Thread: Welcome to DiscussFastpitch.com

Generally, the factors for an area producing lots of great players are (1) population (the more kids means that there will be more great players), (2) an opportunity to play softball year round and (3) the availability of good coaches.

So, the best place to play softball is Southern California. Phoenix is good, but Southern California is ground zero for fastpitch. The California teams are really something. Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Texas and Virginia are also producing great players. Chicago also produces some good players. (Softball was invented in Chicago, and during the golden period of men's fastpitch, there were some great teams out of Aurora, Illinois. There is a lot of knowledge and tradition there.)

Is it crucial for your DD to play in those areas? No, not really. There are great players from all over. As long as she get good coaching and plays for a team that plays the best from the US, she can do well.

At 12 YOA, it is much too young to be thinking that she will become the next Jenny Finch. I would wait a while before rearranging your life to accommodate your DD's softball career.

Just to point out what should be obvious: Your DD's ultimate success in life will almost certainly be based on her education, not her softball skills. There is no pot of gold at the end of the softball rainbow.

Good point. At the end of four or five years it's all about the education.

My daughter has only been playing for one season,she plays first base and is very good at it and i am not saying that just bcause she is my kid. She has made the all star team,My question is how long dose it take a coach to usally see her talent at first base...i'm worried she will get bored in the out field and not want to play? any advice i would love!

[QUOTE=mnmsr4ever;9644]My daughter has only been playing for one season,she plays first base and is very good at it and i am not saying that just bcause she is my kid. She has made the all star team,My question is how long dose it take a coach to usally see her talent at first base...i'm worried she will get bored in the out field and not want to play? any advice i would love![/QUOTE


How old is your daughter ?

hola, im new here, this place looks good so far

Thank you for the nice compliment Sluggers. There were some great teams from Aurora. The Sealmasters, Aurora Home Savings to mention a few. I was fortunate to be a bat boy for the great Aurora Sealmaster team. My Dad played 2nd base and was inducted to the Men's FastPitch Hall of Fame along with Harvey Sterkel and other great players from that team. My Dad is Bob Barron Sr. I was honored to be able to see him play and to still hear him talk about that great era of Fastpitch softball that not a lot of people knew about.
With my Dad's help in developing me as a ball player, I was good enough to play for the Aurora Home Savings, All Steel, Silver bullets and Decatur Pride Softball teams. From my Dad's teachings and my playing experience, I've been able to run a successful part-time business instructing private hitting lessons for Boy's Baseball and Girl's Softball. Aurora at one time was a hot bed for Men's Fastpitch softball. What a great place to grow up and experience something that special.

Bobby B.

Hey Bobby B,

I know this is random but could you help me? My dad used to take me to the Silver Bullet/All Steel games when I was a kid, late 80s early 90s. I have an autographed team ball. I am trying to find a roster for that team. Here are the names I can read off the ball...Ron Sterkel #31, Mark Agnew #22, Paul Algar #11, Greg Stockton, Newton #8?, Bill Pheffer #12?, Doug H.?, Chris H. #9?, Barry K. #14?, Kurt B. #23?, Brian Carson #10, Bobby G.? (I remember he was a Spanish guy), Mike C. #7?, and the BB Mike Williams. 13 players and the ball boy. The names without the question mark I know are right. Any info would be greatly appreciated.....Justin

Question on eligibility...

Will a college player lose eligibility if she participates in independent (adult) summer softball tournaments? She was told that if the tournament had an entry fee then she cannot play or risk her college eligibility. Someone please shed some light on the subject.

We need to start an ASA team in our area, Portland OR. We have been involved with Little League since T ball and feel LL is to limiting now. We know a few of the ins and outs pretty well, coaching, player agent, even President so no illusions just want a place for players to play. Know it won't happen this season but would like inputs about getting started for next season -?

My daughter is 6 years old, will not be 7 till January. She played softball for the first time in the Spring for the city we live in and currently started playing this fall for a neighbor city. She knows the fundamentals of the game, was labeled the best hitter/thrower on her team in the Spring. Is it a bad idea to want to move her up? She is playing with girls that are still learning to throw and bat and she seems bored at practice. I just want some feedback and advice. Thanks!