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I agree there are some good players from east Texas. There are also some talented club and select ball teams from this area...however, as a whole, east Texas softball, IMO is relatively weak. This is due to many issues that I'm sure you are aware of. Athleticism in east Texas is the best I have ever witnessed anywhere...however, softball I.Q. Is horrendously low (generally speaking). I hope that changes and am working everyday towards that goal.

I truly feel sorry for kids who sign with Texas. The state of Texas is arguably the top state in the nation for college recruiting. Texas is undoubtedly the leader of the pack when it comes to kids who grew up in Texas. Typically speaking, Texas has the inside route to the top tier recruits from Texas. Heck, they don't even really need to look outside of Texas to get a fantastic recruiting class... That being said, because of this fact, Texas feels like they don't have to develop these raw players as much as other schools do. If a kid isn't living up to his potential, instead of busting their butts as coaches and working to maximize the potential of that kid, Texas just goes out and recruits another stud. Texas does more with talent than any other program in the nation. As far as Mack goes, I hope he stays forever. Therefore my sooners can have an edge in every RRR as long as he is still the shot caller for the horns.

I don't disagree...some solid teams in aaa. Club and select ball is teaching our kids how to not compete.

Very very few d1 programs recruit seniors. The only time they go after a senior is when another kid they had goes south.

No offense and sorry for the old post,but I would have to disagree with this. The level of softball in east Texas is weak. Stats are crazy because pitching and fielding are weak. Moving the rubber back have really helped the hitters. Texas has some really good softball, but it is found in Houston, Waco area, and parts of Dallas area.

Ferris has new coach, Storemet is his name. Was at West last couple years. Kikpatrick, the old coach, went to Clifton. Totally killed Ferris program. New guy seems like a good hire so far. Got most of the kids who quit Kirkpatrick back out for softball.

Anyone have any information on the AD search at West?

All of our varsity players are "travel ball" players. 80% of our JV players are travel ball players who have played in several national and state tourneys. For the most part, the JV "select" player takes at least a full-season just to figure out high school ball. There are excellent coaches in both arenas. There also exist the ####! If you have a daughter who is playing on a select or travel team, make sure the coaches philosophy towards the game is the same as yours. It will make for a much more enjoyable experience. i.e. does the coach squeeze bunt, drag, slash, slap in certain situations...is this your philosophy as well? Who calls pitches? Are pitch counts scripted? What is the bag responsibility in slap-d, etc? Is linear or circular swing mechanics instructed? If you are a concerned parent (as we all should be when it comes to select and travel ball), take the time to develop a philosophy and find a coach that fits that philosophy. One of the issues you have in softball and baseball more so than other team sports is that every joe schmoe has coached their little all-star in t-ball or little league 12U, etc. So, they think that they know everything about the sport. Guess what, 12U ball is played a heck of a lot different than high school ball or high level select ball. What amazes me every year are the kids we get in high school who have played travel and select ball since they were 4, and have completely no idea about situational softball. They may have good bats, and solid glove and throwing mechanics, but when it comes down to really playing the game (the real chess game that occurs), they are completely lost (for the most part). BTW...JV coach calls the pitches, high school coach lets the catcher call the pitch with override authority from the coach. If the catcher can't call the pitches, then she is clearly not a varsity level catcher.

You can swing the bat three times behind a pitch...nine times and the side is out. In softball, a team just steps off the bag early. This is totally classless. The rule I go by is to never embarrass another kid. Beating a team by 50 is just embarrassing the other team.

Not an east texas boy, but Kolby Carpenter in West is one heck of a player. He's got it all, great pitching, big bat, fantastic middle infielder. Legit Big School D1 player, if not a high round draft pick. Several good pitchers at West. Their top 5 could go to any school in the state and be #1 pitcher.

QUOTE (JB1 @ Mar 3 2011, 01:41 PM) Good Luck to the Trojans and their new guy. Sounds like it is gonna be a tough situation but isn't everywhere now a days? I hope all the guys that are staying to coach in West are well compensated for all their work. Hardly...

I agree tempo...I am extremely fiscally conservative, but the funding model for education in Texas is broken. If teachers organized a march on Austin day to let our voices be heard, then something would get done...but instead, we sit back, keep our heads down, and hope it is not our job on the chopping block. You get 50K teachers outside the state capitol and funding models would get changed in a hurry.

They cut 6 (7 if you include Wolf). Will be combining freshman and varsity athletic periods (100 kids in each athletic period), 7th and 8th grade athletics combined. Those positions will not be replaced. Wolf resigned due to other issues (I'm sure the cuts played a factor...but much more going on). Alot of micromanagement from administration, and expectations that are unrealistic. Also, the remaining coaching staff will probably all be reassigned to different positions. All you have to do is look at the job posting on the THSCA site for the new AD position to see what type of expectations the Supt. has. Tom Landry wouldn't even make the short list. The posting should also mention that the new AD/Head Football will only have six, possibly 7 football coaches for 7th A/B, 8th A/B, JV, and Varsity squads combined. Coaches who are West grads and 20+ year coaches are looking to go anywhere but West. Horrible environment from what I understand.

It is a sad day when a 20+ year coach voluntarily submits his resignation and goes into a different career field because he can no longer tolerate his work environment.

Good to know FriscoFan...I'm hoping to land on my feet soon. Certified in SS Composite and Life Sciences. Coached two years for a DII Softball Program, before making the jump to the corporate world. 1st year back in coaching. Went 25-2 with my Freshman BB team, and currently 8-0 with my JV Softball team, very good PDAS, and I also coach UIL Debate. CX team qualified for State. Anyone looking for a hard worker, hit me up. Oh, BTW, 10 month old twins at home...gotta feed them babies. :icon_neutral: