TX
Panama City, Fl World Series 2008
9 posts
• Page 1 of 1
How was your experience at this tournament?
- D31st
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:56 pm
The competition was good, but the vacation was great.
GO REBS
GO REBS
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GO REBS - Posts: 187
- Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:16 pm
The best part of Panama City is the beach, and the beach is awesome.
The softball facilities were 2nd rate to be kind.
As far as competition goes it was across the board from weak sisters to some scrappy, good teams.
The softball facilities were 2nd rate to be kind.
As far as competition goes it was across the board from weak sisters to some scrappy, good teams.
Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough.
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
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Lunatic Fringe - Posts: 474
- Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:58 pm
- Location: TX
Speaking of the A week here, no clue about the B. My girls have been to PCB twice- once with a very good second year team and once with a not so good first year team.
Competition sort of depends on the age group. 10U is a little sparse, 12U and 14U is pretty well populated. I think there is an 8U but for the life of me can't figure that one out. As mentioned above, there are some VERY weak teams in PCB. There are also some very good teams there. I'd say the top couple of teams can compete at ASA nationals, but well over two thirds of the teams there cannot. That's not saying they should, or saying anything derogatory about the USFA tournament. Just my opinion on a tournament in which you can pay to play.
Beach is great, and there are lots of things to do. However, traffic is horrendous and if you get real lucky and have games across the bridge get ready for a one hour transit minimum. We stayed five minutes from the main fields and ended up traveling to the boondocks every day. Food is below average, and expect to wait at least an hour, possibly three, for a table during normal meal times.
Weather is not that bad. There's a rainshower or two every day, but they roll in and right on by pretty quickly. Heat can get to you, but no different than being at Galveston that time of year.
If your team is not that strong, it beats the absolute heck out of Midland or Moline (comparing overall experience, not the pride and satisfaction of playing an ASA national). PCB is perfect for a first year team looking to experience something new and see different teams. There is enough good competition, even if you must wade through a few extra "pool" games to find them. Town is a tourist trap, but what do you expect? It is what it is and there's lot to do beside the beach.
If you have a second year team looking to make some noise, I'd spend the money and time elsewhere. That assumes you have sights set on ASA. If not, PCB is a great tournament to wrap together some decent competition and a whole lot of great vacation fun. Sort of depends on your team goals, I guess. I can definitely say going once was great and twice was enough!
Hope this helps. You may need to filter out my "been there and done that" sentiment. We loved going there and the girls / family have great memories... I'm just not looking to go back.
Competition sort of depends on the age group. 10U is a little sparse, 12U and 14U is pretty well populated. I think there is an 8U but for the life of me can't figure that one out. As mentioned above, there are some VERY weak teams in PCB. There are also some very good teams there. I'd say the top couple of teams can compete at ASA nationals, but well over two thirds of the teams there cannot. That's not saying they should, or saying anything derogatory about the USFA tournament. Just my opinion on a tournament in which you can pay to play.
Beach is great, and there are lots of things to do. However, traffic is horrendous and if you get real lucky and have games across the bridge get ready for a one hour transit minimum. We stayed five minutes from the main fields and ended up traveling to the boondocks every day. Food is below average, and expect to wait at least an hour, possibly three, for a table during normal meal times.
Weather is not that bad. There's a rainshower or two every day, but they roll in and right on by pretty quickly. Heat can get to you, but no different than being at Galveston that time of year.
If your team is not that strong, it beats the absolute heck out of Midland or Moline (comparing overall experience, not the pride and satisfaction of playing an ASA national). PCB is perfect for a first year team looking to experience something new and see different teams. There is enough good competition, even if you must wade through a few extra "pool" games to find them. Town is a tourist trap, but what do you expect? It is what it is and there's lot to do beside the beach.
If you have a second year team looking to make some noise, I'd spend the money and time elsewhere. That assumes you have sights set on ASA. If not, PCB is a great tournament to wrap together some decent competition and a whole lot of great vacation fun. Sort of depends on your team goals, I guess. I can definitely say going once was great and twice was enough!
Hope this helps. You may need to filter out my "been there and done that" sentiment. We loved going there and the girls / family have great memories... I'm just not looking to go back.
- Fence Coach
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 11:16 am
In 2007 the 14 A had some very good team and very weak teams. My biggest complaint is the Pool Games do not seed the bracket. I don't like meaningless games this late in the season.
- fastpitchrocks99
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:11 pm
My biggest complaint is the Pool Games do not seed the bracket. I don't like meaningless games this late in the season.
True, but you gain points through out the season in USFA.. The teams that play more USFA, and win more tournaments, finish higher are rewarded at this time, with a higher seeding.
True, but you gain points through out the season in USFA.. The teams that play more USFA, and win more tournaments, finish higher are rewarded at this time, with a higher seeding.
- Comets16
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:40 am
True, but many of the team with a lot of points didn't have to travel out of town everytime they wanted to play in a USFA tournament.
We enjoyed the overall experience (top 10 finish, beach, family time (playing 1 meaningless Pool Game does have it's advantages), but I would like to see the Pool Games count for something.
We enjoyed the overall experience (top 10 finish, beach, family time (playing 1 meaningless Pool Game does have it's advantages), but I would like to see the Pool Games count for something.
- fastpitchrocks99
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:11 pm
Some very good teams if you make it to the top 8 in the "A" group, don't know much about the "B" side of the tournament, it was a great vacation as well!
- SoftballG
- Posts: 356
- Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:53 am
Winner of 2008 USFA World 12U "A" finished tied for 49th at 12U ASA Nationals......
Winner of 2007 USFA World 10U "A" finished tied for 13th at 10U ASA Nationals
Winner of 2006 USFA World 10U "A" finished tied for 7th at 10U ASA Nationals
Talent is all over the place.. If you want a vacation with family at a beach with some good softball mixed in, then PCB is for you. If you want to play the best in the nation Nationals is where it is at.
Winner of 2007 USFA World 10U "A" finished tied for 13th at 10U ASA Nationals
Winner of 2006 USFA World 10U "A" finished tied for 7th at 10U ASA Nationals
Talent is all over the place.. If you want a vacation with family at a beach with some good softball mixed in, then PCB is for you. If you want to play the best in the nation Nationals is where it is at.
- Comets16
- Posts: 175
- Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:40 am
9 posts
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