Wasn't brought up because the geographical area that requires winter workout space is a miniscule % of the overall fastpitch market.
Interesting post by NFA
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Can't align with that statement. Miniscule % of the market? On what planet is that true?
- Dec 11, 2010
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I’d guess it’s pretty much everyone north of I-70, lol
Haha, ummm not so much. Maybe with global warming that'll happen someday!
- Dec 11, 2010
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OK, I-80 then lol!
We are starting to have our first fall weather. I enjoy fall but I miss summer sooner every year.
The difference between I-70 corridor and I-80 corridor weather in Illinois is about 10 degrees from fall ‘til spring. Doesn’t sound like much but it’s pretty significant after slogging through the waist deep snow to the dugout (uphill both ways) all damn winter, lol
We are starting to have our first fall weather. I enjoy fall but I miss summer sooner every year.
The difference between I-70 corridor and I-80 corridor weather in Illinois is about 10 degrees from fall ‘til spring. Doesn’t sound like much but it’s pretty significant after slogging through the waist deep snow to the dugout (uphill both ways) all damn winter, lol
Already had a fairly decent winter storm here 3 weeks ago with about a foot of the white stuff. Cancelled/postponed quite a few HS games in the area. Doesn't take a lot to cause that 10 degree differential either...I'm a half mile further up in elevation from the Mile High City and it's 10 degrees cooler on average (and I'm south of I-70) too.
Pretty sure that at least a couple NFA Directors have invested heavily in winter workout space.
Pretty sure that at least a couple NFA Directors have invested heavily in winter workout space.
- Jun 8, 2016
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If instead of geographical the word population was used that would be closer to the truth if you consider CA and TX (although indoor space is probably needed in North TX)....
I'd say about 40% of the softball world lives in a place that won't allow outdoor work in December and January. Just a guess but that's what I think.
I haven't coached in the US for about 20 years. 15 years in Europe and 4 in the Philippines. So what I am about to ask, I am no expert at. I have no experience. I too have worried about the expense to families to fulfill the dream. But having formerly scouted and recruited college players at the D1 level, I am appalled by not the organization of the softball structure, but the money/business end.
It is convenient for college coaches on a regional basis. But m I missing something? Do I need 100 Showcases to find the right player? And those programs that take on a label, like say, "Texas Gold 1", Texas Gold II", Texas Gold San Antonio", Texas Gold Houston", Texas Gold Austin". These are made up names, but I see what appears to be big organizations with a central structure, but for what purpose? To keep up with these exorbitant expenses? What is gained?
I received compensation here of $2000 per month for coaching the Women's National Team, but it was minimal because of concerns about the very small budget and equipment needs. I train the Junior National Team for free. In Europe I received a total of $500 cash for clinics. I did receive lodging and food. But as in the US, I did everything for free. I worked 6 months, and vacationed 6 months. Parents would almost complain that I wasn't charging for private lessons. So I am alarmed at the expense.
Below is a link to a video which raises another concern. I see this camp and wonder of what use it is?
Most of the players have a very low skill level, or lack of body control. I saw very few players who were recruitable at the D1 level. I saw some that could probably play DII and DIII. Which brings up the next question -
I see such poor execution or skill level. Do they every teach anything? They follow up with a group skills sequenced video with names. And yes, you can see the "haves" and "have nots" pretty quickly. But there are girls who could improve, for at the very least their club teams benefit, or perhaps a grasp at D11, D111 or JC level. And it would help those girls for D1 that just lack polish. But is there anything offered? I know they do private videos, but I am sure that private video costs a chunk of change.
One last thing! At the ASA Gold Qualifiers, the 300+ coaches were focused on about 6 programs. There were another 6 or so that got some attention. But there are 60+ that were seldom if ever seen. I remember watching one game with only the Notre Dame coach sitting with me. Another had the Oregon State coach. I watched what I thought was the best player in the tournament, from New Hampshire believe it or not, and no one but me ever saw her. No one recruited here. I had the coaches contact number, but family issues and a divorce caused her to move and get lost. I never found her. But as a 2nd Tier program, I was in no position to waste my time on those top 6 teams. I was looking for "diamonds in the rough". Ms. New Hampshire was not a rough diamond! But most coaches are looking for the most polished, complete package including "student athlete". So again, what good does a camp like in the video do for a player who has low skill level, body control issues, or poor academics? Essentially every year, there will be about 1,500 or fewer girls who are recruited by D1 schools. How many of those girl's and their family's dreams are realistic in these videos? Maybe that money would be better spent on the debate team or room and board.
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