What I learned at the Strongsville ASA/USA qualifier

Mr. Smooth:

I agree that some of the parents were really nice people, including some of the coaches. It's a shame that their good will and camaraderie is far overshadowed by the acts of some of the team's players, coaches, and parents. But the use of the horns and the heckling we took for pointing out the rule to them was inexcusable. Someone with respect for the game and for fundamentals over gimmicks needs to step up and exercise some control.

cgs
I couldn't agree more. The noise was distracting for everyone in the park. Hopefully they have learned a lesson and will show other teams respect in the future.

cgs said:

Explode96:

Thanks for the support. OFC readers know that I am usually highly complimentary of our opponents, win or lose. But I couldn't in good faith not comment on the vuvuzela team. What are they teaching their players when they allow/encourage the use of something specifically prohibited by ASA rule? And even without an ASA rule, who would think that it was classy to blow vuvuzelas after the team was out of the tourney and there was Sunday play going on so close? Who would think that blowing vuvuzelas in a hotel that early in the morning was acceptable? This isn't sour grapes, since we beat this team (and despite the vuvuzela controversy, we wished them good luck and told them we expected to see them on Sunday). It's more about whether we as adults use the travel ball experience to teach our players how to conduct themselves with class and respect for others, or instead instill a concept that our players can act however they want, rules and civility be damned.

Click to expand...

Totally correct.

This is where the TD has to step-up and take control. I would not expect to have an umpire try to control this type of behavior. What behavior the TD allows at his/her tournament shows the class of tournament that he/she wants to be remembered for.

Carol I had never heard of this thing before so I had to look it up.....

Vuvuzela

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search


A red vuvuzela.



A black and yellow striped vuvuzela.



A 2010 FIFA World Cup crowd blowing vuvuzelas.




Vuvuzela note

More?


A standard short 58 cm (1.90 ft) vuvuzela plays a single B♭ note.

Problems listening to this file? See media help. The vuvuzela (pronunciation: /vuːvuːˈzɛlə/), also known as lepatata (its Tswana name) is typically a 65 cm (2.13 ft) plastic blowing horn that produces a loud, distinctive monotone note, typically around B♭3[1] (the B♭ below middle C).[2] A similar instrument, known as the corneta, is used in Brazil and other Latin American countries. Many types of vuvuzela, made by several manufacturers, may produce varying intensity and frequency outputs.[3] The intensity of these outputs depends on the blowing technique and pressure exerted.[3]
Traditionally made and inspired from a kudu horn, the vuvuzela was used to summon distant villagers to attend community gatherings.[4][dubious ? discuss] The vuvuzela is most used at ****** matches in South Africa,[5] and it has become a symbol of South African ****** as the stadiums are filled with its loud and raucous sound that reflects the exhilaration of supporters.[4] The intensity of the sound caught the attention of the global ****** community during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in anticipation of South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[4]
The vuvuzela has been the subject of controversy. Its high sound pressure levels at close range can lead to permanent hearing loss for unprotected ears after exposure,[6] with a sound pressure of 120 dB(A) (the threshold of pain) at 1 metre (3.3 ft) from the horn opening.[4]

Bill:

We tried to handle this through the TD, but he was not at the 14U site and told us via phone to raise it with the umpires. At that point, Ted thought it would be more collegial to simply tell the team about the specific rule prior to the game. In response, we received the ridiculing comments, which actually continued the next day after the vuvuzela team had been knocked out of the tourney.

Hitter said:

Its high sound pressure levels at close range can lead to permanent hearing loss for unprotected ears after exposure,[6] with a sound pressure of 120 dB(A) (the threshold of pain) at 1 metre (3.3 ft) from the horn opening.[4]

Click to expand...

Howard:

Can you imagine how surprised and disappointed we were to see/hear these at an ASA/USA qualifier?

vuvzelas? that's kinda trippy

We played this team in question down at doom spring madness. I agree, some of the most unsportsmanlike individuals ever encountered in fastpitch softball. I'm glad you 'ripped' them.

cgs,
First of all Congratulations on the win and good luck in Moline! It was nice to finally meet you and some OFC'ers inStrongsville.

I have to say I was taken back by the team in question. Before we even played them, the 3rd base coach was rude to the parents in our stands. We had been discussing how while our pitcher was warming, up the entire opposing team stood on the 1st base line, with no helmuts, and was timing up our pitcher. (this was fine, though we thought helmuts should have been on) A parent of ours made a comment that all 12 players were actually leaving early. Their coach started yelling at us for talking about her players. Ok we let it go. Next thing was the damn horns. I mean we are at a ASA/USA qualifier. This was distracting and downright rude. One of our girls hit a line drive right back to their pitcher and she got hit quite hard. Our coaches asked for time and asked the pitcher if she was OK, not once but at least 4x's...she refused to answer him and looked away. I beleive this type of "attitude" reflects the coaches attitude and does nothing good for an organization. As a Mom and the past president of the Ohio Hurricanes, I would take losses over wins and be known as a "respectful, classy organization" than to win and be known as the "very classless organization with bush league tactics"! I was very glad we beat this team and got to end our weekend playing a great team, Buckeye Heat 95' in the championship.

I truly enjoyed watching the teams compete this weekend and had a great time watching the Buckeye Heat 95 vs. Ohio Hurricanes. Both teams worked hard, played with respect and most important had fun. Buckeye Heat 95' won the game. The Hurricanes couldn't have lost to a better team and well coached staff, and we all wish them luck in Moline and will be looking for updates on their success.

Kellly Wright

Thanks Kelly. It was great to meet you and your husband. Hope your SS is ok. I know that you were the walking wounded but as I said on another thread, given our loss to you last year we knew we were in for a battle. Here's to good health for your players during the remainder of the season.

should have gotten out the bug spray for the swarm of mosquitoes..