14U HOF Qualifier - Midland

[Joe]

OK Joe, for argument sake, I will give you those fields and their approximate travel time between locations. But how is it easier for a family to play a game @ 1:00 at Bob Jones, walk to the car, load up all your junk, drive 10 minutes to NRH, unload everything, walk to the fields, play at 4:45, then turn around and load up everything back in the car and drive back to Bob Jones or perhaps Keller and play a game @ 8:15? I have responded to everyone of your claims about this tournament. How about explaining to me how there are no motel options in Midland, or dining options in Midland, or how VTD is making it easier for families by having tournaments at BLD.

TDs schedule multiple complexes all the time without incident. What's truly amazing is that you're still here attempting to defend the convenience, the cost effectiveness, the asthetics of Midland??? It's not yet 5pm in my time zone...I hope you didn't start sipping early today....

[men talljie aunt]

Honestly, I have no idea. I would suspect that Joe would know something like that since he is affiliated with one of the parks in Tarrant County. That was not meant to be a shot, Joe, so dont come on here trying to ruffle feathers. I would be curious to know myself. And honestly, I think Bob Jones might be a good spot but they have their fair share of logistical nightmares in hosting a tournament of that size ... specifically the amount of parking available to them. I also think TBACR would be another potential site. But you still are going to have over half of the field having to travel and spend lots of coin for the weekend.

[men talljie aunt]

Without incident to the TD's, but what about inconvenience to the customer? Surely you are not taking the position it is more convenient to play at multiple complexes than it is to play at one single complex. "The asthetics (I think you meant aesthetics) of Midland" - when did I ever defend the aesthetics of Midland? Never - Midland is out in the middle of West Texas filled with sand, wind and tumbleweeds. You will never catch me defending the aesthetics of Midland. Unlike you Joe, when we travel to play in a tournament it is because we expect to win and we have no time for sight-seeing or worrying about what the city has to offer us for entertainment late Saturday night or early Sunday when our team is out of the tournament.

[soreshins]

My daughter's team played a HOF Qualifier at Midland and 14U Nationals at Midland. The softball complex is nice, but there are not enough hotel rooms, restaurants and other facilities to support a major tournament. Unless they have a bunch of new hotels and restaurants there is really no arguing this point. Given the lack of facilities and the distances involved, anywhere in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio or Houston would be better.

At the HOF Qualifier I never saw all nine fields active. This was one of the major problems with that tournament. They did not have enough umpires to play all 9 fields and keep the schedule moving. We started one game at 12:30 a.m. and finished at 2:00 a.m. The tournament director was inflexible (I knew we were in trouble when the softball complex was named after the tournament director). We had the opportunity to start our game at 11:00 p.m. (we had an open field and umpires), but the tournament director refused. He couldn't grasp why it was better to finish at 12:30 rather than 2:00.

They did a better job when they hosted Nationals. Obviously they had learned from their experience with the HOF Qualifier the previous year. More umpires, almost all fields active throughout the day. Even though they had weather problems during Nationals, they did a good job staying on schedule. But I never want to play in Midland again.

All of that being said. The goal was to qualify for the HOF. In contrast to the Qualifier, the HOF tournament in OKC was one of the best tournaments we ever attended. I say suck it up if you can, qualify and enjoy the HOF.

[fly on the wall]

Houston,Dallas would be better IMO it would be better rooms,food,and less travel for the majority of the teams. it would be alot easier for two to three teams drive 8-10 hours instead of 12-20 teams driving that far

GO PEPPERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Joe]

It's beyond ridiculous that this thing is in Midland. The only bidding going on...is at a poker table of a bunch of ASA 'has beens', playing "who can we screw this time".

[Phantomz27]

Cuz Phantomz going. Can't beat a 12U team, surely ain't going to Midland to get whooped. LOL

[southside]

Phantomz27
Cuz Phantomz going. Can't beat a 12U team, surely ain't going to Midland to get whooped. LOL

You can't because the twins can not be on two ASA rosters.

[riseball]

He has already said that DA.

[HUH???]

If we are only TRULY talking about 30 teams, then anywhere with 4, 5, or 6 fields will work. Fort Worth (and surrounding towns in Tarrant Counts) host NASCAR events that will bring in 300,000 - 400,000 people (depending who you believe) twice a year and they have no trouble with rooms and food. Can anywhere else in Texas boast that?