ASA Softball: Not everyone is happy!

It's a subscription site. Can't read the bottom. I'd be willing to bet this is a major reason schools are seeking early commitments.....it can save money down the road.

 

DD4, I have to disagree to a point that we are not quite "past that" as I know for a fact my DD would not be at UNC if she had not competed in Boulder. Many area and regional smaller D-1 schools were recruiting her all along, but when she returned home from Boulder after her Jr. year, the phone started ringing with calls from the ACC and several SEC and Big east schools. She also got on the radar schools outside the Southeast. I can only can contribute the increased interest to her playing in Boulder.

I think the NC talent is getting much closer to being able to be recruited to the "big" schools on a regular basis, but we aren't quite there yet. These coaches want NC girls on their teams. But to feel comfortable in offering a larger scholarship and to know these girls can compete with the best talent in the country, they still need to see them play in CO. and the larger showcases. On the other hand, not all the area girls want to attend one of the "big" schools, so competing in the local showcases is perfect.

I will also add, the 18U National tournaments really aren't what they used to be for recruiting purposes. More and more college coaches are now going to the 16U Nationals to recruit as more of those playing in the 18U Nationals have already committed.

These are just my observations based on my experiences over the past 5 years.

 

national TEAM perspective

if a NC girl wants to play for a national championship / Womens CWS...............do they need to gain exposure to the traditional powers like UCLA, Arizona, ASU, some SEC's, and Pac 10 & other western schools?

Then again, is a NCAA Div 1 national championship on the minds of NC girls in the recruiting process..........probably not?

 

Braves, let me help you. In baseball we are spolied because THE best National tourneys for ages 16, 17 & 18 are run by Perfect Game in Atlanta and Jupiter, FL. In softball the ASA National and the few National Showcases mentioned in this thread are the equivalent to PG, BUT are played all over the country and rarely in this area. The softball teams in NC are the equivalent to the baseball teams in Calif that have to come all the way across the country to play. Got it!

I do not believe it is any different than baseball in that the coaches go where they can see the best talent play the most games in the same area at the same time. Unfortunately for coaches that means 18u in one part of the country and 16u in another part of the country plus 3 or 4 National showcases all over the country. Thats the system.

Sounds like a perfect business oppty to me

 

Worth every second!!!!!

As a parent and a coach I've been to the Nationals twice, Boulder once and to the Rising Stars, along with numerous other events in NC, SC and VA. I will agree that the 18U A-Nationals do not bring in as many College Coaches as they once did, for various reasons. That said, many question the effort spent by teams traveling to these large events. Here is my take on attending events like The Nationals & Boulder.

1. It affords younger talent (2010 & 2011 this year), to compete against what is supposed to be some of the best talent in the nation.
2. Additionally, and there were some coaches, still looking for 2009's.
3. By competing at these tournaments, and doing well, it shows the level of talent from our region.
4. Every player by competing well helps to pave the road of future interest in the players to follow, (paying it forward).
5. It builds interest in your team nationally, and promotes your "BRAND", thank you LL.
6. It offers you an opportunity to prove that west coast is not the best coast.
7. Finally, it is a fantastic opportunity to spend what little precious time we have with our daughters and softball families, doing what we like to do best!!

Thank you ASA, Lady Blues, Rodney, all the parents, and assistants.
Go Blues!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: In case no one noticed The Blues finished this years 18U A-Nationals in seventh place out of 121 teams. We finished with seven wins and two losses, what a great week for The Blues.
Dad

 

Certainly can't argue your experience

But I'm surprised by your assertion. I know that your DD was on UNC's radar as early as her Soph year in HS (I sat beside her on a bucket catching pitching lessons in Chapel Hill). I also know the coaches there had a very high opinion of her (well deserved). Honestly, I think she would have eventually been offered by the 'heels whether she had played in Boulder or not.

There's no question that doing well at Boulder or nationals can help a kid. Ultimately, recruiting is a market place and the more interest a kid draws the better the offers she is likely to attract. That said, I really doubt many of the local kids playing ball at State or Carolina would have "fallen thru the cracks". I think playing at Boulder or pursuing ASA nationals is justified if the parents and the players value the experience and the competition enough to justify the financial sacrifice. If the PRIMARY justification is to enhance recruiting status then, for most girls, I don't think it's a particularly good investment.

 

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I wish we would have talked 2 years ago. It would have made for a much less stressful summer!

For my DD, I think playing in Boulder may have just reassured the UNC coaches. It was just strange that after that tournament is when the phone and interest really got intense.

 

I suspect Boulder did . . .

"push things along" for several of the Cardinals/Rockets. Obviously it was the right thing to do at the time.

Looks like "west coast attrition" will likely mean more innings for her this year. If the heels pitchers heal they should be back in the regionals next spring.

 

I Guess---

You may be under-estimated your daughter's ability.. I've seen her play,and I don't think the "Town Makes The Girl , But The Girl Makes The Town ", your DD is at UNC because of her ability, hard work, giving up vacations,and spending endless hours on the ball field !!! No town or tournament can offer that at any time !!! I'm not bashing the out of town tournaments, but you don't have to play Boulder to get recruited..sorry I disagree !!!

Guru

 

Thanks Dawg. I now have a better understanding. It's funny you mentioned the other part of your post