- Sep 3, 2009
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Yes, it is getting close to burn out. Part of this is there are too many softball orgs. I know I feel guilty about our number of tourneys.
And here come the overuse injuries. You may think the girls are fine now, but they start quitting softball around age 15-16. They definitely quit after college, when there used to be adult fastpitch for years after college. So if this is what we want, then this is what we get.
The ex-players don't coach the rec and travel like they used to. I never saw a man coaching fastpitch softball in person (or a parent coaching any sport) until I saw the kids take up travel.
I talk to the young women in college and HS every day. Several are burnt out and looking for the end. Not good.
I'd disagree somewhat. I think the reason that the numbers of girls dropping out of softball in the teens, is mostly due to boys, and the increased pressure of school. I'm sure there are a good many though, that just get tired of the weekly grind associated with playing. That could be due to lack of drive? I'm guesstimating, but I'd say "most" of the women coaches or women who give lessons here, are former college players, or those who played at a high level. We probably don't hear about "after college", because it's pretty much rec and beer leagues after that. My coworker pitched D1 during college. In her 30's now, she plays in a co-ed slowpitch league. Not something that we see advertised on websites, and they're not exactly selling tickets to the games. I think there are certainly overuse injuries, and they should be taken seriously. But I don't think they're that common.