If you thought I was suggesting you were lying then I apologize. I did not mean it to be interpreted that way. I thought I was saying I hope you are wrong.
Let me ask two hypothetical questions to all the members here: 1. Would you go to watch young HS girls play travel tournaments if you are not related, friends of her family, her HS coach, a college coach, a college recruiter or affiliated with a recruiting service? If so, how comfortable would you be doing so? 2. Would you follow these young HS girls around the country at travel tournaments to track their performance and stats on said girls whether they were worthy of playing for UF or any other school, then make a judgement, and state such opinion openly on a public forum, social media, etc.? If so how comfortable would you be with that?
Let me ask two hypothetical questions to all the members here: 1. Would you go to watch young HS boys play travel tournaments if you are not related, friends of his family, his HS coach, a college coach, a college recruiter or affiliated with a recruiting service? If so, how comfortable would you be doing so? 2. Would you follow these young HS boys around the country at travel tournaments to track their performance and stats on said boys whether they were worthy of playing for UF or any other school, then make a judgement, and state such opinion openly on a public forum, social media, etc.? If so how comfortable would you be with that? No problem. That would make me the same as countless numbers of fans and supporters of countless football, basketball and baseball programs across the country. But demented and unhinged people wouldn't consider them to be "creepy old men". Signed: An Apparent Creepy Old Man With Two Legs.
As I've said before As I've said before, my daughter did the travel softball circuit and was recruited and played in college. I've been to countless travel tournaments and showcases across the southeast. I dont recall ever seeing a bunch of random "fans" there. I also know a lot of other college players, including some who played for UF, and they can cooperate the same notion that these random "fans" aren't at softball showcases. Do you go to these tournaments? If you do, you are one of the very, very few that do that with absolutely no skin in the game. You also didn't answer question 2. I'm curious on your thoughts on that one. Signed, Been There, Done That
I hesitate to dignify or give any hint of credibility to someone who gets deleted, banned, and comes back with three different handles on the same day. Seems like three strikes and such individual should be called out...permanently. But I'll say this. I have a Grandson who played elite travel in baseball in South Florida for 8-10 years and was All-District in HS. Doesn't get any tougher than that anywhere in the country given what happens in Miami. I have a Granddaughter who was recruited by 10-15 schools for her diving and went on seven recruiting trips (two paid by her) around the country. Signed: Been there and done that.
That still doesn't answer the questions. Good for your grandkids, though. I would venture to guess there were no, or next to no, random "fans" at those tournaments or meets. I never heard of elite travel ball at age 8, I could be wrong though. Signed, Personally and In Person Been There, Done That
Hey guys, lets stop with the insinuations ad innuendo's. For those who have an issue with the program, so be it, just don't let it et to personal. If I had a daughter who I felt had been mislead, I would not be happy either so I get it. One of the posters in question follows the careers of HS players who are or may attend UF. Some follow current and potential recruits on X, I don;t but I get why some do. Don't assume it's because of any perverted reason.
And you corrected the speculation on why she transferred and I and most who post on here wish her well. I truly wish it had been different for all involved. I gave up my Senior year in HS for the most part so as I said before I get it, more than most. She can never get that back. Perhaps we should all just move forward.
It is time to lighten up the conversation. The Gators are starting the season off with only 17 players on their roster. Some would say that is a bad look but the last time that happened was 2014 and they won the WCWS. Go Gators.
I have been and will continue to be a Tim Walton fan. I love Gator softball. His integrity and passion for Florida Gator softball has been proven many times over his tenure. He is a Hall of Fame coach respected by his peers and the vast majority of his players. Sometimes recruits don't work out and that's too bad, but that's reality. NIL and the transfer portal have complicated things and feelings get hurt. No one is immune from saying or doing things that rub people the wrong way. All of us are sinners and not worthy of God's grace. But as Joe South sang, Walk A Mile in My Shoes. We should all try to look at situations from the other's perspective and not be so judgemental, then maybe we could be more understanding and forgiving. Go Gators!!!
It's going to be an interesting season for sure. I believe the pitching will be better, as will the infield defense. The offense will probably not be as dynamic, but we'll see how all the new players contribute. They may surprise. As always, Coach Walton will have a competitive team and if they play for each other with no divisions in the clubhouse, they might just exceed expectations.
IMHO, pitching will improve. Keagan and Katelynn(Red) will be healthy again. Ava with her competitive drive will be an excellent closer. Liv, Leah and Allison will contribute in a positive manner. I truly think Coach Stephanie will use her All-American influence on the staff.
CTW basically forfeited going to the WCWS in 2012 because of his integrity and love for all the players on his team. I learned what the "Gator Way" meant that day. And just because predictions of playing time later end up to be wrong with all the moving parts of a team doesn't mean that the predictions were a lie to begin with. Plans change. Anyone who signs up thinking that when opening day comes CTW is not going to put the players on the field who give UF the best chance of winning is not living in reality. Playing time is earned, not promised.
From Lauren Staff: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COMMUNICATIONS Florida Softball August 12, 2025 Contact: Lauren Staff (C): 352-663-4969 2025 World Games Features Gator Softball Trio Skylar Wallace and Amanda Lorenz will represent Team USA and Aleshia Ocasio will represent Team Puerto Rico at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China. CHENGDU, China – Three former Florida softball players are set to compete at the 2025 World Games from August 13-18 in Chengdu, China. Skylar Wallace and Amanda Lorenz are both members of Team USA and Aleshia Ocasio will represent Team Puerto Rico. The World Games will mark Wallace's Women's National Team debut after competing with the U.S. Women's Elite Team in 2024. "Competing in the World Games team is something I've been working toward for a long time," Wallace said. "Representing the USA is an unmatched feeling. I can't wait to get after it and represent the Red, White, and Blue with grit, passion, determination and hard work. I'm forever grateful." This will be Lorenz's fourth time competing with the Women's National Team and her second time playing in the World Games. "I'm so honored and thankful for the opportunity to represent our country on the international stage," Lorenz said. "Representing Team USA is a dream come true. I would not have had this opportunity without Coach Walton pushing me to be my best. I'm so thankful that I'm a Gator for life. Go Gators and Go Eagles." Ocasio has been a member of the Puerto Rico Women's National Team since 2015 and competed in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham, Ala. The 2025 World Games will feature 20 games over five days of competition, with select games available to watch via live stream atlive.theworldgames.org. Team USA kicks off competition on August 13against Chinese Taipei at 10 p.m. ET, followed by match ups against the Netherlands on August 14 at 10 p.m. ET and China on August 15 at 1 a.m. ET in the opening round. Free live stats will be available on USASoftball.com. Team Puerto Rico will face Canada on August 13 at 10 p.m., followed by a 10 p.m. ET match up against Japan on August 14 before wrapping up opening round play against Australia at 1 a.m. ET on August 15. ### Lauren Staff Associate Director, Communications (Softball) University of Florida Athletic Association FloridaGators.com
Folks, I am not sure who Lauren Staff’s boss is, but I want to step up and say to whoever it my be that Lauren is doing an excellent job.
Johnny that is the day I bought totally into this program. Integrity was more important than winning for the sake of winning.
Not to change the subject but thats what I love about the direction Napier has taken our football program as well. This program has and will continue to be a solid foundation under Walton.
