This week, the weekly parent tip focuses on respecting officials, a component of the Honoring the Game code: ROOTS

Responsible Sports Parent Tip of the Week:

“Some officials are learning the game, just like your child. Avoid criticizing them when you think they’ve made a mistake. Officials have a tough job, and we couldn’t have games without them.”

During competition it’s easy to forget that the officials may very well be just beginning to referee softball games, and learning as they go.  Respecting officials is one component of ROOTS, the acronym that stands for Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and Self, which helps us remember the code of Honoring the Game.

In this article, you’ll read how to honor officials, and how our actions as Responsible Sport Parents carry over to the actions of our players and what you can do prepare your young athletes to not overreact, which can be the basis of bad sportsmanship.

To start, think about how your athlete would react to a questionable call on the field. Would you approve of their reactions? Would the coach know how to control his or her emotions and Honor the Game? Read how to respond to this scenario and access the downloadable PDF’s to bring to games!

Read more about Honoring Officials>>

Attached you will find the 2009 ASA Colorado JO FP Tournaments.

ASA 2009 Tournament Schedule

IOC President Rogge confirms the seven sports under consideration for addition to the program for the 2016 Olympics will be reduced to two at the IOC Executive Board meeting in August in Berlin.

Baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby, squash and softball will make presentations in June to the Executive Board ahead of the August decision on which to cut.

“”We are going to study carefully the seven applicant sports and out of the seven we are going to propose two sports to the IOC Session,” he says. The vote will take place around October 6 at the Session in Copenhagen.

Softball Reacts Positively to IOC Shortlist News

ISF president: “With odds of 2 out of 7 to make shortlist, softball will re-double efforts to communicate incredible value to Olympic Movement”

Plant City, Florida (USA); 30th March 2009: International Softball Federation President Don Porter has pledged to re-double efforts to get softball reinstated to the Olympic Games Programme in 2016 following the news that the International Olympic Committee will shortlist only two sports for the IOC Session vote in Copenhagen in October.

The shortlist news was delivered by IOC President Jacques Rogge last week at SportAccord in Denver where a top BackSoftball campaign team were busy meeting Olympic Family decision-makers and opinion formers.

Mr. Porter said, “While the decision to cut the list to only two sports for a vote by 115 IOC Members was a surprise, it has not deflected the commitment behind, and focus of, our campaign. If anything it has given us further incentive to work even harder at communicating the incredible value that softball offers the Olympic Movement. We are greatly encouraged by the way IOC Members are reacting to how softball would help the Olympic Movement open up women’s sport – especially in Muslim countries; they also like our global focus on youth and our 100% doping-free track record.

“But most of all, IOC Members appreciate that the Olympic Games would be the absolute pinnacle of our international competition structure; the whole softball calendar would peak every quadrennial with the Olympic Games. While I cannot comment on other sports, I can tell you that the Olympic Games would not be just another competition in an over-crowded calendar for softball. For millions of softball players around the world the Olympic Games would be the greatest honor and we guarantee that the world’s best softball athletes would all commit to performing at the Olympic Games.”

Meanwhile the BackSoftball Campaign has moved to their fifth continent in a month with a critical presentation to the Oceania National Olympic Committee Annual Assembly tomorrow in Queenstown, New Zealand. The presentation will be led by Ms. Low Beng Choo, ISF Deputy Secretary General, and Danielle Stewart, a 2008 Olympic softball bronze medalist from Australia. Ms. Low is also the Malaysian Softball Federation President, Softball Confederation of Asia Secretary General, and a member of the IOC Women and Sport Commission.

Softball was first featured in the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 and last year’s competition in Beijing, which was won by Japan, was hugely successful with a total attendance close to 180,000 and a continuation of the sport’s excellent record of no positive drug tests in major competitions.

For more information please contact ISF Director of Communications Bruce Wawrzyniak at brucew@internationalsoftball.com, +1 813 864 0100 or +1 813 453 8762 or David Alexander at David.Alexander@Calacus.com, +44 7802 412424

As the Colorado Fastpitch Softball season heads into full swing, and the possibility of your girls wanting to switch teams, I think it’s a good time to remember what we’re all here for. So many times, we’ve all heard the story, the gossip, the pain of what happens when players decided to switch teams, and the spider web it can cause.

Both coaches and age group directors should be working together when theirs a request to transfer a girl to another team. And once a decision is made, coaches and players need to honor that commitment. When a Fastpitch coach decides to take a girl, then possibly at the last moment, declines the request, after the player and her family are all on board, what does this do to the player, their self-esteem, and their passion of the game? If the player is older, maybe in the 18 and Under level, then yes, theirs going to be that level of maturity that will help them understand what has just happened.

But what happens when it’s a 12 or 10 and Under player, do we really think they can comprehend what just happened, and why?

So coaches, please, be mindful and respectful of the girls that you make a promise to, hold true to your world and don’t let them down.

Hope you all have a great 2009 season.

Just in case, all you fastpitch softball junkies out there want to see how this year looks, regarding Triple Crown Tournament dates, times, locations, here you go.

Like triumphing over your league’s top team, or rising to the top in a championship tournament, fundraising is a challenge that needs to be met with passion, perseverance and a desire to succeed. Your team needs to be in top shape and highly motivated for your goal to be reached, and you have the power to make that happen.
Fundraising, especially within your local community, is a competitive venture. To reel in the dollars, you need to stand out from the crowd.

Here are some steps you can take to coach your team to the top of the fundraising world:

Reach Beyond Your Community

Members of your community who know your team personally are always going to be your greatest source of support – both financially and motivationally.
However, chances are your team members have friends and family all across the country who would jump at the opportunity to lend their support too.

The best way to reach beyond your community is to take your fundraising online! The online magazine fundraiser not only gives you national reach, it’s also 100% free, so it costs you nothing to start raising funds on a national level.

Don’t Always Go With the Status Quo

Candy bars are a fundraising staple because they’re such great sellers, but if you want to stand out from the crowd, it might be a good idea to offer something different, or to offer a completely different product alongside your candy bars.

A great product that sells fast and really stands out is Jack Link’s Beef Snacks and Jerky. They sell fast, especially at games and practices, and are the perfect snack to sell for added profits at a fundraising event like a car wash, exhibition game, barbecue or other social event.

Need another reason to try Jack Link’s? When you buy them online, you get free shipping to keep your profits high and your costs low.

Choose Customized and Themed Products

Your fundraiser is almost guaranteed to stand out if your products are customized with your team name and logo, or if you’re fundraising with themed products.

Some easy, fast, high profit fundraisers to try are Scratchcards (softball themed cards and the option to customize at no cost), World’s Finest Chocolate, baseball/softball or All-Star

shaped lollipops (also available to buy online with free shipping) and microwave popcorn popcorn in themed bags.

Offer Choices
By offering choices and variety, you’ll open your fundraiser up to more tastes, and therefore, more support.

Tempting as it is, not everyone will want to buy cookie dough, but they may want to renew a favorite magazine subscription. Why not give them both options? As mentioned earlier, Jack Link’s beef snacks are a truly unique product that will almost certainly get attention, but what about people with a sweet tooth? Pair Jack Link’s with lollipops and you’ve got a winning combo!

Need more ideas?

Call ASA Fundraising – 1.866.830.5014

There are even 3 easy ways that you can get started right now:

Request a free fundraising information kit online

Shop online for fundraising products and get free shipping.

Start a free online magazine fundraiser.

One thing that I have noticed, no matter what the team, what the age group, there is always going to be an issue with a parent, player or coach. It seems that every year, it starts off fine, everyone’s getting along. And then before you know it, bamm, and something happens. Possibly their daughter isn’t getting enough playing time, not playing the positions they would like to be, or maybe, just not happy with the teams success.

So how do you deal with these issues, you cant just ignore them. First, I think coaches in general need to stop promising players to join their team in return for positions or playing time. I’ve heard it over and over, “play for me and you’ll be my 3rd basemen”, etc, etc, etc. You have to remember, this isn’t the major leagues, and this isn’t college softball. Majority of these girls will become better players throughout the year, and will have to be moved accordingly to the team and coaches needs.

Another issues that I’ve been hearing a lot is parent upset that their daughters aren’t playing enough. Personally, if your daughter is being benched more that actually playing, and you’re on a “A” team, maybe think of moving to a “B” team. Where she can be a stronger player, and most likely at that level, will be playing more and more games.

And what about family members coaching their own daughters or relatives. Tell me you’ve never heard this one before? Honestly, its a free world we live in, any coach that wants has every right to coach their daughter, or relative on the same team. But with that known, every player and parent must know, and be ready, to deal with the fact that the player is going to get special treatment, more playing time, you know what I mean.

I have absolutely no criticism towards coaches giving their relatives special treatment on the field, seriously, its the “Nature of the Beast.” It’s going to happen, and its up to the parents, to decided if that’s how its going to be, do they still want their child to play on that team?

Anyways, just my two cents, take care!!!

One thing that I just cannot under stand is why the Olympic Committee is going to get rid of Fastpitch Softball in the games. Why I was watching the first game, USA versus Venezuela, during the field prep, they switched over to another sport that just blew my mind. Badminton, seriously, badminton. I couldn’t believe it. They’re going to be getting rid of a sport that so many people love to watch, and to many, is a part of their life.

I still to this day, have not heard of the reason to why the decided to do so. I’ve heard the rumors, that Team USA just dominates, (which they do, and I love to see happen) and that it’s also not fair to the other countries. But these girls that make up team USA have poured their heart into the game. They have sacrificed so much to be where they are.

And the same thing goes for all the girls that play locally. Just ask yourself, how many tournaments did your daughter play in this past season, and games. To all our young girls who play this game, Team USA is their inspiration, it’s their drive that feeds them on becoming better and better.

All I can say is lets keep the game in the Olympics, lets keep the game alive. We’ll always have the summer leagues, ASA, Triple Crown Sports, USSSA, High School in the fall. The long weekends away from home, playing those tournaments in various cities, various states. Lets not stand by and let them take away our girls inspirations that drive them to be the players they are.

Keep it Alive !!!

Pitchers, parents, and coaches often ask what the typical pitching speed is for a pitcher of a certain age.   Since girl pitchers in various communities and different regions of the U.S. have different abilities and experience, and play at a variety of levels of competition, there is not a specific answer that will work for everyone.

Here, however, are some of my observations and suggestions:

Average pitching speed by age varies substantially from region to region.   Warm weather states in the U.S. (southern California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, etc.) offer athletes the opportunity to practice and play their sport outdoors the year around.  Therefore, we have seen consistently that average pitchers in those areas have faster average speeds than their counterparts in colder weather regions.

Pitchers, pitching coaches, and parents all like to brag about their pitcher’s “60 mph fast ball”.   It is a nice goal, but obviously speed alone doesn’t make a successful pitcher.   Here is an unpopular statement from me, but the truth nonetheless:  In most cities, considerably less than 5% (and sometimes only 1% or 2%) of all teenage pitchers consistently hit an “honest” 60 mph  in games.
From what we have seen and experienced, an average pitcher in most parts of the U.S. would have pitching speeds somewhat like this for her age:

• 11-years old – High 30′s to Mid 40′s
• 12-years old – Low 40′s to Upper 40′s
• 13-years old – Mid 40′s to Low-50′s
• 14-years old – 50+
• Average high school pitcher – 53-57 mph

Again, these are NOT recommendations…just what we have seen from girls of all sizes, in a variety of leagues and competition levels, in various parts of the U.S.

Radar guns and other speed measuring devices vary CONSIDERABLY in accuracy.   An $800 Jugs speed gun is accurate to within ½ of a mile per hour.   But obviously, a $20 softball with an LCD speed readout, or a bucket that measures speed, or an $89 radar gun…none of those should be expected to be close that kind of accuracy.

Some pitchers tighten up and slow down when they see a radar gun.   It is natural to think that “I have to pitch harder” when she sees a speed gun behind the catcher.   “Trying” to throw hard often means tighter muscles and slower pitching.  Relax!

Pitch speed MIGHT be slightly slower when there is a batter at the plate.  The majority of pitchers tend to be more conservative in a game than in practice…practice pitches are often faster than in a game situation.

Not all Athletic Scholarships are full ride like football. Most are classified as equivalency sports like softball. This simply means that coaches can share their financial aid allocation between a larger number of players. If you are good enough of course then a full ride scholarship is always on the cards.

The NCAA allows each division 1 softball program 12 scholarships; and in division 2, 7.2 scholarships are available. There are 262 division 1 and 253 division 2 colleges that offer softball scholarships.

You should be aware that college coaches attend National, Regional and State fast pitch tournaments. It is common practice for coaches to “track” players that have contacted them.

College coaches also attend, or in some cases conduct, softball camps and clinics and evaluate players. They also receive recommendations from high school and travel coaches.

Don’t make the mistake of concentrating on the top division 1 colleges, many of these big schools usually have a large number of potential recruits from some of the top softball travel teams. The competition is fierce, unless you are a blue chip player you wont receive an offer.

There is nothing wrong with smaller division 1, division 2 or NAIA college. What would you rather have, a partial or full scholarship at a division 2 school or the offer of a walk on at one of the top schools? At the end of the day its your education that’s important.

TRAVEL TEAMS. Top travel teams usually are made up of the best high school players in each state. College coaches are much more likely to attend these games than a high school game. If you have submitted your resume and your playing on a travel team you can just almost count on being watched.

Softball essays and stories from high school athletes.

Junior College Softball Scholarships.

Today more than forty million people play it each summer, making softball the No. one team participant sport in the USA.

Softball became a NCAA sanctioned sport in 1910.The NCAA College World Series is held each year. From 1982 -1987, the softball championship final was held in Omaha, Nebraska which is also the home of the men’s College World Series.

Urbana University offers the best of both worlds, the school is located on a One-Hundred and Twenty-acre campus in the small city of Urbana, Ohio, with the major metropolitan areas of Dayton and Columbus within an hour’s drive.

College Bound by Jamie Yaniga Ever since eighth grade softball has been a big part of my life. It was hard at first because usually in order to go far in such a competitive sport one needs to start out at an early age. Like my sister, she started at the age of five and now plays Division I softball for George Washington University.

Trust And Perseverance by Kasuandra Lopez. We had our first tournament with only two days of practice together. We were all unsure, but hopeful, only to get our hopes shattered when we had won one out of five games we played. Our next practice was not fun. We ran, drilled, drilled, and drilled some more. At the end of practice coach told us if we were not ready for harder practices and to learn a lot in return for working hard then his team was not the team for us.

The popularity of women’s fastpitch softball has grown steadily since the professional league’s end in 1980. In fact, once again, there is another professional fastpitch league called the NPF (National Pro Fastpitch League).