PFX McKinney

[twinsmom]

Okay this is going to be long but if you don't want to read ignore,

This was our first trip to this tournament and I can see why people go back with the Pro athletes. Those girls were awesome particularly with the younger ones. Between their games they came to the dugouts, taught new cheers to the girls and were absolutely at ALL TIMES willing to tolerate girls hanging on them, taking pictures and signing autographs. They are the ambassadors that this sport needs and they should be patted on the back and given tons of credit. It can't be easy to smile continuously for 3 days and not get irritated the 10,000th time you are asked to pose and sign. You might say it is the duty of these girls or their responsibility but as we know sports professionals in other areas -basketball, football and others aren't necessarily willing to take the time with the kids these girls did. When our girls went to go get their awards the only question asked was "Did you girls have FUN?". When they answered yes, Meagan Denny's comments were "Great, that is what you are out here to do and what we still do...have fun". Our girls also had a wake up call. A girl from another team had her mom dragging her gear bag...I am sure many of us have done the same when the girls played particularly well or just to hurry them up. One of the pros walked over, stopped the girl and asked if that was her mom and her bag. Girl said "yes" and the pro athlete took the bag from mom handed it to girl and politely but firmly explained that "mom pays to let you play this sport and take you places and travel like you do. The gear is yours and your responsibility not hers and to play a sport like softball demands effort, dedication and responsibility and it needs to start now". From that point on, the girls on our team pulled their own bags even after their 3rd game of the day, no cajolling, no badgering, no COMPLAINING. These girls were GREAT!!

What I can't understand is how teams tolerate the poor umping, bathroom conditions and field conditions. The bathrooms at town lake were the worst - we waited to go back to the hotel. Fields - a LITTLE WATER PLEASE???? They did try to water the fields with the sprinklers prior to championship game but the only thing that got wet was the strips infront of the dugouts and a circle around 1st and 3rd. The crowds enjoyed the spray though.

As for the umpiring, I can't tell you how many poor and dangerous calls and no calls were made at this tournament. From 10's and 14's (didn't see any of the 18 tournament minimal 12's so can't speak for them) the umpiring was universally terrible. I will also say this isn't sour grapes (we won) and of these only one was actually in our game. We had multiple others but decided an assortment was better. Small list --

1. Coach chest bumped umpire and forced her to back up 3 different times - umpire left field in tears - this happens in our area, coach is hauled away in hand cuffs - that is assault and really poor for the girls to see.

2. Coach calls for verification of count - umpires check with each other - call is 2 balls and one strike - coach asks player to lay down a bunt. Bunt goes foul. Opposing scorer then states she had the count as 2-2 and she bunted on third strike and is out. Umpire changes their count and sends girl to the bench with strike out.

3. Home team went ahead 5-4 with two outs 10 minutes left on clock. Plenty of time to finish inning and get a new one (this was an 800pm game in bracket). Ump calls game and says no new inning with 10 minutes or less left in game with home team ahead, however had visitor been ahead there would have been another inning.... What kind of rule is this? Every other game went to the end of the 75 minutes. In fact one game started a new inning with home team up by 4 with only 30 seconds left (Blaze vs. Rip 00).

4. 3 different games I saw umpires so upset by the score keepers or coaches that they changed calls after the next batter had stepped into the box, sign given, and the pitcher starting her pitch, only to have the umpire call time go to the score keeper/coach, pull the previous batter back from base (issued a walk) and made her rebat. Understand this was after multiple requests and ascents to "what is the correct pitch count" and the umps confering and rendering their answers (it is a 3-0 count coach - next pitch called ball and girl sent to first). Not all were walks but you get the gist.

5. Mechanics - the umpires did not understand the basics of mechanics. Most forgot to put their arm up for strikes and a few didn't even talk loud enough to be heard (strike or ball) - the reason that coaches had to ask after EVERY pitch, what is the count blue.... This wasted a lot of game time for the girls as well. Umpires still standing on the foul side of the first base line when runners were on 1st or on 1st and second, and being unable to make a base call... One ump was talking to a person standing at the fence and didn't even notice the girl had taken off from first to second on a steal so the PU had to make the call from the plate. OOPPPSSS!!!!

Really, I try hard not to argue balls and strikes (or no more than "oh..."pitcher name" thought that one looked good" or for our batters - "we don't need to swing at that on first pitch - pitch selection "batter name" is better. Get the next one that is more in your zone"). But I DO expect basic mechanics to be done correctly or send them back to rec league until they learn. This is an OPEN select tournament and thereby had some really good teams playing. But regardless you expect them to do their job.

On the plus side, the umps that were on the field for championship game in 10U were pretty good (same ones for Blaze/Rip and that was well done as well). I won't say we agreed with every call, but consistent strike zone and correct mechanics go a long way to getting respect. The 14U championship game seemed to be reasonably well done, but can't say I watched the whole thing. Just bits and pieces.

[pbj2000]

Agreed the umpiring was horrible...end of story! Towne lake no fences, no rechalking at gabe even for first bracket or at craig for bracket...

talking to some other parents that have been there before the understanding was it's all about the money and the PFX tour teams...that's it.

[lpoolone]

We chose not to play in the PFX tournament once again this year (played 2 years ago). I completely understand that most teams are in it for the "experience" but as far as the tournament itself goes, it is very poorly run. The water, restroom, and chalking of the fields situation is a yearly occurence so that should surprise no one. This is an unfortunate example of TD's making this all about the money and nothing more than that.

My comment on the situations with the coaches, scorekeepers, and umpires is quite simple, "shut up already". I am of the opinion that there is a growing trend with parents that they think they know it all and think they should be the one calling the games when in fact, they really have no clue what it's like to lace 'em up and play. With the constant whining I hear from parents about every little thing, it's no wonder that umpires are second guessing themselves.

What I will say though is that overall, the quality of umpiring has gone down but I think that is more of a reflection of there being way too many rec teams calling themself select when they have no business playing in tournaments. More teams means more umpires which in turn means you will have players AND umpires that a few years ago, never would have been allowed on the diamond.

[Joe]

More teams means more umpires which in turn means you will have players AND umpires that a few years ago, never would have been allowed on the diamond.

One of HB's top three...ass backwards logic ever posted...

You may get your wish though...

As the rec leagues dry up, you'll soon be able to have your own little club of "elite" teams along with a few umps calling games, shuffling to their positions in their Depends disposable briefs...

[pbj2000]

We chose not to play in the PFX tournament once again this year (played 2 years ago). I completely understand that most teams are in it for the "experience" but as far as the tournament itself goes, it is very poorly run. The water, restroom, and chalking of the fields situation is a yearly occurence so that should surprise no one. This is an unfortunate example of TD's making this all about the money and nothing more than that.

My comment on the situations with the coaches, scorekeepers, and umpires is quite simple, "shut up already". I am of the opinion that there is a growing trend with parents that they think they know it all and think they should be the one calling the games when in fact, they really have no clue what it's like to lace 'em up and play. With the constant whining I hear from parents about every little thing, it's no wonder that umpires are second guessing themselves.

What I will say though is that overall, the quality of umpiring has gone down but I think that is more of a reflection of there being way too many rec teams calling themself select when they have no business playing in tournaments. More teams means more umpires which in turn means you will have players AND umpires that a few years ago, never would have been allowed on the diamond.

Not a whiner and since our team has never played in the PFX this was an eye opener for us. IMO a tournament of this magnitude shouldn't the best umps be out there? Shouldn't each facility have a host team raking, dragging, chalking and filling up containers for water?

Just My Opinion could have been run better...the professional players were awesome though!

[lpoolone]

I apologize for me "bass ackwards" post because it is obvious to me that someone with over 1,600 posts obviously has no life, er I mean, has more knowledge than all of us combined.

It's not that stupid of a post sir, look at any pro sport where expansion has occured in the past 15 years. It is clearly evident that top to bottom the quality of players has gone down.

But then again, I assume trying to reason with someone with 1,600+ (seriously?) posts is a no-win situation.

And PBJ, I am with you on this. Playing in this tournament at least once is something that should be done by all but coming back for a 2nd time is difficult since the quality of the tournament itself continues to diminish.

[centexfastpitch]

I agree about the lack of good umpiring, at least in the 10U at town lake. Here are my favorite memories in order:

1. We were there for 8:00am pool game. Plate ump did not show up until 8:25am. Field ump did not come to get the coin toss out of the way like you would expect but instead sat by the concession stand.

2. Same Umps from #1 tried to make us (10U) play with 8U rules for base running but to give them credit they did tell us later they were wrong and corrected it for bracket play.

3. No lines on field for first bracket. Keep in mind that this is a single E format so you cannot recover from a blown call. Our 1st bracket we had 2 hard shots on 1B line called fowl. Not sure lines would have made a difference but it would have been nice to have them there just to be able to see.

[game_time]

My comment on the situations with the coaches, scorekeepers, and umpires is quite simple, "shut up already". I am of the opinion that there is a growing trend with parents that they think they know it all and think they should be the one calling the games when in fact, they really have no clue what it's like to lace 'em up and play. With the constant whining I hear from parents about every little thing, it's no wonder that umpires are second guessing themselves.

lpoolone, good post outside of this. Unfortunately, you obviously weren't at this tournament or you would have reserved this comment for a later, more relevant conversation. Don't get me wrong, I have parents that I would gladly share your 'shut up already' comment with as they do indeed usually think they are smarter than the umpires, coaches, and, well, everyone. But, again, if you would have spent 5 minutes at any game this weekend, you would have found yourself incredibly frustrated with the incompetence of the clowns wearing blue outfits.

twinsmom hit the nail on the head from start to finish. The pros were exceptional (liked the change from having set autograph sessions per team to the more informal/casual approach). The field conditions, cost of entry for parents, bathrooms, and umpires left a LOT to be desired for such AN EXPENSIVE venue ($400 for 3 GG).

[dueceduece]

I agree parents whine too much in the stands BUT the official scorekeeper is NOT to say anything unless the umpire asked him or her a question. If a team bats out of order it is on the other team to say something. If the umpire asks them what the count it then great but they are NOT to say anything unless asked!!!!

I agree with Joe on one thing. The future of this sport is rec. Let's not put it down. We all started somewhere. If Rec dries up and girls quit playing our sport dries up too! Support your local rec leagues even if your DD is past rec level!

[Joe]

I apologize for me "bass ackwards" post because it is obvious to me that someone with over 1,600 posts obviously has no life, er I mean, has more knowledge than all of us combined.

It's not that stupid of a post sir, look at any pro sport where expansion has occured in the past 15 years. It is clearly evident that top to bottom the quality of players has gone down.

But then again, I assume trying to reason with someone with 1,600+ (seriously?) posts is a no-win situation.

And PBJ, I am with you on this. Playing in this tournament at least once is something that should be done by all but coming back for a 2nd time is difficult since the quality of the tournament itself continues to diminish.

Hey pea brain...who's talking about pro sports? ...and yes, I know more about everything than anyone...

How in the world can you fault a kid and her family for choosing to play select? Afterall, rec ball involves maybe one or two games per week? Sooo...here we have a youngster who simply wants to play a game and play it better. Where does she go? Select...but then presumably you have a problem with that kiddo entering into your club "elite". BTW...is your name Jemima?

Similar situation with the umpires...The old farts are getting just that...old. Those that haven't moved on after being verbally abused at their workplace...won't solve your bad umpiring delimma. So now...your solution is to ban any of the newbies who dare step foot on your dirt. And yes....just like the rec kid learning to play with the select kiddos, the rookie blue is going to screw it up now and then.

Summary...it's your attitude that is leading us to a tiny group of excellent, elite softball payers. The rest be damned!

Rec ball or 'B' players...the volleyball courts are down the street...