Pridefpsb17 wrote:While I believe that they are the organization that nearly has it right, we are going to try USFA. While I really would like to play more ASA, we just can't attend any national event with either ASA or USSSA because of their dates for the national tournaments. Those clearly conflict with middle school/junior high softball at the 12U level. USFA's national is early enough in July as not to conflict.
BTW, 16 teams at 12U in Pekin was a little bit ridiculous (not counting the 10s or 14s). Does anybody realize that in March 15 there are 19 12U teams going?
Good luck with USFA - Not sure how that will work out but I hope it does for you.
So your JH doesn’t allow any time off for national tournaments? I know all of the JH’s I’m familiar with either allow players to miss practice for softball tournaments or impose a 1 game suspension. That’s about the extent of it.
Yea, NSA is getting a little out of control if you’re not wanting to play after midnight games. I think their next tournament (Feb 15th) has over 30 teams entered. They’ll have to be playing almost, but not quite, round the clock. Some girls may like it but not all. I know the families do NOT like it.
ASA is a little better – they seem to try and limit the total teams in the tournament to 28 or so, usually a few less. You’ll get some late night games Fri/Sat but seldom start anything after midnight. They also give you 1 inning of ITB and then flip a coin so not to back up the entire tournament. ASA also offers 1 hour 15 min games (vs. 1 hr for NSA) and is $50 less. I wonder if the umpires have something to say about not going crazy with game times? They can get kinda crabby
But teams are still lining up to pay and play so unless that changes I don’t see game times getting any better.