District 11 Softball Tournaments

[DiamondWatcher]

I think the lack of teams this year is just the beginning of what's to come of little league softball. . . I know I'm going to get slammed for this, but I believe that the stronger, more competitive kids at this age are playing travel ball and realize that little league isn't where competitive ball is now. They are losing interest, and it's hard to field a true all-star team without these kids.

[ManitouDan]

sad but true . I wish that this sport or society or however you wish to name it would not evolved into this. TONS of the foundest memories of my youth were LL baseball games and LL all stars. I still remember we won the league with a 1-0 or 2-1 win over the dreaded Tigers my 12u year (that was 30 years ago LOL) . Now the participation level is just not there.

Kind of a what came 1st problem . Chicken vs the egg thing. Did travel ball kill LL ? I have no idea. I , like all parents , just want whats best for my kid. 12u's playing with 9u's is not what was best for my kid. Playing games that have so many walks/errors that the game last 3 hours is not best for my kid. Needless to say coaches brawling on the field was not good for anyone. LL was just not a good experience for us when we played (total of 3 years)

Hopefully the pendulum will swing back the other way one of these days. It would be much better for all if local communities had good solid LL programs. I know at 4 buck's a gallon I'd love a solid scioto-greenup-lawarnce-pike co type league. MD

[abuck76]

I'm afraid that be wishful thinkin' there my friend...............The problem now i see, is even ASA is going thru a transition.........12 yrs ago when my DD started in ASA , you could count the number of ASA teams in the counties you mentioned MD and Cabell, Lincoln and Wayne counties in W.Va. on one hand and had a finger left to pick your no....... ........that same DD of mine now helps coach a 16-u team . Man are they weak.....But you know what , the teams I saw them play in tournamnet in around dayton was even more pitiful. My point is I think ASA has become saturated with teams. The really good players are ending up with the "good" teams, but those second tier players that would have benefited by getting better coaching and being around "good" players all the time, now are forming there own teams and it is diluting the competition. Then the third tier players, that have no business playing ASA , will join those weaker teams . That takes even more players away from LL.... I agree with MD, some my fondest memories are of both my DD's playing LL and then going and getting pizza, but , alas , that too has passed i'm afraid..........

[ManitouDan]

^^^^ words of experience have been spoken


. We played in a travel ball tourney in Columbus ---You think big city , good teams, about 10 teams in the thing . My honest assessment was that about 3 of the teams were legit , well trained experienced travel teams.1- 2 others we close and I guess trying hard to get there . 4-5 were terrible. They wasted our time and efforts , (and cash) by signing up to play. One team we beat 10-0 beat one of the other teams 18-2. I say that to back up what abuck said . travel ball is getting the marginal players and watering it down also. AND taking those kids away from LL. The whole structure seems to be caving. Wish I had anwser's to make it better. MD

[SBlover]

District play started tonight with the 11-12 Girls..Wheelersburg mercied ruled Rock Hill not sure of the score though.

[Orkan]

Abuck is right on again.(again?) Back in the old days, he & I sat around the same pools in exotic locations (Beckley, Richmond, Dallas) tipping a few and telling lies.(Ask him about his trip through Arkansas) ASA wasn't a household word and there were not a lot of teams. The draw was your DD could play a lot more games and always against good competition. This was especially attractive to the good pitchers, as they were not limited by LL pitching rules. Also, many coaches liked to advertise they would get the kids in front of a lot of college coaches. As ASA grew (especially in our area) more parents thought it would be better than LL for their kids. That's when kids were trying out for existing teams, and not making it, spawning the start of many new teams. Now everyone thinks travel ball is just right for their kid, as evidenced by the number of teams, thereby bringing on the decline of LL. Many of the kids "on the fence"are stuck. They feel they are missing something if they play LL instead of travel, yet travel may not be a benefit to them. It has turned into the "giant snowball". Another problem is that LL loses good coaching when a lot of the kids leave, especially in Jr. & Sr. league. At that age, the coaches don't want to babysit any more. They expect the kids to be able to play. Travel ball is expensive, LL is not (unless your all-star team makes it to state or beyond). I, also, miss LL. My best experience (among many over the years) was coaching a Jr. league all-star team a couple of years ago. We had a great time.
Abuck. I hope they built a heated press box at the new stadium so your tootsies stay toasty.

[abuck76]

It is , and they do. ....see you soon.................

[Fastpitch Coach]

11 & 12 Girls LL Softball

6-26-08
Lucasville over Coal Grove
Wheelersburg over Rock Hill
Ironton over Minford

6-27-08
Ironton over Chesapeake
South Point over South Webster
Minford over Coal Grove

6-28-08
Wheelersburg over Lucasville
Ironton over South Point
Rock Hill over Minford
Chesapeake over South Webster

Sorry, I don't have all of the scores.

[almondrox]

Playing games that have so many walks/errors that the game last 3 hours is not best for my kid. Needless to say coaches brawling on the field was not good for anyone. LL was just not a good experience for us when we played (total of 3 years)

I echo this sentiment. My daughter was invited to play with a traveling ASA team one weekend and the difference of the level of play was phenonmenol. We are through with LL because of the items mentioned above....and are now in the process of looking for an ASA team.

Also, with your list above, do not forget brawling parents...our LL experience, especially this year, has been absolutely horrible. I have fond memories of growing up with LL and wanted the same for my daughter. She loves the game, but did not enjoy the "drama" that came with it this year in particular.

[PirateMike]

When did this become an ASA vs Little League thread? I thought it was a District 11 tourney thread but since you guys started it I will post my comments.

It is what it is, LL is a little less competition than travel ball but LL is for the community and for the girls to play with their friends. Do we want our kids to be able to look back with their friends and say, "Do you remember when we played in that district or state tournament together." If they are playing LL they will be able to do that as the LL kids are the kids they grow up with and remain friends with just like we did. I heard a group of girls talking today about how much "funner" LL All-Stars is than ASA ball and it was because they are with there real friends. As parents we have to decide if we want to bash LL and put a bad taste in our kids mouth that makes them not want to play or will we support LL and try to make it better so the talent will stay. My guess is that the leagues with the most talent are the leagues that have already realized this and the parents put aside their personal feelings towards coaches or other parents and focus on making the game better for the kids. Whatever is causing all the drama and brawling in some of these leagues could have been avoided if people were disciplined enough to put aside their differences.

Since this is a District 11 Softball Tournament thread, all you LL bashers should come out and watch Ironton and Burg tomorrow at Minford. You will probably see a game that looks similiar to an ASA semi-final game but you won't have to pay $12 bucks to park. If you come out get the sausage and fries or a burger the food is great.

[PirateMike]

Tournament update

The teams left are as follows:

Winners Bracket
Ironton
Wheelersburg

Losers Bracket
Rock Hill
Lucasville

[ManitouDan]

I hope everyone available goes out and supports the game. The kids from Burg play great softball and they have a solid LL program. Take full advantage of it. MD

[almondrox]

My apologies for the hijack. It was not my intent to bash LL...I'm all for it. My daughter loved LL up until this year....just too many "dramas" and residuals happened.

Anyway, is the tournament schedule posted anywhere?
Wheelersburg is an example of a well-run league and I wish them well.

Does anyone know who beat SP the second time?

[almondrox]

When is the 13 & 14's tournament and where is it going to be held?

[The_Sports_Junky]

When is the 13 & 14's tournament and where is it going to be held?

It will be at Symmes Valley. It starts July 5th. 3 teams and they all can play softball well. West, South Point, & Burg. I'll post the times when I recieve them.

[The_Sports_Junky]

When did this become an ASA vs Little League thread? I thought it was a District 11 tourney thread but since you guys started it I will post my comments.

It is what it is, LL is a little less competition than travel ball but LL is for the community and for the girls to play with their friends. Do we want our kids to be able to look back with their friends and say, "Do you remember when we played in that district or state tournament together." If they are playing LL they will be able to do that as the LL kids are the kids they grow up with and remain friends with just like we did. I heard a group of girls talking today about how much "funner" LL All-Stars is than ASA ball and it was because they are with there real friends. As parents we have to decide if we want to bash LL and put a bad taste in our kids mouth that makes them not want to play or will we support LL and try to make it better so the talent will stay. My guess is that the leagues with the most talent are the leagues that have already realized this and the parents put aside their personal feelings towards coaches or other parents and focus on making the game better for the kids. Whatever is causing all the drama and brawling in some of these leagues could have been avoided if people were disciplined enough to put aside their differences.

Since this is a District 11 Softball Tournament thread, all you LL bashers should come out and watch Ironton and Burg tomorrow at Minford. You will probably see a game that looks similiar to an ASA semi-final game but you won't have to pay $12 bucks to park. If you come out get the sausage and fries or a burger the food is great.

Well stated. LIKE MIKE , I WANT TO BE LIKE MIKE !!!!

[osumufan]

Sat. July 5th 5:30 South Point plays Burg in the Jr. League tourney I think the winners play West Ports, SP plays Symmes Valley at 8:00 in the Sr. League

[buckeye221]

i was wondering where the district 11 junior league and also senior league tournament is being played at? and if anyone has a schedule of the games to be played.

[osumufan]

Jr and Sr league tourneys are both at Symmes Valley starting on the 5th see previous post for the beginning games

[Burg_Grad_77]

Who won the game between Wheelersburg and Ironton?