Why aren’t there 11u divisions/competitions?

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Nov 13, 2020
92
18
I mean at 16u there's going to be players that's are 6'2 and players that are 4'8... We're still in 8u and the absolute BEST player I've seen all year was nowhere near the biggest (dad was a pro ballplayer)
I know this but that’s not my question/comment. In general, the age bracket that falls in 12u basically have differences between girls pre-puberty and girls post puberty. There are always going to be larger/smaller girls at every age bracket. I’m simply saying that IMO splitting up this bracket would make sense. Unfortunately .. and in agreement to the point others have made, there is a shortage in girls to fill these teams in.
 
Jul 29, 2013
6,782
113
North Carolina
Unfortunately .. and in agreement to the point others have made, there is a shortage in girls to fill these teams in.
I'm coaching a 10U Rec team, it's the only one in my city, and there's only four in the County, no 12U or 14U this year, only 10's. Volleyball and Soccer have killed softball here, the Rec director says girls just don't want to play and get dirty anymore! :rolleyes:

It's been 10 years since I've been around this age group, back then you had better have your team, team name, entry fee and insurance handled because it would fill up so fast if you hesitated you'd miss out!

I know others here may disagree but first year 12U was the toughest / hardest transition, some say first year 14U but 12 was the most eye opening for me, around here anyway. In 14U it was more about talent and girl vs. girl regardless of age.

Besides, I think the softball Gods purposely put the smack down on first year 12's just to keep them humble, and to weed out the girls who can't handle the pressure going forward in this insane game! That goes for their coaches too!

I still look back and laugh at my first year 12U travel team when we'd venture out and play tournaments & teams we had never seen or heard of before and my girls would see an opposing starting pitcher warming up that looked like a 25 year old woman. They'd start moaning and flipping out, then I'd have to have a quick little "Hoosiers" word of prayer moment with them! It's amazing what the right mindset and attitude can accomplish regardless of size! Sometimes the final score or outcome may not reflect it, but there's always a win, or wins in every game!
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
I know this but that’s not my question/comment. In general, the age bracket that falls in 12u basically have differences between girls pre-puberty and girls post puberty. There are always going to be larger/smaller girls at every age bracket. I’m simply saying that IMO splitting up this bracket would make sense. Unfortunately .. and in agreement to the point others have made, there is a shortage in girls to fill these teams in.
Not to badger you...
But why? You have no softball reason?
Still have not read any softball compelling reason as to why size or puberty beginning makes difference in softball.

*Their ages are mixed in school!
Puberty is a strange sport reason as....
Not all start same time.
Nor are all through puberty by the time they start 14u.
Not all get taller by half a foot or more.
And let me add this tid bit reminder...
getting used to puberty and hearing the facts of life happen the same in school.

Will say that~
Its seems if they cut the age barrier rule limit to
12u ...meaning players cant be 13 at all playing 12u. Would make sense simply because the age bracket singifies 12 years old and under. And obviously 13 is older than 12.
Like this
'Hey our 13 year olds won the 12u tournament' is awkward.


Glad players can play up in age brackets!
Because it helps to continue being challenged to grow=softball skills!
 
Last edited:
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
Here is my father (second from the left bottom row) "playing up" circa late 1940's. Also notice him and my uncle (second row, second from the left) didn't have gloves..my father didn't get his first glove till he was 10 or 11..their family was too poor (11 kids). Things could be worse.. ;)

IMG_0272.jpg
 
Nov 13, 2020
92
18
Not to badger you...
But why? You have no softball reason?
Still have not read any softball compelling reason as to why size or puberty beginning makes difference in softball.

*Their ages are mixed in school!
Puberty is a strange reason as....Not all start same time.
Nor are all through puberty by the time they start 14u.
Not all get taller by half a foot or more.
And let me add this getting used to puberty and hearing the facts of life happen the same in school.

Will say that~
Its seems if they cut the age barrier rule limit to
12u ...meaning players cant be 13 at all playing 12u. Would make sense simply because the age bracket singifies 12 years old and under. And obviously 13 is older than 12.
Like this
'Hey our 13 year olds won the 12u tournament' is awkward.


Glad players can play up in age brackets!
Because it helps to continue being challenged to grow=softball skills!
Well then by this logic why separate the groups at all? Why separate it in boys baseball? They have 8,9,10,11u, why bother splitting it all up then?why even have separate boys and girls teams?
 
Nov 13, 2020
92
18
Here is my father (second from the left bottom row) "playing up" circa late 1940's. Also notice him and my uncle (second row, second from the left) didn't have gloves..my father didn't get his first glove till he was 10 or 11..their family was too poor (11 kids). Things could be worse.. ;)

View attachment 21730
Things could always be worse. I’m not about to protest at the tournaments.. just asking a question why there isn’t momentum for an 11u bracket. Kids nowadays don’t know how good they have it. Beautiful turf fields, composite bats, parents having them stay at hotels... the only places my parents would take us is to visit other relatives.
 
Jun 8, 2016
16,118
113
USSSA state tournaments (around here) and USSSA Nationals have odd year tournaments up to a certain age. There are also a few regular tournaments around here that have odd age divisions.

Even though my DD is already playing up a year, I'd rather my DD play against the best competition she can. There were times last year (team was 1st year 12U) when she was playing against kids that were 3 grades ahead of her (she has a Sept bday). She is tall for her age but skinny as a rail (5'3" 90 lbs..) It isn't football..the worse thing that can happen is that you get your rear kicked on a regular basis :) .
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
Well then by this logic why separate the groups at all? Why separate it in boys baseball? They have 8,9,10,11u, why bother splitting it all up then?why even have separate boys and girls teams?
Is that your compelling reasoning the boys do this?

What is the sport athletic reasoning?


 
Nov 13, 2020
92
18
Is that your compelling reasoning the boys do this?

What is the sport athletic reasoning?
Pitching differences going from 35-40’ starting at 11. Strength of girls and ability to hit balls to the outfield. Put random sample of 13 year old vs 11 yr olds and the 13 yr olds will be hitting it harder. IMO it’s a big leap starting at 12u vs being at the end of 12u. Of course there will always be girls with more talent, regardless of size at any age. There are reasons why it’s segmented out at 8u, 10u, 12u.. I just think that 12u is right in the middle of a developmental stage where girls are on average going through puberty making teams that are comprised of older 12u girls difficult to beat vs a team of younger 12u girls. I just don’t think it’s that evident in other age groups. Just my opinion anecdotally. An experienced 13 year old has a higher potential of hitting off my newly minted 40’ pitcher over the fence. An experienced 13 year old can hit pitching speeds and have ball placement that my 11 yr old has limited experience seeing.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,468
Members
21,443
Latest member
sstop28
Top