PGF Romeoville Review...

[Amish_TB]

Just wanted to give a quick update:

We went to our first PGF event in Romeoville. Overall it was good.

Good
======
Quality of competition. Our team last year played a B+/A- type schedule. NSA/USFA type stuff. So far this fall, played in Top 50 Showcase, USA Preps, a 16U NSA in Highland, IN., and this PGF Event in Romeoville, IL. Overall the teams as this particular event were very good. They were on Par with the ones at Top 50 and USA Preps. Grade: A

Facility. Solid --- It was a classic Chicago type facility. What I don't understand is the desire to have open air dugouts. If they had just spent a tiny few extra bucks, they could have enclosed the dugouts and made a really solid touch on the facility. The parks and rec dragged the field, chalked it after every other game. Grade: A

Schedule. I was told that PGF likes to make Pool Play games more "Exposure" friendly. We played 3 pool play games that meant nothing. It was a blind draw for a single elimination. Personally, I don't like this format. I think coaches in general want to find those players who are competitors and like competition. The players have figured out already what exposure events are. Tournaments should be for competition. I understand the concept, but I think PGF needs to re-evaluate this. In particular if they are looking to expand into 10U and 12U. Blind draws in 10/12's will NOT attract clients. Grade: B

Concessions: My favorite --- Decent, just average. I saw a post about Midwest Sports Complex talking about 30minute-60minute lines. Nothing like that here. How can someone not figure out simple stuff like a 45 minute line. Either hire more help or raise your prices to get fewer people in line. Restrooms at Romeoville, were clean and very nice. Grade: B

Tournament Director: I got to meet Dan from Big Bash Sports. Great Guy.... Got to learn some recruiting info from him. His daughter went on to play at University of Kansas as a catcher and loved our catchers. So of course I have to send him a shoutout for that. He did a great job communicating with me (PGF Newbie) and makes me want to come back and play some more. Grade: A

Bad
======
Umpiring: I have to say, the last two events we have been at (Both PGF Parks or Events), the umpiring has NOT been what should have been expected. For me, umpiring is about effort (Hustle, positioning, and being "in" the game). I know there will be bad calls and for the most part in the past several years (We played mainly NSA), have not had one single problem. We have had more problems with poor umpiring (Not knowing the rules, blatent bad calls, not hustling etc..) than we have had in the past 3 years. I think for us this past weekend in Romeoville, it may have had to do with the Orland Park event taking most of the better umps, so I will catch them a break. We had an infield fly rule butchered, offensive interference butchered, international tie breaker rule and I quote "is everyone happy with X runner on 2nd base because I don't know for sure if that is right....". Grade: C-

Honestly, PGF in Indiana may be smart looking for some of the better NSA umpires. For years the ASA events feel like an umpire event. Don't ever question a call. Non client centered and I think some of the ASA umps have filtered into PGF because of the competition between the two orgs. I say... go check out some of the guys doing 10U/12U/14U NSA. They have seen it all on the youth level and know how to listen/communicate.

Overall, we for sure will do PGF event again. The competition has been very solid. We played the Taylor Made Titans, Sluggers 99, Lisle Slammers, St. Charles Comets, Wiers Warriors and a Laces team. None were "perfect" but they all were solid and pushed us as a team to get better so we thank them for that. Kudos to the Sluggers 99 for winning the tournament!!!

Bill - HEAT Elite 99

[HoosierBBall]

Our first PGF event was in Romeoville over the weekend also. Our Phoenix 02 was the only 12u team to go 3-0 in pool play just to turn around and get the 8am game after the blind draw. We finished the weekend 4-1. Not very impressed with the blind draw and single elimination. If we would have known about the ASA tourney that was being held in Joliet the same weekend, we would've went there. ASA needs to do a better job of marketing their tourneys, especially in Indiana.

[10GatorCoach]

You will very much appreciate the PGF Showcase (pool) games in the older age groups. At 14U and up these games are played as purely showcase games (as Amish stated) and there are always colleges present at the better tournaments. At the younger ages these games are used as friendly type games. They give each team a chance to move players around and learn different positions/work on plays/etc... with the results not mattering. Also, a great time for players to compete for positions in game setting vs practice. Great idea in my opinion. PGF does pool play this way because that is what the colleges have asked for at the older groups.

All just personal preference i guess.

[TravelINDad99]

We played in a PGF out in Romeoville in September. My experience was much different. I have experienced the NSA umpires and I would take a game with an ASA/PGF umpire every time. I felt they did a great job and were not a part of the game much like many of the games with NSA when my daughter played in Indiana. In my opinion the Illinois ASA umpires are more of what this game needs.

The way PGF does their pool is a great way to "Expose" your players. I share the same opinions of 10GatorCoach.

"Personally, I don't like this format. I think coaches in general want to find those players who are competitors and like competition. The players have figured out already what exposure events are. Tournaments should be for competition. I understand the concept, but I think PGF needs to re-evaluate this."

Just because it is set up this way doesn't translate to not being competitive. Every time you step on the field you should be ready to compete. I do however dislike the single elimination which is common in Illinois. It does not allow a team that chance to fight back thru the bracket which is also a great experience/learning tool.