As I was visiting with other parents while watching all of the kids play, someone started mentioning an idea of a junior division with an A, B, & C group. Just like the adults.

 

It came up because we were watching some of the kids that have excelled and stand out in that division and the parents were thinking of moving these kids to the "C" grade, rather than have them in the junior division cleaning up. I have to admit at first I thought well I guess that is the next step when the kids get really good in their division. And the further the conversation went the more I didn't like that idea.

 

You see I also watch many C & D division games this weekend. (As a matter of fact I never went to the other field to watch the upper levels) Most of those players are just learning to play, they don't play at the skill level that the kids do, and most don't know very many of the rules, where again some of these kids really do.

 

I have watched all of these kids improve and play against each other year after year, and yes some excel while others haven't, yet. I watched all of these parents and coaches teaching even the very youngest of players to play by the rules and with respect for both the other players and the umpires. Why do we want to take all of that hard work and move into a division that is not as structured as what the Junior division has been developing into????

 

My suggestion is an A (top junior player 16 and under), B (not beginner, but a player that is consistant with his skill level) and a C ( the very beginner players, PeeWee, which the kids hate to have it called). We may only have six players in each of these divison at some tournaments and at others we may not be able to do it at all. But with those players in that division divide them up into sections and each game have them play a different position. Imagine the skills these kids will have by the time they are 16 and able to play all positions equally. 

 

This is just an idea, I hope we can build on. Texas has a large junior division and with new players coming in all the time, it will give them something to strive for.

 

I am very interested in hearing from others with ideas and/or suggestions.

 

Laura