Metro/Association Tournaments

[ssarge]

Example: take a look at the 14U upper bracket vs. lower bracket.
http://www.norcalasa.org/jo/pdf/14U_A_Bracket.pdf

I'm affiliated as a hitting coach with a team in NorCal 14U, but wasn't able to spend much time with them in the Spring. And it has still hard, because our team hasn't had all of it's players EVER, and I assume other teams are in the same situation. But I am starting to form certain opinions re: strength of teams since Memorial Day. Would love to see how they dovetail with the opinions of others.

Which half of the bracket do you see as tougher? Which teams?

Thanks!

Scott

[Intel]

I don't understand the reference to cost. Airline travel is airline travel, and has everything to do with demand for getting to the end destination, and little to do with mileage. I'll bet for many parts of the country, a flight to LA is cheaper than one to smaller cities in Texas or the Carolinas. Might be direct, too, meaning it probably takes less time. Once there, hotels and food are hotels and food. Like anyone else, college coaches - everything else being equal - would probably prefer the most attractive destination so they can enjoy themselves as well.

Ssarge, I think the reference to cost is for teams on the east coast and in the south can drive to the 16U ASA nationals in TN cheaper than flying to LA and renting a car.

[ssarge]

Ssarge, I think the reference to cost is for teams on the east coast and in the south can drive to the 16U ASA nationals in TN cheaper than flying to LA and renting a car.

Actually didn't think of that. Got it now. Makes sense, thanks.

Best regards,

Scott

[Sftball Junkie]

Am I the only one who thinks the format for the double birth in GSSA is a joke?

This is supposed to be Championship Play. Let's format the tournament that way. The current format has at least one team in every age group with the exception of 16u if I recall, with the easy road to the Championship.

Look at the brackets. Every bracket has a team who could win the tournament with only playing 3 games and move on to Nationals. Allowing in some situations teams to rest that #1 pitcher and save her for the last game. At the same time on the other side of the bracket a team might have to play 2 or 3 good teams with 4 games to win. You will also have the situation where the team who is #2 and is awarded a birth lost only one game in a double elimination format. What happen to the idea of a team coming out of the loser bracket squaring off against the team who has won out to ensure the best team wins?

Teams were told because there were two births they would not move the team from the loser bracket up to play the championship game both teams just go. I understand both teams are going too go anyway but finish the tournament!!!

I was under the crazy thought process that double elimination meant to loose the tournament or not win the championship you had to loose 2 times.

How bout next year we just give out participation medals to every team and invite them all to Nationals. By the looks of it the majority of teams do not even plan on making the trip to Nationals.

Maybe another idea ASA could adapt is have your National tournaments in locations people might like to spend a family vacation. I think one of the biggest reasons teams and recruiters are going to PGF is the tournament is not being played in the Middle of Nowhere, USA. Imagine that who would want to spend $30,000 for a team and families to travel across country, then once you get there rent a van and drive a half day, to then play in a town for 8 days that there own residence don’t even want to live in.

I am sure major Metro Cities would like to have tournaments LA, San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix, Austin, Chicago, Orlando, Las Vegas etc… Have you really looked at where any of the tournaments are??? Can you fly direct from anywhere into more than one or two of these cities???

For those of you who win a birth and decide to go Good luck in Middle of Nowhere USA.

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Junkie
I think we all agree with your post. Its just been beat to death. Everyone is frustrated with ASA by now. Each coach has to evaluate their talent and decide what is best for their team, whether ASA or Premier. I think most CA teams if they can qualify for Premier will do so, as the economy is dictating some of this as well. I think either way you will be ok as far as recruiting is concerned. You may not have the pac 12 there at ASA but there will still be plenty of scouts at both events 14-18G. Options and competition is always a good thing. ASA vs. Premier winner would be nice so we have a true champion but that wont happen either, and Im quite sure Premier will be considered the true National Champion.

[lovesoftball22]

Do scouts attend the westerns? especially as more and more teams are not traveling to the Nationals?

[anonlooker]

No. Even if you're playing on their school's fields, they wouldn't come out and take a look... because they aren't there!