I really need help, i know it might sound kind of stupid, but i am thinking about going into middle school sports, and I am a girl, so i have to play softball. but i need to get smething straight, does anybody know if they use a regular baseball, or do they have to use those big softballs??? i know its softball but i always thought it was a gender thing.....thanx a lot!!!!

Middle school softball uses the big 12" balls but they are definitely not soft in a strict definition of the word.

SamC

elizzygurl69,

S O F T B A L L and find another board. Can't believe you
are serious.

Eaaaaaaaaasy, Glen...eaaaaaaaaasy

elizzy 69? That would make you about 35, (if born in 69), kinda doubt you got any middle school eligibility left.

Oh, all you doubters!!! I am amazed you didn't believe the "middle school" girl. Have some faith in her.

Ummm, guys, I can understand she's probably a real middle school girl. Think about the number at the end of her user name. Teenagers "love" that number, and giggle when it comes up in math class.

<b>Teenagers "love" that number, and giggle when it comes up in math class.</b>

Good point, Welsch. However:

<b>i always thought it was a gender thing</b>

Sound like the words of a middle-schooler?

<b>I am thinking about going into middle-school sports</b>

Is that what a middle-schooler would say? Or would she say, "I'm thinking about going out for softball"?

And nobody at the school—not even one of her girlfriends—can tell her what size ball they use?

well thanx for your concern glen, if you read my profile, you would have figured out im 13, and by the way, if i never PLAYED softball before, how would i KNOW, its not like people are BORN knowing these things. just because your a ball freak doesn't mean i am.....geez, besides, if you don't like the board, DON'T GO TO IT!!! gosh even i know that, and your probably older then me.

and JEL, i wasn't BORN in 69, i was born in 90, i just like the number.

Hard to believe the naivete of some of you, even though there are some skeptical signs. A 13 year old can be very articulate and very uninformed about sports at the same time. I wonder more how such a person found a rules discussion forum. Also, some naivete one her part as
- young females need to be a little more careful about identifying information and email addresses, and
- typing a profile doesn't make it gospel.

i can post info about myself all i want, its not like they can find my house....and trust me, all i give out is that of what i already did.

Even though I have major doubts about the legitimacy of this post I will reply as if it were totally legitimate. As a former coach I would not recommend starting playing this sport in a competitive fashion such as FED ball at this age. Most girls in the 13-14 Year old range have been playing for 5-9 years and have all the basics of the game locked up. Then when you get up in the JV/Varsity teams if you do not know the basics of the game such as what ball is used, how to catch etc., it is just an accident/injury waiting to happen. My suggestion then would be find a local rec league that would more than likely be more suited for a 14U girl just starting out.

Or are middle school teams (like most I see) made up of those who don't have the experience and ability for 14&U teams?

I guess that would depend on location. I know for the most part around here the girls are very intense about their HS teams and Travel ball teams and the rec programs are dwindling both in talent and numbers. All the girls who play Travel ball do so in order to better themselves for their school programs and the ones that play rec are the ones that didnt make those other teams.

Some high schools "troll" the middle school programs for athletes, in addition to any travel/elite teams that feed into the high school program. It's common practice everywhere. Never know, someone could start out in middle school and end up a big time player. Look at Michael Jordan. Got cut as a freshman in high school, went on to be one of (if not THE) greatest basketball players of all time.

Earl Monroe played soccer, not basketball, until he was 14.

Also, Hakeem Olajuwon was better known for soccer than basketball before Guy Lewis made him part of the Phi Slamma Jamma at U. of Houston. Heard he almost had a tough time differentiating the term goaltending as it applies to the two sports.

With that said would you still not agree that a rec league would be a better place to start rather than trying to go into a highly competitive league and never getting a chance to try?

Dukat, I say one word to your question: AMEN! I think it's a good idea to get involved in sports at any level. Never know if one will break it big time. There's always a prodigy out there somewhere in the rec leagues.

And let us not forget that Jim Brown was recruited by Syracuse for his lacrosse skills, not football.

Yes, certainly. And to do it, not to worry about being big time or being a prodigy.

My comment about middle school was to differentiate middle school from high school.

<b>I know for the most part around here the girls are very intense about their HS teams and Travel ball teams and the rec programs are dwindling both in talent and numbers.</b>

Some of the rec programs around here did suffer because high school coaches forbade their players to participate in rec leagues. One particularly strong league was drastically affected when dozens of good players suddenly disappeared. In this area, the travel teams don't usually pick up steam until the school season ends.

Another league does not allow travel players in its rec league. There were too many problems with rec teams being short-handed because of scheduling conflicts. But though there are no real stars in that league, the level of competition is very balanced, and they are actually developing some good players.

well i see your concern about me not knowing how to play but i know, baseball, and i was just asking since i have seen teams playing softball, because i have seen a regular sized ball, labeled softball ok? i was JUST being curious.....jeez, im not stupid at sports, but iom not an expert either....

I have to disagree
 

even if you haven't been playin since you were like 6 that doesnt mean you cant pick up the game now and improve and go on to play varsity, there are 2 girls on my varsity team that started playing just thise year and one just last year and they are picking up the game quite well, you just have to be pay very close attention and absorb everything you can about the game, dont be afraid to admit you're not sure of what to do in certain situations, put all you have into it and your bound to catch up to the other girls as far as mentally, physically, it may take a season or 2 to get to the other girls strength.

[Edited by exguard on Feb 21st, 2004 at 06:45 PM]

well i think i still have a few years till i even have the chance to try for varsity......geez...its only 7th grade

Ditto
I have a seventh grade daughter and as much as she talks, I don't think she would take the time nor the hassle of registering to enter a forum for officials to ask a softball question. I aint buying this one.

have you ever thought that maybe some peoples kids are serious about their life, and i bet, some have 1?? maybe its not my fault that your child isn't serious, and thats your problem....

Elizzy,

All I've gotta say is:

<font size=4>You Go Gurl!!</font>

Keep the hip-hop a-rockin and the softballs a-poppin.

And lay off the high ones. :D

SamC

Guys,

I am sorry I started this off with a not so respectful
answer. However, I think it is time we consider Elizzy
as being serious in her interest towards wanting to learn
more about the game.

Her first post did seem off beat, but lets give her the
benefit of doubt.

Elizzy - you got questions, we will hopefully have some
serious answers for you.

Sam,
Like your last post.

Elizzy,

I gotta second the comment: You go girl! You're right about some kids being curious about sports at a higher level than some of their peers. Heck, my son is going to be 3 next month, and now is to the point where he practically throws a tantrum if he can't go watch my games when I ref basketball. Geesh! Anyway, good luck in your softball journey.

thans, and im glad some of you listened to me, and im glad you trusted me, and i wouldn't sign up for the forum as a joke, but it wasn't a joke, that would be too low. and thanks for the incouragement, wow, thats a big word for me...but im glad you took the time to read my post!!!!

I'd be OK with me if this thread just died now.

1st - if you believe the elizzy person to not be genuine, just ignoring the post is an appropriate response.

2nd - if you believe her to be an actual 7th grader, just refer her to a more general softball forum where there will be coaches, parents of players, and other players, instead of an umpire's forum.

Here ya go elizzy... this forum will be much more help for you (assuming you actually need the help)...

http://www.eteamz.com/fastpitch/boards/fastpitch/

well dakota, it sounds as if youre doubting that im in 7th grade....

Don't take it personally. I doubt just about everything people say about themselves on the internet. At least until there is some history of interacting with them.

:rolleyes:

mick

yeah ok