Lack of 2010 Birth Year Players

[rslaubaugh]

When those 09s move up in Spring the 2010 teams grinding it out now will be the teams to beat Our team has lost 6 of the last 6 games against 09 teams but.... we have showed marked improvement and are now giving them a run for their money!

 

[ang2bmd]

Yep we struggled to field a 2010 team for 2 yrs now. We also struggle to find 2010s that want to try to play better teams. Everyone seems to want to play the lowest level possible and collect trophies instead of being challenged.

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[mikfish711]

Is it lack of players or an abundance/increase of teams? We are experiencing something similar with 06 birth year

 

[NJSwampdragons]

Is it lack of players or an abundance/increase of teams? We are experiencing something similar with 06 birth year

Lack of players. One club team couldn't put together a 10-U team, and at least 3 club teams are filled with a lot of 2011s, but my guess is more. Last year's club teams were largely all 2009s. The USSSA page is also showing less teams vs last year, although maybe some have started yet. Our coach said 10-U tournaments are struggling to fill up.

 

[newnin]

United States birth rates (from the CDC)

Year	Births	Total Population	Birth Rate
2007	4316233	301231207	14.33
2008	4247694	304093966	13.97
2009	4130665	306771529	13.46
2010	3999386	308745538	12.95
2011	3953590	311591917	12.69
2012	3952841	313914040	12.59
2013	3932181	316128839	12.44
2014	3988076	318857056	12.51
2015	3978497	321418820	12.38
2016	3945875	323127513	12.21
2017	3855500	325719178	11.84
2018	3791712	327167434	11.59

 

[uncdrew]

Fine with our clubs.

I think it's a fairly random (or very complex) combination of factors. Lacrosse got really popular in our North Atlanta suburbs and pulled some of our softball talent away.

Also, 2020 is obviously a crazy year where many families are taking things a bit easy. The move from rec to travel ball for many of the younger girls perhaps got delayed due to Covid.

 

[Northball]

United States birth rates (from the CDC)

Year	Births	Total Population	Birth Rate
2007	4316233	301231207	14.33
2008	4247694	304093966	13.97
2009	4130665	306771529	13.46
2010	3999386	308745538	12.95
2011	3953590	311591917	12.69
2012	3952841	313914040	12.59
2013	3932181	316128839	12.44
2014	3988076	318857056	12.51
2015	3978497	321418820	12.38
2016	3945875	323127513	12.21
2017	3855500	325719178	11.84
2018	3791712	327167434	11.59

If I remember my recent history, maybe fewer people making whoopee as their worries over paying mortgages and soundness of financial account holders increased in the late 2000's?

 

[newnin]

If I remember my recent history, maybe fewer people making whoopee as their worries over paying mortgages and soundness of financial account holders increased in the late 2000's?

The reason why isn't all that important. But there are just less kids being made, which means a smaller pool of softball players.

 

[Strike2]

I wonder if COVID has impacted 2010 participation levels with many rec leagues shut down

Why would anything going on now affect only 2010s?

 

[Strike2]

If I remember my recent history, maybe fewer people making whoopee as their worries over paying mortgages and soundness of financial account holders increased in the late 2000's?

The Great Recession could have impacted the number of babies born to people who would get their kids involved in team sports. Could also just be a regional thing.