Atlanta Legacy

I didnt get to make the trip but our team went. Our 2nd game on saturday had USC, UNC, NCST, Ga Tech, James Madison, western and a lot more schools in the stands.

All of the major schools were in attendance. Our girls finished 3-1-1. I heard that the comets had a good showing from NC.

This is the next "must attend" tournament for any 16/18U teams around here.

 

Others

I know Lady Lightning had a good showing.
All three Carolina Elite teams had good showings and following from the coaches.
Just a few others I saw. 2 Miss State coaches, Samford, LSU, Lipscomb, Auburn, Kennesaw State, TN Chatt, TN State, East TN State, GA Southern, USC Upstate, Lenoir Ryne, Tusculum, 2 Georgia State coaches, 2 Alabama coaches, 3 NC State coaches on different days, 2 Georgia Tech coaches, Aiken Tech, Florida, Francis Marion, Kentucky, Iowa, College of Charleston, 2 Alabama Birmingham Coaches, Furman and USC Beaufort. There were more at our games I can't get off the top of my head. Overall this tournament has doubled with coach participation every year since it started. It far exceeded our expectations and a good example why you cant use a pre tournament coaches list as who you should email. Very few of those were listed as coaches attending. 151 coaches had come through Friday and that didn't include some that came Saturday. While talking with the tournament folks they were running out of coaches books Friday. I know they didn't expect the amount of coaches that showed. Considering this was going head to head with Champions Cup and the Demarini tournament in IL the tournament was outstanding. No doubt we will return all our teams there in 2011.

Edit last count of coaches were 172.

 

indeed

Ole Miss was also there. I feel very sure that all of our teams will be back in Atlanta. I had some friends in Florence for the hot times and was told that very few coaches attended. Considering that I can be in Atlanta quicker than Florence and the gate fee in Atlanta is 0 compared the $30 for a weekend pass in Florence then the hot times better find another weekend to hold their tournament.

I hate that I couldnt attend. Our parent were totally happy with thhis tournament and our girls felt like they were playing nationals with all the coaches.

PS: I lost my golf match by 5 strokes on saturday to make me missing suck even more!

 

Nationals

Many of the teams were Nationals qualified or had qualified last year. That is a big reason coaches show up. Their team selection process assures they will get coaches. You don't get into this tournament without nationals or on your resume.

Edit - I totally agree the $0 gate fee is sweet.

 

Hot Times not so Hot Anymore

The Hot Times was like being at any other ole tournament. Very disappointed compared to years past. Very few coaches and terrible field conditions. Tournament fees and gate fees are way too high for what we got this past weekend.

 

The NC Sundevils Elite did well also. We finished 3-1-1 at the Atlanta Legacy tournament, losing to the Indy Dreams Gold who will be playing in the ASA Gold Nat'l. I was so impressed at the college coaches in attendance. At our first game on Saturday we had UNC, NC State, Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn, and UNCG! They watched the entire game and our girls were so excited! That tournament is well run, all games were on time, and there was NO GATE FEE!...The Hot Times directors may wanna take some notes. And By the way...the fields were GORGEOUS! That Twin Creeks complex was very nice.

 

Well, it sounds like Atlanta is a good tournament. With the Fireworks, Atlanta, and Cardinals Classic all so close together, that's a lot of competition for the Hot Times. It has always been my favorite, mainly because of the format, and the way it is spread out over 4 days. The Fireworks has a similar format, and it will continue to grow, and hopefully remain in Rock Hill. By the way, I know there were not tons of coaches at the Hot Times, but the ones who were seemed to be really scouting hard, and serious about looking at players. I was very happy with the ones who watched us. I have heard the complaints about the expenses though, so that is hard to argue.

 

ATL Legacy Showcase

The Lady Lightning Gold girls had a great weekend @ the tournament, going 5-0 in competition. We faced alot of strong teams and was a well run,well maintained showcase. Tons of coaches and $0 gate fees. NC needs to take some lessons on how to put on a "real showcase" tournament. U just dont see that impressive of coaches showing up around here.

 

Just to add from a different perspective. Umpires were treated well by the tournament management and staff, invited to the coach hospitality areas, included in staff and college coach food and drinks, staff brought water to the fields (coolers in dugouts, water bottles on request for umpires), golf carts offered transportation to those in the parking lots; and umpire pay considerably more than Hot Times (a few of my staff went there for the comparison). Those are the details that bring the better umpires back to tournaments (when working 13-15 games in a tournament, quite a difference between $30 and $35+ per game).

Enjoyed working Lady Lightning Gold games on Friday; look forward to seeing them again. A class group of ladies and coaches.

 

NC does need to take a lesson. ZERO gate fees shows you can still put on a good event for the players without gouging parents with greed. People have complained for years about the Hot Times, but still continue to go for some reason.