Fred, big day yesterday for the San Antonio League. Nogales wins in baseball and now the shocker.....Nogales beats South Hills in softball. WOW! Maybe you need to change the thread to Nogales on the rise in the San Antonio League.

I don't know what has happened that has changed the thought process that any coach would choose anything other than the most qualified. It's really not that hard when you see a girl that stays down on the ball and knows were the play is, that should be a very obvious indication of a players capabilities. try it, hit the ball as hard as you'd like at any of my players and they will never turn there head and they will fire the ball without hesitation! guaranteed these girls have worked hard If I was coaching high school thats my varsity team, no doubt! I'm out recruiting girls who i thought would be on varsity teams and aren't why I'm really at a loss has it gotten this bad?

"Everybody and there brother is starting a travel ball team now." So Where's the credit you say your giving to these athletes who work very hard?
"travel ball is so (watered down)now." So give these not from 20 years ago athletes and their parents who pay more then 20 years ago some credit. For their modern day dedication to the sport they love and support

John- I agree there are a lot of girls with good softball skills that don't play Varsity..It's because of POLITICS and PARENTS that's the sad truth.. do you know how many coaches get the boot for not playing certain kids.. and the parents have to put there two cents in the mix..It just happen to a top notch program in OC.. it happens all the time..would you see that in a elite travel team? NO.. you wouldn't.And if you do it's not an elite program.. And still High school get's all the HYPE for what?? High school softball is not going to get you a softball scholarship..that's for sure.It's like playing rec-ball with all your old friends and that's ok..I'm not knocking it at all.. ENJOY THE GAME- No one is bashing just the truth and facts..if you can't handle it that's your problem..I haven't bashed no one here..grow up!!!

In my recruiting I've had an oppurtunity to see many area teams during tryouts and I've seen many solid players that aren't on Varsity, I guess I'm more interested in why? Why not put the best 9 on the filed?

Enjoys a good game;
there is no bashing, just facts!! you act like parents in the past didnt do as much for there kids as now, you couldnt be farther from the truth.parents paid for pitching, hitting, instructions even way back then.you have no idea what your talking about, obviously you were not around the game back then,the same is done now just as before,just more kids doing it and cost are higher.not sure where you get the bashing from,
(relax)

The question asked was "Is this changing?" An explanation is given, and you go off bashing programs. More girls are interested in the area in pursuing softball, parents are willing to pay batting, and pitching coaches, opportunities are becoming available and being taken advantage of. Instead of welcoming this change, you chose to trash these girls hard work. Nice job adults.

It's sad, Iv'e seen teams from 10u to 18 u from SGV and you see maybe two studs from each team.. If you want to learn and get better you have to be on a quality team or be coached by a quality coaching staff. and if that means going and playing or practicing in the IE or OC or the vally that's what it takes.. like I said it's up to the parents..Most of these parents don't sacrifice for there kid.. .nothing against these SGV coaches I'm sure there trying there best and I commend them.. Like I said before some of these kids shouldn't be playing travel and just..Travel ball is watered down.. very say to see..

!!!!!!!!!!
you are so right about
travel ball.travel ball is so (watered down)now.it got big in the early 80"s.
back then the closset team was from whittier, and that was just 1 team,after that you had to go to northridge or down south,back then if you played travel ball you were a special player,now anyone can play on a travel team. the special players are still out there just much more spread out.im sure ill here from some of the parents now, but thats the truth.

There are a lot of talented players in the San Gabriel Valley and it's wonderful they are finding travel teams to challenge and raise their skills and abilities, as a result the high school teams are benefiting from their hard work and dedication to their sport.

Everybody and there brother is starting a travel ball team now..just because they play travel ball doesn't mean there good..It takes an extremely good if not great coaching Staff to start a good, decent travel ball team..Travel ball been around for along time(20)years if not longer.. and SGV is finally coming out. Don't get me wrong I enjoy watching some good softball but a lot of these girls don't belong in travel.Just play the game and enjoy it...Travel is not for every one..

You may be seeing the results of increased involvement in the area of girls playing travel ball in the San Gabriel Valley. Those girls are ready to make some noise and be heard. :)

Every single one of these teams are weak! And their going to continue having good records,why? well look at the teams theyre playing!