Select Softball

[Shane77624]

I have a couple of questions for everyone. What is a good source for locating a fastpitch select team? I have looked through some of the web sources, but found nothing promising. I have a feeling that I know that the answer is going to be word of mouth.

Secondly, what is required to start up my own team? Other than a tremendous time commitment and a substantial Financial commitment what else is required?

[Heath]

www.eteamz.com and www.fastpitchsoftball.net. I would find a local select tournament in your area and go speak with some coaches. If you have the money they are always looking for players. Be ready for a huge financial commitment. I understand the fastpitch select market really well. Let me know if you have any specific questions. You also might want to pm RWC on TBH.

Edit: You may check with your local sporting good stores as well. F&F in Orange would be a great place to go. I know one of the owners has a daughter that plays travel ball.

[DFWPI]

Shane, www.fastpitchsoftball.net is a good place to start. Depends on what age group, what experience team you are looking at and the such. I coached for a couple of years and basically the team was made up of girls from my daughter's high school team. That way they got some playing time together during the summer.

[Mike]

Shane,,,Drop a line if you run out of leads. I am in Orange/BC area and the Orange Crush director lives next door, they have several teams spread throughout the age groups.

If you call F&F, ask for Gary as Heath mentioned. His daughter is very involved and he can advise on the area teams.

[wags]

Shane...go to texasprepsoftball.com. This is site usually of high school coaches, but I promise you, all you have to do is ask the question.

As a high school softball coach, I wish my girls would get more involved with select ball. But with our location and the monetary and time commitment it takes, I understand the reluctancy.

With that being said, most girls who get to go to the next level, usually get noticed thru select ball.

[Shane77624]

Thanks for all of the input fellas. This afternoon I took a quick glimps through www.eteamz.com, but I think I may have to go through it again.

My daughter is 10 and has been playing for 3 years. She start her pitching lessons this weekend (Man are they expensive!!) and hopefullly she'll stay as motivated as she is now. She has a great eye for the ball, but this season she was insistant on using a C-Core bat that was a bit too heavy. I think I've talked her into going with a Halo Lite next. Hopefully, the increased bat speed (from a lighter bat) will add a little more velocity to her hits.

The reason I asked about coaching and starting my own team is that I am really fed up with the coaches from the spring recreational leagues forgetting that these are girls and this is softball...not baseball. Sure, there are similarities, but there are also many differences which are what makes the game so interesting.

Have any of you had any experience with Beaumont Sports off of 69? I pass by there daily, but if F&F is the shiznet then I'll make the drive.

Heath, wasn't it you who went to work for Louisville Slugger? If so, are they going to limit the TPS Catalyst to a -10? a -11 or -12 would be super.....Just asking.

[Shane77624]

ttt

[Heath]

Heath, wasn't it you who went to work for Louisville Slugger? If so, are they going to limit the TPS Catalyst to a -10? a -11 or -12 would be super.....Just asking.

The problem this year is ASA is going to a new bat standard, so no bat companies have their 2009 bats available right now. According to ASA the new standards will make the bats not as "hot" after the break period as what they have been in the past. ASA is really backed up right now with the testing. They say they will Grandfather in all the bats under the old standards, but in July bat companies have to stop shipping their bats that fall under the old testing. Who knows how long ASA will allow for the old bats to be used. You can still buy a 08 bat brand new and I suggest that. I think ASA will allow these bats for play for at least a year if not two, before banning them. If you want an 09 bat TPS is going to do the......

-10 Catalyst (same technology, new color scheme)
-10 H2 Hybrid (new hybrid technology, composite handle, double wall alloy barrel),
-10 Triton (3X Composite, new technology, best bat),
-12 Zephyr (lower price point, not quite as good composite as the Triton)
-11 Jessica Mendzoa (great bat, nice price, USA player)

[Shane77624]

I had heard rumors that they were going to change the regs. to fit "broken in" or "rolled" bats rather than new. I just didn't know that it was going to be so soon. I have also heard that baseball was going to begin to establish a standard like the ASA 1.20

[Heath]

I had heard rumors that they were going to change the regs. to fit "broken in" or "rolled" bats rather than new. I just didn't know that it was going to be so soon. I have also heard that baseball was going to begin to establish a standard like the ASA 1.20

There is not a single governing body in baseball like their is in Softball with the ASA. I do not see one coming in baseball; however, the State of NY has banned all alloy and composites bats in Youth/Senior League/High School play.You could see legislation in other states soon, but I do not think you will see standards in baseball anytime soon. What it means that the ASA is doing is the bats can not be as hot as what they where out of the wrapper as they have been. So basically you are getting a bat that is not as hot as what it used to be. That is why you see people loading up on the "old" bats, but it is gamble cause you do not know when ASA is going to be ban them.

[Shane77624]

The folks who are rolling the bats should have an increase business. Do you see any negative impact from this?

[Heath]

The folks who are rolling the bats should have an increase business. Do you see any negative impact from this?

Yes, you are breaking up the graphite fibers in the bat which will result in the bat cracking sooner. The positive is the bat gets broke in quicker, but may not last as long.

[Shane77624]

I guess what you are telling me is that it just depends on how much $$ you have to spend on bats.

[Heath]

Heath, wasn't it you who went to work for Louisville Slugger?

And to answer that question. Yes I work for Louisville Slugger.