I have seen several games the last 2 years. It just doesn't seem like there is an over abundance of talent like I have seen in the past. Not a lot of dominant pitchers or players. I'm not saying there aren't a few quality players, but sure seems they are few. A few years ago almost every team had at least 3 or 4 dominant players, and some had 7-8. The pitchers I have seen this year so far are not Div 1 material or even close. Is it just me? Have I not seen the right teams? What's your thoughts? Let's get some interaction on the ole MoSports board.
Does anyone else think HS softball talent is down
- Thread starter washMoSports
- Start date
The mound moving back I'm sure is a factor with some pitchers. But with the better pitchers I'm sure that it didn't effect them much. . Most were already pitching that distance in the summer. But beyond the pitchers and catchers, just doesn't seem like I am seeing very strong players overall. Just a observation on my part.
This is what I am seeing. I am seeing more good players, but less great players. Don't know why with kids starting to compete at earlier ages than they used to. Maybe a little burnout? Some of these players not only play several softball games during the summer, but also play basketball or at least attend camps for different sports. Maybe a little too much push from some parents? I have always believed that to excel in any sport there has to be a desire from the heart and a strong work ethic to get better. I do think pitching 43 feet has changed the game. Strategies of scoring more runs is evident with less strikeouts, more errors, more balls put into play. Not as much bunting for one run.
No I haven't seen either of those pitchers. I agree with the above, fewer great players. The pitchers I am seeing are throwing probably 40 mph. That's pretty slow. It's like batting practice lol.
Volleyball is taking over in many high schools. The emergence of club VB over the winter is killing many school sports. But the girls love it - easy to play, doesn't take much physical conditioning, limited skills necessary, controlled weather enviroment. Ask any HS basketball coach how many players they are losing to club VB. Softball players have club softball also but it is in the summer. To play softball, you have to be willing to play on all those hot humid weekends in the summer.
Fall softball competing with volleyball is the reason.
Smaller schools that play both have kids deciding which sport to play. Several are taking the volleyball route for the reasons stated and more.
Also, the softball season is 44 days long from first game to District Championship game. Add 16 days to get to the State Championship game. That is 60 days. Why is the season so short? Are they afraid to run out of good weather?
Volleyball District Championship game is 62 days from first eligible game day to District Championship game. Add 10 days to get to the State Championship game for a total of a 72 day season.
Smaller schools that play both have kids deciding which sport to play. Several are taking the volleyball route for the reasons stated and more.
Also, the softball season is 44 days long from first game to District Championship game. Add 16 days to get to the State Championship game. That is 60 days. Why is the season so short? Are they afraid to run out of good weather?
Volleyball District Championship game is 62 days from first eligible game day to District Championship game. Add 10 days to get to the State Championship game for a total of a 72 day season.
Well we can't really blame it on Volleyball here. Washington has always been a big volleyball school. This area has always been big in volleyball. There have been times when 4 schools within 20 miles here have all been at the Final Four at the same time. Borgia, Washington, New Haven and Hermann.
But I know in some smaller districts where they didn't have volleyball before that it is having an impact. However, the metro area teams I don't think that's the case. I wonder how the A level teams did at Nationals this summer. Or the gold level.
But I know in some smaller districts where they didn't have volleyball before that it is having an impact. However, the metro area teams I don't think that's the case. I wonder how the A level teams did at Nationals this summer. Or the gold level.
