Thoughts on teams that have players from multiple states.

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May 16, 2016
1,024
113
Illinois
Got done watching the 16U PGF Championship on Youtube last night. You had 1 team from South Dakota (Renegades) where all the players were local talent vs. another team from the South Side of Chicago (Beverly Bandits) that had players from 9 different states on the team, some of the players were from as far away as Oregon and West Virginia.

What are your thoughts on Super Teams recruiting in a very large region?
 
Last edited:
Jan 27, 2010
1,871
83
NJ
I agree that it's cool to see a team of locals make it big and I don't have issue with a team like the Beverly Bandits having players from all over. I do take exception to someone like Intensity bringing players from all over and put them on a team for something like the PFG Nationals. I know they put those kids on the roster but it seems to cheapen the win. I'm not singling out the Intensity but I have personal knowledge of that occurring with them.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
If they are really on the team I have no problem with it. When you have guest players that are just brought in to win it's much less impressive.
 
Feb 15, 2016
273
18
If they are really on the team I have no problem with it. When you have guest players that are just brought in to win it's much less impressive.

I don't really see a difference between having guest players just for nationals and having players from all over the country on your team. Both those types of teams are built through recruiting which is a solid way to make a team. If a really good player wants to join a team for one tournament I am all for it and think it is great for the team and the player. Just because she normally plays for a different team that makes it somehow less impressive? Once you let girls from all over the place compete for a team in nationals it is all 100% free-agency. Whether a player joins the team before fall or right before nationals makes no difference to me.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
113
I don't really see a difference between having guest players just for nationals and having players from all over the country on your team. Both those types of teams are built through recruiting which is a solid way to make a team. If a really good player wants to join a team for one tournament I am all for it and think it is great for the team and the player. Just because she normally plays for a different team that makes it somehow less impressive? Once you let girls from all over the place compete for a team in nationals it is all 100% free-agency. Whether a player joins the team before fall or right before nationals makes no difference to me.

It's not the same thing. You pick a team and play on it. Alabama (not that they need it) can't pick up a linebacker in December to pay in the Sugar Bowl. Before the season you pick your team and recruit for it. I don't blame anyone for doing it, but the victory is less impressive than the coaches who coached them all year.
 

butcher-boy

old school
Jul 10, 2013
53
8
ARIZONA
It seems to me that all any coach or player wants is to compete on a level playing field. How would you feel if there were no restrictions on scholarships or player transfers. Only the schools with deep pockets would be able to hand out 25 to 30 full ride scholarships and offer high paying summer jobs. If there was a player on another team that you like just go offer them a better deal to be on your team. It kind of bothers me when the softball gurus heap tons of praise on one of these super teams for winning a tournament that was made up of 98% localy based teams. It's kind of like Oklahoma winning a DII tournament.
 
Last edited:
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I tend to have more respect for teams that play as they are. Picking up players to win all the time, well, it's not really YOUR team winning. Obviously if you have a hurt player, and you need to fill a position to be able to play, that's one thing. But picking up 4 or 5 players for key positions? Eh. I mean, whatever floats your boat. But it's not really your team that won. My favorite teams to watch are the ones who have a large core who have been together for years. You can feel the difference watching them play. It's not always about winning; they may or may not. But they are a TEAM and you can tell.
 
Nov 18, 2013
2,255
113
Are these girls paying the bills to fly to these tournaments? Each weekend? Wow.

In many cases guest players on these teams aren't paying anything. Flights & hotels are picked up by the team through sponsorships or fees from their other teams. On the very top teams some, if not all don't pay anything.
 
Feb 15, 2016
273
18
It seems to me that all any coach or player wants is to compete on a level playing field. How would you feel if there were no restrictions on scholarships or player transfers. Only the schools with deep pockets would be able to hand out 25 to 30 full ride scholarships and offer high paying summer jobs. If there was a player on another team that you like just go offer them a better deal to be on your team. It kind of bothers me when the softball gurus heap tons of praise on one of these super teams for winning a tournament that was made up of 98% localy based teams. It's kind of like Oklahoma winning a DII tournament.

I get the level playing field thing but if the sanctioning body allows it then it is all fair game. I don't see a big difference between a team with players from 9 states and a team that picks up some key players for nationals. That is all I am saying. I tend to think like grcsftbll and think it is really impressive when I see a team of almost all girls who are from the same area and have played together for years do well in a tournament. Once you are a team that just shows up for tournaments with girls from all over I don't see a huge difference between that and a team that picks up a few key players for nationals. I think it is great that these teams get together with girls from all over and give girls who might not have a chance to play at the highest level that opportunity. Once again, if the sanctioning body allows it all is good and well. Your correlation to the NCAA does not fit because they have rules that prevent teams from picking up players for a bowl game.
 

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