NEXT year Jr high and thoughts on making the league better ?

[ManitouDan]

I think the 1st year went well. very well.

Next year to avoid conflict I'm pretty certain the coaches would like to keep it school based. If you don't have a rule in favor of that technically someone could bring in 2 ace pitchers from outside their school and dominate the league, or pick up 3-4 high level players and dominate the league.
This year the teams were put together really quickly. Some communities did'nt get a team together and that left a few girls who loved the sport w/o a team. But with more advance notice (this is the advance notice ) maybe everyone can get a team together that has interest in it.

It only takes 10-12 to have a team. you have 3 grades to find 10 kids to committ to it. Should be able to be done. If not, it will only take away from player development as the girls approach HS.

Any other details need to be talked about ? A standard of charging or not charging admission should be addressed. 1-2 bucks a person seems reasonable with kids free ? got to cover cost of umps/balls/field maintenence.


A sidenote to parents of pitchers--if your kid is young , say a 6th or 7th grader please consider the use of a face guard. It possable your 12 yr old 6th grader might be throwing to a 15 yr old 8th grader. A shot to the face/head without a guard is a terrible thing. Thats my own soapbox opinion.

MD

[The_Sports_Junky]

MD,

I don't know of any 15 year olds playing. I think 15 year old are freshmen (or they should be). I'm not a big fan of the face shields. I think they cause blind spots. Mouth guards are fine.

[ManitouDan]

I know the way birthday's fall it's possable that some 6th graders who have already turned 13 are still eligible for 12u ball. So I deducted some 8th graders who are currently playing 14u ball might turn 15 this spring ? Maybe not , I don't follow the birthday rules for all the organizations.

Regardless of age, I'd want my younger in-experienced pitchers wearing a mask when they throw to the likes of B. Dillow, Phil's kid, Kayla Koch , etc etc etc . Man those girls could rearrange a young face in about 0.3 seconds. Many surguries later you would wish your kid had on a mask. I'm not for making it mandatory , just pushing my own opinion. Saw a report 3-4 weeks ago where in 1 tourney 3 pitchers took shots to the head. All had on mask. MD

[SBlover]

OUch!!!! I suggested the face mask to my kid..She says no way...I say if a ball takes out that 5 grand I put in your mouth your in big trouble...lol..I'm for if the player wants them then have at it . Do they have a blind side to them though? I've never held one up to see..

[SBlover]

I guess there could be a 15 year old if they failed a year.My kid will be a freshman this year and turns 15 in December..So good point, Dan.There is alot of age differences in 12 to 15 in maturity and playing years..There were quite a few girls on all the teams out there who have never played softball in there life compared to some 14 year old who have lived and breathed softball since they were in t-ball..So when you have younger pitchers up against big strong girls swinging big bats at them can be dangerous..


I think this season turned out really well despite some errors that will hopefully be resolved by next year..But it's nice to see the upcoming talent before they hit high school..The girls kindof get to know each other..

THe first year umpires did a good job behind the plate !!! Props to the Blue!!!

The only think I really saw schedule wise is I know we played Clay twice then Valley Purple 4 times..Hopefully it can be more divided equally next time..DK done a good job running the program! Props to you DK!!!

ANd a shout out to all of the coaches for all their time and dedication in helping these girls!!! Good job guys!!!

[The_Sports_Junky]

Phil's kid Moves up to High School next year.

How many players return next year ?

[ManitouDan]

From Joey K's ND team , they were all 8th graders except for the pitcher , Miranda Pauley, so she will be back to join my team , which was 7 7th graders and 4 6th graders. ND should field a strong team next year. The Valley team or teams will be strong again also, They lose a handful but have that valuable commodity known as pitching. MD