"Elite" Softball Tournament

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Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
Spent a considerable time this weekend watching an "elite" tournament for 14U. Here are some observations:

  • The umpiring was exceptional. I base a lot of my opinion on this because the umpires took the time to try to get all calls right, were consistent, and had a good sense of humor. They also worked with the young ladies trying to give them time to fix whatever (tie shoe, hair bow,...) but also keeping the game moving.
  • Ok, so some teams should understand that by putting "elite" on your uniform does not make you elite. I don't want to be too cruel on this but the truth is the truth.
  • There are some very good softball players out there at 14U and some are now showing why they are a step above. For example, one young lady that BB and I have coached since she was 9 showed today that she is a major step above all the others. For example, on a blocked ball in the dirt, she took off for second. When the catcher gathered the ball and threw to 2B, this young lady had already rounded it and was headed to 3B. She has that kind of speed. There was no real play at 3B.
  • You can sit in the stands and tell which teams have veteran players who know their positions and responsibilities and those that don't. This is always easy when watching the various dads get on the fence etc. and yell out instructions. Come on, they are 14 now.
  • This one really bugs me. Just how many times can a "coach" say MF on the field before he gets ejected? I heard one say it at least 10-12 times. Another coach got ejected for it and this guy stil kept doing it. If you can't coach don't stand out by having an absolute lack of class.
  • It is good to see the fruits of so much work. I saw some of the young ladies we worked with this summer make adjustments in the game that we had taught during the summer. For example, one young lady hit a double down the right field line on a border line pitch with 2 strikes. It was obvious she knew how she was being pitched and that her plan was to drive the ball oppo.

One of the parents came over and said that 14U ball must look like a major step backwards after watching college ball. Nope. It is fun to watch these young ladies develop.
 
May 28, 2013
60
0
I believe you have nailed it on the head. I do have a request, not only of you, but all. Please, when you bring up a tourney, mention a city. I have seen posts, without, and had to wonder if we were at the same games. I know naming names of teams would probably be out of line, but if the tourney location was brought into the mix it might make it easier for some of the lurking folks, to make some different choices the next weekend.
 

redhotcoach

Out on good behavior
May 8, 2009
4,706
38
The lastest trend with many clubs is labeling their 2nd best teams at an age group "elite".
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
[*]This one really bugs me. Just how many times can a "coach" say MF on the field before he gets ejected? I heard one say it at least 10-12 times. Another coach got ejected for it and this guy stil kept doing it. If you can't coach don't stand out by having an absolute lack of class.


Some umpires, including myself choose not to be the language police as long as it is not directed at an umpire or an opponent. That said, it doesn't mean that I will not suggest s/he calm down and control their volume. If they are the rear you may believe them to be, s/he will be stupid enough to say or do something that will get them dumped.
 
Last edited:

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
I believe you have nailed it on the head. I do have a request, not only of you, but all. Please, when you bring up a tourney, mention a city. I have seen posts, without, and had to wonder if we were at the same games. I know naming names of teams would probably be out of line, but if the tourney location was brought into the mix it might make it easier for some of the lurking folks, to make some different choices the next weekend.

Mike, I guess I assumed that everyone knew the area I live in. It is the St. Louis Metro East.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
Some umpires, including myself choose not to be the language police as long as it is not directed at an umpire or an opponent. That said, it doesn't mean that I will not suggest s/he calm down and control their volume. If they are the rear you may believe them to be, s/he will be stupid enough to say or do something that will get them dumped.
I understand and, the coach was not yelling it. Rather, he would walk by and say it after a called third strike or ... It would be hard to determine if he were saying it to the umpire or about the player. For some, I guess that they are alright with their coach saying that around their dd. I'm not. I never did it as a coach and posted here once that the one time I did use "bad words" around one of my players, I went into the stands and told the parents.
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
The lastest trend with many clubs is labeling their 2nd best teams at an age group "elite".

RHC, BB's team is a first year 14U team and all in 8th grade. That is one part of the criteria to be on this team. The other team is called "futures." Once upon a time, back in the day, there was just 14U. I'll have to get caught back up on this stuff. LOL

Some other things that stood out from this weekend:

  • You can't just steal a base at 14U. The catchers are a lot better.
  • The differences in size of these players on a team can be comical.
  • Speed really stands out on the base path and in the field. One team I saw play had an OF that could really cover ground.
  • There are fewer blowouts at this level. While I did see one, the majority of games were one or two run games.
  • There are fewer pass balls and fewer steals of 3B.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
First thing I noticed when DD went to 14U a few years ago was the sudden importance of having good outfielders. Can't hide them anymore. Compared to 12U, there are many more challenging balls hit to the outfield, whether it be in the gaps or over heads, or just fly balls that put outfielders on the run. In my experience, outfield play in 10U/12U is less important for lack of action, and 16U/18U it's less important because by then outfielders have become more competent, and talented players who see their futures in the OF have migrated to their natural positions. But 14U (especially first-year teams) is the perfect storm where bigger, stronger hitters are putting vulnerable outfielders to the test.
 
Feb 20, 2015
643
0
illinois
One thing that stands out to me as I followed DD around watching tournaments, was how good that players are, and how good the play is at 14U and up. It really is amazing to watch the truly talented teams play ball. My DD is generally a "b" level player, but has subbed on a few A level tournaments, and for as young as these girls are (dd is 16u now) they are really good. The year round play and trend of everyone taking lessons for hitting,pitching, catching etc has really brought the level of play up, IMO. Now, I was not around the game 20 years ago, but IMO a good team from current times, playing against a good team from 20-25 years ago, it wouldn't even be close IMO.

I could be wrong....anyone that has been around the game for a long time, I would love to hear your thoughts.
 

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