This is indeed an interesting development. Some well intentioned thoughts for the learned gentry of Midwest Fastpitch...

1. We should disjoin ourselves from previous definitions of the high school athletics experience. This isn't easy, but look to college athletics for guidance. Even Rick Pitino, a Truman baby, has embraced the position that college sports are professional. (They are at least semi-pro.) And, as those dollars get closer to high school athletes, it is inevitable that economic opportunity will influence behavior and reality.

2. High school athletics can be wonderfully pro-social, but HS success, and even participation, are no longer a requirement for entry to the highest levels of this sport (B1G, SEC, ACC, B12). D1/P4 collegiate offers are made based on club performance, not high school performance - and grey shirts are becoming commonplace for the top prospects. I dare to suggest that in the upper quartile, clubs have far superior coaching to high schools (let alone training, facilities and competition).

3. Proliferation of the importance of clubs is a simultaneous expansion of the "have and have nots" dynamic. Many of us may conclude this to be anti-social... and they're likely correct. It's not good for social cohesion or upward mobility. But before you shake your fist at the wind, realize that it's our own insatiable appetite for live sports and our kid's success that fuels this dynamic.

For softball, some of the cures envisioned by this bill are inapplicable. There really aren't any showcases in the spring, as college coaches are busy with their own seasons.

But, this could certainly inspire clubs to create competing spring seasons, under the promise of superior competition, training, coaching, etc. In some cases, they'd be right. In others, they'd be wrong.

What this does long term is anyone's guess. Do crummy HS programs see an outflow of talent to spring club seasons? Do HS athletic directors see this as competition that they must "game up" to compete against? It's anyone's guess.

But, don't ever bet against the almighty dollar and parent/player hopes and dreams...