16s FATT DADDY's ....what's going on!!

[Tenshun]

I would give more props to Dirt Dogs, and less to AASA-Harrison in your rankings. AASA had 2 down weekends in a row at Surf City and PGF qualifier.

Dirt Dogs played tough in the PGF qualifier. Against FC-Brashear, Dirt Dogs were up 4-0 in the 5th inning when FC rallied behind a hit batter, a couple hits (one of which was almost caught on a dive by CF) and then a 3 run bomb to tie it up 4-4. A 2 out dropped fly ball when LF and CF collided gave FC a 5-4 lead and DD seemed deflated and unable to recover from that. DD played a very good game against one of the best that So Cal has to offer, so give them some love Nor Cal...

Dirt Dogs have always been a Tenshun favorite. Sounds like it was a great game against the Firecrackers-B. DD have been quietly toiling in the SoCal mix for a while and have been less visible in NorCal, but they still have much game. Can't wait to see them in the PGF power pool at the friendly this weekend.

[joepup]

Lady Shark 98s are still looking for another pitcher. If you're interested, contact me.

Joey Rodriguez
408-391-9571
joeyrodr@cisco.com

[ICMTM]

Why was there note more older 14u teams competing in the 14 division?
It seems unusual for two first year teams to win it all.

Breeze 98 is chasing a 16U ASA berth + 14U Premier
TCS 14U World Series in Reno instead of ASA Nationals in Il is more appealing for Grapes JB
Grapes Krueg?
Heat 98?

With Colorado, Champions Cup (Irvine) 14U World Series in Reno, PGF, and 16U ASA Nationals in Sunnyvale I don't think 14U Nationals in Moline, Il sounds like a prize. Last year in 14U you couldn't give away the berth to Nationals in South Dakota. Literally....they tried and nobody took it. If you're not going to play in the National tournament why pay to play in the qualifier is my thought?

All this travel adds up, and some teams/coaches are being realistic. We're not going to have a good showing at Nationals so why try? I think though if you're going to play in your Metro you should try to qualify in regionals as well.

[rbi]

All i know is if the regional for 14's is still in Fresno, they need to move it. Fields are nice but its always a 120 degrees in July and its brutal on the kids. If ASA had a clue they would move it to the coast somewhere, i dont care where just move it!

Then again ASA plays all the Nationals in hell holes, so why would they change anything

[ICMTM]

but I love Fresno in the summer! Who doesn't love Fresno in the summer??

[ICMTM]

On a local level ASA gives kids an opportunity to play in local tournaments etc, but there a niche events where ASA just doesn't (want to) get into. The view from California though is different than the rest of the country once you get off the West Coast. It will be interesting to see how many teams not from the West commit to Nationals this year?

[just curious]

If its like12u when it was in Roseville the turnout will not be good. One of the smallest nationals I remember.

[ICMTM]

I "think" at 16U families are more willing to travel coast to coast versus at 12U?

This is the other reason it's so easy for California teams to stay on the West Coast. Moline, Il is probably easier to get to for teams East of the Rockies. I just looked. It's 850 miles from Atlanta, Ga! It's 850 Miles from Denver. It's 950 miles from Brooklyn. It's 1900 Miles from Sacramento.

Having a national tournament in Moline, Il makes a lot of sense for 40 of the 48 States in the US. Alaska and Hawaii players will have to fly regardless. That's why Triple Crown can have a TCS 14U World Series, and the PGF can exist. From a logistic standpoint California wasn't really considered.

At the end of the day though I think all these events will continue to coexist for a while, giving teams/families options. Georgia teams represented well in PGF last season. If teams like that go into PGF and continue to win it I can guarantee you PGF will not be considered premier.

[rbi]

I "think" at 16U families are more willing to travel coast to coast versus at 12U?

This is the other reason it's so easy for California teams to stay on the West Coast. Moline, Il is probably easier to get to for teams East of the Rockies. I just looked. It's 850 miles from Atlanta, Ga! It's 850 Miles from Denver. It's 950 miles from Brooklyn. It's 1900 Miles from Sacramento.

Having a national tournament in Moline, Il makes a lot of sense for 40 of the 48 States in the US. Alaska and Hawaii players will have to fly regardless. That's why Triple Crown can have a TCS 14U World Series, and the PGF can exist. From a logistic standpoint California wasn't really considered.

At the end of the day though I think all these events will continue to coexist for a while, giving teams/families options. Georgia teams represented well in PGF last season. If teams like that go into PGF and continue to win it I can guarantee you PGF will not be considered premier.

What?

[ICMTM]

If SoCal teams don't win premier what is so "premier" about it? Think outside of the West Coast for a second. Last year's 14U Champions (ASA/PGF) played each other this year:

https://www.gamechanger.io/game-5169bd4 ... ecap-story

If the perception is SoCal is the place to play softball they better start winning some things because in my eyes the reality is Atlanta to Tennessee is no different than Sacramento to Fresno. Just wait until they start making their own association and start saying "we're not going West, but you come East!" In all the tournaments that would be considered close to a national last year California did not win anything at 14U. We had two second place finishes (PGF, Sparkler Jr) and a no show @ ASA Nationals. I don't think the rest of the country is crying for our participation?

This is why I say Premier to me is a super regional at the 14U level.