Showcase VS. Elimination Softball

Showcase VS. Elimination Softball

This is a subject that has turned into a growing concern for the sport of softball. Fastpitch World has decided that it is a topic that should be discussed. Let’s take a closer look at this controversial topic.

Showcase Softball is a tournament that has a set format, where each team is scheduled to play two or three games a day. Generally everyone in the line up plays by either batting or playing defense. No “winners” or “losers” are declared.

Elimination Softball is a tournament that usually has a two or three game bracket play which leads into a single or double elimination loser go home format.

We’ve taken this topic to college coaches in the tri-state area, as well as travel coaches and asked their opinions on the matter. Based on our survey, here is what we’ve come up with:

Showcase

Pro's

Every team plays a set number of games at a set time
Every player plays, meaning more opportunities to be seen by a college coach.

Con's

Too many teams.
Too many fields.
Brackets are not set by strength, meaning you can get placed in a bracket with 16's.
Competition is watered down by the large number of teams accepted.
Playing fields are generally spread out forcing coaching to drive from location to location.

From the outside looking in point of view, showcase softball has become big business to many people offering these tournaments. Most of these tournaments are using the name showcase to try and lure teams on the basis that college coaches will attend. More and more tournaments are popping up everywhere and some are even running for 4 days causing families to spend endless amounts of money chasing the dream of a college scholarship. The intensity in the showcase atmosphere has diminished and so the lack of competition follows.

One coach we interviewed went as far as to say, When everyone plays, there is no coaching. Coaching showcase softball is the equivalent to coaching little league softball…Ok Mary you play right field this inning then play left next inning while Janie goes from 1st one inning to 3rd two innings later and oh yea I have to get Lulu in because you never know who might want to see her.

We tend to agree that in showcase softball the game is dialed down a bit. Another travel coach stated, You don’t bunt kids over or waste at bats when a college coach might be watching, especially when kids are getting only 2 at bats a game. In the showcase format everyone bats making it tough for the team’s offense to get on track. With that in mind are you really getting a chance to show a players ability with 12 kids in the lineup? Those last few spots in the lineup may only get one at bat! This approach doesn’t seem like it’s giving a fair indication of what a player can do under, real competition.

We asked some coaches their thoughts on Showcase Softball and here are a few of their responses:

FPW: Do you like the showcase or the elimination format?

Jay Nelson, Rutgers U: I like the elimination format for competitiveness and think it tests the athletes better.

Jamie Apicella, CW Post U: I like the elimination format with fewer teams.

FPW: Because there are no winners at showcases, do you find younger teams playing and a less competitive field?

Bob Brookens, Shippensburg: I think a lot of teams are watered down due to the very large showcase tournaments, which leads to the lack of competition.

Jamie Apicella, CW Post U: The field is usually oversaturated. Too many teams and not enough quality teams. This is becoming too much of a business. These kids do not care if they win or lose it’s all about being seen. The competitive edge is definitely missing and has to be re-taught when they get to the college level.

Roy Kortmann, LIU and his insight on the subject: Kids grow up today and do not learn how to compete. All that matters is whether they had a good day personally or not. So many play the game like they’re a trophy on a trophy shelf. I would prefer elimination to replicate the real world.

Let’s take a look at the
Elimination format.

Pro's

Players have to earn playing time.
Every aspect of the game is showcased, showing a player's true competitive side.
The field is more competitive.
College coaches like the more competitive aspect of the game.
Players play more like a team under, Win or Lose circumstances.

Con's

Not everyone gets to play.
Parents complain that their kid isn't getting a fair chance to play.
College coaches have to work a little harder to find their recruits.

In an elimination format, the tournaments are usually not as big and some of the younger teams won’t join mainly because they wouldn’t get their money’s worth getting knocked out early.

We find the elimination format to be much more competitive with the only issue being, keeping the parents happy. In this day and age we have seemingly taken away from our youth the idea of, real competition and actually earning something instead of deserving it because, we are paying for it.

It seems as though showcase softball is filling kids and parents minds with the hope of that ever evasive college scholarship and in the process sacrificing the more important value of team spirit. It has been lost to the individual, Me First attitude that is destroying a beautiful game.

We are not saying that all showcases are bad (there are a few who do a great job about doing everything they can to get kids seen by coaches) but we do feel it is one of the top reasons that our game has lost its edge. At one time we were just happy to be in the line up, now we have the, I can’t play 2nd base, I’m a short stop, I won’t look as good at 2nd as I will at short.

We’ve asked other coaches about the subject and here is what they had to say:

FPW: Coach do you think seeing players compete in an elimination format gives you a better feel on what type of athlete they are?

Tony Ciccarello, Geneseo State: Yes, we will see them up against it and battling for their playing lives. Win or go home. There will not be that next game to show us what they can do. They are starting to forget how to compete on the field.

FPW: As an 18U coach do you prefer showcase or elimination tournaments?

Tommy Orndorff, Shamrocks Softball: My preference would be two or three pool play games going into a single or double elimination tournament.
Ideally, double-elim! I am not a showcase coach and never will be. Showcase mentality is stripping us of competitors, something that is harder and harder to find in today’s game.

FPW: Do you see a different side of your players when you are playing to win?

Tommy Orndorff, Shamrocks Softball: No question! Little if any intensity in showcase softball tournaments, leading to tremendous pressure when something is on the line in elimination affairs. Showcase mentality is not good for the game.

Elimination softball appears to have edged out Showcase softball in this debate. It seems we know the answers before us regarding showcase softball. However, we can’t help but join in, the promises are too enticing. How can we stay away when the possibility for that one chance the college of our choice may be in the stands. The truth is, we don’t know where these coaches will be….all we can say is, do your homework (on showcases), check reputations, ask other teams and Good Luck!

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Showcase VS. Elimination Softball This is a subject that has turned into a growing concern for the sport of softball. Fastpitch World has decided that it is a topic that should be discussed. Let’s take a closer look at this controversial topic. *Showcase Softball* is a tournament that has a set format, where each team is scheduled to play two or three games a day. Generally everyone in the line up plays by either batting or playing defense. No “winners” or “losers” are declared. *Elimination Softball* is a tournament that usually has a two or three game bracket play which leads into a single or double elimination loser go home format. We’ve taken this topic to college coaches in the tri-state area, as well as travel coaches and asked their opinions on the matter. Based on our survey, here is what we’ve come up with: Showcase Pro's Every team plays a set number of games at a set time Every player plays, meaning more opportunities to be seen by a college coach. Con's Too many teams. Too many fields. Brackets are not set by strength, meaning you can get placed in a bracket with 16's. Competition is watered down by the large number of teams accepted. Playing fields are generally spread out forcing coaching to drive from location to location. From the outside looking in point of view, showcase softball has become big business to many people offering these tournaments. Most of these tournaments are using the name showcase to try and lure teams on the basis that college coaches will attend. More and more tournaments are popping up everywhere and some are even running for 4 days causing families to spend endless amounts of money chasing the dream of a college scholarship. The intensity in the showcase atmosphere has diminished and so the lack of competition follows. One coach we interviewed went as far as to say, When everyone plays, there is no coaching. Coaching showcase softball is the equivalent to coaching little league softball…Ok Mary you play right field this inning then play left next inning while Janie goes from 1st one inning to 3rd two innings later and oh yea I have to get Lulu in because you never know who might want to see her. We tend to agree that in showcase softball the game is dialed down a bit. Another travel coach stated, You don’t bunt kids over or waste at bats when a college coach might be watching, especially when kids are getting only 2 at bats a game. In the showcase format everyone bats making it tough for the team’s offense to get on track. With that in mind are you really getting a chance to show a players ability with 12 kids in the lineup? Those last few spots in the lineup may only get one at bat! This approach doesn’t seem like it’s giving a fair indication of what a player can do under, real competition. We asked some coaches their thoughts on Showcase Softball and here are a few of their responses: FPW: Do you like the showcase or the elimination format? Jay Nelson, Rutgers U: I like the elimination format for competitiveness and think it tests the athletes better. Jamie Apicella, CW Post U: I like the elimination format with fewer teams. FPW: Because there are no winners at showcases, do you find younger teams playing and a less competitive field? Bob Brookens, Shippensburg: I think a lot of teams are watered down due to the very large showcase tournaments, which leads to the lack of competition. Jamie Apicella, CW Post U: The field is usually oversaturated. Too many teams and not enough quality teams. This is becoming too much of a business. These kids do not care if they win or lose it’s all about being seen. The competitive edge is definitely missing and has to be re-taught when they get to the college level. Roy Kortmann, LIU and his insight on the subject: Kids grow up today and do not learn how to compete. All that matters is whether they had a good day personally or not. So many play the game like they’re a trophy on a trophy shelf. I would prefer elimination to replicate the real world. Let’s take a look at the Elimination format. Pro's Players have to earn playing time. Every aspect of the game is showcased, showing a player's true competitive side. The field is more competitive. College coaches like the more competitive aspect of the game. Players play more like a team under, Win or Lose circumstances. Con's Not everyone gets to play. Parents complain that their kid isn't getting a fair chance to play. College coaches have to work a little harder to find their recruits. In an elimination format, the tournaments are usually not as big and some of the younger teams won’t join mainly because they wouldn’t get their money’s worth getting knocked out early. We find the elimination format to be much more competitive with the only issue being, keeping the parents happy. In this day and age we have seemingly taken away from our youth the idea of, real competition and actually earning something instead of deserving it because, we are paying for it. It seems as though showcase softball is filling kids and parents minds with the hope of that ever evasive college scholarship and in the process sacrificing the more important value of team spirit. It has been lost to the individual, Me First attitude that is destroying a beautiful game. We are not saying that all showcases are bad (there are a few who do a great job about doing everything they can to get kids seen by coaches) but we do feel it is one of the top reasons that our game has lost its edge. At one time we were just happy to be in the line up, now we have the, I can’t play 2nd base, I’m a short stop, I won’t look as good at 2nd as I will at short. We’ve asked other coaches about the subject and here is what they had to say: FPW: Coach do you think seeing players compete in an elimination format gives you a better feel on what type of athlete they are? Tony Ciccarello, Geneseo State: Yes, we will see them up against it and battling for their playing lives. Win or go home. There will not be that next game to show us what they can do. They are starting to forget how to compete on the field. FPW: As an 18U coach do you prefer showcase or elimination tournaments? Tommy Orndorff, Shamrocks Softball: My preference would be two or three pool play games going into a single or double elimination tournament. Ideally, double-elim! I am not a showcase coach and never will be. Showcase mentality is stripping us of competitors, something that is harder and harder to find in today’s game. FPW: Do you see a different side of your players when you are playing to win? Tommy Orndorff, Shamrocks Softball: No question! Little if any intensity in showcase softball tournaments, leading to tremendous pressure when something is on the line in elimination affairs. Showcase mentality is not good for the game. Elimination softball appears to have edged out Showcase softball in this debate. It seems we know the answers before us regarding showcase softball. However, we can’t help but join in, the promises are too enticing. How can we stay away when the possibility for that one chance the college of our choice may be in the stands. The truth is, we don’t know where these coaches will be….all we can say is, do your homework (on showcases), check reputations, ask other teams and Good Luck!