Confused on July 4 big events Boulder, Aurora, Denver??

[sbfan502]

Had a team from Louisville KY (Lady Sluggers) finish 7th in Aurora (Fireworks)....So while looking that up

See folks discussing Boulder Independence Day

Also see there was an Sparkler by Triple Crown....

Can someone provide some idea of who attends each and why teams select each event....

All seem to claim to have a great number of coaches attending....

[3Bsnag]

From what I hear on the 3, and experienced with one, it goes like:

Independence Tournament
has 3 mini tournaments with the creme de la creme being the 18U in Boulder. There's also the 18U in Louisville and the 16U tournament. The 18U-Boulder seems to be where the college coaches hang out. Tournament is tough to get in.

Fireworks
12-18G age groups, tough to get in, once you're "in", team will most likely be accepted the next year (especially if you played well), well attended by coaches in the 16-18G ages and even saw some at 14U. Obviously, more coaches were at the weekend games deep in the winners bracket. Didn't go to NFCA camp, so don't know how well that was attended.

Sparkler
12-18 age groups and seems to be the run off for teams that didn't get in to the above tournaments or newer teams that want the CO experience. From the one complex I saw. fields were in terrible condition. NFCA camp was well attended by college coaches.

I was very impressed with the way the Fireworks was run. Great field conditions (dragged, watered, and chalked each game), fields were close in proximity, umpires were good, games were pretty much on time, and communication was excellent.

[Fasterpitch]

I agree with the above post.

Last year my daughter played in the Boulder tournament. This tournament has great teams. Some say it has the best teams, pound for pound. Last year there was a coach around every corner.

This year we went to the Fireworks. SOme say that this is the best tournament. I am not sure. There were great teams at this tournament. The 2007 Gold National Champions played in this tournament. This does not prove alot because I think they have been in the fireworks for awhile. The college coachs were at this tournament. You could not help but run into them as you walked through the park. So many colleges were watching games, from large to small. Just to name a few. UCLA, Tenn. Virginia Tech, Texas, ULL......I saw these coachs just about everyday.

I went to the Sparkler this year just to check it out. This tournament is so BIG. It seems that they want you to stay and spend money. This tournament seemed to be so long. They have a gate fee to get into each park and the other do not ( its hidden in the entry fee). I did see college coachs at the Sparkler but not to the extent on the Boulder and Fireworks.

With the Boulder and Fireworks you have to be asked or earn a spot to play. The sparkler you only need to pay your money. I was told by someone that they signed up for the Sparkler a week before it started.

I have heard that the Fireworks TD has had failed to return team funds to teams that failed to get in. I have also heard that the Boulder is California loyal. I have no proof of either,just talk.

I think college coachs will go see your DD if you let them know where your kid is playing. If they are interested and your kid is good enough then they will come.

The Colorado tournaments are great fun. Other then Nationals where does your daughter get the chance to play teams from all over the great country. Where else can you sit in the stands with college coachs and just talk ( of course not about your daughter) about softball.

[sbfan502]

Thanks for the info - The above was sort of the way I was seeing it but wanted to be sure.

Anyone been at Fireworks for 14U? Have some coaches thinking about it at second year 14U or maybe waiting for 1st year 16U....Assuming they can get in.

[anonlooker]

Just got back from there, and the 14U Fireworks is a great tournament. It, along with the 12U, is held in Broomfeild, NW of Denver. The 16 and 18's are held in Aurora, across town. The souvenir t's carry the slogan "Simply the Best" and it would be hard to dispute that based on our experience.

The tournament has a 'national' feel because teams are there from all over the country, most quite good, a slew of them ASA qualified.

The competition was great, the umpires were steady and personable, the fields were awesome (all but one, but there weren't many games there), and everyone seemed to be having a good time.

College scouts spend way more time at the Aurora event, but the NFCA Camp (also in Aurora) is open to 14's and held the day before pool play begins.

Would definitely recommend this over the Sparkler - haven't heard much good about that, and it strikes me as Triple Crown simply trying to capitalize on the Fireworks good name.

As for getting your team into the 12 or 14U, contact TD Robin Garneau at 303 464 5504. She may be taking this week to catch her breath, but better to start early than late if you want to attend next year.

[Demonboy]

If you could get in, I'd recommend Boulder as the 1st choice. Fireworks 2nd and Sparkler if you run out of options.

[Comp]

The Boulder tournament isnt necessarily California biased, but, they do give preference to the organizations that have played there in the past.

A few years back my daughters coach tried to get into the tournament and was turned down, yet other teams from our area with a history of playing in the tournament were not only entered, but were playing on the main fields. The worst part about it was, the other teams from our area were all "Gold" teams, yet my daughters 18A team had beat most of them handily every time we played them.

There are some really good teams there, but, they are not necessarily the best. They giver preference to the organizations that have been with them the longest, regardless of how good or bad they teams may be.

[Demonboy]

The Boulder tournament isnt necessarily California biased, but, they do give preference to the organizations that have played there in the past.

A few years back my daughters coach tried to get into the tournament and was turned down, yet other teams from our area with a history of playing in the tournament were not only entered, but were playing on the main fields. The worst part about it was, the other teams from our area were all "Gold" teams, yet my daughters 18A team had beat most of them handily every time we played them.
There are some really good teams there, but, they are not necessarily the best. They giver preference to the organizations that have been with them the longest, regardless of how good or bad they teams may be.

What area are you talking about and why are you not playing Gold if you're that competetive with the Gold teams?

[jmo]

There are some really good teams there, but, they are not necessarily the best. They giver preference to the organizations that have been with them the longest, regardless of how good or bad they teams may be.

Colorado Fireworks Tourney - Aurora - 130 teams - 6 Gold Qualified
Independence Day Tourney - Boulder - 80 teams - 23 Gold Qualified

Congratulations to the Worth Firecrackers and Cal Lite - Co-Champs of the Fireworks Tourney!!
Congratulations to the Sorcerers - Champs of the Independence Day Tourney!!

[Fasterpitch]

Great Stat. JMO...............WOuld be interesting to see if that is the same over the last 5 years. I wonder if those number change from year to year