Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com

Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com
[ Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com ]

Question

Posted by Quick on August 11, 2025, 10:13 am

What is considered a national team? Do they inquire players from the area and travel nationally, or do they inquire players from different states and compete nationally?

Re: Question

Posted by One Thought on August 11, 2025, 12:36 pm, in reply to "Question "

Mainly it's the schedule you play. Not just local tourneys, but going out to play against the highest level of competition you can find. Colorado, Cali, AFCS, Triple Crown, Etc.

Most teams have a core of players from the same area, but really hard to find all the right pieces from just your local area. If you can, then more power to you.

But also, it's all just a name. Anyone can call themselves a National team, just like anyone can call themselves an A team. What matters is are you actually playing against top talent.

And even then, say you are signing up for the best events....are you getting in? Are you getting into the invite only showcases and tournaments, are you getting into power pools, are you on the top quads? That is what makes a team truly an elite level team, and can you do it season after season.

Re: Question

Posted by Quick Answer on August 11, 2025, 10:42 am, in reply to "Question "

From the look at some of these "National" teams in the SWS... It is just a name in gamechanger, and a few new jerseys.

Re: Question

Posted by Quickly on August 11, 2025, 1:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

There are definitely some teams in the SWS that are calling themselves "National" team or teams. This doesn't mean they can compete in this competition. One team in particular we dont see how they would even be a thought in the IDT or Power Pool. They do not have a good resume to even be a thought, maybe deep pockets??

Re: Question

Posted by Quickly on August 11, 2025, 3:22 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

I agree teams going to IDT and the national power pools in Colorado are probably playing a national schedule. Those would be the area teams I would consider national teams or programs. Most showed well at IDT from what I can see. I applied any area teams that accept the challenge.

Re: Question

Posted by Look on August 11, 2025, 11:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

Look at what colleges are recruiting the organizations players. That will tell you all you need.

Re: Question

Posted by Dr McBuckets on August 12, 2025, 3:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

First it was GOLD
Then it was ELITE
Then it was PREMIER
Now,
It’s NATIONAL
More BS name changing to add significance to a mostly insignificant coach/organization to attract better players

Re: Question

Posted by @Dr McBuckets on August 18, 2025, 10:52 am, in reply to "Re: Question "

Amen Brother!

Re: Question

Posted by Agreed on August 17, 2025, 9:04 am, in reply to "Re: Question "

Most of the "National" teams in the area can get demolished by local teams less than 20 miles away

Re: Question

Posted by 18U on August 13, 2025, 6:59 am, in reply to "Re: Question "

What is the point of starting a new 18U "National" team.. Do you REALLY find outside talent that no one knew about at 18U, or are you looking for parents with deep pockets to pay for all that "national" travel? I am waxed by all the fundraising required by these throw it together national teams in the SWS...

Re: Question

Posted by @18U on August 13, 2025, 11:46 am, in reply to "Re: Question "

There is talent leaving good teams every day. Where have you been? The challenge isn't finding talent, it's finding parents who actually want to travel a national schedule.

Re: Question

Posted by @Dr McBuckets on August 12, 2025, 7:04 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

You missed "Scout Team".

I am waiting to see the first softball organization to add Scout Team to their name. You are seeing a lot of baseball teams adding "Scout Team" to their top teams.

Re: Question

Posted by @Doc on August 13, 2025, 2:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

I'm liking the Scout Team label, it's new, they must be better. How about International teams, attract a few Japanese Pitchers.

Re: Question

Posted by Hooligan on August 13, 2025, 1:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

Have you seen some of these Fall travel schedules???Absolutely nuts bananas. Most teams even Dennison are traveling 5 times this Fall. Everyone is going to St Louis, Kansas, back to St Louis and most are going to Georgia also with 2 Peorias thrown in there. Talk about absolute insanity. Your paying more this fall than any kids gonna get for scholarship money. I just seen on Twitter a former rec team, now a mojo team is traveling 5x this fall.

Re: Question

Posted by @Hooligan$$$ on August 18, 2025, 11:01 am, in reply to "Re: Question "

Remember, travel softball is not, and has never been a money grab! It's all about the kids! They don't need school on Fridays. They don't need rest time, or be kids. What they need is more hours in the car and more more nights in the "stay to play" hotel.

Parents need to step up! If that Master Card has any room left on it, then you're half-a$$ing it! Let's Go!

Re: Question

Posted by Well on August 18, 2025, 1:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

You can always back off and pay for college.

Re: Question

Posted by @Hooligan on August 14, 2025, 12:36 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

So more tournaments with more coaches is a bad thing? Or earning a bid in fall for nationals?

If teams are going to these events and no coaches are showing up to their games, it might be worth checking the organization the DD is on for that one.

Re: Question

Posted by @BOTH Hooligans on August 14, 2025, 9:26 am, in reply to "Re: Question "

Guess Fall Matters?

Re: Question

Posted by @Hooligan on August 14, 2025, 6:13 am, in reply to "Re: Question "

The schedules this fall are outrageous. My college aged daughter has been texting me the more insane ones as they come through her feed. Lots of teams with 4-5 straight weekends out of town.

Used to be that you could do Betcher cancer, the good StL tournament, and maybe one other and get in front of a ton of college coaches while only traveling a couple times.

The timing of the evaluation period is a big part of the issue. Oct 18 to Nov 23 is not a prime time to play softball in Northern Illinois. So you end up having to travel south. The shame is that there are lots of teams that will do all this traveling and won’t see many coaches.

Re: Question

Posted by Well on August 14, 2025, 1:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

It is TRAVEL softball. Not stay local softball.

There are plenty of teams who don't want to spend money on travel. Stay on those teams, instead of joining a true travel team, and complaining in the stands every game.

Re: Question

Posted by Let’s go to Europe! on August 15, 2025, 8:46 am, in reply to "Re: Question "

I just read where two football 🏈 teams are going to play in Europe this fall. Why are we as travel teams not taking advantage of the opportunities to play in Europe or say Japan, softball is huge in Japan?

Re: Question

Posted by @Let's on August 17, 2025, 1:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

Are you kidding? We have parents whining about going to KC or Colorado to play in front of hundreds of college coaches.

Re: Question

Posted by Guaranteed ESPN coverage on August 17, 2025, 6:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

Look at the two football teams from Florida taking trips to Europe to play meaningless games against a school in Europe. Who knew they even played football there. But they are getting national TV coverage on ESPN. I’m just proposing that IF you take ANY softball team to Japan for a series or even a tournament there, you will get ESPN’s attention and that will get you college coaches attention.

Re: Question

Posted by Make Fall Safe Again on August 13, 2025, 5:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

You're right - it's completely insane.

Fall is becoming another extension of summer. Too many teams playing too many games - missing school days and adding even more expense!

Coaches - use the fall to TEACH and TRAIN and then be SELECTIVE in where you take your kids and families for tournaments.

The excuse you'll hear is "exposure", which is nuts. The number of girls playing softball and the number of college spots hasn't changed that much in recent years... but the number of games played at the club level is exploding.

I've been impressed with some of the leaders in our area that are very careful with their scheduling, and just shake my head at those who think 40+ games in the fall is going to make for better players and college opportunities.

Re: Question

Posted by Bonkers on August 13, 2025, 3:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

There's a regional IMG Chicago team playing 8 tournaments including one in Mesa, AZ this fall.

Re: Question

Posted by Scenic City on August 13, 2025, 1:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

Don't forget about Chattanooga, TN for that fall showcase to drop another 2 or 3 grand $$

Re: Question

Posted by Mayes on August 14, 2025, 1:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Question "

Sounds pretty reasonable, compared to college costs.

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