Travel Ball Think Tank: National Combine Network Would Improve Understanding

Posted by osbstaff | 27 December 2017 | Character,Experts & Champions,Path To College

ONE Softball is here to bring you insights from experienced coaches, players, and other influencers from all corners of the game. We have the largest collection of college coaches, top professional and former college players, and youth coaches at the top of their game in our back pocket so that ONE Softball can be in your back pocket as you navigate the youth softball world and the path to college.

ONE Softball thinks that having objective measurable data is a important part of gathering the information needed to determine a good fit for future opportunities. We asked our Travel Ball Coach Think Tank what they thought, and they agree that it’s important for the player and her family and for college coaches to have a solid set of objective information.

There are a lot of opportunities for players to “get measured” in the youth softball world these days. There are combines that do all individual measurement and no game play, places that will measure physical skills as a part of a tournament, and lots of players get “measured” with stopwatches and other unscientific ways in many other places.

When a college coaches knows what kind of physical skill standards they want a player to reach, if they understand what type of player will achieve success in their program, it allows them to be a more effective recruiter and for the player to have a better experience.

When a player knows her strengths and areas to work on she automatically has context to help her determine what kind of program might be a great fit for her in the future. When we have context we can naturally compare ourselves as well as compare college programs.

This context and information on specific skills also gives us good insight as a player as to what to spend our time working on, as well as how to promote ourselves as a top talent in any area in which we excel. A player with a super skill or talent in a particular area of the game can market that detail as she communicates with coaches.

In the big picture, a standardized system of objective measureables–a National Combine Standard–will level the playing field for athletes in all areas of the country. A specific throw speed, ball exit speed or home to first time is what it is if we have verified combines across the softball world, and will allow all coaches to have a trusted source for information.

Our Travel Ball coaches agree!

ONE Softball Staff
About The Author

ONE Softball Staff

The ONE Softball editorial staff has decades of success in coaching and business. Coming from diverse backgrounds and experiences, the founders share one common goal: to help the softball community come together. We are excited to provide crucial resources for players, parents and coaches to succeed at every level.

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