Less players playing HS softball due to politics...

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Aug 11, 2016
126
28

My DD just made High School Varsity last week, the only freshman to make the team. They already had a scrimmage last week and she started and played the whole game. I recognize this is just a scrimmage, but we have been preparing her to accept being in the bench for some time. I have not seen politics at play at her school, but I’ll let you know after season ends.

What I can say is that there was a decline in tryout participation this year.

My DD plays with a club as well, and so far, School schedule doesn’t conflict with club games. However, there are strict rules about High School team members not being able to participate in non-school related sport activities during the season that might scare some potential good players into trying out with High School.


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Last edited:
Jan 30, 2018
252
0
SE Michigan
Meh, it's no different than most of the world outside of sports. I think it is sad though. I have mixed feelings about it. I work at a high school and while I am not a head coach, I do help out the jv and varsity teams. It is different from state to state and in different areas, but school ball in my area is not looked at as that important. Coaches job isn't on the line no matter win or lose, coach gets paid no matter what his record is. Our school's coach does care, but he has little if any barring on the girls furthering their careers. He has a lot to do in a little time, there is not time for much instruction other than basics. He barely messes with the TB players as he has to spend time catching up the rec ball players.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida

In our county there are 6 high school teams worth playing for. Good coaches, strong players, good teams.

Every other team is missing at least one of those three things - many are missing all three.

If your travel ball kid is not on one of those 6 teams, it is such a major drop off from travel, I can see why these kids wouldn't want to play.

And lets face it, it is RARE to see any sort of college coach at 99% of high school games (maybe at regionals/state) especially in states where the HS season is now up against the college season. So it isn't like it hurts your recruiting if you don't play.

Lets add in some more:
- There is zero development of high school coaching in any sport. So you hire someone, and that is it. No efforts, no standards. Might be a teacher. Might be the volleyball coach... Maybe they have softball knowledge, maybe not.
- Yes politics, and booster clubs and so on... I would say however for every 7 complaints about politics, 3 are actually that the kid/parent is in the wrong... So it isn't always the case.
- Facilities... It has got better since Title IX but I can tell you exactly where the softball field is at on 99% of campuses. It is at the far, backend of the campus.. or sometimes not even on campus.
- Time commitment... SO much wasted time in High School practices. We are one of the 6 schools you want to play for, and the amount of time they waste. But then there is nothing to guide or help coaches out anyway.
- Totally uneven teams... Our initial schedule was 12 competitive games (the 6 above teams, a tournament and a couple of out of county games) and 12 games we were going to win by showing up. And a unwillingness to do anything about this (Class/Division for schools is determined by some combination of size of school, bumping up a division for private schools who recruit and football success)

Charter schools and private schools. We have two FANTASTIC charter schools locally. The waiting list is enormous and they have a lottery to get in... turns out if you have softball skills you 'win' the lottery. So they have hogged the pitching and talent - both teams have at least 4 pitchers who will play in college and another couple on their JV squads that probably will. Now add in the 2 private schools doing the same and 2 HUGE schools that are awesome and the talent pool is just not spread out. We play a couple of schools where they should have 20 travel girls at the school but they are all at the charter school or the private school. So they are awful. My DD is at one of the huge schools - we have 5 viable pitchers. At least 2 of which will be college pitchers.

It used to be just the private schools recruiting, but they only needed 3-4 pitchers each - so about 8 pitchers... which left some good talent for other schools. Now it is effectively 4 teams so it is 16 pitchers done from schools that would otherwise have them. Parents find ways to get their kids into the big schools and frankly the big schools are close to the HQ for a couple of solid rec/travel programs so they have talent districted for them anyway. That doesn't leave a lot of pitching left for the other schools..

No pitcher - no winning. Pretty straightforward.
 
Last edited:
Dec 10, 2015
845
63
Chautauqua County
here in NY, the private schools are focused on basketball and football. and last week, the school board where I coach voted to end coaching preferences for teachers. it's up to the union now but everyone can see the problem. and you can't just walk on and be a coach. we have plenty of courses/ certifications to take and experience counts. I had 14 girls tryout last year and 21 this year. build a program and they will come.
 
Nov 26, 2010
4,784
113
Michigan
Why is it politics when you are the one on the bench, but its not when you are starting?

There are no more or less politics in HS sports today then there was 30 years ago. Its not the coaches that have changed, its the parents and the kids.
 
Feb 7, 2013
3,188
48
Unfortunately, with some families, it's ok to quit if you don't get your way (even if it's mid-season). If someone isn't getting playing time it's always because of "favoritism" or "politics". Did it ever occur to that person that just maybe one player does something a little bit better than the other player. There is a fine line between being a starter and a bench player. Some players want the easy way out and if things don't go their way, there in an excuse or outside force that is keeping them down. Off my soap box...
 

Cannonball

Ex "Expert"
Feb 25, 2009
4,854
113
In my community, it isn't politics as much as it is other options and specialization in other sports. My school is a girl's soccer power and won a state title last year. Of our 8th grade team, half of them are now playing soccer instead of softball this spring. We have an exceptional 7th grade team. One of the best, that I know specifically since I give her lessons, will have to make the choice between soccer and softball. She is outstanding at both and fast. That is the way it is every year for us.
 
Jan 30, 2018
252
0
SE Michigan
Something else that is affecting school play in my area is that the pay to play in school sports is getting expensive. I live in a very blue collar area and know a couple girls do all they can just for their daughters to play travel. School ball is secondary and not worth the $$
 

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