Eastlake Summer Classic

[default]

Championship 14U: Game 1 Ohio Phantoms - 10
Strasburg Tigers - 1

Game 2 Strasburg Tigers - 5
Ohio Phantoms - 2

Phantoms played 7 games on Sunday coming out of the losers bracket and both teams left everything they had on the field. The second game ended about 1:30am Monday morning due to a rain delay. Congrats to the Lady Tigers.

 

[default]

For this tournament being an ASA national qualifier I have to say it was an embarrassment to the game of softball. I followed several of the 18u games to watch some of our local high school kids play. Here are just a few things I saw.

1. At the high school fields I believe it was field 2 on Saturday I heard the coaches complaining that 1st base was set wrong. The umpire said yes it was at 65 feet and they knew it but they weren't going to do anything about it until all the games were finished for the day. The coaches were complaining because it would affect bunt situations and it did. There was also a big ditch in the outfield that a ball went into and the umps had no idea what to call. Final ruling from the director was it was all you can get on a ball that goes there. There was also a bike path that ran through the middle of the outfield and the game was stopped a couple times to let the bikers pass through the middle of the game. Unbelievable but true.
2. Umpiring. The only word is pathetic. Strike zones changed so noticibly that even grandparents were making comments. I also saw one play that a runner tried to jump over a catcher at the plate and just leveled her. The girl had to leave the game and we later heard that she had a broken hand and will need surgery. NO CALL NO EJECTION. I saw one plate ump that clearly didn't know the rules. Any question he was asked he went out the base ump and had him make the ruling. Lost pitch counts, out of position to make the calls,both umps calling the same play one said safe the other said out? Not all of them were this bad but quite a few had no business on the field. And why did alot of the games only have one umpire? They can't possibly watch everything at this level. Very poor.

3. What ever happened to respecting the game and sportsmanship? I witnessed a coach from a team called the ******* that got so mad that he flipped over a garbage can and spilled it all over the place. Nothing was said to him about his behavior. Real class act. The parents of those players must be proud to have their kids playing for him. I also wasn't impressed with their coaching shirts that had the sleeves cut off. Go coach football if you like looking like a tough guy. ASA should enforce a dress code like they do at compuware. Saw another team that not one girl had on the same uniform. They all had a team shirt but nothing else matched. Shorts, socks, pants - all different syles and colors. Respect the game people.

4. The fields were in horrible shape. Dusty and un-groomed. Most had little or no chalk lines. Countless times games were stopped to let the dust fly by all while the clock was running. The dust was so deep that many players were losing their footing and slipping. I know you can't control the weather but I did see hoses just lying around.

?Maybe I just expect too much but for this being a national qualifier for ASA I think it was a farce. ASA is always talked about as being the standard for fastpitch softball and this tournament fell far short of that standard at least at the 18u level. These kids were playing their hearts out for a chance to go to nationals under rediculous conditions and sub-standard officiating. I think ASA can do better.

? Just curious as to what others saw and thought.

[size=-4]Team name removed - TheBearMay[/size]

 

[default]

Observer,

I have to agree with you on the officiating. ?We played Friday with only one Ump and Saturday we had a crew that was "just instated" and they were HORRIBLE. ?The powder on the fields was a constant nuisance. ?Very disappointing, but the competition was decent.

 

[default]

Observer,

I can't even begin to tell you how badly this tournament was ran. I asked for the umpires ASA numbers after one game because they were so horrible. I'm not one to blame the umpires (I've been there), but they cost us the game. They told me they weren't in the system yet and gave me their names. The one then told me I was a whiner, complainer and needed to "get over it and get lost" b/c i was nothing but a big baby. AN UMPIRE--I was disgusted. If you want to punish me, the coach, then fine. But don't you dare punish my girls for all their hard work. I said maybe 2 words to the umpires and how ridiculous they were being. I told the tournament director about it and he told me to call him when something like this happened again--so I did, and he tells me "they are doing exactly what they are told," and walks away. Way to explain it TD. Needless to say I was very upset. And don't even get me started on the drop dead rule. One minute it's enforced and the next it's not. And at check in, the lady didn't even know the cut off dates for the year of birth for each age group!!! The strike zones were so tiny you couldn't even see them. I could go on and on, but you get my point...hahahaha.

 

[default]

You bring up a good point. Are umpires required to carry their official registration form or sanctioning number to each game they officiate?
And if they are, can a manager request to see it before a game starts?

 

[default]

Anyone even know who won the 18u division?

 

[default]

I am sorry all of the above is sour grapes. Every tournament has problems, last year it was the GAPPS and the rain, and people complaing who bearly get their kid to the game it's aways some one elses fault. The coach, umpire, TD, high school coach etc.,etc., etc..... At the tournament we had great umpires (see other post) our fields were lined, watered and dressed between games. The fields at North were grass covered just 5 days before the tournament and the TD and his crew got them ready to play. Finally if the tone of the posts are how you feel please play one of the other sancation groups were you win a berth and go to the nationals after you go to thier state tournament.

Tom Burke
JO Commissioner

 

[default]

The fields were very dusty but they did water them between games which helped as the day went on. The umpires that we had did a very good job. My only complaint would be that the original handout stated that there would be two umps for EVERY game and this did not happen in pool play. The one ump made the best calls that he could, however incorrect calls were made in pool play that did efffect the games. Other than that, the tournament went very smoothly where we were and we were there until the last game was played. No tournament is run flawlessly. It is how they react to these situations that I pay attention to.

 

[default]

as an umpire(i wasnt at east lake tournament) this tournament was poorly run.the tournament director was scrampling for for umpire to the point he called NSA director to get umpires.as a umpire that is sactioned in both NSA and ASA I feel that ASA umpire have become lazy uncaring(except for the money) and unprofessional.When Three catcher go down hurt because of roughness and umpires unwilling to protect the girl on the field I am ashamed to be an ASA umpire.

 

[default]

Tom,
Your post is totally absurd. It absolutly mirrors just how poorly things were done. I have re-read all the above posts and they all criticze the quality of the umpiring yet you claim they were "great". How can you possibly praise a field crew that can't even set the bases at the proper distance? And contrary to your statement the fields were not re-chalked between every game. I was there, I saw it not happen. Fields of that condition become dangerous. I witnessed countless players cleaning dirt and dust out of their eyes all day. Allowing players to run into a ditch to field a ball is just plain irresponsible and as a commissioner representing ASA you should be held accountable. If the best you can do for a response is calling all of this "sour grapes" and "you should go play in another sanction" then maybe it's time for you to step down and have someone more intelligent and responsible in this position. I have copied this entire thread including your response and I fully intend to write a letter to ASA about your lack of concern and questionable ability to host an ASA national qualifier.

 

[default]

18u championship - Ohio Bandits


GREAT GAMES LADIES

 

[default]

I thought this was the funniest call I've ever heard.

Short stop fielded the ball and threw it to 1st. 1st scooped the ball out of the dirt 2 steps before the batter reached the bag. Umpire calls batter safe.

He said, and I quote "She would have been safe if this was baseball" and proceded to say "In softball, her glove can't be touching the dirt. In baseball it's allowed"

Is that awsome or what?

That set the tempo for the weekend.
I was there for the can kicking as well. With what was going on (to much typing to go through it all) something needed to be kicked.

So how do you eject the umpires out of a game?

 

[default]

;D ?Well put Cube!

I do not agree with SEVERAL of the personalized comments made in previous posts, I will say as a parent of a team that was mentioned I am THRILLED my daughter has a coach with enough passion for the game to not be afraid to express himself in a manner that may not be appreciated by anyone - the ONLY ones that matter is the ATHLETES on HIS bench and how THEY feel about it. ?

One comment that did catch my attention was the remarks about uniforms that don't match - etc. I realize that ASA, NSA, USSSA, PONY, etc. all have their rules, but isn't it a bit snobbish to exclude talented ball teams due to uniforms? I'm guessing the team mentioned did what they could with what resources they had. A little breathing room on the uniform rules EXCEPT THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT could be appreciated by a team or two I'm sure. Sometimes priority is to travel or the like instead of uniforms......<shrug> Just a passing thought.

 

[default]

Please explain to us as to when "passion" merits an act of violence? The comments I overheard in the crowd weren't of the "THRILLED" nature. In fact many were not very suitible for repeating.. But if you are fine with how such antics reflect on your coaches and team then who am I to judge. Just a passing thought.

 

[default]

Point received and input appreciated.

 

[default]

By the way, congratulations on winning the tournament.

 

[default]

Thanks for the congratulations - as always I'm proud of the team and what they stand for.

Commitment To Excellence

 

[default]

Was this a national qualifier or an eastern regional?

 

[default]

Who won the 16u division?

 

[default]

16u Finals

Ohio Jaguars 4
Sunraze 3