USA/ASA 16-Under "A" 2009 National Championship

Huh?

Never said they shouldn't! What I said was it's not affordable for many to do so. "want to" doesn't equate to "afford to". I remember years when the Hurricanes and Cubs didn't go to East Cobb, but they still got kids the exposure to help them get into college ball. Were those teams "worth their weight"? The recruiters and scouts obviously thought so.


I disagree... not only have I "thought this out", I have been down this road with my son and baseball. He played travel ball and showcase. If it wasn't for the fact that we have family in Atlanta, the cost of the East Cobb tournaments would have been prohibitive (he played in both the 16u and 17u WWB tournaments in one summer). But at least East Cobb is regional and the exposure is excellent, especially for schools here in NC and the rest of the Southeast.

No, it won't cost as much to play travel/showcase ball for a year as it will to pay for a year of college. But, it will most likely cost more than what a kid may receive in scholarship money for a year. I really don' get what "point" you are talking about. What I said was that if a family can afford it, then do it, have fun!

My main "point" was that we need more legitimate exposure tournaments here for "our" girls to be seen by "our" schools. This would be less costly, give more players exposure, save the college coaches money on travel and help raise the interest in our college programs.

The growth of showcase tournaments for baseball here in NC/SC is the example that softball should follow. How many boys are there, that are playing college ball, got the exposure they needed at these tournaments/showcases? The effect Impact Baseball has had here has been tremendous and other organizations are building on it. In softball, I've only seen the Cardinals showcase tournaments get any kind of real recruiting attention. I wish they did more!

 

There not just here to showcase, there also playing for a national championship. This level isn't for eveybody and remember the team just needs the player not the whole family.

 

I believe we are attempting to get some big tournaments here in this region. We already have the Dynamites in Columbia. The Dynamites is huge and rivals just about all the major tournaments. We have the Hot Times in Florence...although I have not seen as many coaches at this event as I have seen in the past it still could be a huge tournament. We see teams from Florida, Georgia, and Virginia as well as teams from NC and SC at the Hot Times. Rick Mchone (Cardinals) started the East Coast Fireworks this year to rival the stuff going on in Denver I thought it was a very good tournament for the first year and will only get better and may soon rival the major tournaments.

The Nationals are a different animal. You have to go to where they are played and you have no say in that part of it. I believe teams can fund raise enough money to make it workable.

So, in the spring/summer/early fall you could go to all of the Cardinal tournaments, the Dynamites, the Hot Times, the ASA States, and perhaps one of the bigger tournaments in Virginia and not spend too much money. It would be nice to have them last no longer than 3 days though.

 

everyone of us would be ahead of the game financially if we put the money we have spent on TB in an education IRA.. we do what we do for other reasons.

Its 10-15K/year for fees and expenses to play for a top national level program... Im talking about one or two parents going to every event. For some it's even more. I met some people for the second time this year in CO who are from WA state. Their daughter was now playing for a team from CA and flying EVERY weekend!

as Lblues1 has pointed out it helps to face west coast teams. NC schools, SC schools etc want to see our kids hit against west coast pitching. This is not meant in anyway as a slight to pitchers here but like it or not there is still a west coast bias and when your kid gets a hit off a girl getting a scholly to a pac 10 school it means a lot! Please believe me on this.. I have experienced it first hand.

Now if you can get the Bat Busters et all to come to NC for a showcase.. then you are right. You could get the same thing by staying home.

 

Congratulations to the 16U Cardinals on a GREAT Achievment

What a great thing it is for the kid to make it to such an elite tournament. I commend you all on a great effort. IMO, Even with all the expense, it's worth every dime! Great job ladies and coaches!!!

 

I agree 100% Rick. A lot of people may not want to spend the money, but given the opportunity to go to an ASA national I believe they wouild...I know I would have. NC teams are not just going to be going...they are making some deep runs and are definitely a factor.

 

playing in the se

I just did the math for what I spent this last year, this includes team fees, travel, gate fees, and food and lodging for the following locations, Florence 3 times, Columbia 1 but this was 5 days, Rock Hill twice. Raleigh, Burlington and Rocky Mount combined 6 no lodging at these, and Myrtle Beach once. Total spent $3200 thats one year for a good program that does not travel away from the southeast, and that is eating cheap most of the time. Also does not include all those miscellaneous items that seem to pop up when least expected. I commend anyone who is in a program that goes and plays out on the west coast or NJ, when my dd was younger we were in a program that went. but we simply could not afford it. I know some will say that we could reprioritized our spending to make it happen but I believe I am juggled out just make this happen.... But congrats to all the NC teams and girls that have represented well, I know several of them and my dd has competed against most of them throughout the years and they and their programs have made her a better player. Thank you

 

If you have the cash and you and your DD enjoy traveling to all the tournaments................ then do it. Your DD will only pass this way one time.