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Spring Trip Destinations for Softball
- Thread starter Yappi
- Start date
Yappi
Go Buckeyes
This season, we went to Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Bach Florida. It was not a good experience. There were three teams down there for our time frame: Tallmadge (OH), Kings (OH), and Milton (WI).
Our varsity (Tallmadge) played four games. First two games were normal. The third game, they had to bring in a local Florida team. The first team that we were scheduled against backed out and they brought in another local Florida team. The fourth game was supposed to be a rematch with the Wisconsin team but they pulled out (supposedly a disciplinary decision) and we played Kings a second time. The competition was outstanding but paying all that money, playing the same team twice and local teams shouldn't be part of the process.
The glaring problem was the JV team. The first game was shortened to a 5 inning game. The score was 7-3, so it was not a run rule. There were 4 fields (with 3 of them open) and no one was waiting to use a field. The second game was cancelled due to rain but no makeup was attempted for the evening. Again, field were wide open. The third game was an exhibition against the Wisconsin team's varsity bench players who did not get to play. They played 9 in the field but only batted 6. Again, only a 5 inning game that was not a run rule. The fourth game was TBD on the schedule but they were never able to find an opponent, so it was cancelled. The JV parents and players spent a ton of money and only got one partial game and one partial scrimmage in.
The complex was very nice. Four well-kept fields. Only two were used while we were down there.
Another surprise was that they charged $7 per person per day to come into the complex...unless you were a local team filling in. For those parents, it was free.
The competition was high level for softball. Some very good games between very good teams. That was the one positive from the trip. There appeared to be more baseball teams onsite, so maybe this was mostly a baseball week and softball was an afterthought. They really need to communicate that to the teams coming down.
Our varsity (Tallmadge) played four games. First two games were normal. The third game, they had to bring in a local Florida team. The first team that we were scheduled against backed out and they brought in another local Florida team. The fourth game was supposed to be a rematch with the Wisconsin team but they pulled out (supposedly a disciplinary decision) and we played Kings a second time. The competition was outstanding but paying all that money, playing the same team twice and local teams shouldn't be part of the process.
The glaring problem was the JV team. The first game was shortened to a 5 inning game. The score was 7-3, so it was not a run rule. There were 4 fields (with 3 of them open) and no one was waiting to use a field. The second game was cancelled due to rain but no makeup was attempted for the evening. Again, field were wide open. The third game was an exhibition against the Wisconsin team's varsity bench players who did not get to play. They played 9 in the field but only batted 6. Again, only a 5 inning game that was not a run rule. The fourth game was TBD on the schedule but they were never able to find an opponent, so it was cancelled. The JV parents and players spent a ton of money and only got one partial game and one partial scrimmage in.
The complex was very nice. Four well-kept fields. Only two were used while we were down there.
Another surprise was that they charged $7 per person per day to come into the complex...unless you were a local team filling in. For those parents, it was free.
The competition was high level for softball. Some very good games between very good teams. That was the one positive from the trip. There appeared to be more baseball teams onsite, so maybe this was mostly a baseball week and softball was an afterthought. They really need to communicate that to the teams coming down.
Yappi
Go Buckeyes
In the last couple of years, we went down to Ripken Experience in both Myrtle Beach and Pigeon Forge. Both were very good experiences. The competition was good but much more variability between the teams. Run rules were more common.
The negatives were that the temps in Pigeon Forge could be very chilly, especially with the early morning games. Myrtle Beach also had more weather issues, which they tried to play through with the exception of lightning.
The negatives were that the temps in Pigeon Forge could be very chilly, especially with the early morning games. Myrtle Beach also had more weather issues, which they tried to play through with the exception of lightning.
Are these trips really about playing softball against good competition and finding suitable weather to play games in? Time spent to get better? Team bonding? The competition is sketchy at best in a lot of cases. The amount of fundraising to make these trips is extreme. Is it really worth it for 4-5 games, many 5 inning blowouts? Why not put it towards additional equipment, uniforms, facilities, team get togethers for pizza or ice cream? My contention is that these trips are primarily used as a much needed recruiting tool, kind of like a reward. A spring vacation for both the players and families that otherwise they would not be able to take due to season play during this time. Agree both Pigeon Forge and MB seem like popular destinations.
Yappi
Go Buckeyes
For my son, they went down to North Carolina in the Raleigh area to play at 4 different High Schools. IMO, that was a great trip. The weather was warmer than Pigeon Forge and drier than Myrtle Beach. They also saved a ton of money not having to pay the organizers (Ripken or Jackie Robinson) for playing at their facilities.
I just wish there was an organizer who could make this type of trip a regular thing instead of giving so much money to the facilities that only care about making a buck.
I just wish there was an organizer who could make this type of trip a regular thing instead of giving so much money to the facilities that only care about making a buck.
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Well-known member
South Range is going to Myrtle Beach. They have been doing it for twenty years I think.