I am familiar with this league and somewhat with the situation that initiated this thread and think maybe this thing has gone off track a little. The circumstance described was puzzling for certain (a. the inning never started; b. bring teams to play 1/2 inning at 5:30 then don't play again until 9:00?) Regardless, it's always easy to criticize from the sideline.....

 

Perhaps a better approach may be bolstering what already exists. I don't think you are going to have enough teams (competition) if you are closing ranks a trying to do a competing league. There is not enough participation to make that work. I believe if the intent is to provide opportunity and to build interest, a collaboration would potentially balance the decision-making/makers and expand the league to incorporate more locations and balance to the league. I am certain the venue choice is part of the issue and the lack of inclusiveness is another issue.

 

Bring the parties together and make a true county-wide program with representation from different areas and CampCo. will begin to develop players/interest early and all the HS teams will benefit later.

As once a Fort Thomas resident and current supporter of Coach Coffey and Coach Barnes, I am somewhat embarrassed by some of the things that are said in this thread. Like any organization, all of these people are volunteers and the personal attacks are really embarrassing. Now this becoming a NCC/Highlands banter..... really??? I am sure there are parts of this thread that carry merit and from what I can also see parts that are fabrication. It seems to me that Coach Barnes and Coach Coffey have the utmost respect for each other and respect each others programs, so I guess that speaks for itself.

 

As for the league that some are berating, I was at Kenton Lakes last weekend and was talking with the owner. He had nothing but very good things to say about the development of the league. The discussion was around how mens softball is not as popular and how girls softball is really taking off and he went into the leagues he has at Kenton Lakes. He stated that it is a very good "recreational' league. He explained they start with coach pitch for the kindergarten thru 1st grade, machine pitch 2nd-3rd grade, then break down to 4th-5th and 6th,7th and 8th grade levels. He was very supportive of the people that manage the league. From what I can see he offered the league an opportunity of the use of 4 fields with lights and maintenance at NO COST and only asks for concessions. He said they play double headers during the week on Monday and Tuesdays and he also said that on Tuesday nights they were very unfortunate this year with rain. So, yes I guess this may be a ways to go from Ft. Thomas, but then again who is making you do so?? I asked what is costs for this league and he was not sure but thought the cost was lower than most.

 

I guess what makes me scratch my head is why wait until now to complain?? If there were problems or questions with things during the season, did anyone offer to help or make suggestions. To me it seems that, as always tournament time arrived, peoples emotions escalate and people normally act in a way that they normally would not, just my opinion. I am sure that the time and effort of running such a league is extensive and mind you at a volunteer rate of pay for all of the headaches they have to deal with as in case in point of some of this discussion. I can tell you running soccer leagues are just as bad if not worse..... but that's for another thread:).

 

 

I realize some are here are the minority not the majority, but taking personal shots at people and turning this into a Highlands/NCC thing isn't something I grew up being proud of while living in Ft. Thomas. As I my father always said, "if you don't like something, ask to help or be part of fixing it, don't just complain, remember complaints are something that can come back and bite you when you may make a mistake, so be careful what you wish for". I guess the same goes for casting stones.

 

I have no one involved in this issue, but felt the need to express things in a manner of respect for all.

 

Now back to the "All A Classic:)"

We have a daughter that played in this league from 1st to 8th grade. Did she have some good coaching along the way? Yes. Did she have some bad coaching? Yes. Were there some bad fields, bad umps, miscommunications and crazy parents? YES. This is a rec league. My BEST advice is to get your kid into travel ball as young as you can get them there! In not doing so, we did out daughter the biggest disservice! We didn't know about travel ball and no one told us. Now we have a senior bench warmer that showed so much promise as a freshman, then went NO WHERE, despite lessons and hard work. Because of her birthday, she is 18U, too late now in my opinion. If you want a fun, instructional league then CC is fine...but it WON'T get you where you need to be to play even HS ball...just my two cents after six years of HS ball and another eight of rec league

Can't you all just get along?

Isn't that what the CC league is about? Instructional softball? If you truly thought she was good enough to play in a travel league, you had that choice didn't you? Why blame your daughters plight on the league?

Isn't that what the CC league is about? Instructional softball? If you truly thought she was good enough to play in a travel league, you had that choice didn't you? Why blame your daughters plight on the league?

 

I'm in no way, shape or form blaming the league for her "plight"...merely stating that if you want your kid to be competitive, get her in travel ball...we didn't know about it at all, or we would have done so! I'm just saying...if you REALLY want the great competition, skill building, and scholarship offers...rec ball is just not the answer...it is what it is...rec league instructional..and all the issues that go along with it:) Nowadays, even to be starting on most HS teams in this area, you MUST play travel ball, and start playing YOUNG:)

I'm in no way, shape or form blaming the league for her "plight"...merely stating that if you want your kid to be competitive, get her in travel ball...we didn't know about it at all, or we would have done so! I'm just saying...if you REALLY want the great competition, skill building, and scholarship offers...rec ball is just not the answer...it is what it is...rec league instructional..and all the issues that go along with it:) Nowadays, even to be starting on most HS teams in this area, you MUST play travel ball, and start playing YOUNG:)

 

That's the way I read your reply and agree. It applies to many sports these days.

We had similar experience with volleyball. Had no notion that it gets so competitive so early. It wasn't until we hit middle school team that we found out about "club" ball. Wish we had known a couple years sooner.

*probably multiple other threads on this topic

Excellent advice, TheOwenFive. If your child is serious about playing softball, get them into travel ball. The Campbell County league is for recreation and instruction. The guy who got tossed from the complex, I have no sympathy for him. Lighten up, Francis. Some of these parents are in for a rude awakening when they get to the high school level and try to act the way they act down at Kenton Lakes.

WOW! What great conversation about girls fast pitch softball in JULY!!!! Woohoo I am just glad to see a debate involving what is happening in Girls Fast Pitch Softball! First the conversation about cities and schools is silly until Feb 14th or so and the High School Season runs through Memorial Day there is a LOT more to girls FAST PITCH softball than High School ball. In fact High School ball is great to represent your school and maybe WIN THE 9th REGION but Travel Ball is a step above High School ball when it comes to competition and exposure! It really comes down to your level of commitment! If she loves the game get out there and play tournaments!

 

There should be a team, a league, a tournament for every level of ability and commitment!

 

Instructional Leagues what does that mean- They should all be instructional they should all be learning the art of Hitting! They should all be learning to play multiple positions! They should all be learning how to run the bases! They should all playing as many innings as possible which is where the level of commitment comes in.

 

Recreational Leagues hopefully is anybody and everybody plays. Typically they play maybe one game a week and if your lucky its a double header and practice another day a week which leaves the weekends open for whatever people do on the weekends that do not play travel softball. In my opinion if you want to be the best you have to play the best! I think Recreational leagues are great to develop kids, and at some point (IMO) as those kids become more competitive its time to move to a travel team. If you have a good rec team enter them in a tournament at Milford or Mid American tell the director what your talent base is and get your feet wet. Its a different world! In Recreational leagues you are going to have more daddy ball and my way or the highway guys running things. Where that doesn't fly with Tournament teams.

 

Tournament Ball- It comes down to your level of commitment and ability! Obviously there are different levels of Tournament teams and Tournaments! Travel teams typically play 6-8 weekends a summer some within a 100 mile radius and may have 11 or 12 girls on the teams (IMO find a team with 11 committed girls for more playing time) you would be surprised how many are within the 275 loop! My DD played a lot tournaments at Milford, Mid American (my favorite), or Beaver Creek which is a nice complex an hour away or travel down to Georgetown, Versailles and they are playing coach pitch tournaments at 10U along side 12U, 14U and 16U Tournaments every weekend then there are some big tournaments in Columbus at Berliner they have college showcases where 100s of teams come on 1 weekend. Last year in Columbus my DDs team played a team from Nova Scotia which was interesting on how they defended the bunt with a runner on first. Then there are teams that will travel Chicago or Atlanta to play or obviously the big weeklong tournaments in Colorado or California

 

Don't be intimidated! One of the great things about Tourney Ball is you play pool play which typically will seed you into a tournament play according to your record in pool play. Many will have a Gold Bracket, Silver Bracket and a Bronze Bracket for the tournament. So you may go 0-2 in pool play and Win the Bronze Bracket!

 

Most IMPORTANTLY on travel teams you typically have a mix from different schools so its not CCHS vs Brossart or Highlands vs NCC. They meet and develop friendships with girls from other communities different schools whether they are on the same team or see each other multiple times over the summer. Its very common for good friendships to develop amongst the girls and the families because you spend so much time together! It is Fun to see the girls interact when they play against each other in High School Ball!

 

I can tell you from personal experience my DD had a great experience playing in the Campbell County League and moved onto summer ball where she had some great coaching and improved to where she had a GREAT HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE and had a few chances to play college ball but chose to hang them up and get on with her career!

 

If you are interested tryouts are coming up soon so teams get together in the fall so they have their teams ready as soon as High School ball is over its straight to Tourney Ball!

Too many people want to change something and they have no clue what is involved. The last thing NKY needs is another start up league with too few teams that have to play too many double headers against each other. Chris tried to get the league in Kenton Co who was struggling to talk about forming a merger and use Kenton Lakes to play multiple games and increase the number of teams, a couple years ago. They were not interested because Kenton Lakes was too far. I've seen too many leagues struggle for too many years. Starting another one is not the answer. Chris puts in a lot of time to make this work and trust me it's not for his benefit in any way shape or form. Until you have done the work and put up with the aggravation you need to shut up and quit criticizing. Offer to help instead of complaining.

Too many people want to change something and they have no clue what is involved. The last thing NKY needs is another start up league with too few teams that have to play too many double headers against each other. Chris tried to get the league in Kenton Co who was struggling to talk about forming a merger and use Kenton Lakes to play multiple games and increase the number of teams, a couple years ago. They were not interested because Kenton Lakes was too far. I've seen too many leagues struggle for too many years. Starting another one is not the answer. Chris puts in a lot of time to make this work and trust me it's not for his benefit in any way shape or form. Until you have done the work and put up with the aggravation you need to shut up and quit criticizing. Offer to help instead of complaining.

 

Obviously Thunderbird was fed up with the way the league is run and in his eyes has been run the last couple of years so he voiced his displeasure on his way out! Nothing wrong with that! It is his opinion and I am sure he is not alone! Heck people have complained about the way things have been run for years! People complained about him 5 or 6 years ago when he took the league over! Is he perfect heck no! Would it be where it is today without him probably not! I give him credit for his efforts but that doesn't mean he is always right and it sure doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement! Thunderbird is an intelligent man who is very supportive of youth sports and has a good grasp of the way they should be run!

 

As always there are at least 2 sides to every opinion!

Travel try outs for the upcoming fall and 2015 summer season should be starting the first of Aug. If your daughter is interested, you think she may have the raw ability- get her signed up to tryout. Most are free tryouts, and you will be able to gauge truly where she stands, see what it takes and if nothing more - learn what you need to work on to play at that next level! I know of several great organizations locally, that travel based on team level talent. (cincy Static- is at the top of my list) If you have questions, ask- There are a several great travel ball resources reading this thread that can help to point you in the right direction. Keep in mind this is travel-ball Nationals time of year, so they may be busy as well. You never know unless you try, and in my DD's case it was the perfect step for her. As I type she's flying to California to play in the PGF National Tourney with the Louisville Lady Sluggers, Premiere Team!

2014-2015 Cincinnati Static Tryouts for 8U - 23U

Wed 8/6 from 6:00 to Dark

Sat 8/9 rain date 8/10

Sat 8/16 rain date 8/17

8U & 12U 9am - 12:00

13U - 23U 1:00 - 4:00

 

Groesbeck Park

8296 Clara Ave

Cincinnati, Ohio 45239

 

A great organazation

Too many people want to change something and they have no clue what is involved. The last thing NKY needs is another start up league with too few teams that have to play too many double headers against each other. Chris tried to get the league in Kenton Co who was struggling to talk about forming a merger and use Kenton Lakes to play multiple games and increase the number of teams, a couple years ago. They were not interested because Kenton Lakes was too far. I've seen too many leagues struggle for too many years. Starting another one is not the answer. Chris puts in a lot of time to make this work and trust me it's not for his benefit in any way shape or form. Until you have done the work and put up with the aggravation you need to shut up and quit criticizing. Offer to help instead of complaining.

 

Bingo, Chris does an outstanding job. If anyone thinks they can do a better job then knock yourself out. Trust me, I wouldn't put up with half the :poop: he does running this league.

Bingo, Chris does an outstanding job. If anyone thinks they can do a better job then knock yourself out. Trust me, I wouldn't put up with half the :poop: he does running this league.

 

Maybe they should have elections and if people wanted him gone they could vote him out.