warduck

Ok, the eve of the Softball season is upon us not that the weather is cooperating, another topic for another day. The topic of many discussions is the fact that many high school coaches approach the game differently than tournament coaches, IE. using talent much differently, and batting 10 in critical games. Would like a community response without condemnation of programs.

I was just commenting on some of the grumblings I have heard not only here but in a couple of places, alot of people I know and have known have the college agenda and that is a topic that drives many converstations since we came here, not that it was any less of a topic anywhere else, academics is more important to me you don't get through life without them, especially girls. I get the school pride thing, I did it myself, and wasn't offered any schlorships for my efforts. To me that is what high schools are about for softball, tried to talk her out of it and she wouldn't listen so I support her. The college coach thing was a converstation topic I let spill over here. I was reallyinterested in the MR. Know it all posts I was told to look for them, I looked back and read a few, he is an interesting character but I am sure his posts will mean more to me after I have learned more about this state. I should start another post to talk about this stuff. Like I said didn't want to step on toes.

You are right it rained alot of games out last fall, but not the fall before, or the one before etc... and no one was freezing, the girls I knew playing ball were able to use those expensive bats without fear of breaking due to cold weather. I haven't been here for a Tennessee high school season yet but I have heard that the first part of the season is usually brutal. We may not play high school more than one season. We have heard that high school coaches here don't coach like tournament coaches but the jury is out there. What I am most concerned about is the fact that there is little exposure in high school ball from college coaches and that won't change if the season does not change. School pride is great but the girls and parents are put through a lot for little return. College softball is not the money making machine that football and basketball is so softball programs do not have the scouts the other sports have. There is no way college coaches can be two places at once. In Georgia (though I hate to bring GA into the argument) the girls are watched by college coaches not only during tournament ball but you will often see D1 coaches from many states attending high school games on a regular basis, because they can. GA high school girls are recruited more because they are watched more, summer and fall. High school coaches know this and therefore they coach like they should instead of playing favorites, down there they coach to win for the most part instead of the political stuff I have been hearing about here. Just a thought, seems like a no brainer to me.

Thanks for the info. We are new to the area this site and organized school ball, I don't want to step on any toes but why do they play school ball here in the Spring? All the parents I have talked to say it is pretty cold and they never see college coaches that makes sense because they are starting and playing their season.

Is it time yet? Can't wait to hear all the predictions I have heard they are quite entertaining, still trying to learn about the realignment...it is confusing, where do I go to get the new districts straight

Who is not here that was here last year