IFA "Battle of the Big Easy" ?Nationals?

[REALLY]

I have been seeing a ton of postings for qualifiers to the IFA " Battle of the Big Easy" in N.O. mid July. Why would a Texas team waste the time and money to go to this Tournament when USFA is only 3 more hours east and held the same week. I bet the competition is real tough. You'd be better off going to Johnson City, TN and "watching" the 10U ASA "A" Nationals

This must be the place for teams that.

1. Couldn't qualify for ASA
2. Aren't good enough to even compete in USFA or USSSA
3. Can't afford Panama City or Orlando.

Sorry if this is offensive but it's bad enough that teams consider USFA a true World Series. But now there's this IFA. Seeing how there are no teams listed as entered I'd like to hear from those who are skipping ASA, USFA, and USSSA to go after an IFA title.

[GTS]

I have been seeing a ton of postings for qualifiers to the IFA " Battle of the Big Easy" in N.O. mid July. Why would a Texas team waste the time and money to go to this Tournament when USFA is only 3 more hours east and held the same week. I bet the competition is real tough. You'd be better off going to Johnson City, TN and "watching" the 10U ASA "A" Nationals

This must be the place for teams that.

1. Couldn't qualify for ASA
2. Aren't good enough to even compete in USFA or USSSA
3. Can't afford Panama City or Orlando.

Sorry if this is offensive but it's bad enough that teams consider USFA a true World Series. But now there's this IFA. Seeing how there are no teams listed as entered I'd like to hear from those who are skipping ASA, USFA, and USSSA to go after an IFA title.

Not defending IFA, just answering the question.

AFA - was the 18U Nationals held in Beaumont Texas for 10 years - Falling out amoung the powers - NAFA was established, Nationals played in Lake Charles, LA - Falling out amoung the powers - IFA was established - Nationals return to Beaumont, TX

[REALLY]

viewtopic.php?f=440&t=2669&p=21188&hilit=beaumont+texas#p21188


It didn't sound overly successful last year and I believe that Stars over Texas is the same group running it as last year. Maybe they learned few things

[GTS]

http://www.heybucket.com/viewtopic.php?f=440&t=2669&p=21188&hilit=beaumont+texas#p21188


It didn't sound overly successful last year and the same group is running it this year. Maybe they learned few things

No it didn't have the "numbers" as past AFA tournaments were able to sustain, however, at least from the 18U perspective, I'll say this.

Reason / Excuses / Whatever, with the falling out of the powers some were skepticle of the sucess which kept some away I'm sure, the price of travel last year was the highest ever.

I'm sure as with any tournament they learned some things, however, yet another name change, and more economical kaos this year, it may take yet another hit, only time will tell.

The people who run this tournament are the same people from AFA (from the beginnig) NAFA, and now IFA. Once they settle into a "name" they can all agree on, and allow for people to get used to it, they will be ok.

Remember, AFA Nationals was the 2nd most (ASA GOLD #1) competitive 18U Nationals (at least in the southern US) with the 3rd most colleges attending (ASA GOLD & 16U Nats).

I'm not sure about any of the other age groups, but I don't ever remember any of them being to sucessfull even in the AFA days!

[fastpitchforever]

I have been seeing a ton of postings for qualifiers to the IFA " Battle of the Big Easy" in N.O. mid July. Why would a Texas team waste the time and money to go to this Tournament when USFA is only 3 more hours east and held the same week. I bet the competition is real tough. You'd be better off going to Johnson City, TN and "watching" the 10U ASA "A" Nationals

This must be the place for teams that.

1. Couldn't qualify for ASA
2. Aren't good enough to even compete in USFA or USSSA
3. Can't afford Panama City or Orlando.

Sorry if this is offensive but it's bad enough that teams consider USFA a true World Series. But now there's this IFA. Seeing how there are no teams listed as entered I'd like to hear from those who are skipping ASA, USFA, and USSSA to go after an IFA title.

Actually your ARE offensive with your comments, so we must conclude you have a beef with the past AFA, NAFA, or even USFA organization. So own up to it, whats your problem with them and why would you give a damn about ANY tournament that ANY team decides to attend? Should everyone come to you for approval first before signing up for a tournament?

[KnotU]

Goodness, sounds like some of you need a "chill pill". The last year fiasco in Beaumont was a fraud. Some good competition but more of a money scam. They never even posted the order of finish. I wouldn't recommend this tournament based on what we experienced last year. No bone to pick and no axe to grind.

[fastpitchforever]

Hey, I have no problem with a "recommendation", thats fair enough. What I don't like is brutal slandering of any team based on the tournaments they sign up for.

[18'sdad]

Goodness, sounds like some of you need a "chill pill". The last year fiasco in Beaumont was a fraud. Some good competition but more of a money scam. They never even posted the order of finish. I wouldn't recommend this tournament based on what we experienced last year. No bone to pick and no axe to grind.

The tournament you are referring to is the US Open Nationals, not the Stars Over Texas. The gentleman that ran the US Open Nationals was named Rusty Lenny, I say was b/c he passed away 1 or 2 weeks after the tournament. We were at both tournaments in Beaumont the Stars and the US Open. The Stars was ran very well considering they were in the middle of hurricane recovery. Don't base Beaumont tournaments on the bad experince at the US open.

[houfastpitch]

I have been seeing a ton of postings for qualifiers to the IFA " Battle of the Big Easy" in N.O. mid July. Why would a Texas team waste the time and money to go to this Tournament when USFA is only 3 more hours east and held the same week. I bet the competition is real tough. You'd be better off going to Johnson City, TN and "watching" the 10U ASA "A" Nationals

This must be the place for teams that.

1. Couldn't qualify for ASA
2. Aren't good enough to even compete in USFA or USSSA
3. Can't afford Panama City or Orlando.

Sorry if this is offensive but it's bad enough that teams consider USFA a true World Series. But now there's this IFA. Seeing how there are no teams listed as entered I'd like to hear from those who are skipping ASA, USFA, and USSSA to go after an IFA title.

REALLY, See what you got started!!

[TexasYellowBall]

Have been to both with first DD and both are good solid tournaments. Every tournaments has ups and downs...........

and Panama City is 326 mile east of New Orleans, so unless there is no traffic and you drive 200MPH, it would take approx. 5 1/2 hours.