USFA The Good The Bad and the UGLY

[USFA]

Those of you that have attended the USFA World aseries Series. Please be open and honest with us and the whole world.

[bruisedshins]

It's been a couple of years (2006 and 2007) since I've been there, when my DD's team played 10U and 12U. The first year was awesome because we played all of our games at the main complex near the beach. Even when it was hot, there was an onshore breeze. The game scheduling left time for other activities in the area, and the blues were consistent in their calls. Only thing was, we played all week to end up in the final four against three other teams that we played against in Houston all year. The second year, we ended up playing in BFE, in a basin that prevents any air movement whatsoever. Hot, no shade, no breeze, and had to drive forever to find a store of any substance for supplies. 1/2 of our games were still against Houston area teams that we had played all year. It wasn't until we played in the 14U Hall of Fame that we appreciated the difference in the level of play between ASA and USFA tournaments. Hour and ten minute games in local tourneys did not prepare our team for the hour and 30 minute games @ OKC. Then we played ASA Natls in Alabama against SoCal teams with paid coaches that play friendlies and round robins almost EVERY weekend starting in January (that's what their coach at the hotel told us). Whole different world. Maybe it's because all you have to do to play USFA is go to USFA State and write a check. USFA is great for 10U, and maybe 12U if you are looking for a tourney that includes fun on the side. But if you want your DD to get better and see what she's up against down the road, it's not the place to be. My .02.

[Lefty's Dad]

Last summer (2009) 14U...Final 4 teams (1 centex, 1 Houston, 2 from Alabama)<<<edited. Competition wasn't great until the final 2 days but then got tough. Fields were good, nothing really to complain about, blues were good for the most part, location was great. Lot's of free time to bond as a team, sightsee, shop, hangout at the beach, whatever. For us, it was a great time to sit back and enjoy our last vacation style Nationals knowing that the rest will most likely be in small towns with nothing but motel 6's to stay at close to the parks. Ultimately, if you do well, no one really cares. If you do poorly, you may not have a team next season.

[Trixsie]

parking and departing opening ceremonies is a complete debacle

but it is an ok tournament to get your daughter exposed to week long travel ball and she will have fun

[Joe]

Drives to different complexes are a beating as well as opening day and parking. Nothing different than any other large event. Overall a good experience, kids had fun, played some good teams. The fact that you're asking for feedback.... A+

Keep up the good work.

[frito_burrito]

What happens in Panama City stays in Panama City.

[6th Sense]

Just make sure the A's play in the A' Division. If that's even possible. Looking at last years
B team (10U) list, there should of been 10 -15 of those teams playing the A bracket.


Thanks,

[bruisedshins]

Just make sure the A's play in the A' Division. If that's even possible. Looking at last years
B team (10U) list, there should of been 10 -15 of those teams playing the A bracket.


Thanks,

Amen to that. We were invited to go with a team out of Texarkana last summer; though they had played "A" ball all season, they their coach told me he felt they had a better chance of winning if they registered as a "B" team.

[NumeroUno]

bruisedshins what team were you talking to that had paid coaches in So Cal?
I have not heard to much of that.

I wish they would all start that right away

[DonnieS]

bruisedshins what team were you talking to that had paid coaches in So Cal?
I have not heard to much of that.

I wish they would all start that right away

Our second year there, I had my team, a young 12u team play 14u -B division because my dd's other team was playing 12A - my kid couldnt play in the same age group in both so we played up. I had a chance to watch some of the 12u B division teams and you are right, they would have done fine in the A division. But sometimes, scheduling conflicts will cause a team to play a different division to play a different week, but doing it the way we did, moving up a division, was fine. For years, my kids had state swim championships during that time frame and that caused us to have to play different divisions than regular. Its not all sand bagging, but like I said, when we had to play B, we played an age group up.