"B" Bracket Tournaments.....

There is a certain meaness in this thread that over-shadows discussing the merits of different playing levels. Sort of the same attitude that hurts rec ball.

 

"B" Bracket

Double Dog Dare - I think you are referring to the "B" Team tournament in Statesville this past weekend and not the A/B split in Charlotte that was set up to facilitate the tournament. I think that any of the teams in Charlotte this past weekend had the potential of winning the tournament no matter which bracket they were in after pool play.

NOW back to the "B" team tournaments, I agree with you, a real TB team has no business playing in these tournaments just to win a trophy. These tournaments have their place. They are set up for "B" teams!!! Rec ball teams that want a little more competition. ...The girls are playing ball.

 

Uh I entered because it was local.......HAHA...My next step I guess is to get our girls to be a "REAL" travel team i guess,......When do you know that you are a "real" travel team???? Do you come here for approval??

 

Being a "B" team is not a curse and playing in a "B" team or below 500 tourney is not a bad thing. A "B" team is just as deserving of the opportunity to play as you me or anyone. further more being a TB "B" does not make you a rec team either. A team who enters a B tourney and wins feels as good as the best of the best so congrats to you. I would love to see "A" tournaments, "B" tournaments and Showcase tournaments. Travel ball is not only for great teams and college material players it can be for everyone. Some players are not and never will be college material and for that matter would not want to be; however they want to play competitive ball whether A or B. The NSA standings easily determines who is A and B. If you are new you are B, win or go above 500 you are A. A can not play down but B can play up. JMHO

 

Sounds good....Look forward to being an A before long. HAHA.

 

Sub .500

It looks as though the Statesville tournament was advertised for new or recreational teams. This is a good way to get introduced to travel ball and have a little fun, plus hopefully not have to travel so far. Question is: Were all the teams sub .500 ball clubs?

 

General Discussion...

Look, this discussion is not really about a specific tournament.....the discussion is about creating an environment where mediocrity is consistently rewarded in travel ball. "B" Tournaments, "B" brackets, "B" World Series......does anybody strive to be the best anymore???? Or, do they just want to find a little corner of the world where they are better than the other mediocre teams that are looking for the same thing?

Yes, I like tournaments where ONLY 1 TEAM WINS!!! They worked harder, they played better, they played and BEAT the best teams in the field in order to "EARN" the honor of being the tournament champion!

Usually, the teams that LOST in the "A" bracket can beat the tar out of the "B" bracket, so-called champion. Therefore, the 8th or 10th or 12th best team in the field wins a trophy??? Does that seem right? Usually, the "B" bracket winners act like they won the tournament. Isn't that a slap in the face to the teams that fought and lost in the "A" bracket????

I just think it's bad for travel ball....that's all. Just my opinion. I was curious to hear how other people felt about it. No harm in asking....

 

Double Dog I'm with you and you are right on the mark. I just think that it should either be A or B not A and B. That eliminates missing the A by one run and it also gives the lesser developed teams a chance to improve before the parents and coaches get discouraged and start the bickering and go separate ways. Two pool games does not make you a "B" team. I also think the advertisement of "A" or "B" tourney would help with the teams holding out on entering or dropping; If you are A enter the A tourney if you are B enter the B and it doesn't matter who is in either. As you improve teams will move up. Boys baseball has single,double,triple and majors it works well.

 

I am just speaking on the Charlotte tournament this weekend, but i know several of the teams who ended up in the "b" bracket could have and probably have competed very well with the "a" teams or older teams all season long, Alot of this had to do with what pool you were placed in as to wether or not you made the a or b bracket.

 

Stickwolf,

You have competed with "A" teams all year and could have done well in Charlotte. Don't sell yourself short. You are doing what is best for your team and it has paid off. They play as a unit, not a bunch of "all stars" you've got something special up there. Best wishes!