WHY?

[tcannizzo]

Rec is too low. TB is too demanding.
How about the middle road?

This could be accomplished with redefining TB with B and even C Classifications (not dictated by a governing body), that puts a buffer between TB and Rec as we currently know them.

Lower level travel takes the lofty goals of ASA/PGF Championships off the table and allows for a moderate schedule and practice regimen, and yet still be noticeably more competitive that Rec.

[SDTitans]

. Maybe should volunteer their time and coach a team. Since they say all the coaching sucks too. But they will not, they will complain and take the little 8/9 yr old out to travel to flame their egos and most likely ruin the kid having fun at that age.

Wow - what a hell of an idea - why didnt I think of going out to the rec league and coaching two different age groups at one time - one practiced 3 days a week - the younger 2 days a week. Do you people think before you write ? Damn near every body I know in our area that moved their kids to travel - did exactly that - some were cut out for it - some werent - but most did it. What piss ant part of the country do you come from anyway - must be pitiful there.

Actually this was directed to the parents of the 8 and 9 year olds who were saying their rec league suck and moving their kids to travel ball. They rather bitch about how something sucks instead of trying to fix it.. I wasn't talking about the ones that did coach already in rec.

[SDTitans]

I do not see why people bag on rec ball. It is recreational sport for all kids in the community to go out and have fun. All these people jumping to travel at a young age and using the excuse rec league is the problem cause they suck. Maybe should volunteer their time and coach a team. Since they say all the coaching sucks too. But they will not, they will complain and take the little 8/9 yr old out to travel to flame their egos and most likely ruin the kid having fun at that age.

Some of us have done that and some choose not to go back because of the drama involved at the rec level with the absolute most psycho parents on the face of the planet. We love coaching the kids.....hate dealing with the psycho's.....board members picking all star teams....board members coaching all star teams.....board members cherry picking players to ensure their championship rec season.....etc.

My statement was made towards the parents who are just starting with their 8/9 year old and complaining about rec coaches and want to move on to travel. Not to the ones that have coached rec already and moved on. Yes there is all that politics in rec..

[Dugout Dad]

Rec is too low. TB is too demanding.
How about the middle road?

This could be accomplished with redefining TB with B and even C Classifications (not dictated by a governing body), that puts a buffer between TB and Rec as we currently know them.

Lower level travel takes the lofty goals of ASA/PGF Championships off the table and allows for a moderate schedule and practice regimen, and yet still be noticeably more competitive that Rec.

That is why USSSA, AFA and the other alphabet organizations exist.

[Fastpitch4Life]

Rec is too low. TB is too demanding.
How about the middle road?

This could be accomplished with redefining TB with B and even C Classifications (not dictated by a governing body), that puts a buffer between TB and Rec as we currently know them.

Lower level travel takes the lofty goals of ASA/PGF Championships off the table and allows for a moderate schedule and practice regimen, and yet still be noticeably more competitive that Rec.

That is why USSSA, AFA and the other alphabet organizations exist.

Great point!

[ontheblack]

I do not see why people bag on rec ball. It is recreational sport for all kids in the community to go out and have fun. All these people jumping to travel at a young age and using the excuse rec league is the problem cause they suck. Maybe should volunteer their time and coach a team. Since they say all the coaching sucks too. But they will not, they will complain and take the little 8/9 yr old out to travel to flame their egos and most likely ruin the kid having fun at that age.

Some of us have done that and some choose not to go back because of the drama involved at the rec level with the absolute most psycho parents on the face of the planet. We love coaching the kids.....hate dealing with the psycho's.....board members picking all star teams....board members coaching all star teams.....board members cherry picking players to ensure their championship rec season.....etc.

Couldnt help but laugh at this. Its a great answer. I hate dealing with rec when it comes to dealing with egotistical Board members who just dont get it and wont until they get bitched slapped by a TB coach who wont put up with their BS.

The flip side of Sam's comments are the coaches who have made a career of teaching kids the game at the rec level. Its those that bring the willingness and ability to teach the game at rec that make rec special. I love coaching rec. I know others who do as well. FPdad05's wife was a rec coach that I enjoyed watching in All Stars as she taught the game and was great with her kids. With DD1, I fought it, with DD2 I roll with it, knowing now what lies ahead for these fools.

DD1 and many of her peers left rec for travel because of the drama brought on by the board member types Sam mentioned. It was the best thing she ever did. She made a team where she knew no one, earning her spot 100% on her own merit. Started out as a #3 pitcher and ended up at States and Nationals as the go to in the circle. That season changed her life. She was given no special treatment and earned everything. I am forever grateful to that former rec coach turned TB coach who helped her learn so much about herself in those 6 months.

The thing to remember is that softball, whether rec or travel, is about people, not leagues and orgs. Find good people like Arto and Uno and my kid's 1st TB coach and you cant go wrong.

[jbl1465]

I'm with a few of the dads that at the 10u level in rec parents were complaining that my daughter threw to hard and it's not not fun dealing with the drama. I agree this is young but there is such a wide range of maturity and skill level at 12 that we need to have options. I will also say not all travel teams are created equal. We left a team because the coaching staff got to competive and I didnt want to kill my daughters love of the game. Ultimately you have to do what you think is right for your daughter. If she can't wait to go to practice when she gets home from school and is having FUN,you are in the right spot for her. Good luck.

[DonnieS]

The thing to remember is that softball, whether rec or travel, is about people, not leagues and orgs. Find good people like Arto and Uno and my kid's 1st TB coach and you cant go wrong.

That was my experience too. I got help when I was the piss-ant of piss ant coaches - and from names here on eteamz... uh - facebook... (thank you forever Sam) - I watched the people who beat my team - and stole every drill they had that I thought I could make work - then hired experts like Steve Englishbey to come in and teach my girls how to really hit that ball. I bought every tape from every coach and teacher I could find.

Meanwhile back in the rec league back home, they put in rules that limited how many practices a team could have in a week. Now , the school district that that league resided within (Callalen) , our school district (Tuloso Midway) has played twice a season for the last 6 years - we have run ruled them all 12 games. I go and watch their pitiful league games once or twice a season, my kid at 8 (11 years ago) , pitched harder and faster - than their best pitcher at 14u does today.

[DonnieS]

I'm with a few of the dads that at the 10u level in rec parents were complaining that my daughter threw to hard and it's not not fun dealing with the drama. I agree this is young but there is such a wide range of maturity and skill level at 12 that we need to have options. I will also say not all travel teams are created equal. We left a team because the coaching staff got to competive and I didnt want to kill my daughters love of the game. Ultimately you have to do what you think is right for your daughter. If she can't wait to go to practice when she gets home from school and is having FUN,you are in the right spot for her. Good luck.

Exactly - to me , the clear flag that its time to leave is if a coach tells your kid to not throw so hard to 1st - and she is playing at ss or 3b. I would not make a fuss, but would wait till practice is over, then go find another team and call him and just say, 'have a good season - enjoy the snow cones'.

[PairOfAces]

I certainly was not bagging on rec ball. I managed or coached in rec for 8 winter and spring seasons, sometimes managing one dd and coaching on the other dd's team. I loved it. But things change and new challenges are sometimes needed. If your dd is not too competitive and loves just playing with friends and having pizza parties, then rec is where you should be. But for the ones who want to improve and excel, and compete and win, and really love the game, you just won't get that in any rec league that I know of. My dd's chose to move to TB and they also know if they starting getting burned out, they can go back to rec, take a season off, or drop softball altogether. I will support them either way.