Softball Tips - A Level for Everyone

Guest post by Ken Krause, Life in the Fastpitch Lane blog
When you participate in a community such as the Discuss Fastpitch Forum, one of the things you'll find is people are often quite fanatical about the sport. Those who post frequently are particularly into it, so it's not surprising that they tend to focus on the highest levels of the game.

Unfortunately, one of the byproducts of that can be other members wondering what is wrong with their daughters/players because they don't have that desire to play 18U Gold as 14 year old, or to go to UCLA on a full ride scholarship. It can seem like if you're not shooting for the top you're just wasting your time.

Yet nothing could be further from the truth. One of the great things about fastpitch softball is that everyone can participate, regardless of size, ability or even dedication. There really is a level for everyone.

Let's look at size first. In basketball and volleyball, it really helps to be tall. Sure, there are shorter kids who can play a role, but they're unlikely to be the stars. The same with a heavy-set kid. But in softball you don't have to be big to have a good batting average or outstanding fielding percentage. You just have to make the plays.

If you're fast and small, you can be a slapper or a baserunner. If you're big and slow, you can be a power hitter. There's a place for everyone; in fact, the only ones who really have a tough time are the kids who can't grasp the complexities, because there's a lot to know and it's all situational.

But the real key is in the levels. Not every girl wants to be a top-level player. Many, in fact, are content to be stars in their local rec league, or the best player on their high school team, and that's it. So what's wrong with that?

Nothing, really. Being a top-level player requires a lot of dedication. If you want to play at a top school you have to give up a lot to get there. Then you have to give up even more once you're there. Sorry, but that's just not for everybody.

Some players have no intention of every playing a single inning in college. That doesn't make their desire to play the game any less valid. In fact, it may make it more pure because they're playing simply for the love of the game rather than as a means to something else.

There are lots of reasons to play. Fun is certainly one of them — and a reason that often gets forgotten in our success-driven culture. Some just love competing; they want to challenge themselves, but they don't necessarily care to put in the deep practice required to be a D1 prospect. And, of course, some want to see just how far they can go in the sport.

I think that's one of the things that has been lost with softball eliminated from the Olympics. Some people at the top of the game decry it because they say it takes away the dream for players. That's nonsense.

Most of the players in the game have no ambition or expectation of playing on the National Team, either at the Olympics or anywhere else. Their dream is to win their league championship, or a particular tournament, or play for their high school varsity or dozens of other goals. Sure, it's nice to see our sport in the Olympics. But it's not a necessity for the survival of the game.

What's important is to remember that players play for a wide variety of reasons — and every single one of them is equally worthwhile. In the end, the key is to get out there and play. That's why there are so many different levels — so everyone can find the one that suits them best.

Keep that in mind the next time you find yourself tempted to say someone else "only" plays this or that level. For them that may be enough, even if it's not for you.

Anyway, that's the way I see it.