Sacto Metro

[Wilson Bats]

When did they beat AASA? You sure it wasn't Breeze 97?

They also beat Lady Magic in Palmdale in October as well as several SCal teams to finish late into Sunday

[Old Darter]

Lady Magic only began play as a team in September....would not call that a big win at that time. Fact is a grandparent on this team paid their way to OKC to qualify so they wouldn't have to play in this Metro. Even then they could not get it done on the field and had to have several teams decline the berth before it was passed down to them. I'm happy that the girls on that team will get to have the nationals "experience" and all that goes with it, but don't kid yourself. They are not going because of their on field performance, and will be lucky to win more than one game at Nationals.

[luv2teachthegame]

Old Darter gets my point. Going to Nationals should be a reward of very good, consistent, and winning play. To go by default is a huge waste of money....$20,000 to take a trip that you qualified for on default is not a good way to spend your organizations money. Doesn't seem right to have that happen.

[Big Kahuna]

Old Darter & Luvtoteachthegame
It sounds as if you are Breeze Haters, so if I understand both of you correctly no other team has ever lucked into a berth to Nationals!! The way I see this is a young 12U team plays good competition doesn't have a winning record so they should go to Nationals. Well now i see why you call yourself OLD DARTER you can't remember that this has happened many times. Every year someone goes to Nationals and a better team stays home.

[luv2teachthegame]

Kahuna....actually you didn't understand it right...so let me clarify. Absolutely not a Breeze Hater as you called it. Think it is a great organization. I just think there is a difference in the level of the Breeze 98 team vs. the best 12's in our area and So Cal. I think that Western Nationals is a great option for a young team.
Teams luck into berths all of the time...no one is blind here....but lucking into a berth DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULD GO! Does it happen? YES....is it a great idea to go....PROBABLY NOT. I wish all of the organizations the best because it is great for Nor Cal softball, but I think that if a team is going to Nationals that they should have good reason to believe they will go out and win a handfull of games. Don't think they are strong enough to do that....talented yes...but going to have a tough run if they go.

P.S.....just so some comments don't come from everywhere....I know we all believe we are going to win Nationals when we go, but it takes great play (which we control), effort (which we control), good/solid officiating (DON'T CONTROL), some breaks (DON'T CONTROL), and some LUCK (DON'T CONTROL).

[Old Darter]

Old Darter & Luvtoteachthegame
It sounds as if you are Breeze Haters, so if I understand both of you correctly no other team has ever lucked into a berth to Nationals!! The way I see this is a young 12U team plays good competition doesn't have a winning record so they should go to Nationals. Well now i see why you call yourself OLD DARTER you can't remember that this has happened many times. Every year someone goes to Nationals and a better team stays home.

You're right, I've been around long enough to remember when teams (Breeze included) EARNED their way to nationals, which made it that much more special. Some still do. Others have it handed to them, not for earning it on the field, but simply by having others who did earn it decide not to go. Please don't justify your teams going to nationals based on their on field performance, nobody buys it.