I think the days of girls playing any sport being labeled a 'Tom Boy' are gone. It's awesome, because now they are just known as athletes. Improvements have come on other fronts as well, according to Girouard. Now you have coaches who have come through that Title IX era, where they were players in college. They know the game.
Athletes are athletes, but they have to be exposed to good competition and good coaching.
And I think that is what has happened. The importance of summer softball programs and the benefits of so many girls playing virtually year-round can't be over looked either. I think people are taking women's sports a little more seriously because parents and coaches realize that that could be a ticket for a kid to go to school. The cost of school these days, that can help. And the state softball tournament will help facilitate that.