High school softball

[El Oso]

I do lessons for Iowa Premier each week, and do the lessons at the IPF facility.

To my knowledge the majority of their players (HS age) do NOT play HS ball. And this is for various reasons, not just because of IPF. Many have indicated to me they despise the coach from the HS, which seems to be the #1 reason they don't play it. I know the club director's feelings on HS ball, and I don't think it's a secret he dislikes it for the most part. But, I also know he does not TELL kids they cannot play school. I don't know if there is a distinction between JV and varsity in their eyes. But those whom I talk to don't want to play HS ball for their own reasons.

Iowa's HS season is from June-August, the exact same time as the summer TB season. That's why most high level Iowa girls don't play HS ball.

 

[MNDad]

Iowa's HS season is from June-August, the exact same time as the summer TB season. That's why most high level Iowa girls don't play HS ball.

Most high level Iowa girls DO play HS ball. Not all, but most do.

 

[Westwind]

Most high level Iowa girls DO play HS ball. Not all, but most do.

Yep.

BTW, at least one Bandits coach just went over to IPF. IPF pulls a fair amount of Illinois players over there. (Illinois plays spring hs softball.). There is a pretty high coach turnover rate at IPF, we shall see how long that lasts.

Apparently Conroy believes that it is important for players to play for different coaches every few years. Gauging from posts on a crappy Chicago based message board, the Bandits had a coach or coaches that wanted to stay with their age group. Again, Conroy thinks there are benefits to changing coaches and the players hearing “a different voice”. That’s actually a really interesting discussion.

 

[_MIA_]

Again, Conroy thinks there are benefits to changing coaches and the players hearing “a different voice”. That’s actually a really interesting discussion.

Not a bad idea IF the various coaches know what they are doing.

 

[El Oso]

Most high level Iowa girls DO play HS ball. Not all, but most do.

Hillhouse said otherwise, hence my response.

 

[Hillhouse]

Iowa's HS season is from June-August, the exact same time as the summer TB season. That's why most high level Iowa girls don't play HS ball.

El Oso,

I think you're mistaken. The Iowa HS season runs through mid-late June. July 4th is usually the first weekend or so that many of the HS kids play for their TB teams, at least those that do play both.

 

[MNDad]

Hillhouse said otherwise, hence my response.

I think he was just referring to the girls at IPF. I know they think they’re the only program with high level athletes in Iowa, but that’s not the case.

 

[Hillhouse]

I think he was just referring to the girls at IPF. I know they think they’re the only program with high level athletes in Iowa, but that’s not the case.

MN, I'm going to avoid commenting on this one. lol. My point was only that the Iowa HS season doesn't go as long into the summer as he stated. Whether that's IPF or anyone, the Iowa season doesn't go until August. Iowa is the only state in the country that has their HS season during that time of year. I think only 5 play in the Fall (NE, OK, MO, CO, and GA). I do wish more would play in the fall, the weather is much better but I know if effects other sports. In my adopted state of Nebraska, HS players have to choose between softball and volleyball (which is HUGE in Nebraska). That doesn't seem very fair either.

I know many places like to keep baseball and softball together for scheduling. And you can't do baseball in the fall because they'd lose too many football players.

 

[CoachJD]

The IHSA season starts end of February and DD's travel ball coach has practices scheduled through April. How many girls are practicing with their HS and travel ball teams until the drop dead date?

In Illinois, that date is 7 days after the start of the HS season (first practice/tryout day), so if they're continuing to practice with the travel team beyond that day they're ineligible to play for the school team.

 

[PapaBear]

Does it matter to you if they don't play high school softball?

Obviously they could be doing something else in School .... but is it a deal-breaker if they don't play high school softball?

I would say it deserves a reasoning for those being recruited. Potential red flag depending on the answer. Do you live in a rural area? Did you get beat out? Do you and the coach not see eye to eye?