Confused by Laser Nation's switching

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Colleges mainly take note of sanctions for championship play because it is a good indicator of the level of play. Most of the prestigious showcases (i.e. Boulder, Diamond 9, Surf City, etc.) weren't sanctioned prior to this year. When it comes to showcase events, colleges go by a combination of past experience, teams entered and how many players they're following will be there. A showcase's sanction will only affect it's status if it discourages desirable teams from entering it.

ALL PGF showcases now. Yep, let's take a step backwards and make this an NSA showcase tournament. Makes perfect sense to me.

 

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Interesting find: PGF is listing LaserNation as one of the PGF tournaments in Ohio this year. Ohio Premier Girls Fastpitch - (Aurora, OH) - powered by LeagueLineup.com

It's split into two divisions. One PGF nationals qualifier and the other now NSA, back to my original post, why not make it all PGF? You can't sell me on the lack of umpires excuse. Come on.

 

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Interesting find: PGF is listing LaserNation as one of the PGF tournaments in Ohio this year. Ohio Premier Girls Fastpitch - (Aurora, OH) - powered by LeagueLineup.com

Nothing interesting about it. We have a National Qualifier there at the same time as part of Laser tournament. The PGF part will use PGF umpires.

 

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I am not a coach but a parent and my daughter's team is playing in this tournament.. Everyone has a right to their opinion respectfully. I think though people are feeiling that they are not getting what they paid for. If I buy a new car and paid cash for it, then get delivered the wrong car and I am told sorry but this is yours now because the car you ordered is no longer available, I would be upset. Coaches may feel deceived because this was not mentioned at the beginning of applying and now its too late to get in elsewhere. Some would feel this info was held from people to secure the funds as well as the competition. Would there be less applications if this was listed as a NSA from the start? Maybe not, but the competition may have changed because some of the top teams would have gone elsewhere. This maybe what Compuware needed to get its exposure back up since its the same weekend and it looks like they are ASA.

 

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well said and probably very true. Perception attached to sanctioning has clear "power" in one way or another unless teams show up regardless of sanctioning. I just hope the teams stay for we wanted the level of competition and game count that comes with this event or sanctioning type.

 

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OP wants to know why Lasers would switch from ASA to NSA. OP inserts e-mail received from Lasers TD regarding the switch from ASA to NSA (below in quotes)

Seems to me from reading copy of the e-mail that OP provided, that the switch was due to ASA not having enough umpires to accomodate the large turnout of teams in order to have 2 umpires per team.

Why would Laser Nation go from an ASA sanctioned tournament to an NSA sanctioned tournament?

The umpire scheduler said that it was difficult because of another tournament that had been in existence for many years. I found out that our tournament is on the same weekend as that one again. At first I thought that they could get enough umpires this year, but they seemed to complain that we had too many teams. And, we have increased the number of teams this year to over 150. I did not know how many teams that other tournament had until this year (they have about 100). So, to make sure we could get two umpires for each game, I checked into getting another umpire scheduler. They said that they could provide enough umpires for how many teams we have, so we asked them to get umpires for us. That was not my original intent, but it looked like the best (or possibly only) way to go to make sure that we could get two umpires for each game. Therefore we have switched from being ASA to NSA. "

People are upset because they don't think they are getting what they signed up for so let's look at what they signed up for.


2013 LASERNATION BY INVITATION TOURNAMENT INFORMATION ?

The Laser Nation by Invitation Tournament offers teams the opportunity toparticipate in what we believe will be the premier tournament in central Ohioin 2013. Our goal is to implement the best aspects of all tournaments to offerthe players, coaches, and spectators a weekend of competitive and fun softball,and to focus on the best teams in the Midwest and Eastern United States.Likewise, we want to ?showcase? the best softball talent available across theMidwest to give college coaches the opportunity to view that talent. Manycollege softball coaches are watching our teams and will come to watch theteams in this tournament. We had 140 teams last year. We might have more teamsfor 2013 if we can get more softball fields.

Tournament Date ? June 14 ? 16, 2013

Tournament Age Groups ? 18+U, 16+U, 14+U, 12+U, 10+U

Tournament Location ? Columbus, Ohio, area ? mostly the east-side suburbsof Whitehall, Reynoldsburg, and Gahanna ? near the Columbus Airport

Tournament Format ? a 7 game guarantee, WEATHER PERMITTING, that willconsist of 3 games on Friday followed by double-elimination (and playoffs) onSaturday and Sunday, or 6 or 7 pool games and then single elimination onSunday. Teams will be seeded into brackets based on their finish in pool play.It is possible that some teams will play 10 or more games.

Tournament Game Times ? Pool play will begin at 8:00 A.M. on Friday, June14. The double-elimination portion of the tournament will begin at 8:00 A.M. onSaturday, or the single elimination would begin at 8 A.M. on Sunday, and end by9 P.M. or earlier on Sunday, June 16.

Tournament Fee - $650 per team. Make checks to Lady Lasers and send themand the registration forms and your team performance summary forms to LadyLasers, 439 N. Warpole St., Upper Sandusky, OH 43351

Refund Policy ? We will cash your checks when they arrive. If your teamis not selected, we will send you a check to reimburse you. There are norefunds for other teams.

Team Selection ? For the 2013 tournament, teams need to send theirregistration forms, team performance summary forms, and checks by December 10,2012. Teams will be selected by the Laser Nation tournament board of directorsand tournament directors in order to ensure a ?showcase? level tournament. Manycriteria will be used to determine the final field of teams for the tournament.Due to the number of applicants expected, we will not be able to provide teamswith individual explanations as to why they were not accepted into thetournament field. We plan to notify teams of their selection status by December20, 2012.

Tournament Rules ? ASA rules except for a few exceptions. In pool andbracket play you can bat your entire roster and rotate batters in defensively.In pool and bracket play you can have a courtesy runner for the pitcher and thecatcher. It can be a sub who has not yet played in the game or the player whomade the last out. A sub can only run for the pitcher or the catcher, not forboth as in ASA rules. This rule can help to speed up the game to get in moreinnings. A more complete rules list will be sent later to teams.

More information will be sent later. It will include addresses,directions, hotels, rules, etc.

Questions can be directed to -


Jeff Cavanaugh 419-294-3265 ? jcav@bright.net

I don't see anything about this tournament being initially advertised as ASA Sanctioned or ASA Qualifier??? Only that ASA Rules apply (as modified). What am i missing???;&

 

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Freddieball ... I don't think it was the wrong car that got delivered ... I think maybe that the trunk mat was a different color??

 

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I don't see anything about this tournament being initially advertised as ASA Sanctioned or ASA Qualifier??? Only that ASA Rules apply (as modified). What am i missing???;&

Pretty sure it's understood. However, I see your point and if you are correct, this makes it even worse. Whereas, a non-sanctioned event I did not have to sanction with said sanction and NOW I have to sanction NSA.

 

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The biggest thing I see that is different is the Roster restrictions. In the past, Laser Nation had an open roster policy allowing a team to have guest players. Not happening now with NSA requiring all teams to submit a signed Online roster.

For me it comes down to would I rather have 1 umpire during pool play and an open roster(invitational) format or have 2 umps for every game and have a NSA Qualifier rules format??

 

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As one example, the Atlanta Legacy Showcase is one of the top Showcases in the East - it draws many more coaches - and more D1 coaches - than Stingrays. Here is their Acceptance Criteria from last season:

Teams will be accepted to our showcase based on the following criteria:

1. 2011 ASA Accomplishments
2. 2012 ASA Accomplishments
3. Geographic representation, and
4. Date of paid entry.

Home | Atlanta Legacy Showcase

Nah, nobody cares about sanctioning?.;&

Pretty sure they care how you did at ASA Nationals not ASA sanctioned tournament in Podunk USA.

 

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Pretty sure it's understood. However, I see your point and if you are correct, this makes it even worse. Whereas, a non-sanctioned event I did not have to sanction with said sanction and NOW I have to sanction NSA.

Ah ha, now I see what i am missing. It seems NOW this showcase is requiring teams to be sanctioned (so that they can get enough umpires) whereas there was no sanctioning requirement before? am i following you jdcii?

 

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The biggest thing I see that is different is the Roster restrictions. In the past, Laser Nation had an open roster policy allowing a team to have guest players. Not happening now with NSA requiring all teams to submit a signed Online roster.

For me it comes down to would I rather have 1 umpire during pool play and an open roster(invitational) format or have 2 umps for every game and have a NSA Qualifier rules format??

hmm, interesting point with the roster restrictions because i see it was advertised (like most showcases) with an open roster during pool play

 

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If a team is only playing this one event, then they can create any roster they want to for NSA-- half the team could be guests

 

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Folks its softball. The Lasers try to put on a tournament so that YOUR kids can play softball. ASA couldn"t man the tournament. Lasers needed umps and NSA can do it. It's that simple.
PGF is getting started here. Obviously it takes a minute to get their umpires lined up and it didn't happen yet.
How big are these issues?
Try to give these young ladies a nice tournament to play in,make no money doing it and you get ridiculed by the masses.
To all the complainers please let me know what tournaments you are having . What coaches are recruiting at your tournaments. With all this great info I see on here I feel like I must be missing some outstanding events here in Ohio that I haven't heard of.

Thanks JP

 

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I've been reading this thread and am confused myself... Showcases are about being seen by the right coaches at the right time..correct?? The sanctioning body, whether it be TCS, Diamond 9, PGF, ASA or even NSA...is irrelevant for the most part. It's about the tournament itself and the competition it draws and it's reputation. I for one was at St. Louis this fall and the coaches were there like flies on $&%#, but I don't think there were a handful of folks who could have told you who was running the event. Is about getting quality teams together to lock horns so that the kids can be seen. Even if the umpiring is sub-par, that really doesn't matter either. The college scouts know who and what they are looking for. Having said that, the Laser tournament draws good competition from many states and the scouts will be there if you have done your due diligence. So if you have to pay $25 more for NSA, do it and get on with life...you won't find many tourneys in Ohio that draw like this one.

 

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I find this whole thread comical. Do you guys realize your fighting over ASA/NSA and how it determines what College coachs show up-YOU MUST BE JOKING ME!!!!!!!! This just proves my theory that TB is totally out of control.
Do you guys really think if your dd is not on a TB team at a so called showcase event that you kid wont get recruited??
Do you guys really know how many kids actually get scholarship money to play ball ??????
Have any of you added up the amount of $ you will spend on TB over 5 or 6 yrs time ???????????

Just to prove a point, my DD didnt play TB after her sophmore year but still managed to be a 1st Team All State and 2nd Team All American player with plenty of college coaches looking at her. :lmao:

So much for that theary I guess.

 

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Having said that, the Laser tournament draws good competition from many states and the scouts will be there if you have done your due diligence. So if you have to pay $25 more for NSA, do it and get on with life...you won't find many tourneys in Ohio that draw like this one.

Well said. I had a hard time following what the issue was- but it looks as if some people just want to complain and possibly some sour grapes.

This has been very entertaining, to say the least, to hear how some parents/coaches think that if they play in Lasers and Lasers is santioned by NSA that will somehow prevent their team from getting into the more prestigious showcases, or prevent the college coaches from coming to the tournament...these people are clueless.

Coaches come to tournaments/showcases to scout players that are on their radar all ready. Heck, College Coaches fly in to watch scrimmages at a local ballfield between to top tier teams to watch kids that are on their radar- NO SANCTION REQUIRED!!!

If you want your team to get into the more prestigious showcases, you need a stong team that has athletes being recruited by top D1 schools that will draw the college coaches to the showcase and it doesn't hurt to have some "connections" to get into those tournaments- this is where who you play for matters- but that's another thread.

 

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Vikingsix I believe you have the hit the nail on the head with your comment. It looks to me that the TD and the powers that be for this tourney have tried their best to cover the umpire situation and make that issue a priority that needed to be addressed. With the amount of teams that play in the Laser tournament and having another large tourney in the area at the same time must present some hefty demands on more than just an umpire schedule. I suppose people just need a reason to voice their opinions. We all know the Laser Tourney has been around for some time, I don't think that the intention was ever to "bait and switch" anyone to NSA or any other sanction for that matter......it is what it is. Get over it and either play ball and expose your team to some of the best competition/exposure they will see in one place, for the price......or stay home.

 

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This kills me. This Tournament has 140 teams in how many age groups? So many different ways this can be handled. Some tough decisions to be made for sure. But I am not the TD or even in the organization. I would have no clue about the discussions that were had or the decisions that had to be made. So, I cannot make assumptions. But like all your minds, my mind does wander. Deosn't mean I have to throw words all over the place. I have made those mistakes before. Small world. Lately TD's like to blacklist anyone that dissents (Thank you Stingrays!) or must change their schedule for unforseen circumstances (no names mentioned here). It is getting way too political out there in the FP world. So I will not speculate on this years tourny.

What I do know -We will see good competition and we will be dog tired by the time it is over.

We all have war stories and I rarely hear of them being associated to a sanctioning body like NSA, ASA, USSSA. More often than not, they are associated with a tournament. Hopefull NSA provides the best they have for this tournament! May the best teams win, whoever the umps may be.

 

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Nothing interesting about it. We have a National Qualifier there at the same time as part of Laser tournament. The PGF part will use PGF umpires.

What age groups are in the PGF division?