- Jun 22, 2008
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- 48
My point about posting the link to NFHS SB records, was to show HS SB has been around since at least 1939. That doesn’t refute what you said at all, but it does kind of show that comparing a program that began as early as 1939 with one that began in 1974 isn’t really fair to either one. Your statement would certainly have been true for HSSB, but while it would have been true to at least some degree in the ‘70’s, its much more likely that there would have been a lot more experienced coaches out there.
As was the game at the collegiate level, but that was prior to becoming organized under the NCAA which only shows records from 1982. In both, there was little "national" organization for either HS or college. The HS game was not played everywhere, by everyone. It all depends on where you lived, if your school supported the game, (still, not all do) and if you can find relatively local competition. In my area, in the late 60s, softball was dropped as it was considered "not lady-like", so the local HS association replaced it with.......lacrosse! Now, I'm a big lax fan, more so of the box than field, but really?
What makes you believe there aren’t still many schools that have the same requirements? Most of the schools around here require the HC to be either a teacher or an administrator of some school district.
Again, all depends on where you live. In my area, that used to be the requirement, but they ended up with unqualified individuals being given the job and the rule was changed to allow outside coaches. Unfortunately, even today, the teacher's union contract requires the position be given to a teacher that applies before going outside the school, regardless of the qualification or more often, the lack thereof. And there are teachers who want the extra money that have little to no regard for the game or players and that is a damn shame. In some cases, it has turned into an outright embarrassment.
As for LLI organizations, that’s probably correct, but the same can be said for baseball as well. It mighty rare to have coaches in LLI, or at any of the lower rec levels that aren’t simply parents doing it while their child is playing. Its not until you get to the travel/tournament venues where the coaches get paid that you’ll find the better coaches in any sport.
Which, IMO, has been driven over the past thirty years by the carrot chase. When I was growing up, the local youth coaches (non-LL, but better rules for transitioning) were often a former pro or semi-pro player who lived in the area. I believe LL does attempt to keep the neighborhood flavor in the game, something travel ball has abandoned.
Well, I certainly can’t and won’t argue that there are differences between LLI SB and all others. But to me it makes no more difference than it does for baseball. Its recreational only, and not intended to be D1 caliber SB. LLI is likely the main source for players because they have to start someplace. Its not very often you’ll find an 8YO player ready to face Jennie Finch, so where do they learn the basics? Does every “good” SB player start off playing tournaments and traveling all over the place?
My point is, LLI SB doesn’t have to be anything other than what it is, a place for kids to learn the basics of playing a sport many millions love.
And I completely agree. Problem is many of the carrot chasers are prepping/pushing their children at a very early age to BE the next Jenny Finch. In my very unpopular opinion, players are being pushed into highly competitive situations long before they should be and really are not given the time to learn without sacrificing other parts of their childhood.
For about a decade, I have been suggesting to those I know in ASA (not that they listened) that they develop a partnership with LL which will give the younger players a place to start and learn and become comfortable with the basics at their pace. In doing so, LL keeps the neighborhood flavor and operate in conjunction with what is now the "B" program for ASA. Those who want to transition to travel ball, let them move to ASA's A ball program and do so without a major adjustment in rules.
This would have to be a boon for both in registration and savings on insurance. The LL could also take advantage of ASA's umpire training program for the umpires that would continue to be LL-registered.
Like I said, though, unpopular.