As long as the majority of college coaches attend ASA sanctioned events, that's where the "A" teams will be regardless of the issues at hand...I don't care for having to purchase Bollinger insurance...but I do understand the protection factor of the ACE certification, and background checks. I'm not silly enough to believe the all mighty dollar isn't behind some of this, but honestly...I'm willing to pay knowing someone who shouldn't be around kids might get filtered out with the checks, and a coach might pick up some positive strategy through the ACE certification.
I do think the certification and checks should last at least two years, and they need to figure out a system for coaches who already have background checks due to their jobs and/or coaching HS, and those who already take the state course for coaching high school.
On a side note, Northern Nationals in KY was very well run...fields were lined after every game, quality umps, hour 40 minute pool games, 2 hour bracket games, and they delt with wet fields and management of a two hour rain delay without eliminating any games or reducing time limit (course we played till like 2:00 am).
First off, 1 hr 40 minute time limits is mandatory.. So nothing special there.
Now, I know of Brenda Petty the TD at the event. She is a wonderful TD that is for sure. But, it also makes it great that you as a TD can control your final destination like she could.. because she is not only a VP of Kentucky ASA.. she as well is in total control of the County Park system in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Afterall, she is the Director of the Parks and Recreation.
So, when you have that much control over your tournament.. you can't go wrong.
To me, it was a shame concerning NSA here in Ohio. We have to be honest here... NSA Nationals is a nice event. Reason why.. It's not run by Ohio NSA !!! Bottom line. Poor management of NSA is to be blamed for the debacle of Tealtown.. not Tealtown themselves. I feel sad for Tealtown to gather that "name". I really do. Nice people there. How they would ever dream of having 168 teams in one location and not plan for rain.. is absolutely amazing to me.
That's just stupid management in my opinion.
I know you all think I am the "new guy on the block". Maybe in the girls side I am ( 3 years going on 4) but as being a TD... I've been one for years now. 1984 to be exact. Just on the men's side.
When I lost my DD to a car accident a few years back... I wanted to make a change in how things are done here in Ohio. She was a player. And I as a parent spent huge amounts of money as well for her to play and travel rec ( as I wouldn't let her play travel just yet.. a decision I have thought about for three years now.. especially since she is gone ). Fair-weathered TD's are all over Ohio. They have cost me money as a parent for their lack of knowledge of how to get a field up and going again after rain. We have read and saw the comments on the threads. All of us.
But, teams for some reason, keep going back year after year after year
You all will figure it out sooner or later when the parents start barking, especially in this economy right now, at coaches to make a wise decision on going to an event based on the available to play in adverse conditions.
Someday, you all will figure it out. Hopefully soon.
