Blueberry fest

[Amish_TB]

The tournament is normally fun. There are teams (Ex. Indiana Fire) which are grouping of kids from several different teams, they go to the tournament as their last 14U tournament. There are teams who use it as practice. There are teams, that go because the kids love playing in a festival. We played in it last season and it is a good time. My only gripe is we had a 7:00am start time and an ump threatened to throw me out of a game in the first inning because of a rule question (It was a courtesy Runner question - I didn't want to make a mistake). Not sure why someone would even care who is or isn't going this time of year.

The Ambush have multiple teams. They could be playing all 98's this tournament as far as I know. Good for them if they do! They could be playing all 00's this tournament as far as I know. Good for them too! I will say, part of me wishes we would be playing at this tournament. The food is always good. The kids love it (Not sure of a kid who wouldn't). The facilities are fun to play at. So now, we have gotten to the point that if your team doesn't play at the right field or tournament they are garbage. Boooooring!

P.S. There are probably 4-5 teams in that tournament who have a legitimate chance of winning. For someone wanting to watch some decent softball, get down to the tournament and watch. Should be a good time.

Bill - HEAT Elite 99

[softball_fan13]

@Amish_TB

Who do you think has a chance to win it? I have no stake in any of the teams, just going to watch and would like opinions on who between the listed teams have a chance.

[Playmaker]

Oh wait, theres 4-5 teams who have a shot at winning the Blueberry festival in Plymouth, Indiana? Who cares!!! The fact is no one cares, except the trophy hunting daddy ball participants! Can you name me one college coach who is going to be impressed by a victory at the Blueberry Festival? I've got to have Misty Mae, she was on the South Bend Sizzlers when they won the Blueberry Festival.

Correct, I have not seen Crown Point 99 play in a tournament in their present 2014 roster configuration. I've heard rumors of their roster additions/subtractions, and time will tell. But you wouldn't have caught them scheduling the Blueberry Festival two years ago. That is what I was saying. IMO, they were way to strong to compete there, and had their sights set on bigger and better goals, and that's what is a shame. The fact they scheduled themselves there makes all the statement I need to hear about 2014.

Iconic Wisdumb, you mean you couldn't pick up on the sarcasm on the Tidal Waves being one of the stronger 16U teams in Indiana? Maybe you need to select another moniker? Or you can continue to worry about how many accounts I supposedly have.

The truth is if you want to be taken seriously you can't play in the Blueberry festival. Come on and step it up a notch Northern Indiana! Stop playing so much crappy daddy ball, and start trying to compete with Indianapolis and Illinois. Don't you have enough crappy trophies for a lifetime already? Start combining teams and start competing with teams who are better then you.

[Amish_TB]

@Amish_TB

Who do you think has a chance to win it? I have no stake in any of the teams, just going to watch and would like opinions on who between the listed teams have a chance.

No Particular Order
==================
Edwardsburg Flash - This is a 98 team. Their primary SS broke a leg/ankle so I believe she is out. Causes a major strain on the entire defense and had a big stick as well. Good Hitting team, been together forever, some speed and power. This is my early favorite.

SB Tidalwave - This is a 98 team. They played Flash Team just this past weekend and played it to a 6-5 type of affair. My main concern with this team is their primary pitcher is also out with a broken foot/ankle. They have some really good hitters at the top of the lineup and will keep them in the game. Their issue is depth and do they have enough pitching this weekend to go deep (They could have picked up another pitcher for the weekend - who knows).

Crown Point 99 - I know, I know... not the same team. I don't care. If the name says Crown Point on the front, they will always have my respect. Who knows at this point. This is a non-sanctioned tournament, so they could have Jennie Finch Jr. helping them out. Even if they lost a few kids from last season, doesn't mean the kids who remain are not solid. Worth watching.

Indiana Fire - This team finished runner up to Illinois Outlaws 99 last season. This is a group of kids who all participate in the "Seriously Softball League" - Local Middle School Feeder Teams for their Respective High Schools league and put a team together from all those teams. Be interested in how they fare this year.

NWI Attitude - Not sure how they will do. I know they struggled at times this past season. I always felt they had good potential. I have no idea who they added or subtracted. If they were able to keep their core group, add some more solid 99's they could be solid and a contender.

Indiana Ambush - One of my local favorites. Great program and have always been kind and helpful to me and our program. This could be a hit or miss. Have no idea who they picked up or bringing. Just gonna say... If Coach Hicks is in the dugout, you better be ready, because he knows what he is doing. He gets the absolute most out of his teams every season.

Triple Crown Threat - Have no idea what team they are bringing. This past season they would struggle at times in the circle and even at times behind the plate. I wouldn't look past them because they have it in them to do well. Consistency....? But again, have no idea what kids are playing.

J Shock - I would believe this to be primarily a 98 based team. They too struggled at times this past season. Have no idea what they are bringing to the table. Their key will be to be able to minimize their mistakes.

Plymouth Fusion - Host team. Not sure if this a 98 based team or 99 team. They struggled in the circle this past season. Could be a long weekend, but always liked the program. Some nice people.

North Liberty Lightening - Have no clue... Would expect an All-Star type team.

Angola All-Stars - Have no clue... However, if Cindy Maggio is coaching, I wouldn't look past them too far. Some really nice teams over the years have come out of the program.

Harris Heat Hybrids - Not the same Heat Hybrid team. Playing with quite a few pickup players from around the area. Have seen them practicing and look decent. But have no idea how they will fair. If I were to guess it is primarily a 99 based team.

Bill - HEAT Elite 99

[Iconic Wisdom]

Oh wait, theres 4-5 teams who have a shot at winning the Blueberry festival in Plymouth, Indiana? Who cares!!! The fact is no one cares, except the trophy hunting daddy ball participants! Can you name me one college coach who is going to be impressed by a victory at the Blueberry Festival? I've got to have Misty Mae, she was on the South Bend Sizzlers when they won the Blueberry Festival.

Correct, I have not seen Crown Point 99 play in a tournament in their present 2014 roster configuration. I've heard rumors of their roster additions/subtractions, and time will tell. But you wouldn't have caught them scheduling the Blueberry Festival two years ago. That is what I was saying. IMO, they were way to strong to compete there, and had their sights set on bigger and better goals, and that's what is a shame. The fact they scheduled themselves there makes all the statement I need to hear about 2014.

Iconic Wisdumb, you mean you couldn't pick up on the sarcasm on the Tidal Waves being one of the stronger 16U teams in Indiana? Maybe you need to select another moniker? Or you can continue to worry about how many accounts I supposedly have.

The truth is if you want to be taken seriously you can't play in the Blueberry festival. Come on and step it up a notch Northern Indiana! Stop playing so much crappy daddy ball, and start trying to compete with Indianapolis and Illinois. Don't you have enough crappy trophies for a lifetime already? Start combining teams and start competing with teams who are better then you.

Wow I really need to get my sarcasm meter fixed because it seems to have broken recently according to Playmaker and cpbulldogfan....on a side note I am glad I now know where to go in order to play some QUALITY teams...I need to stop wasting my time around here playing the teams like the Bulldogs, Phoenix, Heat, Chaos, Dreams etc...now that I know they are nothing compared to the BETTER teams in Indy or Illinois...<-------- SARCASM (In case you didn't notice or if your meter is broken like mine is apparently) ....Any given year a quality team could come out of any region...just a year or so ago we had the Raiders Black come out of NORTHERN INDIANA and they beat the TAR out of any Illinois or Indiana team...Maybe they just avoided all the better teams then? Oh and for the record Daddy Ball isn't isolated to just Northern Indiana..you have JUST as much of it in Illinois as you do here....just saying

[Playmaker]

The difference between Indiana (Northern) and Illinois is drastic. You can't compare the two. Illinois has the Chill, Sparks, Wasco, Bandits, Lightning, and Windmills, who have stepped it up and play elite level softball. Yes, you're right, they do have their daddy ball teams too. But they have options. Northern Indiana doesn't have an organization who offers elite options top to bottom. They have crappy organizations with a team that sticks out occasionally.

My frustration with Northern Indiana is they are stuck in Daddy Ball hell, and can't get out. We say it's ok to play in crappy tournaments to collect trophies. Sorry, but I disagree, and want to see more. If our daughter doesn't get enough playing time, we start another team. That's BS! Work harder!

You bring up the Raider's Black. I assume you are referring to Sean McConnalls team? Where is that team now? More importantly, where are the rest of the Raiders teams? Yes, they are stuck in Daddy Ball hell too, and can't get out!

I guess the moral of my rant is can we please pick an elite organization in Northern Indiana and start supporting it top to bottom? Let's just start sending our better players there? If it's the White Sox, cool. If it's the Phoenix, cool. If it's the Bull Dogs, cool. If it's the Mystique, cool. Who cares who it is or what it's called.

[Amish_TB]

Oh wait, theres 4-5 teams who have a shot at winning the Blueberry festival in Plymouth, Indiana? Who cares!!! The fact is no one cares, except the trophy hunting daddy ball participants! Can you name me one college coach who is going to be impressed by a victory at the Blueberry Festival? I've got to have Misty Mae, she was on the South Bend Sizzlers when they won the Blueberry Festival.

Here is an article you may want to read. In a later post you mention a "Program". Which program did this player play for?

Bill - HEAT Elite 99

[Iconic Wisdom]

Thanks for setting me straight PlayMaker. I thought for sure that the UCLA coaching staff would be at the Blueberry Festival...almost made me regret that my DD's team wasn't in it. Maybe you could enlighten us even more and tell us where all the Labor Day college showcases are so others don't make this mistake in the future and ruin their kids' playing chances of playing in the PAC 12 or SEC.

Also I agree that Northern Indiana is thin as far as top notch high end teams go but we are getting there...patience ...it will happen

[dailyjoy]

A lesson I learned this year is that softball is above all else a game and games should be fun to play. The blueberry festival is a great setting to have a fun tournament. It is not a qualifier for a world series or Nationals; it is not intended to be a elite tournament. It is intended to be fun.

That said it is good the teams are evenly matched and none of the "top" teams are playing because now each game should be competitive and fun for both player and spectators.

I, for one, see nothing wrong with a coach signing his team up for a fun tournament such as the blueberry festival and what better way to start the new season then by offering the girls a reminder of why they play. Why they started playing and kept with it. Because they have fun playing softball.

I will miss watching my favorite team, Harris Heat ( now Heat elite), since they will be in Indy instead but I am sure I will still enjoy a game or two.

Thank you for posting the schedule and if you do end up going for a few games make sure to stay and watch the firework show.......best in the area.

Oh and Bill....thank you for posting the article......how fun to see Charlie Adams again.

[Iconic Wisdom]

Well said DailyJoy!