ASA National Format - no pool play for bracket placement

[Sam]

Question.....do you think that if the top tier teams decided to go play triple crown, would every one follow. Does everyone play at ASA nationals, because the best teams go there, or because it's ASA.

Triple Crown does seem to have better venues, and they are on top of it as far as responses and updates go. Just wondering the general consensus is, to play the top teams, or to play in the "best" organzations national event.

Unfortunately, its the "Pigs sprouting wings" argument. If SoCal ASA were to....say....decide...in whole to go....TCS or AFA or anything....organize their own entity...The SoCal Softball Association....ASA JO Softball would be reduced to USFA status immediately. No chance.

[SSdad]

Question.....do you think that if the top tier teams decided to go play triple crown, would every one follow. Does everyone play at ASA nationals, because the best teams go there, or because it's ASA.

Triple Crown does seem to have better venues, and they are on top of it as far as responses and updates go. Just wondering the general consensus is, to play the top teams, or to play in the "best" organzations national event.

Unfortunately, its the "Pigs sprouting wings" argument. If SoCal ASA were to....say....decide...in whole to go....TCS or AFA or anything....organize their own entity...The SoCal Softball Association....ASA JO Softball would be reduced to USFA status immediately. No chance.

Good point, I don't see it happening either, but was just wondering if you took the perennial top teams and they happened to "decide" they would rather go to park city next year. Would other teams follow suit to play the best competiotion, or think, hey we have a shot to win ASA Nationals. The name "ASA" seems to hold more merit than lets say "AFA or TCS". So is it name brand recognition that keeps everyone coming back?

[fasterpitch92701]

It depends on why you or your team are playing any significant tournament.

If the objective is say or to have "played" or "won" ASA nationals, you play ASA nationals. Saying you "played" ASA nationals is a bit vague as you may have ridden the pine while your team took 144 place out of 144. But, for resume purposes... However, if the objective is to be seen in a competitive environment by college coaches, TC does just as well as ASA or better. Depends on what you want.

From the perspective of a potential coach, do I want to see you play live or see your resume and DVD. I would think the former over the latter.

This may be crass timing but I think of it as something similar to the Olympics. Olympic athletes are great. I think they are wonderful. The competition is great. However, the 104 clowns who own the marketing rights to the name "Olympics" and the 5 ring logo are something often just short of pond scum (IMHO). It's marketing and money. Nothing more or less. Having noted that, there is nothing magical about ASA Nationals other than the competition and the perceived "glory" of the name. Key word; perceived. And by who. That competition could happen anywhere.

If I am a coach, need a third baseman, see an exceptional player at Fireworks or Best of the West or any number of other tourneys, that's a heck of a lot better than getting a canned DVD and a resume that says "played in ASA Nationals".

Depends on what you want... I think the bloom is off the ASA rose. There is no compelling advantage to ASA beyond historical. If a few of the top LA teams don't play ASA nationals the house of cards falls. Unlikely. However, another alternative is that many teams may avoid ASA nationals for better locales, support and organizational capability... and good competition... and the LA folks end up playing with themselves (metaphorically).

[NuNu's Dad]

Someone in Evansville spelled ASA like this: A$A. That makes a little more sense to me.

There was absolutely NOTHING to do in the Evansville Owensboro area. A trip to the Texas Roadhouse was the high point of the week.

The Panther Creek Park field we played on had a curb on the edge of the outfield that tripped our SS on a popup. The Henderson complex had mud everywhere and NO shade. Westerns at Phoenix last summer was much better run. I don't think Owensboro will be hosting any more Nats until they resolve the issue with the Hotel that closed down in town. I'm sure it was still open when the bid was awarded.

[Flash]

Yes that curb on the infields at Panther Creek Park was a definite hazard. About 5' from the outfield grass, all around the infield, the ground fell away abrutptly about 6 inches.
Also I remember our coaches borrowing a rake and trying to clean up a rough, uneven infield at Jack Fisher Park prior to the game starting.

[chatterbox]

If the objective is say or to have "played" or "won" ASA nationals, you play ASA nationals. Saying you "played" ASA nationals is a bit vague as you may have ridden the pine while your team took 144 place out of 144. But, for resume purposes... However, if the objective is to be seen in a competitive environment by college coaches, TC does just as well as ASA or better. Depends on what you want.

Speaking of resume's......When a college coach is recruiting high school players and checking out resume's, how imperative is it that your 11, 12, 13 or even 14 year old daughter has played in a National Tournament? Do they care if Sally, who is 13 years old, went to Nationals in 2008?

[fasterpitch92701]

They would be more impressed to see her showcased when shes 16-17, IMHO.

[sbfan]

The college coach's want to see talent and they will go will the talent goes. If it leaves ASA the coach's will follow.

I think if a coach is looking at two players and trying to decide which one to offer scholarship they will want the one with the most experience. Playing Nationals in a early age will help....ImHP.

I think a big thing people are forgetting is can the girls play with Pressure. The Nationals for the most part will give them a big shot of esperience.

The show cases dont put as much pressure as a big tourny.