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Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Out yourself, Walker Steele on February 19, 2025, 9:21 pm

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by National Team Names on March 3, 2025, 2:01 pm, in reply to "Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Dukes is just not one I would have gone to and for sure not starting at the 16u level.....

Might pull some parents who dont know any better but overall the whole Franchise thing never lives up to the hype.

You play for the main team otherwise it's just lipstick on a ...

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Pig on March 4, 2025, 3:56 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

So what team is this that is getting the lipstick applied to it?

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @pig on March 5, 2025, 5:39 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Malito- mojo for sure

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @@pig on March 6, 2025, 4:44 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Isn’t Malito out of IL? This Lady Dukes is Wisconsin…

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @myoutie on February 21, 2025, 5:45 pm, in reply to "Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Look, it's the same thing that originally brought the Thunderbolts to Joliet and the Mojo to, we'll say, Oak Lawn...that is, one daddy coach. And Lemire keeps Mojo going and now it's Malito too. Now, they might not have kids playing anymore but it's still daddy's wanting to do things their way and make a buck. So who is the Wisconsin Lady Dukes version? Do tell...unless this was just an advertisement which is funny cuz the post has sat here, untouched, for two days.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @@myoutie on February 23, 2025, 10:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

So, it’s bad when daddy’s coach and apparently it’s bad when non-daddy’s coach??
It’s parents like you that get parents in youth sports made fun of!
I say, whatever!
Mojo, the Dukes, etc… they are giving the girls an opportunity to play on a good team outside of BC’s 30 teams in the area😆

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @@myoutie on February 24, 2025, 10:29 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

I didn't characterize the "daddies" as being "bad" daddies. That's a decision for the marketplace to decide. Not sure how identifying this characteristic of a one-off franchise team's creation makes me a bad parent in youth sports. I was trying to get at the Lady Duke's business. Not sure what you are getting at but at the end there we got your message. Please let me translate. I'm a chapped a$$ because my muffin can't make the Bandits, Chill, Sparks, Lightning, Cheetahs (are we up to 30 "BC" teams yet???) so we will franchise and make her feel ever so special and above those other girls she couldn't out compete for a spot. Am I close? Best of luck feeling special yourself.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Steal Away on February 23, 2025, 8:04 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

I believe that the latter half of your presumptive duo here took his DD and team to a local sandbox to play last year. At least that’s what he posted on the Indiana Softball FB page he not so secretly administers.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Coach Jason Mardirosian on February 23, 2025, 1:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

I will be the first to tell you that we were excited to take a team with the Mojo because we were looking to cast a bigger net for players.
Our time with the cheetahs had come to an end.
And, I assure you that we are not in this to make a buck, as it consistently costs both of us well over a few thousand dollars in expenses out of our own pockets per year.
We do it for the love of the game, our extraordinarily competitive natures, our multitude of college coach contacts across the nation, and to see the smile on these knucklehead’s faces when we help get them in the right college fit.
Neither one of us have daughters on the team, but our daughters do help us occasionally coach.
As far as the thunderbolts, Mojo, or the lady Dukes being in the area… I don’t think it waters anything down more than 16 teams from any single organization.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Talent on February 27, 2025, 7:17 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Talented players with projectable bodies
That preform in camps - showcases
In front of coaches are what’s important
Playing for the
Mojo
IP
Batbusters
Dukes
Satellite teams doesn’t mean anything
College coaches know the difference !!
Plenty of talented players getting opportunities
That play for the
Sparks
Lightning
Wasco
Cheetahs ect !!

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @Talent on February 27, 2025, 9:24 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

If you don't think the team you play for makes a difference, then you aren't going to enough big camps. Go to a big camp and watch the coaches follow the group around the entire time.

Also, if you think the Sparks, Lightning, Wasco, and the Cheetahs are "doing fine", compared to IP, Mojo, and the Dukes, it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @@Talent on February 27, 2025, 11:39 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

And talent gets the offer
The skill set matters more
The org name makes no difference if the player is average or doesn’t preform

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Talent Question on February 28, 2025, 8:28 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

I've been out of TB for a few years so I have a question. My observations have been, you play for a big time org, you get looks and preferential treatment at camps. Certain college coaches keep their focus narrow on those orgs. Hell, Mike Candrea said at a clinic, "if you don't play in SoCal, I'm not going to look at you. The best softball in the nation is played there." Well, that is narrow minded IMHO, but he had his reasons.

I know kids that have gone on to have big time careers from small orgs. But its not common. These kids were overlooked by their state schools because of the TB shirt they wore. But, they got opportunities elsewhere and went on to great D1 P5 careers. So, have things changed from what you see?

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by doing fine on February 27, 2025, 11:21 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

How well are the Wildcat kids going, the Batbuster girls, the 500 Bomber teams? Please, anyone who knows the national landscape knows that throwing a name on your jersey doesn't get you past the initial screening. When Northwestern divides their camp attendees, its gonna take more than a Mojo jersey for a girl from Schaumburg to ger segregated with the high end talent. Please reserve your sales pitch for parents with their first born looking for an elevator up.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Honestly on February 27, 2025, 12:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

I could care less what Northwestern does. I've watched the programs who are getting the girls committed, and that's plenty for me.

There are plenty of local players that play on national teams from other states. The difference is that it's the players job once they get the foot in the door to make that national teams recognize her work, and move her up.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by doing fine on February 27, 2025, 3:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Northwestern was one point of reference but thanks for oversimplifying for everyone. National teams from other state is different than playing on a franchised team here in the midwest. That was my point. I agree with your point, you go play for a top-tier national team, go get em, those young ladies earn that chance.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Question on February 27, 2025, 9:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Have you never seen a player from a franchise end up going to headquarters to play. It’s better to be the Batbusters (because of that opportunity) than to play for Blue Wave.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Answer on February 28, 2025, 3:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Name 1 player on Stith OC Batbusters from one of the Midwest or Eastern franchise teams, hell, I'll let you go back 5 years. Now tell me the $200 plus a month each team, not organization, team pays to wear that jersey is worth it. If you're good enough and put in the time and effort to reach out to coaches, they will come watch you no matter what jersey you wear.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @Answer on March 1, 2025, 10:15 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

The whole narrative that the coaches will seek you out and find you if you're good enough is bogus. You have to be on a team that aligns with the schools recruiting schedule. Even going to the camps and making an impact means nothing, if your travel team plays a schedule that doesn't match up to the schools recruiting schedule.

Please stop with this false narrative. The team absolutely matters.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Also on March 2, 2025, 8:48 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

The buying of a franchise helps getting teams into certain tournaments. Is that worth it? It depends on where your perspective.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @Also on March 2, 2025, 11:35 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

My daughter was on a franchised Batbuster team. She did play in tournaments that she couldn't on her previous team. She met Stith personally, was invited to train and play with his California team, and he made calls on her behalf. To her, it was worth it.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Answer on March 1, 2025, 8:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Agree, the competition you play is a top priority, still the franchise jersey you wear is worthless. Some of these franchise teams are out playing B schedules. If a coach is following Mojo, are they following the Harkness/Fisher team with 12 D1 commits or are they following the other 17/18U teams wearing the same jersey.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Watered down? on February 23, 2025, 8:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

I don’t understand the “watered down” comment. Less teams doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality, and looking at Alliance or PGF standings would suggest that the multi team program structure works quite well.

Locally, Iowa Premier seems to have perfected it. This allows them to flex rosters quickly and easily depending upon player availability, player progression, and tournament strength. Having one squad doesn’t give you that option.

But, good luck. Nice to see you’re still enjoying it.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Iowa Premier Perfected it? on February 24, 2025, 8:19 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

I am not sure what this means. Those Chicago Iowa Premier teams are not something to write home about.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by NameGame on February 24, 2025, 8:41 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

Back when the Wave became the Batbusters everyone said same teams different wrapper. Now I'm supposed to buy into the wrapper makes your kid a recruitable star. There are now over 100 teams wearing Batbuster uniforms nationwide and you think that an existing team changing their name to a national team will give your kid a better opportunity. If only my little league team called itself the L.A. Dodgers.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by @IP on February 24, 2025, 8:32 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

What IP is doing makes sense. Offering an option to local programs, with the possibility of performing and moving up to their national teams.

Your vision is too shortsighted.

This is much different that the jersey rental franchise orgs. They promise assistance from headquarters. But once you see what their assistance actually is, it's something you would never sign up for.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Franchisee Expectations on February 24, 2025, 8:58 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

What should a franchisee (the coaches and players) then realistically expect? Seems like franchisees still have to manage the majority of their day-to-day, but the franchiser should help with:

- Tournament admissions
- Recruiting players (due to brand)
- Getting coach eyeballs (due to brand)
- Ease of ordering “stuff” with central purchasing
- Ability to move players around (with injuries or progression)

If a franchiser isn’t doing those things, I don’t know what it is offering. But it’s also hard to measure…

Agree the IP is doing very well at this. The brand gets eyes and the Alliance connection gets them good tournaments. (They “run” an exceptional KC tourney.)

Of course, so do Bandits and Chill. Not sure anyone is else in Chicago area can point to accomplishing those things consistently - event the other big brands like Glory, Batbusters, etc.

Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?

Posted by Coach Jason Mardirosian on February 24, 2025, 8:57 am, in reply to "Re: Lady Dukes Wisconsin?"

All solid points made. And I agree with almost all of what was posted and responded.
I suppose it’s just a matter of interpretation and perspective.
We are just looking for a high-level player who is looking to have fun and not be drowned with pressure. They get enough pressure, as it is.
There is something to be said about roster flexibility, and I suppose that Iowa Premier does it pretty well.
But, too many teams in an organization can cause its own set of problems.
Whatever works for the player and their family, I am all for!
Enjoy the summer season! This time flies by way too fast!

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