no metal cleats for exposure tournament

[greenandblue]

Our team has been registered for an exposure tournament for a while now, and lo and behold, the coach notices on the tournament website in the last 2 weeks that no metal cleats will be allowed. There was no mention of this on the website for the past 4 1/2 months and when our coach contacts the TD to ask what's going on, he is told that the teams that are attending from other states claimed it would be an unfair advantage to those with metal cleats, therefore, he wasn't going to allow them at all. It wasn't that they would be dangerous to the teams from other states, but unfair.

Just when you think you've heard just about everything.

And the worst part is, in this part of the U.S.A. at this time of the year, finding cleats (molded or spiked) is close to impossible. Oh, and Ringor is out of molded cleats until July 15th.

[wadeintothem]

Is HS ball still going on in your area or is this a tourney with HS rules or whats the deal?

[greenandblue]

Our area's high school season finished over 4 weeks ago. This tournament is a well-advertised college exposure tournament, with one going on in Florida and one in Tennessee.

[MTR]

Our team has been registered for an exposure tournament for a while now, and lo and behold, the coach notices on the tournament website in the last 2 weeks that no metal cleats will be allowed. There was no mention of this on the website for the past 4 1/2 months and when our coach contacts the TD to ask what's going on, he is told that the teams that are attending from other states claimed it would be an unfair advantage to those with metal cleats, therefore, he wasn't going to allow them at all. It wasn't that they would be dangerous to the teams from other states, but unfair.

Just when you think you've heard just about everything.

And the worst part is, in this part of the U.S.A. at this time of the year, finding cleats (molded or spiked) is close to impossible. Oh, and Ringor is out of molded cleats until July 15th.

Well, if they are not using NCAA or NFHS rules, it is exactly how it should be. OTOH, since most girls don't play just NFHS & NCAA ball, why would they not have a pair of non-metals available?

[wadeintothem]

Our area's high school season finished over 4 weeks ago. This tournament is a well-advertised college exposure tournament, with one going on in Florida and one in Tennessee.

Strange that it would be thought that a college exposure tourney would allow metal cleats.

I have never heard of that. Then again, in our area the exposure tournies are ASA Rules. With ASA rules there would be no reason to post that metal cleats arent allowed seeing as how obvious it is in the ASA rule book.

[greenandblue]

Florida allows metal cleats in HS ball and travel ball. Many of the girls have switched and no longer have molded cleats that 1) fit, or 2) are still usable.

[Bucket Dad]

ASA rules do not allow metal ceats, no matter what part of the country you are from.

[wadeintothem]

Florida allows metal cleats in HS ball and travel ball. Many of the girls have switched and no longer have molded cleats that 1) fit, or 2) are still usable.

What league? What RULE SET?!

The state doesnt matter one single bit.

I've had many girls and even an entire team bee bop onto my ASA field wearing metal cleats and then look much like a doe in the head lights when they are told... and much the same response from the coaches..

Derrrrr blue duh i done thought Californee changed that this year dayum...

But, they are wrong.

Just FYI.

[andy]

Metal Cleats are not approved by ASA. Thus team, player and umpire insurance that typically covers registered ASA players whether they are in a sanctioned tournament or not will not cover injury caused by metal cleats. As a TD and sometimes as a host of friendlies, I have discovered that my tournment insurance does not cover the liability. I have also found out some umpires will not officate as they are not covered. Typically most tournaments state whether they are using ASA rules or not.

I venture to guess if your team is complaining about not been allowed to wear cleats it is safe to say your team also does not compete at ASA qualfiers and Nationals this summer which could hurt your recruiting chances far more then what cleats your players wear. BTW Boulder, , NJ, Champions Cup and Vegas, the big showcases in summer all use ASA rules modified and all will most likely not allow metal cleats

[greenandblue]

Apparently, there are other softball organizations in this country other than ASA, and as of January, allow metal cleats. ISA (Atlanta) and NSA(Ohio?) Nationals this summer both allow metal cleats. Well, as of right now they do, they might change their mind by July.

The purpose of this post was to question that a rule was changed on cleats BECAUSE OTHER TEAMS COMPLAINED that they would be at a disadvantage if they didn't wear them. I was not claiming that metal cleats are the best and they don't want to wear anything else.

If Florida travel teams don't play ASA tournaments and go to ASA Nationals, that hurts their chances of being recruited? By which teams? West Coast teams?