What can NSA do to regain their footing in Ohio?

And thanks to you for good, candid feedback. This helps us to imporve our product.

Not scheduling other events on state weekend is just for the reasons you had listed. A NSA TD would not expect to draw well head to head against states. Right now with the by-laws stipulating mandatory states for all teams qualified or non, it just makes sense to stand pat that weekend. It is costing me a tournament here in central Ohio to another group because the TD prefers NSA, but he is getting good response to his event so he did not want to sit empty that weekend. I don't hold it against him as he does a great job for us and treats the teams and kids well.

I can't speak to the umpiring except that we are stepping up our focus on umpire training this year. There will be a North and South state clinic and local meetings as well. NSA is looking to impliment regional Umpire Schools in the future which should get our folks in white and black even more training. Right now all of the sanctions are having umpire recruiting blues because they don't get any younger and some of the older guys/gals are starting to give it up.

Ohio Sports Park is a private facility that is a business. They have secured there financing and will be open for business as usual in the spring. There are improvements in the budget and knowing the management group, they will be implemented. They are no different that other private facilities in the state with regards to concessions. Expressway and the other private parks all charge gate and will not allow teams to bring in food. These places exist to eventually turn some sort of profit down the road or they shut there doors, that is it pure and simple. My thoughts are this, if you know they won't let food in then picnic in the parking lot! I coach a high school bowling team and they will only let us bring in snack type foods for the kids that have sugar issues. They do not let us bring in coolers of food because they are a business. We know this when we go to a match or enter a tournament so we adjust accordingly. This doesn't mean I get excited about it, but I respect what they are trying to do.

I will admit that I am no insurance salesman. I know slight bits as we touched on it during my broker license training a couple of years ago. I know NSA works with a great carrier to keep costs as low as possible. There carrier lets you do the "league" thing where several teams purchase a policy as a league. This usually amounts to a discount in the fees. I stay out of what the other sanctions do as it is too easy to get in troouble when you quote there rules vs yours!

Keep them coming folks, this is good feedback and a step in the right direction.

Mike

ab209ljf said:

1. The requirement that there be no other NSA tournaments in the state the week of states . I think this has to do with the requirement of having to play in states to go to Nationals.

2. Umpiring has been particularly bad the last two years and worse than what we saw in ASA and PONY.

3. Last year in Northern Ohio you could find an NSA tournament every weekend; however at least one every week was at Ohio Sports Park.

4. Besides the two EP rule, NSA has a couple of other things going for it: not mandating who you buy your insurance from, and no ACE requirement.

I agree with most of the posters about the requirement to play in states if you wanted to go to Nationals being a turn-off mostly because it takes away your felixibility. Our team was not interested in going to Nationals so this didn't bother us, but I could see where it would be a turn-off, particulalry if you had to travel a long distance.

Thanks for taking the time to reach out and find out what has been bothering people.

Click to expand...

Sorry but it doesn't sound like you are taking any of the feedback and making CHANGES. Above post seems to explain why it will be business as usual. You are losing tournaments to other sanctions because you will not allow tourneys during states. That really brings to light a big problem with NSA. YOU HAVE TO FORCE TEAMS TO ATTEND STATES. Wouldn't it be nice if you developed a product that they WANTED? If teams were beating down your doors to get to go to states?

ASA is the top tier. They have the better competition, better umpiring and better tournaments. NSA and the others are in the 2nd tier. If you want to take from ASA then make your product better. If you want to pilfer from the other sanctions then do what you are doing, getting exposure by getting people to talk about NSA. JMHO

Softball World ERRRRRRRRRR Ohio Sports Park
Is a Bad idea no matter how nice it becomes as long as the have drunken men running around goggling and young females at sporting events. Cut out the alcohol and mens games going on while young females are playing JMHO

WWolff said:

Softball World ERRRRRRRRRR Ohio Sports Park
Is a Bad idea no matter how nice it becomes as long as the have drunken men running around goggling and young females at sporting events. Cut out the alcohol and mens games going on while young females are playing JMHO

Click to expand...

You would think that would be a "No Brainer".

You would think so but NOT
NSA states Softball World last year OSP
Come on guy's step up

The change you are talking about is eliminating the mandatory state requirement to attend the Worlds. This is an NSA by-law, there is no changing that until the next National convention. That by-law is not optional or a "state directors discretion" ruling, but a true blue rule just like field dimensions or fair or foul. With that being said, right now it doesn't make sense to allow other tournaments to compete against the states. They couldn't offer berths as there is no way to validate them since the state is mandatory right now to attend Worlds.

I agree that teams should WANT to attend the states. This should be the signature/marquee event for each state director or there states "World Series" each and every season. Right now for the upcoming 2010 season, I have no influence on the by-law and can not waive it for any team.

The most prevalent feedback in this thread is the state requirement to validate a berth. I do plan to draft up an amendment to present at the convention this fall. If it is worded properly and in the best interests of both parties, it may get passed it may not. All I can do is try.

Thanks

Mike Craig

mustohiofastpitch said:

Sorry but it doesn't sound like you are taking any of the feedback and making CHANGES. Above post seems to explain why it will be business as usual. You are losing tournaments to other sanctions because you will not allow tourneys during states. That really brings to light a big problem with NSA. YOU HAVE TO FORCE TEAMS TO ATTEND STATES. Wouldn't it be nice if you developed a product that they WANTED? If teams were beating down your doors to get to go to states?

ASA is the top tier. They have the better competition, better umpiring and better tournaments. NSA and the others are in the 2nd tier. If you want to take from ASA then make your product better. If you want to pilfer from the other sanctions then do what you are doing, getting exposure by getting people to talk about NSA. JMHO

Click to expand...

Back to reality...here. NSA for YEARS has been in the Northeast and Columbus... THAT'S IT.

ASA is all around the state.

During the week of the state tournaments this year... ASA has three other events listed... in Willoughby (North) in Columbus (Central) and a event in Vandalia (South). I don't think that is coincidence, do you?

Being that NSA is NOW primarily in the Northeast corridor... are they going to allow an event in that NE Corridor right on top of their states. I doubt it. One in Columbus.. I can understand though.

Any other weekend in Ohio, ASA is packed with events... but they do the SAME thing on their states weekend.

I would think..if I was a coach... I'd want to go play states in ALL the associations here...ASA, NSA and USSSA. Kind of like the bragging rights as State Champions or "We took second at States" sort of thing. I don't understand that at all.

Warren Wolff said it best when he said teams are playing within 30 minutes ( even though I feel an hour drive). Been like that for years now.. it's not the economy of today..even though that doesn't help surely.... but it is a fact.

To me, to see the other teams from other regional areas... I would think it would be at states. Be refreshing NOT to play the teams you seen all year long. See some new ones. Test your team's ability.

It's one thing to beat teams from a three or four county area... it's another to beat teams from all over the state. Is possibly being embarrassed the problem ? Or are coaches so paranoid that parents will think that, "Hey, there is better teams than the one my daughter plays on" and cut the following year at tryouts? Sometimes you have to give your team that shot.. and take your lumps. It can only make them better.

I can understand not traveling in this economy..or every weekend of the month.. but at least venture out sometimes and test the waters. States are the place to do it.

WWolff said:

Softball World ERRRRRRRRRR Ohio Sports Park
Is a Bad idea no matter how nice it becomes as long as the have drunken men running around goggling and young females at sporting events. Cut out the alcohol and mens games going on while young females are playing JMHO

Click to expand...

No state tournament should be played in connection with any other event going on in a park. Obviously, parks are there for the revenue. I can't blame them for filling their parks.

I blame any state director that ALLOWS a state event to be played in an enviroment that is not good for the girls. NEVER, ever should an event be placed with ANYONE where there are men's .. or even women's events.. going on around them. NEVER.

OQM you won't get an argument from me on that one. The one exception that I can give you is Berliner Park. With 31 fields and the way they are set up into a couple of "mini" hubs or facilities, there can be adult and youth going on at the same time. Unless I rent all 31 fields for the weekend, which I can not do from an economics standpoint, the city of Columbus rents out fields to other parties at the same time.

The obvious key here is it is against city law to have alcohol in one of there parks. i am not saying that it does not happen, but they had the bicycle cops down there quite a bit after June 1 and they write citations and make arrests.

This is a reality of running tournaments in central Ohio if you need a large venue to hold states. Now I have been "chewing" the CRPD's ear to turn Busch Park into a youth only facility for years. They have 8 fields, 2 of which have lights, right beside a state route with fairly easy access. Busch even has a batting cage on site. $$ becomes an issue as the CRPD budget annually is one of the first budget cuts here in C-Bus.

Mike

ohioquakerman said:

No state tournament should be played in connection with any other event going on in a park. Obviously, parks are there for the revenue. I can't blame them for filling their parks.

I blame any state director that ALLOWS a state event to be played in an enviroment that is not good for the girls. NEVER, ever should an event be placed with ANYONE where there are men's .. or even women's events.. going on around them. NEVER.

Click to expand...

All good points regarding NSA States ... I understand that it is a bylaw now, and that Mike cannot do anything about it ... THIS season.

I still don't get "why" it is has ever been a requirement though, outside of money. That by iteself leaves a bad taste. A bad taste that has always been there for many, and has grown and accelerated over time due to some recent events, and the ASA's intelligent Move" in Ohio, given those developments. NSA is getting squeezed out in Ohio for all of those reasons, and with the growing attitude in Ohio to want to compete with the top ASA states in the country (see 50 page Cali thread) .... what is going to stop the ASA growth (READ: Nothing).

It didn't have to be this way, we "grew up" on NSA. The NSA's appeal was once strong. We have not let it go totally yet, but will be "forced" to next year, as we have other Showcase plans out of the state next summer for our college interested 16u players during the traditional NSA State weekend. Therefore, that means no NSA Nationals for us (missing States), which means we will probably not factor NSA (at all) in all likelihood - even though we would like to attend some NSA, including some qualifiers & Nationals. Ironically, we will be "forced" to go in different direction, in deference to the interest, well being, and future of our indiviual players ... which have our highest commitment and interest. Increasingly, NSA just doesn't coincide with our interests, in current form.

I cannot believe that we are the only team in that type boat. Moreover, knowing what I know now, with the ASA's seemingly stronger association with Colleges, Showcases, Combine Events, and Scheduling flexibility for qualified teams, I would begin at an earlier age with an ASA focus, and the NSA, Pony, USSSA as the back-up plans for "off" weekends. If you know where you want to be in 5-6 years, gear that way from the beginning, to create awareness, comfort, familiarity, expectations, and a track towards the top of the mountain.

It's just the dynamic "shape" of things, at the moment ... unfortunately, IMHO.

Again,

1. Lose the State requirment for qualified teams (many/most will still come)
2. Develop a College Showcase mentality for the older girls (which the younger can also plan & track towards)

Tealtown will be forgotten, once the moves are made to prove that NSA is about the players' best & long term interests & development, not the dough ... the $ will certainly come with quality. Tealtown was the lightning rod and "metaphor" for a near decade of growing frustration, and broke the dam for ASA incursion.

Sorry for the long winded post, I just can't boil it down to a few sentences, like many.

Sometimes the men at the top get lost in their ways. That new reality show proves that point. Can't think of the name of it... but it is where the owner goes in disguise as a regular employee... and takes feedback and insight from the employees.

This last one had the guy that owner Waste Management.. he saw the "implements" he made inside that board room meeting and his glass bubble... not working.. and changed.

I would suggest the same.... when it comes to NSA.

It'll be nice when ( and I have noticed this is the first use of it) N$A becomes NSA once again for the kids. I mean, my goodness, they have some "smokin" National events.

pickledad said:

All good points regarding NSA States ... I understand that it is a bylaw now, and that Mike cannot do anything about it ... THIS season.

I still don't get "why" it is has ever been a requirement though, outside of money. That by iteself leaves a bad taste. A bad taste that has always been there for many, and has grown and accelerated over time due to some recent events, and the ASA's intelligent Move" in Ohio, given those developments. NSA is getting squeezed out in Ohio for all of those reasons, and with the growing attitude in Ohio to want to compete with the top ASA states in the country (see 50 page Cali thread) .... what is going to stop the ASA growth (READ: Nothing).

It didn't have to be this way, we "grew up" on NSA. The NSA's appeal was once strong. We have not let it go totally yet, but will be "forced" to next year, as we have other Showcase plans out of the state next summer for our college interested 16u players during the traditional NSA State weekend. Therefore, that means no NSA Nationals for us (missing States), which means we will probably not factor NSA (at all) in all likelihood - even though we would like to attend some NSA, including some qualifiers & Nationals. Ironically, we will be "forced" to go in different direction, in deference to the interest, well being, and future of our indiviual players ... which have our highest commitment and interest. Increasingly, NSA just doesn't coincide with our interests, in current form.

I cannot believe that we are the only team in that type boat. Moreover, knowing what I know now, with the ASA's seemingly stronger association with Colleges, Showcases, Combine Events, and Scheduling flexibility for qualified teams, I would begin at an earlier age with an ASA focus, and the NSA, Pony, USSSA as the back-up plans for "off" weekends. If you know where you want to be in 5-6 years, gear that way from the beginning, to create awareness, comfort, familiarity, expectations, and a track towards the top of the mountain.

It's just the dynamic "shape" of things, at the moment ... unfortunately, IMHO.

Again,

1. Lose the State requirment for qualified teams (many/most will still come)
2. Develop a College Showcase mentality for the older girls (which the younger can also plan & track towards)

Tealtown will be forgotten, once the moves are made to prove that NSA is about the players' best & long term interests & development, not the dough ... the $ will certainly come with quality. Tealtown was the lightning rod and "metaphor" for a near decade of growing frustration, and broke the dam for ASA incursion.

Sorry for the long winded post, I just can't boil it down to a few sentences, like many.

Click to expand...

Being long winded is the least of your worries..... Take out the trash... where's that honey-do list of mine?

And the next time when I ask you if you love me more than softball... the answer better not be.. " But, I do love you more than hockey" !!!!

LOL ... she's following you again !!!!!!

Yes, Dear ... ;&

pic dad --owned LOL MD

Ah, the universal saying. On my wedding day my cousin, who had been married about 14 years to that point, pulled me aside and said what I am going to tell you is classifed amongst married men but is the most important thing you need to know to stay married a long time. He told me to say "Yes Dear". He made me recite it several times before we walked out to the altar. "Yes Dear", "Yes Dear"! I almost replied with "Yes Dear" when the minister asked me to say I do.

LOL

Again thanks to all who have contributed. This gives me groundwork on which to build a foundation upon. Some of these can be changed right away, some will take a little time.

pickledad said:

Yes, Dear ... ;&

Click to expand...

that's better than ringer's wife's diatribes!

Mike Craig said:

Ah, the universal saying. On my wedding day my cousin, who had been married about 14 years to that point, pulled me aside and said what I am going to tell you is classifed amongst married men but is the most important thing you need to know to stay married a long time. He told me to say "Yes Dear". He made me recite it several times before we walked out to the altar. "Yes Dear", "Yes Dear"! I almost replied with "Yes Dear" when the minister asked me to say I do.

LOL

Again thanks to all who have contributed. This gives me groundwork on which to build a foundation upon. Some of these can be changed right away, some will take a little time.

Click to expand...

LOL, so true ... sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.

Anyway, thanks again for asking Mike ... hopefully you get what you need to remain competitive. So many people would not be bothering if there was not interest ... NSA does offer many attractive features as well, as noted above by many. Obviously, there could have been some "drive by" bombing runs, but there hasn't been. Good luck!

Darn if NSA hasn't done it again and put ALL the age groups in one location on the 4th of July weekend.

ALL age groups at a nine diamond complex with only two having lights. And a three day tournament with a 3 gg .

http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?p=244575

Thread to NSA State Tournament