Beverly Bandits Demarini 18U

[coachjwb]

Also agree .... it's one thing to pick up an extra player if a current player gets injured and/or can't go, or even pick up an extra pitcher or catcher for potentially a lot of games loser's bracket games in the heat, but it's another thing altogether in my opinion to bring in a stud player and bench a regular ...

 

[lewam3]

Also agree .... it's one thing to pick up an extra player if a current player gets injured and/or can't go, or even pick up an extra pitcher or catcher for potentially a lot of games loser's bracket games in the heat, but it's another thing altogether in my opinion to bring in a stud player and bench a regular ...

Yes, you nailed it... it's another thing...Its the Bandits organization. Not many clubs like them anywhere.

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

Uhh they're one of the top organizations in the United States of America... It's big girl softball

 

[Stretch]

Uhh they're one of the top organizations in the United States of America... It's big girl softball

no, it's big boys egos.

 

[BCsoftballDad]

Devils advocate, all pitchers already have scholarships, maybe the team got together and said "let's win this thing!" Bringing Elish along for the tourney would go a long way in helping them achieve that goal. She didn't pitch every inning of the tourney, from what I saw, she pitched when they needed her the most. I could be wrong, but there is always 2 sides.

 

[coachjwb]

The Bandits are an outstanding organization, and I don't know this particular situation any more than what is written here. My comments were directed at this situation in general as described. If in this particular situation this was planned and the players on the team were OK with it, that's a different matter, though I personally just don't see the reason why any team would want to do this ... I have a "win with who got you there" kind of a philosophy ...

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

Would I do it at NSA or ASA regionals?Absolutely not. But if you think the Hannings, Wagners, Conroys of the world don't stack up for ASA Golds or PGF Nationals at the highest level of the game then you haven't paid attention. Of course there are egos, anytime you are at the pinnacle of your sport there is tremendous egos but when you take 18-20 girls to play the best in the country, you (enter Herm Edwards) PLAY TO WIN THE GAME.

 

[Outwork]

Stretch- i don't see how this could be a shock to anyone- you know what you signed up for when you play for Bandits- in bracket play- they will do whatever it takes to win- if your kid fits into that equation, then there are no issues, if your kid does not, well- then. Not sayin its right, just saying that this isn't something new- its been going on for years (and not just with the Bandits either).

Just wait till college- every year the coaches are out purposely looking for someone better than what they already have.

 

[coachjwb]

Agree, but I don't buy into the analogy to college ... we're talking about bringing in someone mid to late season which you can't do in college. And yes, many (though not all) travel organizations do look to upgrade their rosters each tryout season.

 

[SoCal_Dad]

I was shocked 18G Nats only had 53 teams - 11 short of the regulation 64. ASA's JO Cup obviously pulled a lot more teams from their own Gold Nats than PGF.

Likewise, 16G Nats only had 33 teams - 15 short of the regulation 48. Meanwhile, 16A Nats has a record 185 teams. It will be interesting to see what happens next year with 16G back in OK and 16A in College Station, TX.

 

[Hawk "eye"]

Our team was at this tournament and the competition was definitely down. We played at Stingrays the week before and I would say from the teams We played and the games I watched Stingrays probably had as good as if not better teams. Out of the 53 teams probably 15-20 were Gold quality teams. With the way bracket play is determined at Nationals some of the better teams get knocked out early unfortunately and some lesser teams move on.
As for the Bandits I was able to watch a few of their games since our schedule put them on the same field as us a few times. With the Pitchers they already have and the way they hit the ball there was probably no need for Conroys Stud and she was definitely a stud. I've seen all 3 pitchers pitch before and they are very good. I believe they made the finals of the Stingrays tournament. It's a shame if their coach and organization didn't have the confidence in them to use them at the end of the tournament.

 

[KillingMeSmalls]

I was shocked 18G Nats only had 53 teams - 11 short of the regulation 64. ASA's JO Cup obviously pulled a lot more teams from their own Gold Nats than PGF.

Likewise, 16G Nats only had 33 teams - 15 short of the regulation 48. Meanwhile, 16A Nats has a record 185 teams. It will be interesting to see what happens next year with 16G back in OK and 16A in College Station, TX.

I also think the 18U PGF Nationals in Huntington Beach may have also cost them some teams.

 

[gatorcoach]

The reason Conroy sent pitcher to ASA Gold this year, and Lilley/Alvelo last year, is because you must participate in an ASA National to be considered for the JO team tryout invite. The flaw is by ASA forcing players to play in their events to "qualify" for consideration for the JO team. If they are forced to send them, why not use them?

 

[SoCal_Dad]

I also think the 18U PGF Nationals in Huntington Beach may have also cost them some teams.

That was a given because PGF Nats has cost them a LOT of teams for the past 4-5 years. The addition of Platinum a couple years ago cost them some more.

 

[SoCal_Dad]

The reason Conroy sent pitcher to ASA Gold this year, and Lilley/Alvelo last year, is because you must participate in an ASA National to be considered for the JO team tryout invite. The flaw is by ASA forcing players to play in their events to "qualify" for consideration for the JO team. If they are forced to send them, why not use them?

That may have been true for the initial set of invites, however the 2nd set included players that didn't participate in ASA Gold (e.g. OCBB's McQ and Palomino). Players without an invite can still get into the selection camp via the open tryouts held the day before - 10 did and 2-3 of them made the team (e.g. Halstead). If you have the ability to make JWNT, coming out a day earlier for the open tryout seems like a better option than going to Gold Nats.

The JO Cup is now touted as the route to the national team.