Topic: 16U teams

Who are the teams to beat here?  Who switched?

You are right!!!!!! When you have organizations working out of a hitting cage, it's all about them making money. LI eXpress is not the only one operating to work out of a hitting (training ) facility either. I can't blame these guys. It's a good idea to make some $$$. I blame the parents who think their kids are better than they are. As long as the parents will pay, these these operators will come up with ten teams at each level if there are enough kids. 

Other groups are fielding two or more teams at each level because of parents again, think their kids are better than they are. I have been to Bandit tryouts. With all the kids that go and pay to tryout, it amazes me how many girls have very little talent. Most of them end up on teams

I will say upfront that my daughter is on the Express.  We have never been asked to take our lessons at the Cage so not sure why it keeps getting insinuated that one must do so.  

I am having a hard time understanding why people have such a hard time with so many girls wanting to play softball?  When did that become a bad thing?  Also, I think you do a disservice to the parents and especially to the girls when one says that the reason for so many teams is because parents cannot accept the fact that their daughters are not good enough to play on elite teams.

Also, I am not understanding the compelling need to create "super" teams that will play nationally or regionally.  Why? For what purpose?  Virtually every girl presently playing softball on LI, if they play ball in college, will do so in the Northeast or Mid-Atlantic states regardless of what level.  Why do they, and their parents, need to commit substantial amounts of time and money to play a national schedule?

Maybe its because this is a 16U thread and you have not yet had a daughter play either 18U or be involved in the recruiting process but the goal of an 18U team that has girls interested in playing college ball is to get them into showcases where they have the best chance of being seen by the schools they want to attend.  It is not to travel across the country to win tournaments or to play in front of coaches who have no interest or intention of recruiting them.  For other girls who still want to play and perhaps play in college, there is nothing wrong with playing with a team that will play local tournaments or do limited travel.

It is a big tent and hopefully it remains big enough to accomodate all the girls who want to play. 

Unfortunately I think Greco's team will never get the recognition they deserve because some folks just don't like the coach.  If he was able to get all 12 players to come back, and add a few more he must be doing something right.  I agree with you, let the girls have fun and learn the game and if this is as far as some of them go...so be it.  They'll all have some great softball memories, and friendships that will last a long time.

This has nothing to do with attacking the girls or their abilities and yes they should be able to play a game if they want. But call it what it is, it is Summer recreation ball. Where local teams play local teams and have fun. But don't call it travel ball when they are traveling from Brookhaven to Comack or Eisenhower. If you have seen true Travel ball 16U or 18U it is not this. I Like Steve Grecco he may be a little crazy and agressive with the girls but he wins these local Tournaments. Kinda like Billy Martin a nut, players hated him, but played for and won for him. No kid on the team and no personal agenda.

 But don't be naive enough to think that the Express don't keep every kid that tries out through the kindness of the heart of the head guy. IT IS BUSINESS!! You have to only see the caliber of play this past weekend to understand that this is not True competitive Ball. If the Express tries out 100 kid  and cuts no one and makes multiple teams don't you think they will maybe try a batting lesson or hit a bucket of ball or buy a bat or glove or shirt. Don't you think that when they buy hundreds of uniforms, shoes and accesories that the organization ( Busines) gets something. I have been to and had a daughter play in 18U and 16u college Showcases and I know what they are about and their purpose. But to ask someone who ar ethe Top teams in the 16u from looking at this group you can't be serious.    Wouldn't you rather have a super team of 2 to go watch or bring your daughter to than to watch all the money wasted on pitching lessons for girls who just flat out can't pitch. That is the parent and the organization that pour the kool aid for you to drink.

Why do some of the most talented girls on the Island go to NJ? It's obviously because the teams are better and they play a very high level of competition.

 If girls just want to play for the fun of it,then it seems to me the best way to get all the girls that want to play but aren't as talented involved, is to start a local Fastpitch softball league. Everyone will get their softball fix and have alot of fun. That would open the door for some of the really talented girls to play on a few all Long Island teams run by coaches who have a clue.

Every girl should play if she chooses to. That's why I suggested a league of some sort where all can play.It could be a Nasssau and Suffolk division league and any team should be able to join. With good coaching, the better players from the leagues could tryout for the travel teams (or something like that).

 I also suggested a few travel teams that the best girls can go to and play against the best teams around.

If that gets your nose out of joint, then maybe a good shrink is in order for Mamma

I'm with Maraudermomma - having fun and getting into college is what all the girls want and if they can better achieve that goal by playing softball somewhere - why shouldn't they play if they can find a team?

Playing Travel softball is for anyone who can make a team - not just for the ultimately gifted.  There are many many colleges and having just two travel teams will not fill all the colleges needs.