seeded vs. non-seeded brackets

[txfirewife99]

Ok, I know I am a newbie and it will probably show by this post. Question for ya'll softball junkies out there. Would you prefer a seeded or non-seeded bracket? And if it is not seeded from pool games, why the heck have pool games?

My dd began tournament play last fall and all but one tournament bracket was not seeded by pool games. Being a rookie, I/we didn't know any different. Friends who have boys playing seeded hard ball tournaments tried to explain how seeded pool brackets worked, and I just didn't get it. Well, NOW I get it. After one tournament being seeded by pool games, I WISHED all tournaments were done that way!!!

We play in an area where you see the same teams over and over again. (I guess several areas are like that) Most of the TDs know the teams and have had them more than once in tournaments. What we recently saw were teams that would be 1, 2, or even 3rd seed teams playing each other right off the bat. The higher seeded teams (26 in tourny) 23, 24, 25 and even 26th seed played each other. So your top seeded teams were weeded out by top seeded teams and bottom seeded teams weeded out by bottom seeded teams. Even when it came to the bottom of the bracket it fell the same way. (which I presume seeded tournaments are mostly single elimination games so you wouldn't have a lower bracket anyways.) IMO the more dominate teams should not play each other until further in the bracket. But of course that is JMO!!! Correct me if I am wrong please.

Anyways, from our experience thus far with only 1 seeded bracket, I would prefer seeded over not-seeded every tournament if it were my choice.

[whowhatwhenwherewhy]

I vote for seeded.

[fattazzdaddycoach]

Ok, I know I am a newbie and it will probably show by this post. Question for ya'll softball junkies out there. Would you prefer a seeded or non-seeded bracket? And if it is not seeded from pool games, why the heck have pool games?

My dd began tournament play last fall and all but one tournament bracket was not seeded by pool games. Being a rookie, I/we didn't know any different. Friends who have boys playing seeded hard ball tournaments tried to explain how seeded pool brackets worked, and I just didn't get it. Well, NOW I get it. After one tournament being seeded by pool games, I WISHED all tournaments were done that way!!!

We play in an area where you see the same teams over and over again. (I guess several areas are like that) Most of the TDs know the teams and have had them more than once in tournaments. What we recently saw were teams that would be 1, 2, or even 3rd seed teams playing each other right off the bat. The higher seeded teams (26 in tourny) 23, 24, 25 and even 26th seed played each other. So your top seeded teams were weeded out by top seeded teams and bottom seeded teams weeded out by bottom seeded teams. Even when it came to the bottom of the bracket it fell the same way. (which I presume seeded tournaments are mostly single elimination games so you wouldn't have a lower bracket anyways.) IMO the more dominate teams should not play each other until further in the bracket. But of course that is JMO!!! Correct me if I am wrong please.

Anyways, from our experience thus far with only 1 seeded bracket, I would prefer seeded over not-seeded every tournament if it were my choice.

I am a newbie also...


I believe the non-seeded brackets allow you to develop players in the pool games without being under pressure to WIN.

We need games in which we can let girls play in some of the positions they desire but might not have the ability to posses and then play the best nine in bracket play.

The more I am involved with this sport and talk with people, I feel we are losing sight of the "Big Picture" which is to help develop these girls, hopefully for a future in Softball, but if not, at least their future endeavors in life.

[BallFirst]

I like the seeded during the Spring to get used to the actual set up in qualifiers and such.
In Fall I would rather see non seeded to get those that need it more game time experience.

[NUTJOBFASTPITCHDAD]

Having a son that play tournament ball as well as a daughter that plays tournament ball, I do see the benefit of BOTH.

I would like "qualifiers", district, state tournaments go to a "seeded format" during bracket play (ONLY) based upon "strenght points" (ie: USSSA or Nations-Baseball) with this being done we could accomplish both objectives. 1.) properly seed the bracket 2.) create opportunities for coaches to develop players during pool games w/out any consequences.

For your local "fundraiser" type tournaments, the blind-draw format is still fine in my opinion.

[txfirewife99]

thanks for the input guys!! and i have to agree with ya'll on the points you stress also.

I agree at the age my dd is, the game is for development purposes and for them to "learn" the game. That is something I say ALL the time too. And yes a non-seeded pool does give girls the opportunity to play positions they wouldnt otherwise; however, you have to have a coach who will place them in that position as well.

One thing we are really beginning to notice with the non-seeded pool brackets in our area, they are NOT a blind draw. It appears the TD is placing teams in the bracket according to past experiences. (ex-smaller younger teams face each other in the begining and older stronger teams face each other in the beginning) Sometimes it just isnt fair to the girls. Its like they want a seeded bracket without having the seeded pool games. Either seed the tourny or blind draw!!! Otherwise it is not fair to the girls.