Adidas Futures Tournament/Tryouts

[spideytruck]

“Please forward to all who may be interested

Coaches and players,

adidas Futures Team tryouts will be held December 29th from 1pm to 5pm at the Craig Ranch softball complex in McKinney, Texas with registration starting at 12pm.

This is a great opportunity for all 14-18 year old uncommitted fast pitch athletes who would like to play at the next level.

The team will be comprised of the areas best 15 uncommitted athletes from North Texas and surrounding areas.

Ed Naudin of Texas Glory Softball has been selected by adidas Futures as one of the Top 50 coaches in the country and will be taking a team of uncommitted athletes to this tournament. Tracy Beard and Kevin Shelton will serve as his staff.”

Would anyone care to comment?

[Bleacher Creature]

They had another one 2 weekends ago in Arkansas

[softballrulznut]

My response is that they are saying this is suppose to be exclusive and "elite" etc however in the typical mode of North Texas softball which everyone should agree is watered down due to way too many teams - there are three such Adidas future teams in North Texas.

One is being led by Ed Naudin and the Glory Shelton folks
One is being led by Jason Gwynn and whoever he's going to be coaching with once he leaves Fusion.
One is being led by Courtney McClasky who coaches at 16u team for the American Freedom

How exclusive is this really going to be with 45+ "elite" players coming from the metroplex?

[51sDad]

How exclusive is this really going to be with 45+ "elite" players coming from the metroplex?

45 players potentially from 3 age groups? I'd say a pretty exclusive group. I saw twice that at a tryout for 1 team in August.

[softballrulznut]

I could be wrong but aren't all the postings from 14-18 years old - 1 age group - just HS

[brewtusplease]

The way it sounded, one age group, uncommitted. Not sure what happens when one is on the team, then commits? Kicked off? Filled in with the next on the list?

[OFdad]

I could be wrong but aren't all the postings from 14-18 years old - 1 age group - just HS

14U-18G or '92-'96 or 2011-2015 is one group? Those could be 3 kick ass teams if they are objective.

[51sDad]

I could be wrong but aren't all the postings from 14-18 years old - 1 age group - just HS

14U-18G or '92-'96 or 2011-2015 is one group? Those could be 3 kick ass teams if they are objective.

Yeah that's all I meant guys. It is just one team competing in one group, but selecting players from potentially 3 (14/16/18).

[softballrulznut]

I got you - I'd seriously doubt any 11's would be on the team...not going to be many "elite" level unsigned/uncommitted kids around.

I'm still not convinced that 3 teams full depending on roster size will be "kick ass" as you'll still be splitting up the very top talent between 3 teams. Each team carries 3 pitchers - are there 9 ELITE level pitchers in DFW area? Really? Remember uncommitted top pitchers.

[spideytruck]

I love the idea of having an exclusive tournament. I think we need to grow the sport of softball. Big tournaments with big sponsors and possibly televised games helps everyone, this means more girls wanting to play the game; more money in the pipeline.

With that said I have a few questions, perhaps someone with a little more knowledge can shed some light. How will it work if your DD is picked? Do you leave your organization? Will the 3 DFW coaches leave their organizations? Do the teams only play each other in friendlies before the tournament? What happens if your DD commits before the tournament? Will there be a waiting list if someone drops out due to injury, etc? Will the coaches actually be objective or fill the teams with their current players? Do the 3 DFW coaches form their own organization? I guess everyone can see how this is going. Some additional details would be nice.