Challenging conventional wisdom and stirring debate has always been an important part of what we try to do through WebBall.

Q Insider Reaction Survey  

In the August 22nd and September 1st WebBall Insider newsletters we asked subscribers and site visitors to comment on a number of wide-ranging topics related to amateur baseball... everything from fraudulent coaches to video replay. We want to know where you stand and what you think. If you need copies of those Insiders before voting, please send a request.

• Vote Now
  

Q Does your league allow lead-offs?  

In this survey we wanted to determine the right age for lead-offs, and whether coaches (and others) were satisfied with the current regulations.

• Results Posted

Q Is baseball growing or stagnant in your area?  

We wanted your opinion on one of the greatest challenges in youth baseball... player retention. This survey is step 2 in our current look into the state of youth baseball in 2011. The process began with an analysis of an example association, involving over 15,000 players over a 7-year span. Both the example and current survey are linked here. Based on your responses, we'll look at some directions for future content on the site. The survey closed after the Memorial Day Weekend.

• Player Retention Analysis
  
• Results Posted
  

Incidentally one of the responses indicated a potential staggering cause for a decline in local enrollment, the pressure to compete. Here is that comment...

"You should look into the phenomenon going on here of the JR/HS coaches at the local schools requiring there players to play u-trip ball. They are allowed to only play on a team (ghost coached) by someone selected by the HS coach (who is the real coach!) If the kid doesn't play on that team he doesn't make the high school team. This practice is killing the American Legion teams across the country."

If anyone elsewhere has witnessed a similar phenomenon in their area and can substantiate this, we intend to explore it further.


Q Are you in favor of "In-Game" Meetings  

On the front page, we asked if coaches and others were okay with the meetings that took place on the sidelines with coaches and players after each half inning. This was a reader-inspired topic. and we're looking for more (see next item).

• Results Posted

A Note from WebBall editor, Richard Todd...
We continue to look for great controversial topics.  I need you to come to me with the things about baseball that absolutely bug you the most. I don't care if it's about coaching, mechanics, umpires, whatever. The only thing that matters to me is that whatever your opinion is, I'm sure I can find others who will absolutely disagree with you. And that's good for everyone. Maybe you'll get some different opinions that will actually help you. Or you can be a big help to others blissfully ignorant of the truth. I can not promise you a fair fight, or even good advice. But I can promise you a true nose-to-nose clash. So come on, be brave, step up to the plate... what bugs you and what do others think about it? Just send me an email.

• For the results of previous surveys, click here.
• To suggest a future Nose 2 Nose survey topic click here.
• Or check out the "forum" links to see what other topics visitors are interested in.
  

Q How should we do the next Challenge?    

During the 2011 Pitching Challenge, six experts competed for your votes in a blind ballot. Our challenge question... "Does pitching need to be taught?"

With the completion of that challenge, now we'd like your input on how the next challenge should be set up... 

• Vote Now for the Next Challenge
  
• 2011 WPC Results Posted - Click Here
• For results of surveys from past years... click here.

Q Are field size transitions putting players at risk?  

This quickly became a hot topic. Click the links for some background, two opposing views, and how voters weighed in...

Ages vs Fields

• Ted's Jump
• Kevin's Graduated
• Comments

Q Is it time for National Certification?  

One of the leading coaches/instructors in the USA has just come out strongly in favor of national coaching certification. This is not a new topic. In fact, WebBall first raised the question in 2005. And in late 2010, we brought it back because of concerns over increased arm/shoulder injuries at younger ages, disagreement over pitch limits, and so on.

But now, in April 2011, Pete Caliendo calls for certification for the most basic of concerns - we are losing participation and often to other sports which do have standardized instruction and certification.

So should we set mandatory guidelines? We want to know if you support or oppose national coaching certification.

Certification?

• National Certification
• Comments

Q Should we eliminate college scholarships?  

That's a question posed by Ralph Nader and something called the "League of Fans". As reported by the Associated Press news service in USA Today...

" WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer advocate Ralph Nader is calling for the elimination of college athletic scholarships, saying the move is necessary to 'de-professionalize' college athletes."

He has his stated reasons. And in (marginal) fairness, the article cites one opposing view from an NCAA spokesman. But we think there might be one or two more viewpoints out there... yours, perhaps?

• Read the AP Article
• Voting Closed - Results to be posted.

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Always open...

Q How well should players perform at each age?  

This is an on-going reporting system for the Player Norms chart under SCOUTING > Statistics.
The Player Norms Survey is currently available for WebBall Team Site Managers only. They can submit their team stats on an annual or monthly basis. For more information on the Team Site service, click here.