Gold Classification

[wadeintothem]

Cool, I hope we get an increase in good quality qualify to qualify gold tournies. that would be big time fun!

If it leads to that, I'm down with this big time!

Now if only the umpires would follow suit Just Kidding Wade- I talked to you last weekend through the backstop you told me our team under achieved at Nat'ls. I wanted to tell you that getting to Nat'ls was in itself a great achievement with all the fine umpiring we had to overcome! Looking forward to seeing you at Arnaiz- I hope you get one of our games, it will be fun!

Ha!, You gotta always over come that umpiring! You guys are too quick, we cant see it

Sorry, I've been at Louis (last weekend and leaving for there in a few mins for this weekend). I wont be back at arnaiz until probably next weekend when I'll be rotating through the college then the 18G tourney. Maybe I'll catch you guys there!

Youre officially the first person I know on ezteams! I've tried to meet a few others without success.

[Sam]

wrong,, mine was recruited at 18U seven years ago and played D1.. Most were back then..

NorCal had the only teams playing 18U in California 7 years ago.

[Sam]

GOLD = ELITE TEAMS ONLY!!

The 64 teams that went to Gold Nationals are the elite teams. If you are saying that the teams that didn't qualify are still elite....well....doesn't make much sense, does it?

[DaMann]

I have to agree with Sam for the most part but since change is inevitable this may end up being a good thing. Girls are being recruited at a much younger age these days and I think this trend will continue. I believe the majority of girls that are playing gold at 16 will have already committed. What this could mean is that the only college coaches going to gold nationals/showcases are those that want to see their future players in action. The college coaches are going to go where the available players are. This past season was a perfect example. There were probably 3/4 times as many at 16U compared to 18 gold. It may also force these coaches of the top organizations to start coaching younger teams, if their best interest is in getting girls recruited not just winning gold. Remember change can be good/bad if just depends on how you view it. ASA is going to do what ASA wants to do (make more money) until there's another competitive organization (which I don't expect to see in my lifetime). So when/if this happens those that want to see the top players in So Cal will have their venue, and those who want to see the top future talent will have theirs. The coaches that are truly there for the girls will get it done just like they do today. Play Ball!!!!!!!

[MTR]

This has never been about who is at Nationals. God knows that there are a lot more college scouts at 18 Gold Nationals than are at 18A Nationals.

I don't believe this is always a fact. Many of the true 18U Gold players, are already in the bag. Coaches are aware that not every area can support top 18U Gold programs and it is quite possible a school is more likely to find some diamonds in the rough at the 18U A.

[luv2catch]

Cool, I hope we get an increase in good quality qualify to qualify gold tournies. that would be big time fun!

If it leads to that, I'm down with this big time!

Now if only the umpires would follow suit Just Kidding Wade- I talked to you last weekend through the backstop you told me our team under achieved at Nat'ls. I wanted to tell you that getting to Nat'ls was in itself a great achievement with all the fine umpiring we had to overcome! Looking forward to seeing you at Arnaiz- I hope you get one of our games, it will be fun!

Ha!, You gotta always over come that umpiring! You guys are too quick, we cant see it

Sorry, I've been at Louis (last weekend and leaving for there in a few mins for this weekend). I wont be back at arnaiz until probably next weekend when I'll be rotating through the college then the 18G tourney. Maybe I'll catch you guys there!

Youre officially the first person I know on ezteams! I've tried to meet a few others without success.

Thats the tourney I was referring to- Now that you know who I am, I hope it is our little secret.

[DBLUE]

I think everyone is on the same track , with too many bad "Gold" teams being around. But, I too agree with letting them participate in these qualifiers if they want to. Most these teams come , get smashed, home by saturday afternoon. If some of these mediocre teams would play 18s for the qualifiers, they would be more successful. I see alot of these teams being coached by daddies, and egos. Bur these teams that are being embarrassed by teams out at these tournaments aren't doing their kids any good. They think playing the best teams help them out in the long run? If you get run ruled by one of the better teams, that doesn't help anyone! Mentally it wears on them, and their confidence gets smashed. Now at showcases? Hey that's what this is all about, getting these kids to the next level right? Get them seen, and so on. But, again, some of these teams decide to play up from 16s and get smashed even at the showcases. As long as the kids are doing the work, by sending emails, letters, the coaches will find them! Just because you play in the gold division, doesn't mean you won't be playing in San Diego come surf city time. Just kidding, not that far, but you won't be at the main parks. You would be better off playing where you belong, and your team can be successful. Anyways, my opinion only, so go ahead and start ripping!LOL

[watcher]

It doesn't matter one bit, If your DD plays for one of the better gold teams. If she doesn't, She needs to "get better" as the Angels Mgr. would say.

[Sam]

Sam,
You keep saying if the perceived problem is 100 team qualifiers not to limit the number of Gold teams, just limit the entries to the qualifiers.
How do you propose the TDs do this? How do they decide who gets in and who doesn't? What criteria should be used?

As far as showcases go, since they are not controlled by ASA, the TDs can let in whoever they want and as many as they want. You can say the true Gold teams will not want to play the 18A teams but in fact the stronger Gold teams play the weak Gold teams now. What is the difference?
When it comes to ASA Gold, bottom line, there are teams playing in Gold Qualifiers that have no chance of making it to OKC so why should they be allowed to enter, because they want to?

Region 14 runs the qualifier...they can let in who they want to. If you don't get in....you go elsewhere to try and qualify....Stockton....Seattle.

The difference at a showcase is that Gold teams beat Gold teams. Its like putting a Gold team against a 16U team...the 16U team will play to win as they have nothing to lose and everything to gain...a Gold team playing them will manage the game for the scouts....but the Gold manager will not like losing' to a 16U team and will complain to the TD about it. The same thing will happen with 18A's.

Teams get to try and qualify if they wish in EVERY division. Do you think every team at 12U SoCal State had a chance to qualify? Were they wasting their money? Do you know how many college scouts come to Lancaster? A lot.

If this needs to be changed, it needs to be done at the National level by ASA....not the idiots that run Region 14.

[wadeintothem]

Thats the tourney I was referring to- Now that you know who I am, I hope it is our little secret.

No problem. See you there and good luck. Should be top notch ball, I cant wait!