scrutinize the book after each game and make changes based on what I know/recall if necessary.

I encourage parents to notify me if there's an incorrect stat reported. I have no problem with this at all. If they can back up what they feel is right, and I agree with their perspective, a change will be made.

Also keep in mind after I've scrutinized a book, I must complete a game summary page on VarVee (some stat site the Star uses). Certainly the room for error increases putting in these stats. So, having parents check these, and myself review the numbers, will help ensure accuracy; which is my goal.

As a side not, when entering my pitchers stats on Varvee, there wasn't an option to display a pitcher throwing 3 1/3 inning, for example. So, in lieu of her pitching 3 1/3, she pitched 3 innings. WTH is that all about!?!?

As far a Miss Softball goes...there's been dialogue about making changes, but that's about it. Perhaps there's been more than dialogue from the head honchos, but I have no idea.

Competition could be a point of emphasis, but I don't think it would factor negatively into selections. Overall body of work on the other hand, would be a positive factor for a candidate.

FWIW, I don't pad stats; been accused of it, but I would be called out by my parents if I did this (and rightfully so).

DL

[23Skidoo]

Thanks for the info and response, DLauck. It is refreshing to know that you invite communication with your players' parents if they feel a mistake has been made in statistics. It is often a point of contention for some and it really doesn't need to be. If mistakes are made, they should be corrected voluntarily and without hesitation.

[gunshy]

Whitney Arion, Delphi High School.
Batting Avg. .700
Scored 28 runs, 12 doubles, 3 triples and 3 home runs in 12 games.
Team is undefeated. Every opponent knows her and pitches her extremely carefully when they pitch to her at all. Offensive numbers speak for themselves and she is, by far, the best defensive player I have seen this year.

[23Skidoo]

All of the young ladies listed in this post are doing quite well, with the exception of C. Bell who is injured. The stats for A. Filler, however, are a mystery for some reason. Appearently her coach has not bought into the program. For those that do not know the high school stats are supposed to be posted on varvee.com. It is a bit cumbersome, but pretty easy to use.

[BVarson]

Whitney Arion, Delphi High School.
Batting Avg. .700
Scored 28 runs, 12 doubles, 3 triples and 3 home runs in 12 games.
Team is undefeated. Every opponent knows her and pitches her extremely carefully when they pitch to her at all. Offensive numbers speak for themselves and she is, by far, the best defensive player I have seen this year.

Looking at Delphi stats:
2011 Carli Rouhier: .600 27 runs, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, 6 sb, 21 rbi's.

[23Skidoo]

Speaking of Delphi's - they have a team batting average of .493! Impressive, but what kind of pitching are they facing? Trust me, gunshy, I know W. Arion can play, but this is exactly why stats should not be the only "measuring stick."

[gunshy]

The pitching they have faced is mediocre, for the most part. Our team has very solid pitching and they beat us 8-0 and Arion had an Inside the park home run. Quirk of their schedule for this year, some usually solid opponents are unusually weak. We'll see how they hit when they play Tipton and face Shelby Hursch.

[Huskeydude]

Thru travelball, I have seen a number of the girls mentioned, all good players.
I'd like to throw a nod out to a NWI region player, Sam Terry, catcher and leading hitter from Lake Central of the DAC.
.507 ba, 37 hits, 25 rbi and only 2 ks in 23 games according to varvee while playing a state caliber 4a schedule.
Rock solid backstop and team leader calling pitches for a young pitching staff.