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Inequality in Oklahoma softball?

By Erin Buzuvis, Sudha Setty, and Kristine Newhall

It's hard to believe that there are issues of equity in softball in the state of Oklahoma. I mean, Oklahoma, where the College World Series is held every year. It's a state that would seem to prize softball. But apparently the value the sport has at the collegiate level has not had a universal trickle-down effect. (Not so surprising given the flaws of most trickle-down theories.)
Two sets of parents are complaining about inequities concerning the softball program at Westmoore High School. Specifically there are concerns over the amount of money spent on baseball versus softball and facilities.
The article linked above seems to use complaint and lawsuit interchangeably so I am not certain as to what exactly will happen next: an OCR investigation or a legal hearing.
Apparently (informal) complaints and concerns have been issued for over a decade with little change. One of the parents involved said this about the facilities issues:
"You look one way and see the baseball field. You look the other and see the softball field. Not much more needs to be said.?
It sums up perfectly the reason we have given in the past for the seeming surge in complaints related to softball: it's right there in front of your eyes. And administrators are being forced to open theirs.

Full post as published by Title IX Blog on September 08, 2008 (boomark / email).