Post by Admin on Jan 15, 2015 14:17:42 GMT
This post is not intended to endorse one methodology over another. It is intended to further the conversation about the direction our game has taken. This is only my opinion.
First, a quick note: Most folks are not aware of the transformation that is going on with our game right now. With the emergence of PGF and Triple Crown, the game is taking a decidedly "for-profit" turn. As such, players are being "commoditized". This commoditization has hurled us into an Arm's race. The purpose of that Arm's race is to assemble a elite Gold teams with the best talent money can buy. With the best talent, those Gold teams can compete against the west coast elite. If they consistently compete at that level, it ensures future recruits into your program.
What is the cost of that success: Where teams were once made up of organically grown players, teams/clubs are now looking to assemble hired guns. To get those players, teams/clubs need money. It is the pursuit of those dollars, that will inevitably drive the cost of softball up. And so, the paradigm begins:
1. ...a Player wants a scholarship, then...
2. ...to get the best chance at that scholarship, they need to compete at the highest level.
3. ...to compete at the highest level, they must get on the best teams and be showcased in the best tournaments.
4. ...to get on the best teams, players inevitably move from team to team much like key employees job hopping.
5. ...programs can now offer subsidies to those key players to incentivize them to play and stay.
With that new direction, comes dire consequences:
1. ...demutualization of club brands.
2. ...lack of brand loyalty.
3. ...possible eligibility violations.
4. ...failure to secure top guns means clubs must eviscerate younger teams for key players.
5. ...the unintended consequence of that evisceration is more teams filled with all those organic players that just couldn't make the cut. The watering down effect.
Here again, this is just my observation of the game's direction today.
Given the current state of affairs, many of us are still supporting other sanctions. Especially, those that are "Non Profit" in nature. Hopefully, they will make positive changes that make them relevant in the near future. In the meantime, we will continue to seek the best competition on any given weekend.
First, a quick note: Most folks are not aware of the transformation that is going on with our game right now. With the emergence of PGF and Triple Crown, the game is taking a decidedly "for-profit" turn. As such, players are being "commoditized". This commoditization has hurled us into an Arm's race. The purpose of that Arm's race is to assemble a elite Gold teams with the best talent money can buy. With the best talent, those Gold teams can compete against the west coast elite. If they consistently compete at that level, it ensures future recruits into your program.
What is the cost of that success: Where teams were once made up of organically grown players, teams/clubs are now looking to assemble hired guns. To get those players, teams/clubs need money. It is the pursuit of those dollars, that will inevitably drive the cost of softball up. And so, the paradigm begins:
1. ...a Player wants a scholarship, then...
2. ...to get the best chance at that scholarship, they need to compete at the highest level.
3. ...to compete at the highest level, they must get on the best teams and be showcased in the best tournaments.
4. ...to get on the best teams, players inevitably move from team to team much like key employees job hopping.
5. ...programs can now offer subsidies to those key players to incentivize them to play and stay.
With that new direction, comes dire consequences:
1. ...demutualization of club brands.
2. ...lack of brand loyalty.
3. ...possible eligibility violations.
4. ...failure to secure top guns means clubs must eviscerate younger teams for key players.
5. ...the unintended consequence of that evisceration is more teams filled with all those organic players that just couldn't make the cut. The watering down effect.
Here again, this is just my observation of the game's direction today.
Given the current state of affairs, many of us are still supporting other sanctions. Especially, those that are "Non Profit" in nature. Hopefully, they will make positive changes that make them relevant in the near future. In the meantime, we will continue to seek the best competition on any given weekend.