Blueberry Festival

[Biggest fan bar none]

Given all the wrong diction and tense, mispellings, and ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, after every third word I'm beginning to think "insoftballnut" and "biggestfan" are the same dude. Or maybe some fourth graders hacked their (maybe I should say "there") way into the heybucket site. Kinda off the subject but just came to mind. Sorry.

you are always off subject, must be do to drunken inbreeding

[Likeitornot]

Okay anyone have finals for 14u and 12u?

[Audioeng23]

Heard aftermath won the 12 u , wasn't much competion out their obviously if aftermath took first,blahahahhahahaahhaa

[cstopper3]

In 14U Twist beat the Outlaws. In 12U Aftermath beat Twist.

[LOVETHEGAME26]

I went out to the Blueberry Festival for the first time with my daughter on Saturday, I was a little disappointed to see 16U teams playing in the 14U division where some of these teams just came out of 12U. In my opinion once ASA Nationals is over your team should move up in there age group and not play down anymore. This doesn't do a 16U team any good to play in 14U. How is that getting your team ready for the competition ahead. I'm glad its not an ASA National qualifier for that reason. I think for the state of Indiana to be considered for more ASA National qualifiers and to be taken more serious in ASA we need to stop stuff like that in future tournaments. It sends a bad msg in my opinion. I am however a newer softball parent when it comes to this stuff. Maybe the words of someone thats been around a long time can help.

However, I did have fun at the festival. Great food and shopping!

[I Love Fastpitch]

I went out to the Blueberry Festival for the first time with my daughter on Saturday, I was a little disappointed to see 16U teams playing in the 14U division where some of these teams just came out of 12U. In my opinion once ASA Nationals is over your team should move up in there age group and not play down anymore. This doesn't do a 16U team any good to play in 14U. How is that getting your team ready for the competition ahead. I'm glad its not an ASA National qualifier for that reason. I think for the state of Indiana to be considered for more ASA National qualifiers and to be taken more serious in ASA we need to stop stuff like that in future tournaments. It sends a bad msg in my opinion. I am however a newer softball parent when it comes to this stuff. Maybe the words of someone thats been around a long time can help.

However, I did have fun at the festival. Great food and shopping!

Blueberry Festival is a love it or hate it event. I fall into the "hate it" category. Since its inception, it has always been 12U is really 13U and 14U is really 15U. If you plan to enter this tournament you need to expect it.

[insoftballnut]

I went out to the Blueberry Festival for the first time with my daughter on Saturday, I was a little disappointed to see 16U teams playing in the 14U division where some of these teams just came out of 12U. In my opinion once ASA Nationals is over your team should move up in there age group and not play down anymore. This doesn't do a 16U team any good to play in 14U. How is that getting your team ready for the competition ahead. I'm glad its not an ASA National qualifier for that reason. I think for the state of Indiana to be considered for more ASA National qualifiers and to be taken more serious in ASA we need to stop stuff like that in future tournaments. It sends a bad msg in my opinion. I am however a newer softball parent when it comes to this stuff. Maybe the words of someone thats been around a long time can help.

However, I did have fun at the festival. Great food and shopping!

IT'S all about that non - sanctioned big trophy they give out. Thats why you see those 16u teams playing against 14u teams and 14u against 12u's, those coaches only have so much time getting the big prize, and many have never got it time after time as time went by. That's why many love the bluberry fest games, and many hate it, then many of those coaches mock and are sarcastic about the event. Don't let anybody fool you otherwise .

[Amish_TB]

For our team, we felt like it was kind of a steal. We are a new 14U team (99 Only Team) playing against some established 14U teams who will move on to 16U for the 2013 season. We get the opportunity to play good competition in an environment that is really stacked against you, which is something I think helps a team grow. Outlaws were never outmatched against those teams and proved their worth.

Once we got beat by the Outlaws (3-1) in the first game, our fate was sealed. On Sunday we had to arrive at the park at 7:00am to play an 8:00am game and didn't leave the other park until 11:00pm. It was a very long day and got beat by a good 14-16U team to put us out of the tournament. We finished in the semi finals of the loser's bracket - So i think we finished tied for 6th out of 16 teams.

Outlaws Review - Solid team. They pitched two pitchers against us. My only concern would be their similarity in style. It was early in the morning and Shaun said they didn't hit well - so I can't comment as to their offensive production. We pitched our 2nd lefty who we are trying to get more work and she did a fine job in keeping them relatively contained. We were not able to push them extensively with our offense either so I can't comment a lot about their defense but I liked their 1st catcher a lot and their 1st pitcher. It appears the team will be designed around power hitting, some speed and good pitching and defense. Fun team to play. Want to wish them luck in their national endeavor. I rate them high on performance scale as they are deep throughout their roster.

NWI Attitude - Solid team. The pitcher they pitched against us was a big and solid pitcher. Defensively will be challenged as of now, but would anticipate them improving as they go along over the next year. I believe this will be a team to watch as the season progresses. I would put them in the same range as our team (B/B+/A-) range.

Overall Rating of tournament - B

Playing with 24 teams in 12U and 14U divisions on only 2 fields at two different locations really leaves quite a bit to be desired. Playing with a catcher must have a courtesy runner along with ASA (Flex/DP) can really play havoc with strategy.

Umpires - B

I wouldn't rate them low but wouldn't rate super high. Overall a solid group. Like everyone has had you will get a bad apple or two. My only critique would be to work with them on being a little softer in how they deal with the teams and their fans. Had one guy on the first batter almost come unglued because someone in the stands felt his check swing call was bad. Very much of a rabbit ears situation.

Grounds Crew - B

I think the field conditions and their ability to keep on top of the rain was good.

Food - A

I am not sure you will ever go to a better place and get good food.

Bathrooms - B

Location - B

Competition - I know some people complain how some 2012 14U or 12U teams play in the same division they played within over the past year. But for us as a team, it was a benefit. We were able to pay the same money and play against high competition. For those 2012 12U teams looking to move up into 14U the next season I don't see how it doesn't benefit them more by playing 14U teams who will be moving up into 16U the following year. There were several "put together" "last 14U tournament" teams in the tournament. Which adds a nice fun factor too. For us, we probably got out of the tournament more than we added. I wish we could have won our last game, but it wasn't in the cards.

Bill Bollinger
Harris Heat 99

[Likeitornot]

Okay this I'm a 12u team playing 14u and 16u team is stupid.People, you are a 99 team, you recruited 99's and 98's, you aren't a 12u team. So stop saying you are a 12u playing up! I'm not sure why we can't just post our wins and losses/ weaknesses and strengths without asterik next to your name. Guess what? These are kids playing, its September and a lot of these kids are going to make mistakes. Isn't that how you base your off seasontraining? my.point? Fall ball means nothing except to the coaches who.can.evaluate positions. Enough said.