by DHBHitting » Wed Jun 25, 2008 12:53 pm
Losing a tough game is not the same thing as getting run off the field.
Response: True, but it happens, nobody is exempt from that, and it can happen to anyone especially when you are playing a team that is just as highly talented as you are.
You held these teams up as examples (your examples not mine) of teams that are very competitive using minimal college players.
Response: And they are very competitive, you mention the losses but what about the quality wins that these clubs picked up, they beat some people too. Yes they took some losses that is going to happen, but all the teams I mentioned competed well and will more than likely be right in the mix this weekend in Stockton.
All of them got blown out at least once. Sorcerer did recover from their beat down getting a very fortunate losers bracket draw playing the #2 Sting team and the Jets.
Response: Don’t recall Sorcerer playing any of the Sting teams, they fell into the losers bracket against a San Diego Renegades team that will qualify when it is all said and done as the Renegades have a very solid club. They then played the Jets who I was particularly impressed with as they where able to win 7 or 8 games in a row in the losers bracket I believe dismantling a very solid Pastime club to get to Sorcerer, believe me I seen this game it was no cake walk for Sorcerer to say the least, the Jets are dangerous and could flat out hit, believe that ask anyone who played em, and they will ultimately qualify as well. So Sorcerer got by two clubs who where very solid teams and who ultimately in my opinion will be in Oklahoma.
The Grapettes played for the berth and lost 15-0 in 3 innings. Remember, these were your examples.
Response: Sure the Grapettes had a tough draw running into the Batbusters in the qualifying game, everyone knows the Batbusters are stacked and are very, very good. They then had a tough draw falling into the losers bracket to face the Firecrackers, so having to face the #1 and #2 GOLD teams in the country in back to back games was a bad draw and a tough break to say the least. They gave it their best but obviously could not get it done that weekend against those clubs, but that is just how it goes, they will come to play this week in Stockton. But thing is maybe they wont, maybe they will, one never knows, but thing is not everyone can get it done, not everyone wins, or qualifies at GOLD this is not 16U where all you have to do is win some metro with all local clubs, this is GOLD ball, it is the highest level, it is what it is suppose to be, tough.
So yes, all of those teams where competitive, did they get beat, sure, did some of them get hammered, absolutely, but what does that mean? It happens in GOLD ball, you just pull yourself up and you try again. I will say this, I bet you at least 3 of those clubs qualify for Nationals and win a few games down there, which anyone associated with GOLD ball will tell you is a very difficult feat to say the least. Hell it is tough to even qualify as we seen this weekend with Marty's Angles, So Cal A's, and a host of other really powerful teams not qualifying. But hey, it happens, this is GOLD ball, you don’t get it done all the time, the teams are just too good for that, and for those that choose to compete at this level I'm sure they will tell you that is just the way it should be.