Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com

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

Sparks

Posted by Pickles on July 9, 2026, 10:39 pm

Okay what’s going on? I heard one of the Sparks 16u team all went to the New Lenox Lightening tryout this week and will all make the New Lenox 18u team. So much for integrity from an organization.

Re: Sparks

Posted by @Sparks/NLL on July 15, 2026, 12:46 pm, in reply to "Sparks "

And the coach will leave in two years to go to the Cheetahs. Wash, Rinse, Repeat.

Re: Sparks

Posted by Jumper on July 13, 2026, 5:11 pm, in reply to "Sparks "

Isn’t this the same coach that changes organizations every couple years?

Re: Sparks

Posted by Bleachers on July 12, 2026, 7:29 pm, in reply to "Sparks "

Congratulations to Sparks JP on going 8-1 and winning their bracket championship.
NL Lightning Domico is getting a solid team.
MD deserves it, he's been grinding and helping young ladies for a long time.
Just my view from the bleachers...

Re: Sparks

Posted by @Bleachers on July 14, 2026, 12:24 pm, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

He’s had solid teams for the last 4 years

Re: Sparks

Posted by @pickles on July 11, 2026, 1:14 pm, in reply to "Sparks "

This doesn't sound like a Jim Abbott move, everyone knows Jim is all about keeping girls in the program. Not letting girls jump in line ahead of the loyal families that trust him. I worry that the new '27s won't have enough time to master the NLL way of transferring the ball from mitt to throw.

Re: Sparks

Posted by @@Pickles on July 14, 2026, 9:13 am, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

If you think that about Abbott, you don't know Abbott.

Re: Sparks

Posted by Intersted on July 10, 2026, 4:49 pm, in reply to "Sparks "

Which 18u team Abbott or Domico

Re: Sparks

Posted by Dom on July 11, 2026, 7:27 pm, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

It’s will be the sparks Domico/JP

Re: Sparks

Posted by Curious on July 15, 2026, 2:38 am, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

The 18u sparks team is Jp/May

Re: Sparks

Posted by Shany and The Ugly Boys on July 10, 2026, 4:31 pm, in reply to "Sparks "

This has been going on for ages and ages. If the grass is greener then go! If you are unhappy then go. If the Coach is a poo, then go. If the dude at the top is a jerk, then go.

In 5 years, the girls and parents will all be long gone from the game and this episode will matter not one bit. In 5 years, another group will leave an organization for the next best thing, I hope it works out.

Re: Sparks

Posted by @gherkin on July 10, 2026, 9:40 am, in reply to "Sparks "

What's the "integrity" problem? They went to a tryout and got offers. I assume the players didn't sign a binding multi-year agreement?

This is the way the free market works - Sparks let this happen willingly, unwillingly, or unknowingly.

We live in a world where Texas Tech is recruiting players during the existing season. There are no more "gentlemen's rules", if there ever were. Players (and parents) have more choices at every level.

Re: Sparks

Posted by Guarantee on July 10, 2026, 11:14 am, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

Tried out? Lol. I heard they were all guaranteed stops if they showed up. They were telling all the other girls at the tryout we all made it. Following a coach that won’t even be the main coach. This he wrong with your sports. I agree with whoever posted this. Great clubs taking a coach that wasn’t wanted back. My daughter is a younger lightening and it doesn’t affect me but wow.
Oh and for saying colleges do it? Thats college totally different

Re: Sparks

Posted by Parent on July 13, 2026, 10:24 am, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

Would not be the first program that did that. I remember when a certain team went to another program with guaranteed spots if the coach/father of that team would create and run a new 10u through 12u program for that new program. With 3 new levels, brought in over 100K that year. The revenue was more important than taking the best players.

Re: Sparks

Posted by @Parent on July 14, 2026, 12:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

Tell me your DD didn't make that team without telling me your DD didn't make that team. Been 6 years, you gotta move on man! I am sure your DD is playing at a fine school, be proud of that. Just an FYI though, that team as constructed at that time had 7 Players that are currently playing D1.

Re: Sparks

Posted by Holster your gherkin on July 10, 2026, 5:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

I don't understand who was wronged by this. Does anyone think that tryouts are all "blind judging" and there aren't decisions made before anyone shows up? Heck, I saw this happen in rec league!

So Sparks grabbed a team from someone else - so what?! If you're playing ball to get a college opportunity, the clock is ticking and you only have so many opportunities and everyone should be able to do what they want. That's not an endorsement of intentionally abusing the "travel transfer portal" - but I also have no problem with it. No one does that because they want to.

If you're searching for moral/ethical purity, you better get out of travel ball now.

Re: Sparks

Posted by Mr. Rich on July 11, 2026, 11:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

You know what people should just mind there own business all that rumor about taking over a team is rediculous because switching organizations is a choice maybe you should ask yourself are they bringing some real ballers to the new organization it’s a win win for all parties. Usually the people crying are just upset there kid won’t cut it or have nothing better to do. All I can say is if your so worried then step up your game

Re: Sparks

Posted by Hat on July 12, 2026, 9:27 am, in reply to "Re: Sparks "

Please get a new hat and stop taking everything so serious

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