Anyone want to talk college softball?

 

UK and Louisville are both in the top 20, hopefully with all their success it will trickle down to HS in the state.

 

Western KY is in a great softball conf and seem to be doing OK.

 

Nku got their first D1 win vs Toledo this past weekend.

 

On a personal note James Madison got there first ever votes for the top 25. Have early wins vs Syracuse, Depaul who were both receiving votes for the top 25, and #14 South FL (i believe they went to super regionals last year) Good part about JMU is most there production have come from Fresh and Soph's, and the better part about that is none of them play my kids position!!

Anyone want to talk college softball?

 

UK and Louisville are both in the top 20, hopefully with all their success it will trickle down to HS in the state.

 

Western KY is in a great softball conf and seem to be doing OK.

 

Nku got their first D1 win vs Toledo this past weekend.

 

On a personal note James Madison got there first ever votes for the top 25. Have early wins vs Syracuse, Depaul who were both receiving votes for the top 25, and #14 South FL (i believe they went to super regionals last year) Good part about JMU is most there production have come from Fresh and Soph's, and the better part about that is none of them play my kids position!!

 

I am glad UK and UofL are doing really well it can only be good for fast pitch in the state. Did you see where university of Louisiana Lafayette coaches both resigned? We think it has to do with administration but really sad because Steph and Michael Lotief did a great job with the program!

I am glad UK and UofL are doing really well it can only be good for fast pitch in the state. Did you see where university of Louisiana Lafayette coaches both resigned? We think it has to do with administration but really sad because Steph and Michael Lotief did a great job with the program!

 

Wow I just read about that. Yes something is for sure up to quit right before the first game. They have been some of the best coaches in the game for the last decade.

 

Didn't keep them from putting a butt whooping on JMU this past sunday 9-1.

 

If they so desire I bet they get the first SEC job that opens.

Actually I can't see them leaving. Michael has a successful law practice in Lafayette and he is from there. My dad is friends with them so if I hear something I will definitely post it. It is a shame they are not coaching

 

Wasn't there supposed to be a KY girl going there? I looked on their roster and did not see a KY there.

Actually I can't see them leaving. Michael has a successful law practice in Lafayette and he is from there. My dad is friends with them so if I hear something I will definitely post it. It is a shame they are not coaching

 

Wasn't there supposed to be a KY girl going there? I looked on their roster and did not see a KY there.

I think she ended up at KY Weslyan, she was from Oldham County, Allie Veech is her name.

I am glad UK and UofL are doing really well it can only be good for fast pitch in the state. Did you see where university of Louisiana Lafayette coaches both resigned? We think it has to do with administration but really sad because Steph and Michael Lotief did a great job with the program!

 

Are they the one's that teach that "funky" batting style, I believe, holding the bat with hands separated?

Are they the one's that teach that "funky" batting style, I believe, holding the bat with hands separated?

 

I believe so. They have been to the college world series (final 8)twice and the super regionals (final 16) 3 times in the about the last 10 years. For a "mid major" that is huge.

UofL seems to be making a concerted effort in recruiting a lot of "homegrown" talent...UK, not so much.

UofL seems to be making a concerted effort in recruiting a lot of "homegrown" talent...UK, not so much.

 

Agreed in the last 2 years UK has only had 1 KY kid... they have 1 coming in next year....my guess is they won't get any from the 2014 or 2015 class either.

 

Hard to argue though with Coach Lawson's success, she is getting it done. She sure seems to like the TN Fury kids right now or kids she sees down in Chattonooga. I loved playing down in that area great times and great venues.

I hate to say this but there isn't a lot of softball talent in the state to help both UK and UofL in my opinion. I will probably get murdered for that statement but in my opinion there isn't. Yes there are a few to the rule but when this state was playing slow pitch just 5 years ago and people still want it back there is a problem. Until there are more FAST PITCH leagues for the youth and not slow pitch, kids will never catch on. Until your leagues go to ASA and not knot hole your leagues will never prosper. Until your leagues have straight try outs and not my mommy coaches so let's have all my friends on one team, leagues will never prosper. Can you tell this subject ticks me off? The reason why every league should be associated with ASA is coaches have to take classes on coaching and the fundamentals of the games. Plus why wouldn't a league want to be associated with the governing body of softball?

 

I think once fast pitch gets bigger in the state then uk will go elsewhere. It is hard to stay in state when you have the LSU, UGA, A&M and all the other SEC schools have a chance to see kids play year round ball and not want to recruit them. I am not sure how many good year round softball teams there are in the state. When I was playing the one that I can remember are the Sluggers.

Are they the one's that teach that "funky" batting style, I believe, holding the bat with hands separated?

 

Yes he is the one and if you ever hear him talk it is a really interesting method.

I hate to say this but there isn't a lot of softball talent in the state to help both UK and UofL in my opinion. I will probably get murdered for that statement but in my opinion there isn't. Yes there are a few to the rule but when this state was playing slow pitch just 5 years ago and people still want it back there is a problem. Until there are more FAST PITCH leagues for the youth and not slow pitch, kids will never catch on. Until your leagues go to ASA and not knot hole your leagues will never prosper. Until your leagues have straight try outs and not my mommy coaches so let's have all my friends on one team, leagues will never prosper. Can you tell this subject ticks me off? The reason why every league should be associated with ASA is coaches have to take classes on coaching and the fundamentals of the games. Plus why wouldn't a league want to be associated with the governing body of softball?

 

I think once fast pitch gets bigger in the state then uk will go elsewhere. It is hard to stay in state when you have the LSU, UGA, A&M and all the other SEC schools have a chance to see kids play year round ball and not want to recruit them. I am not sure how many good year round softball teams there are in the state. When I was playing the one that I can remember are the Sluggers.

 

 

I would say you are right there is not enough talent to for UK and UL just to stay in state. But that also goes for the other schools you mention very few schools stay in state for all there players bc of different needs that they may have. Remember we have I believe 6 D1 schools now, NKU, Uk, UL, Murray, EKU, WKU and Morehead. With a state our size it is going to be really hard to fill those spots.

 

Yes we need better youth leagues around here but I am not sure that we have the interest yet for one to really form. Most kids are hitting the travel ball circuit by 10U, softball is a hard game to pick up if you don't start early. I have no problem with the mommy and daddy coaches, yes you can get some that are in it for the wrong reasons, (see Holy Cross) but most do a great job. If you look at all the great travel ball org around the country most have parent coaches and the heads of the org started out as mommy and daddy coaches.

 

As far as ASA I have taken the classes and IMO are nothing more than a money grab, not worth the 25 or 40 bucks. You can learn more from watching videos on youtube than taking those classes. ASA is the governing body of softball and I don't see that changing but the vast majority of good players around the country now are playing in the Premier league. Premier Nationals is about 10 times what ASA GOld Nationals is now a days as far as talent is concerned.

 

The state of Ohio puts on a 2 Day coaches clinic for its HS coaches. They all go to Columbus and have speakers from different schools come in and go over different things that may help their teams, be nice if the KHSAA did the same thing.

 

There are plenty of places to look for education as far as fastpitch is concerned you just have to look for it a little bit. How many coaches, HS or travel attend UK coaches camp from this area. My guess is very few, I know the Sluggers attended and they are probably the one that need it the least. My guess is the Sluggers take advantage of it and try to use it for recruiting as well.

 

 

 

I think once fast pitch gets bigger in the state then uk will go elsewhere. It is hard to stay in state when you have the LSU, UGA, A&M and all the other SEC schools have a chance to see kids play year round ball and not want to recruit them. I am not sure how many good year round softball teams there are in the state. When I was playing the one that I can remember are the Sluggers.

College Softball -

 

I'm sure most on here know about this website. Just in case some don't, here it is.

Kind of interesting read regarding Michael Lotief this is what I kind of heard last night and today.

I would say you are right there is not enough talent to for UK and UL just to stay in state. But that also goes for the other schools you mention very few schools stay in state for all there players bc of different needs that they may have. Remember we have I believe 6 D1 schools now, NKU, Uk, UL, Murray, EKU, WKU and Morehead. With a state our size it is going to be really hard to fill those spots.

 

Yes we need better youth leagues around here but I am not sure that we have the interest yet for one to really form. Most kids are hitting the travel ball circuit by 10U, softball is a hard game to pick up if you don't start early. I have no problem with the mommy and daddy coaches, yes you can get some that are in it for the wrong reasons, (see Holy Cross) but most do a great job. If you look at all the great travel ball org around the country most have parent coaches and the heads of the org started out as mommy and daddy coaches.

 

As far as ASA I have taken the classes and IMO are nothing more than a money grab, not worth the 25 or 40 bucks. You can learn more from watching videos on youtube than taking those classes. ASA is the governing body of softball and I don't see that changing but the vast majority of good players around the country now are playing in the Premier league. Premier Nationals is about 10 times what ASA GOld Nationals is now a days as far as talent is concerned.

 

The state of Ohio puts on a 2 Day coaches clinic for its HS coaches. They all go to Columbus and have speakers from different schools come in and go over different things that may help their teams, be nice if the KHSAA did the same thing.

 

There are plenty of places to look for education as far as fastpitch is concerned you just have to look for it a little bit. How many coaches, HS or travel attend UK coaches camp from this area. My guess is very few, I know the Sluggers attended and they are probably the one that need it the least. My guess is the Sluggers take advantage of it and try to use it for recruiting as well.

 

I agree with the ASA comment, my only reasoning for saying going with ASA is it is their national organization and it would be a START and it is better than Knothole! I mean some coaches do not even know how to teach proper throwing mechanics! These people do not need to be coaching at all! How can a girl come to high school and be playing since she was say 9 - 10 and not know how to throw the ball correctly? Absolutely ridiculous in my opinion. I have no problems with a parent coaching their children IF THEY KNOW THE GAME and fundamentals. Heck I was coached by my dad and played for one of the better teams out of Texas at the time.

 

I just wish the leagues around NKY were run a little bit differently and the girls were given a chance to play fast pitch all of their years instead of playing slow pitch up until I think 10 years old (I am hoping this has changed in CC, I have not checked on it recently).

 

If I was running a league this is how I would do it (each girl would be in each league for 2 years unless they are beyond advanced):

 

5 - 6 T-ball/coach pitch

7 - 8 girl's pitch/coach pitch

9 - older Girl pitch

 

You have to start developing these kids younger and not wait until they are 10 - 11 years old. This is what the Texas, California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Arizonas of the world do. Now granted these states can pretty much play year round but you can still have a fall and spring league.