by softballdreams » Sat Sep 29, 2012 8:53 am
It really depends on what your daughters are looking for from a team. If they're just looking to play softball, there are many opportunities in the area. However, if they're looking for a highly competitive team that plays in the right places on the right fields to get college exposure AND they want great coaches who will teach them the stuff they need to know, help them with the college recruiting process, continue to motivate them in a positive manner, and not play games... their choices are limited...very limited. If this is what they/you are looking for: Find out which teams are competing at PGF Nationals. How did they finish? What tournaments do they play in? Compare the prospective team list to others. Do they play in SoCal Finest tourneys? Do they get invited and play in the friendlies with the Worth Firecrackers, So Cal Athletics, Corona Angels (Tyson), Batbusters, etc.? Playing the best of the best on a regular basis matters. Check the history of the team too. For example, the Lady Magic 18-Gold have clearly been one of the premier teams in the area for some time. However, the coaches, Carda and Henderson retired this past summer so the team's success in the past could be very different going forward - it's a whole new coaching staff and team. Bottom line: identify what you and your daughters really want from the softball experience and do your homework...and then some. Best of luck and welcome to Nor CA.