ASA Has Priced Itself Out of the Market

[MTR]

The point, Mike, is that they may need to think about actually marketing their product to more viable locations at some point in the near future....or not.

Where in this country is ASA better known than SoCal, the hub of the softball world?

Some of the elite teams may not have the money to go to ASA in the future solely because of their idiotic qualifying rules. I'm not saying it WILL happen, but traveling in the summer is not cheap and many folks aren't doing well financially. They could hold a championship that doesn't include the best teams in the nation and lose their corner on that particular market. If they continue to consider J.O. an afterthought, they surely will.

Well, maybe ASA will eventually go to the territory nationals and feed the winners in OKC for a playoff series like they do in SP. Would that satisfy you?

Or maybe some teams just discount the Western Nationals and just will not support them. Yet some of these teams may not be having a good year, but insist on attending the USA/ASA NCs.

However, I would bet the reason so many of the smaller cities get nationals is because they have a more beneficial tax structure, flexible cash flow and financial disbursement structure than some bigger municipalities.

A local example is because the affected tax structure (hotel, restaurant, gas, etc fees) do not affect the local county, which control all the softball fields, there is no incentive for them to get involved in such an expensive undertaking like a national tournament. Meanwhile, you have smaller towns and cities where ALL the local fees go directly to their bottom line. That is why these folks have no problem throwing $70K (including cost of presentation) at ASA for a chance to host a national

I wouldn't doubt that this may also be in issue in SoCal.

[anonlooker]

Fresno in August was the most miserable weather conditions I've ever experienced at a softball tournament. Also the worst opening cremonies I've ever seen in my life.

Fresneck blows.

Coming from DB, that's a compliment!

[Killer Rabbit]

Fasterpitch,

Sounds like you lost your money in a casino, got rolled by a hooker, were knocked out of the tourney early, and had an auto accident. I'd hate Vegas too if that happened to me. Here are some hints to help you next time in Vegas: Vegas is hot...insanely so...drink lots of water, 50 sunblock, and pray that the wind does not blow. Hookers are bad...that's a different kind of Vegas trip. One can not get infected if you stay in your car and only look. And remember that the other drivers that are in your way come from other cities like yourself.

[Skarp]

TulsaEliteGold,

Ever played in Las Vegas? Gawd, what a horrid dump. 103 degrees, humid, slums off the main strip... every street corner has a porn shop, check cashing stop, liquor store and a filthy fast food junk house. Expensive. People act and drive like idiots. Everyone has their hand out for cash, your cash... to their pocket.

If you are drunk enough maybe the lights look nice at night. Oh yippee. Plenty of hookers. Remember, what happens in Vegas stays... with you; gonorahhea, syphillis, clamidia, AIDS... oh yea... what happens in Vegas... probably one of the greatest marketing shams in history. Such a wonderful environment for young ladies playing softball. Of course, maybe they should at least see the bottom of the barrel from a discreet distance.

While I haven't been to Midland Texas (yet) I can vouch for East Peoria (pumpkin capital of the world), Bloomington, Seattle, Fresno, Denver and who knows how many others, any of which are better than Vegas.

There, I've said it. The blasphamy. The heresy. I guess the Vegas tourist board will not send me a Christmas card. Ohhhh well.... I will get over it.

Gotta disagree somewhat. Parts of Vegas are pretty shabby, but the city government is veritably swimming in tax revenue...and it shows in a lot of the public works, parks, etc., that you find when you venture far enough away from dowtown and the strip and (except to the Northeast...yuck!).

It is hot though (but humid??...it doesn't get any more arid), and on one windy day I saw several fly balls hit to center actually blown foul, and an easy-up blown several hundred feet into the air and out onto a major street several hundred yards away (Flamingo). Almost caused a major accident. Pretty impressive.

As for the CDC public service message, I think most people know that you aren't likely to catch AIDS from a hooker just by driving by. And other than in a few parts of the city, you aren't likely to see any in Vegas either.

[MTR]

>> Say what? Did you spend all that "off" time in the bar?

That's the Gulf of Mexico, not the ocean! <<

Oh, well hell, that changes everything.

He's talking about the water, sfb.

Yeah, that's about how I feel about anyone who doesn't know 2nd grade geography. fw.

[fasterpitch92701]

The good news is that the Vegas folks spent the tax money on some reasonable amenities when they were cash flush. However, I think they are a bit puckered these days. They only have 2 major sources of state revenue; gambling and warehousing. A major portion of goods sold in California are warehoused in Nevada waiting for shipment. Nevertheless, tourism is way down and no one wants a large inventory of goods in this economy, taxed or not.

You are correct about the basics: water, SPF50, water, a very good hat, water and a car with decent air conditioning. And water. The routine is traditional, as you know; fly in, get rental car, stop at grocery store on the way to the hotel, buy cheap foam ice chest and 5-6 cases of water, buy more SPF50, go to hotel and check in.

We were going to go to Vegas again this year but the coach, apologetically, said that plans had shifted and we would not be going. None of the parents of the 15 girls were disappointed. Oh well, I guess foam cooler sales are going to have a minor dip. So be it...

[Vegasdad]

[quote="fasterpitch92701"]They only have 2 major sources of state revenue; gambling and warehousing.

Last time I checked we seemed to have a lot of mines around here. I think gold is over $1000 an ounce lately. I don't think we will notice that you haven't bought your yearly foam cooler.

[Lannie]

Say what? Did you spend all that "off" time in the bar?

That's the Gulf of Mexico, not the ocean! <<

Oh, well hell, that changes everything.

He's talking about the water, sfb.


Yeah, that's about how I feel about anyone who doesn't know 2nd grade geography. fw.

It appears that the losers of the Eteamz my weenie is bigger than your weenie competition has started migrating over to this site.

[NumeroUno]

Say what? Did you spend all that "off" time in the bar?

That's the Gulf of Mexico, not the ocean! <<

Oh, well hell, that changes everything.

He's talking about the water, sfb.


Yeah, that's about how I feel about anyone who doesn't know 2nd grade geography. fw.

It appears that the losers of the Eteamz my weenie is bigger than your weenie competition has started migrating over to this site.

Sorry Lannie but we are a equal opportunity web site, even if they are hung like a bull hamster they are welcome.

[Hitmechanic]

Say what? Did you spend all that "off" time in the bar?

That's the Gulf of Mexico, not the ocean! <<

Oh, well hell, that changes everything.

He's talking about the water, sfb.


Yeah, that's about how I feel about anyone who doesn't know 2nd grade geography. fw.

It appears that the losers of the Eteamz my weenie is bigger than your weenie competition has started migrating over to this site.

Sorry Lannie but we are a equal opportunity web site, even if they are hung like a bull hamster they are welcome.

I really resemble those remarks. You don't have to be a Eteamz weenie to have your pellets migrated to this forum...but it helps.