ASA Eastern Nationals 14u Question

default

Member

• Jul 21, 2008

• #1

When I coached in IL and attended Northern Nationals for ASA there was a tradition of all age groups to exchange a gift bag filled with items which represented the town/area your team was from. This was done at the end of your first game and was a fun way to get to know other players attending the event.

Does anyone know if this is protocal at Eastern Nationals. I have questioned this put was told information was available on their website. However, when looking, it only speaks of the parade of teams.

If anyone has any insight on this, it would be greatly appreciated, as I would like for my team to be well versed in the traditions of Eastern Nationals.

Coach Gretch
Breakers 14u Gold

 

default

Member

• Jul 21, 2008

• #2

Breakers - Thanks for questioning - we were wondering the same thing! Any help from previous ASA Eastern Nationals attendees would be most appreciated.

 

default

Member

• Jul 21, 2008

• #3

We were at Easterns in Sterling, Va. 2 years ago as a 12u and there was not a gift exchange. Just a parade of teams and then opening ceremonies. The kids were exchanging pins while waiting for introduction of teams.

 

default

Member

• Jul 21, 2008

• #4

I spoke to TD for Salem Va Eastern Regional. He says pin trading only no gift exchange.

 

default

Member

• Jul 21, 2008

• #5

We went to the Eastern Nationals in York, PA last year as 10Us and there was a gift exchange but no pin exchange. It worked out really well and it wasn't nearly as expensive as buying $1500 worth of pins. This year my dd is going to the 12U Northern Nationals in South Bend, IN and they are doing pins and bags.

 

default

Member

• Jul 21, 2008

• #6

We will be at the 14U Eastern Nationals in Salem and we were planning on a gift exchange. Last year my other daughter played in the 16U in Sterling VA and their was a gift exchange after the first game. I'd like to know too whether or not teams are doing this as well as we've already gathered several items for the gift bags.

Wizards Fastpitch
Willowick, OH

 

default

Member

• Jul 21, 2008

• #7

Sounds inconsistant on what does and doesn't happen in Salem. ?I do know that two years ago in York PA my oldest did not have the gift exchange. ? :'( Have to assume if the TD said no then no. To bad, because my team is not going to put the expenses into pins that within four years are just tossed out anyway.

To bad no gift bags, they are so fun because you never know what you get.

 

default

Member

• Jul 21, 2008

• #8

We were at 12u in Harrisburg and did do the gift bags. Many also did pins. Wish we were going this year.

 

default

Member

• Jul 23, 2008

• #9

I have been to 2 USA/ASA National Championship Tournaments and in both of these the gift exchange did take place at the 14U and 16U age group. I have also been to 1 Eastern National Championship Tournament in the 16U age and no gift exchange occured.

I too was wondering what the expectations were in Salem, VA but I was assuming that gift exchange was usually done only at the USA level of play and not at the Regional level. So I too will be anxious to find out.

Since I have communicated with the TD in Salem a few times, I will email him and see if he will clarify the situation. I would not want any girls or teams to feel embarrased and I am sure the TD would not want that to happen either. So if I hear from him within the next few days, I will post it on here for everyone.

Have a great day.

 

default

Member

• Jul 24, 2008

• #10

Fiestymom,

Here is the actual quote I recieved from the TD in Salem, VA. ?

[highlight]"Most teams have indicated they were trading pins but I have been told some teams will be bringing gift bags. So guess what? "[/highlight]
Since, it sort of leaves everything "guess what", I am not going to be concerned with the gift bags. ?Trading pins I learned were great for 14U but after that age group the popularity went down quickly.

Anyway, good luck down in Salem next week, I should see you there. ?