I think you’ve hit on what might be the worst part about all of this: access to the game, particularly at the A-ball, national program level that is where most D1 (especially P4) are recruited from.

Average athletes, with well-heeled parents who can afford the fees, travel, training - and TIME, can level up to become D1 athletes.

But how many incredible athletes are in CPS who don’t have the home situation that’s required to get that opportunity? Where could those kids end up in the game?

I get it - this is the way the world works and it’s not unique to softball. It’s just sad that everything in our society is moving toward have and have nots - and the former keep getting a bigger and bigger slice of the pie.

(No, I didn’t vote for Bernie!)

I’d love to see one of our national programs go out there and create local squads at the starter levels. Play a schedule at 10U that is reasonable and affordable. If you ID kids who have potential, build scholarships into your financial model to get them onto regional and national teams.

If we can create paths for more kids to play, the stronger the game will be. Otherwise, softball is gonna become a country club sport.