Enough Already

How far are adults willing to go in the name of travel softball? Lately I am becoming alarmed at the number of negative issues I read on AL.COM revolving around the conduct of parents, coaches and organization sponsors.

In just the last couple of days I have read: story’s about a national recruiting service that sponsors a fast pitch team caught cheating at a national level with illegal players, another organization starting fights after losing a game and then its players and/or coaches assaulting each other, and then their seems to be no loyalty of team for players hopping teams/organization to go win at all costs.
What’s next? What does this all mean? I frankly have no idea, but those involved must be real proud of the examples they are setting for little girls and what does it say about the parents who support this behavior?

I will share this. I have met over a dozen families at our private tryouts looking for a new team for their daughter. If there has been one common theme among them it is this: They are looking for a team or organization that is willing to separate themselves from the above mentioned issues and are just looking team where their kids can play because they love the game of softball.

But as long as winning is the motivating factor, teams that are formed for the love of the game seem more times than not at the short end of the stick. This then will lead to team’s folding or the adults running these teams will cave in to the Win At All Cost approach.

Even with all this said and so many folks knowing about it, I doubt things will ever change. Sure the people may change but year in and year out there is someone ready to pick up where the others just left off thus the situations simply are recreated with new faces……….and it’s done all in the name travel softball for our kids!

Again I write pointing a finger at them knowing full well 3 more fingers are pointing right back at me. I am not innocent by any means but I hope to have learned my lessons from the many mistakes I have made. I am trying to get it right and I hope for all the kids and parents who support me that I do!

From the Bucket: Rin Smithson