Don't let travelers dictate school team

My daughter is a senior at Conant High School. She is an above average softball player, having played for 13 years between travel and in-house teams. She has played for Conant for the past three years. She has not been on a travel team for several years now.

Recently, she tried out for the softball team, only to be told she was below the top 30 picked. I feel you should be made aware of how unfair girls' softball has become as well as other sports. It appears most, if not all, girls selected are from a travel team. I'm sure you know that not all travel teams have the "best players."

I was informed how many of these players knew what positions they would be playing before the tryouts were even held. This does not strike me as being fair. An athlete should be judged by their ability not their associations. I've also heard how travel coaches send their rosters to high school coaches, as to keep the team together.

Too many games are being played. Unfortunately, Conant has not been able to put a top 10 team together for years. I wonder why?

I do have a few suggestions that might help. What about opening the coaching positions to the public, retired teachers, young retirees who have a love for the game who can judge an athlete for their ability not their associations? I bet we would get two very different teams.

I realize life is not always fair, but maybe it is time for a change! We do not always practice what we preach when it comes to sports in high schools. This won't help my daughter, but it could make a difference for others.

Marie K. Stahl

Elk Grove Village