2012 Miss Softball Candidates

[DLauck]

I'd be interested in hearing some ideas for changes. It's not a perfect system, but I think the best player has been chosen going back several years now (just my opinion).

It does take full cooperation from the HS coach to get players nominated for various honor teams. Other than the time committment, it's not too challenging.

[Doesitreallymatter]

All of you are sick. Miss Softball? What does it matter?

[slapperdad]

The biggest issue I'd say is that a LOT of the coaches voting have NEVER seen these players play. They have to rely on colleagues and people who they trust. I have seen both of the players mentioned in this year's running, but I've seen them in the summer playing travel ball. I have never seen them play a high school game. When we vote at district meetings it's made perfectly clear to us, at least in my meeting, the voting is based on THIS YEAR'S HIGH SCHOOL SEASON. So ethically that puts me in a quandary doesn't it. I do what I think is the right thing for the kids, ultimately that's what I'm here for right? Is it right or wrong, I don't know, but I have no problem sleeping at night.

The other side of the coin is I may not be in the majority, I see a ton of travel ball in the summer and fall, what about the coaches who don't? What about the coaches who see their team and whoever they happen to be playing? What about the ones who just vote because that's who their buddy told them to vote for?

Is the system flawed, yes, I'm anxious to hear a better way though. For the most part, I think they get it right, will there be arguments, absolutely. Are their times you could make a case for 2, 3, or more kids, sure. But I don't think there's ever been a kid who received the award that didn't deserve it.

[gunshy]

Proposed idea #1. Play the All-Star games on Wednesday night the week following the Tournament Championship games. That way the players chosen for the All Star team do not have to miss one of the 5-6 travel weekends of their last summers of travelball, which usually is a qualifier of some sort.

[sjjjbugs]

I would like to see consideration to splitting the award in some way for pitchers and position players.

[backstop13]

I would like to see consideration to splitting the award in some way for pitchers and position players.

Football currently does this with position players. They have an overall Mr. Football, but then they have Mr. Football Position Winners. I think softball could do that with maybe an overall Miss Softball...then an infield, outfield, pitcher, catcher awards?? I guess they could go each position if they wanted to for that matter.

Football announces position award finalists, then names the award winner. Gives players the opportunity to be recognized as finalists. The awards are determined by a panel of IFCA members.

Is there even a coaches association for softball...other than the coaches of girls sports??

[gunshy]

Can some of the voting coaches on this board explain how Haley Chambers was NOT selected to this year's All-Star squad? Watched her strike out 18 against defending State champion South Putnam last week and I believe she had 4 hits in the game as well. I know
slapper has explained that the criteria is THIS year, which her year has been top notch, but she also pitched her team to a State Championship 2 seasons ago. If you want a glaring example of what is wrong with the All-Star selection process......here you go.

[itiswhatitis]

There is no coach listed for Cascade as a member of the ICGSA for softball.

[slapperdad]

Gunshy she was a topic of discussion between myself and another coach at our district meeting. I agree with you but the coach has to do the legwork. She is not in my district so I have no idea who was or was not nominated.

[3Bar]

Help me understand. I am looking for some honest unbiased feedback. I have not followed IN high school softball for that long. I have a 13 yr old daughter who is not a pitcher and it's sounding like she doesn't have a chance at ever being Miss Softball. Boetjer has had a great yr and career. She has been on a TEAM that has won the state title twice. But when I look at her individual numbers against the pitchers in the state record book, they don't stack up. Kotter has also had a great yr and career although she has never played on a state championship TEAM. Individually she led the state in batting avg this year and when you compare her #s to others in the record book, she will break the career batting avg record, be 2nd in single season batting avg & she will also make the list for career hits. Her #s are spectacular. How can Kotter not be the obvious choice? Help me understand what I am missing.