Yappi
Go Buckeyes
I really enjoy softball and think it is a great sport. The one downside like other travel sports is the player movement. There are some that have real reasons for moving. Others, not so much. But today I heard a new one. A relatively successful local team is losing players because the parents are looking for more college exposure for their 10 year old player!! They think getting on a "name" team at 10 years old will lead to a better chance at college.
I'm guessing any player that has legitimate college aspirations will be able to find a true college prep team when they are 14. Moving teams at 10 years old with an eye on getting on a college coach's radar is just silly. No college coach cares about any 10 year old anywhere. They wait until they are teenagers to see if their size and skill are college level. Probably more kids out of softball by 16 that move to these "college prep" teams at 10 years old then actually go on to play in college. Dropout rate in softball is dramatic and it is mostly on the unrealistic parents.
I'm guessing any player that has legitimate college aspirations will be able to find a true college prep team when they are 14. Moving teams at 10 years old with an eye on getting on a college coach's radar is just silly. No college coach cares about any 10 year old anywhere. They wait until they are teenagers to see if their size and skill are college level. Probably more kids out of softball by 16 that move to these "college prep" teams at 10 years old then actually go on to play in college. Dropout rate in softball is dramatic and it is mostly on the unrealistic parents.