Fall Southern exposure update

Pfeiffer, Newberry, Francis Marion and Wingate were represented. Saw one other lady but from where i was, couldn't see where she was from. Fields were horrible all weekend. Played first game about 2pm yesterday but we did get all 5 games in. As far as playing we did well, as far as showcases it was poor. I'm sure the weather had some to do w/ it but for the coaches there it was confusing and maddening. Luckily no one on our team got hurt, but the fields were dangerous Saturday afternoon.

 

I think there are few actual college showcase tournaments in our area. I think the Cardinal showcases and Queen of Diamonds are "true" showcase tournaments. It is so hard to get some parents to understand that just because a tournament is advertised as a "college showcase" doesn't mean that it is, and sometimes you just have to learn the hard way what is and what isn't.

 

Showcase

The SC Bandits have been around for many years and have placed kids in major universities throughout the SE and beyond. Ken Bailey runs a great operation and is dedicated to the kids! Just come watch any of his games and you will see how his kids feel about him.

Ken also runs a great tournament most of the time. The weather was out of his control, yea he could have called the event off but I suspect it would have cost his organization a bundle and he also wanted to provide a venue for the girls to be seen if possible. Last fall there were tons of coaches from all over the SE there and the event went off without a delay or issue that I heard.

My point, Ken Bailey is a man in it for the kids, he uses these events to raise money for his teams so the girls do not have to pay a great deal to play for him! He supports all the softball girls and brings clinics and other events to further SE softball. His tournaments are as good as he can make them and like all of us, he can not force college coaches to attend.

The Lady Blues enjoyed playing and watching others play this weekend. Conditions were a little tough but if U play college ball U will face rainy situations, playing on muddy fields, playing in the rain, and other conditions, COLD, WINDY, Snow flurries. This was a way for my girls to get a taste of less than perfect conditions, we loved it even with 95 degree heat.

Ken, nice jobs getting in so many games after all the issues U faced! I for one support your efforts in fastpitch softball and we will continue to attend your fine tourneys.

Last item, there are other good tournaments in the SE, Dynamites, Va Tech/Scappers, Savannah Ga., Atlanta, Nashville, Tenn, Va Beach, etc. You are right Ray, Rick, and his group run some of the best!

 

Fall Southern Exp.

I'll agree with AbbeyFan on this one.
When I got up Thursday morning, the weather forecast called for around 1/2 inch of rain in Florence. Friday night the storm moved inland more that expected. By that time, a lot of committments were made that could not be undone.
I was given the opportunity Thursday to pull out, just as everyone else was. I decided to go play. It was my call to take my team. I bear the burden of what happens due to my decision.

Ken has always run a great tournament. The weather made this one a little dicey. They did the best they could.
I would venture to say, that this particular time could have been helped along with more help from the parks and rec folks. I would have liked to have seen some crews really working the fields over starting earlier Sat. morning. Instead I saw a group of about 5 kids and one adult trying to get 9 fields ready for play.
The Cardinals will continue to support the efforts of Ken, Lucy, and the Bandits organization in their showcases. We know where their hearts are. Thanks to them for the opportunity to play this past weekend.
Rick and the Cardinals

 

The Hot Times run by Ken Bailey and the Bandits is one of the best. I love the Florence venue. Most of our kids will be playing ball in North or South Carolina, some in Tennessee maybe?

It's easy to find "true" showcases right here: Early Bird, ASA State, Hot Times, Classic, and Late Summer. That's not even counting the Dynamites,(which in my understanding has a waiting list), Prides, or the State Games. That's all between June and August, and makes for a great summer!

 

I totally disagree......

I posted this on the QDSS thread, but it needs to be here...
This is in no way defending Ken...he does not need to be defended....
He gets it...

Ken Bailey and his organization is one of the top promoters of fastpitch in the nation, not just the Carolina's.
This tournament is traditionally the un-official start of the fall recruiting calendar..

Travel ball just went through their " silly season" (August) when people move around to different teams, for what ever reason..
14U teams are now playing 16U, 16U teams have moved to 18U...Some of our DD's have moved on to college..

This tournament is usually the first chance for coaches to see kids at another level, or playing with different teams.... which is a good thing....
That's why this tournament has been well attended over the years...

The change in the Div 1 recruiting calendar last year greatly impacted this
tournament and others that occur in the Fall...

The contact period for Div 1 coaches ended on Sept 1st.
They are not allowed to evaluate any potential student athletes during the fall except during the following dates.
1. Oct 10th, 2008 to Nov 2nd, 2008
2. Nov 10th, 2008 to Nov 13th, 2008

Here is the D1 recruiting calendar for all
http://www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=25427


For those that don't understand, no Div 1 coaches could have attended the Bandits tournament, rain, snow, or sun...

As for the Div 2 and 3 coaches, we could attend, but it comes down to a choice to spend limited recruiting budget dollars, when there was such uncertainity about the weather and field conditions...

On the other hand, it takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to plan one of these showcases, and I'm sure the last thing Ken wanted was HANNA disrupting his weekend... things happen.

Hopefully, if you attended, you enjoyed yourself....
I'm sure Ken and the Bandits organization did the best they could, considering the circumstances.

Everyone take a deep breath, all will be ok.....
See you on the sidelines...