State Games Registration/ HS Softball

Registration for the Softball State Games are now on-line and in PDF mode. All ladies interested should visit the site www.ncsports.org and register. Registration is set to end on March 14th. Please don't wait around to the last minute. Looking forward to outstanding numbers again this year.

Eddie "Pop" Rivers
President/NCSCA

 

Hi Pop,

I thought there was going to be a huge effort to play this during the week this year so it would not interfere with travel ball. Perhaps there was, but I see the underclassmen are playing Friday - Sunday...could it not be worked out?

 

Excellent question!

There was a huge effort to get this issue worked out. In the end, it came down to a facilities issue. Both the State Games and the NCSCA wanted to move the underclassmen tournament to Monday thru Thursday with the East /West Senior All-Star games being played on Thursday night to culminate the week's activities. However, the facilities at UNC-G and the grounds crew were not available for the first of the week. Both the State Games and the NCSCA did not want to move the games to another venue. Most all involved who had the opportunity to play, coach, and watch the games last year wanted to go back to these facilities. Thanks for asking early because I know others wanted to know the reasoning behind the decision.

 

Thanks Pop,

No problem..the facilities are great!!

 

Unfortunate

It is unfortunate that NC wants to carry their HS season even further into June. You can try to sell this as a showcase event but it will never be able to compete with the showcase events such as Dynamite Classic, Team NJ, Music City Hits, and the Cardinal Events. Too many colleges want to see as much talent in one place as possible. With the exception of NC colleges that have smaller budgets for recruiting, maybe NC State and UNC, you will have a hard time selling this as a true Showcase event.

Not to mention that fact that you have to pay to tryout and then pay to participate "IF SELECTED". With this format you will never get all of the true best players. And some will be left out if their school does not register.

This event would be better served if the selection process represented every HS team and was played the same weekend as the NC State Tournament.

I know last year there were several players that had to make difficult choices whether to pursue the State Games or go to a major Showcase event or a ASA Qualifing event.

HS School Softball should be played during the HS not during the college recruitng periods.

Lady Lightning TEAM COMBAT

 

State Games

Well LLTC I guess you just have to make a decision on which you want to play. Last yr DD chose to play showcase tour with TB team. This yr will be Sr., she will play State Game. I hate the times conflict too, but I also am greatful that "POP" & coaches were able to start an allstar game for the girls!!!! Missed last yrs, but you better believe I'll be there this yr.
POP who are coaches for East & West teams or have they been selected yet ?

 

Last year was awesome.....

....and as for the "best talent there"?, I can tell you this my friend, I promise you that the team that my DD was on would beat ANY and all TB teams around NC/SC. Yes, this is a strong statement, but most of ya'll know me and the fact that I know the TB game and talent. We had kids on the bench who would start for the LL all day long. Hell they start for other TB teams that trade wins and losses with all of the TB circuit. Now, the talent thing can rest, and we can move on to the lack of college coaches in attendance. Very poor participation for the FIRST year. Damn folks, give this event a chance to succeed before you brow beat it to death. I'm with you Nut, my kid will play if she is fortunate enough to be one of the top players in NC to participate.

 

Announcement of Coaches!

Another excellent question. The Coaches for the East/West Senior All-Star games and the District underclassmen teams will be announced on Friday on the Coaches Association website and also on TBR.

 

Funny thing I sat beside the University of Louisville coach who had flown in to see a certain player who has committed to them since then. As we sat there she said it was a great experience for these kids. It was an oppurtunity to see how they reacted without time limits and also how they would function being brought in to play with kids they had competed against. It related the effect of being brought in for fall ball and competing for spots at her school.She said also showed the great character of the kids. She said North Carolina was a special place and you did not have to go all over the world to see good players. The last I looked one of yours is staying In NC while the rest are far far away at places we didn't no existed. That will be nice for folks who wish to see them. You know High School is not a bad place because if it were some of you guys wouldn't be calling. You work at what you do as all coaches do. But as Softball Nut says his daughter truly deserves this oppurtunity and one Weekend in a Childs life does not end either world. From what I hear rather expensive to be on your squad with motels,food,gas, Plane tickets,and other things. So I guess and know that weekend was by far not that close finacially. Alot of things were donated from iniforms and entry fees. In the future please do a little more research instead of throwing stones on something that POP Rivers did as well as others.

 

I respect LLTC Coach's opinion, but based on his statements he obviously was not there. I hope he attends the State Games this year so he can make qualified comments.