Little towns might not have the numbers to enable different level players to form different level teams. On level I mean a combination of commitment, skill, and desire for challenge. These are all important factors. If neighboring towns team up, that creates more opportunity for each player to find his/her match without having to travel big distances. As long as the communication works out and the relationship is friendly, it should be benefitial for all. I think it worked out fine for the U14 boys. We could have used a couple more players to be safer with the numbers though. Both the A and B teams had problems a few times with people missing due to other activities. Next time I would suggest sitting down and making sure we avoid each other as much as possible, so that double roastered players can play on both teams more often. It will hopefully be much better in the fall, since people won't be as distracted with other stuff so much. Coaches cannot really coach those who don't come to the practise...

Ideally, we would field teams that included kids from Rossville. However, the reality of it is we are a small community. The numbers are not always there. Therefore, if we can work with surrounding areas and provide our kids with the touches they need to improve, then we are only helping our kids.

Our focus should be doing what is best for our kids, and if a situation becomes available that will benefit our kids, then I'm all for it. I realize that not all situations will benefit OUR kids, so I say in certain situations where our kids will benefit we should partner with other communities.

Although I voted "yes" in the poll, it is my opinion, based on conversations with other organizations and our experiences, that Rossville be the "epicenter" of this effort. We are centrally located to Frankfort, Mulberry, Dayton, Lafayette, Delphi, Flora, Logansport and Russiaville. I believe that our U-16 girls program was highly successful in bringing girls from 3 areas into a competitive environment and experiencing positive results. I also think that a true partnership is difficult to achieve and attempts typically evolve into something that better serves a single group. Therefore, a great deal of oversight would be necessary to accomplish such an endeavor.

Partnerships can work, if an agreement that is condusive to both parties is in effect and that agreement is strictly followed. It should not be commonplace and done only after close scrutiny and advance planning. It requires cooperation that is rarely seen, as well as give and take equally from both leagues.