Nat'l Qual Brackets

Listen to my point

I wish everyone would play ASA but I would rather see the teams that really want to qualify play in more events to try to qualify. We played a team last year that would have qualified due to finishing 2nd to us and we had a berth but they had no intentions of going to Nationals even if they would have won the berth.

I would have much Rather a team go to these events with the intention of qualifing in order to represent our state than playing and knocking a team out of the event and then not going. I am not refering to anything about money or ability, but this team beat several teams and knocked them out of a chance of qualifying. if they would have not been in the event maybe we could have had another representative in South Dakota last year.

My point was if you are going to play ASA which I hope more teams will, then play with the intentions to qualify and go to the Nationals. I know some of you have gone to 16 Pony, NSA, USSSA nationals. Don't trophy hunt, go hunt for a real opportunity. we had almost 250 coaches at Nationals last year. Even if you don't want to play college ball, it is a great experience to feel what ASA Nationals is about and what is sad is that our representation is always so much smaller than other states.

I have been told by many colleges that NC and SC has some of the most talented players in the US even as good as the West coast but our kids or some organizations do not strive to compete anywhere but here. Stop making excuses and help put NC on the map by trying to qualify and represent NC or go play some other organizations and open the door for a team that really wants to go.

John

 

And Further more Guru

Since you called me out, your DD doesn't have to want to go to Michigan or Villanova etc.... She may want to go to UNC or NC State or UNCG or UNCW well guess what. These local schools go to these big tournament to watch local NC kids to see if they can compete at the college level. They don't jsut watch you around here they really want to see what a player is made of against the best competition.

So if you are a person that wants to play the "Good Ole Boy Network" of events then good luck to you and your DD finding an opportunity to play at the school of your choice. I wish you the best in your efforts. I will continue to take my chance doing both and get more opportunities for my money.

GURU YOU DA MAN!!!!!!

 

Recent

Prior to last year, I believe only two teams had gone to Nationals but several teams had tried. Now we have Cobras, Tri-angle lighting, Cardinals, Blues that went to A Nationals and Blues Gold to Gold Nationals at 18U level and John's team to 16U nationals in A division. I believe Dominators and TFS have sought berths and maybe Dominators have qualified in past.

Many coaches, parents and players ask why go to Colorado and Nationals as their players or DD have no interest in attending college outside of NC or SC. That is fine and each team has a choice to go where they want to go. Coaches have told me they compare our kids when they play against western teams and if our kids hold their own, they will put them higher on their recruiting list. However, I am not sure it assures the NC or SC kid of a better slot. Point, I to wish more teams played ASA as I do believe it provides a better avenue for college exposure and could bring more than one qualifier to the Carolinas. Rick and Tony do a great job and bring quality tournaments our way.

All that said, teams that do not attend are not necessarily any less qualified and can kick our butts at any time. Dazzle, Sun Devils, Flames, and at least four or five other teams that I have not named are quality teams with very good players.

Good luck to all summer teams, I hope all have successful seasons and injury free for the young ladies.

 

So What You Are Saying !!!

Is if you don't play the tournaments that you are playing then my DD want play at any of these schools ?? I still don't see where this calling you out is coming from. Please define !!! All I said is that my DD does not have to travel around the country to play collegiate ball. If that is what you want to do that is GREAT, but don't tell people if they don't play the way you want them to play than to leave ASA !!! Like I said my DD doesn't want to go to a big college so why should I spend $1,000.00 of dollars to do so...this is not a vendetta against you JC, I just want you to reread what you said,and how it might be taken by others !!!! It sounds like you are being to sensitive in this area, if that is what you want to do then feel free to do it !!! Oh by the way I don't have a lot of money as fortunate as you do so thank GOD that you do,and are able to do so !!!

Good Luck in Your Endeavor !!!

Guru

 

I Can Tone It Down Also But--

Yea, but it is how you said it like everybody else was playing second fiddle to certain teams...My DD can play ball as well as the next kid just doesn't want to go around the country,but if that's what you want to do..GREAT, have fun !!! Just don't make the rest of our DD's feel less as a ball player !!!

Guru

 

I'm Done !!!

Hope all teams are successful in their qualifiers over the weekend, play smarter not harder !!!

Good Luck in 2008,

Guru

 

I'm Sooooo Confused

Are you saying if we do not intend to play ASA nationals we should not play ASA?
If you want to know how to get to ASA nationals you might ask someone who has been there before, besides me(yes my DD has been there). Ray Chandler and the Carolina Cardinals have been hitting it since 2000. BTW they won it 18u in 2006.
Many times we play in tournaments to see competition we've not seen before or to test our girls with better competition. That is one thing that can be said "ASA brings out the competition".
Since we are going to play PONY 14u Nationals in Cary, I'll make sure we drop out of other sanctions so we don't hurt thier chances of getting a berth. NOT!

 

Wow...didn't think my question re: location of brackets would lead to this...but I will put in my 2 cents worth.

I think the problem here, LLTC, is not what you are saying but how you are saying it and the conditioning of what you say.

On one hand you are urging NC teams to get out there more, play more, play more ASA in NC, get our state more exposure....and on the other hand you are saying, don't play ASA if you are not planning on going all the way.

I think there are a few things you are failing to appreciate or acknowledge in your zealousness to have NC softball seen for what it is becoming - a burgeoning powerhouse in its own right.

At the 16u Nat'l Qual this weekend there are 31 teams participating, with the bulk of the teams coming from GA - not TN, SC or NC, as these teams represent the minority of teams represented.

The NC teams that are playing this weekend, by and large, are playing to use this tournament as a measuring stick of where there teams are right now, in this moment in time. And, if they should win the Berth, most likely will not attend the Nationals - for many reasons. Yes, there are those teams, such as the Storms, that would take the trip, compete until they can compete no more or take home a title. For the most part, however, many of these teams recognize that while they are becoming a strong team, they are not so strong as to take a National title. And knowing this, teams have to weigh what is in the best interest, overall, for their team: Go to the Nationals, expend most of their budget for one national tournament, perhaps not be a true contender in the field, eliminate early, come home...and face a budget crunch for the remainder of Spring and Fall seasons.

Teams like this, like my DD's own, take all the possibilities into consideration. And for our specific team in this specific moment in time, it is more beneficial for the girls to play this weekend in the Nat'l Qual, see where they stand against competition from other parts of the country that they would normally play....and then, berth or no berth, expend the annual budget on participating in the remaining 17 tournaments on our schedule...as opposed to hitting the "big one" and only a tournament or 2 more over the remaining seasons.

And, I, personally, believe that perhaps the National's would be better "Berthed" by requiring a place in the top three in state, with those teams entering into a qualifier with the top three from 5 or 6 other states...determining who should berth. Would that not honestly be a better gauge of potential success at the ASA Nationals?

Either way, it should not be an all or nothing situation when we discuss events such as National Quals. Because in stating that, you are also demanding that teams never dare for larger successes. I mean, think about exactly what you are saying. IE My DD's team may well be a successfull enough, confident enough, trained enough, talented enough team to win ASA States, but recognizes they still have work to do to contend - truly contend - with the top teams from all across the nation. Should a team, then, that is strong enough to go for a win a State title not do so because they aren't ready to take the whole enchillada?

Life is a a series of steps my friends. And in softball, it is as well. Step One: Contend on the ballfield at the straight tournament level; Step Two: Contend on the ballfield at the State level; and Step Three: Contend on the ballfield at a National level.

Simply because a team is past Step One, and at Step Two does not mean they should not go to Step Two because they are not ready to go to Step Three.

Your intentions are great LLTC. Just remember, a few years back your team wasn't ready to contend for a National title either...and I bet you made the wise choice, then, not to go for it simply because you could...or because someone foolishly demanded that you SHOULD

 

I like what you have said here.

 

I have always laughed at the fact people do this to get their DD's college paid for. Now, don't jump on me....no one said this in this thread but my DD has been playing since she was 8...first Spinners, then SW Storm, now Triangle Lightning.....between all the nationals and super nationals and Seattle and everywhere else she has traveled, I could have paid for her next 4 years of college if she just would have played local tournaments. I'm one to always say, there are kids in rec ball that could play travel and excel but some people just CAN'T afford it. I feel that our family is lucky she has been able to afford the opportunity. I'm not on any side but think about how some people can and some people can't. We should just enjoy watching our DD have fun playing the sport she LOVES whatever level or tournaments they play in.

P.S. for the teams playing this weekend, wherever they are playing, GOOD LUCK and don't forget to drink lots of water!!!! It's gonna be a HOT one!