Monday, April 1, 2019

Bases Loaded Weekly Article X By: Marissa Moore

How would you describe softball in one word?

“If I had to describe fastpitch softball in one word, it would be, development.”

-       Scott Blankenship, DSE Sports Events President

Scott Blankenship has dedicated his time and expertise to create a competitive environment that develops young female athlete’s abilities. Most importantly this environment encourages growth in areas such as teamwork, hard work, dedication, and commitment. Somehow at the end of all this, these athletes have built friendships that last a lifetime and memories they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Scott Blankenship has a long-term relationship with the diamond. His early career began with select travel ball. In 1997 he was apart of the Boswell High School State Championship Team. He then went on to play Junior College ball at Maple Woods Community College in Kansas City and finished up his college career at Benedictine College in Atchison Kansas. After a minor league career, he began his time with softball in both rec and select/travel.
This long resume of experience has given him the edge to create a concept of competitive softball that ensures a reliable experience that parents, coaches, and athletes can trust in.

Together DSE and USSSA are providing a competitive tournament experience for all levels of play. DSE focuses on events that are primarily centered on B and C divisions. This is due to that fact that USSSA rules and regulations are best suited for these divisions and will ensure effective growth and development. The purpose of these events is to create an environment that provides athletes with long-lasting growth. Blankenship stated, “USSSA has made strides in monitoring the competition and has a great new tool with the guest player system that protects the integrity of games and teams.”

The purpose of implementing these divisions is to be a reliable tournament that monitors pickups and rosters in order to ensure the highest caliber of play. “The goal of the different classifications (divisions) is assuring that teams play similar talent levels and building sustainable events that increase participation in the sport” mentioned Texas USSSA State Director, Darren Darracq.

Together DSE and USSSA are attempting to redefine competition in the softball world. The goal is to create an environment in which first-time select/travel teams can compete at the C level. This will create opportunities for competition at a higher level.

The partnership between Scott Blankenship’s, DSE and USSSA, will inevitably revolutionize the concept of competitive select/travel fastpitch. These divisions will give teams the opportunity to compete within a skillset that encourages growth and the ability to move up to the next classification. This partnership hopes to encourage coaches to continue striving to build their teams to compete at the next level.

The purpose is to ensure that all athletes benefit from playing with other players within their level of talent or better.

“Our goal is to build confidence for the players in themselves so that they can continue to want to play softball year after year and grow the sport of fastpitch softball.” – Scott Blankenship

To learn more about DSE click here

To learn more about Divisions click here
Click Here for short video about USSSA Classification

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