How far should you travel prior to Nationals?

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With the 16u ASA Nationals in South Dakota, how many teams will play or travel on the 17th to 19th of July? Would it benefit teams to stay close to home rather than turn around and have to make a long distance trip, or will does it really matter?

 

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If girls have their sights set on playing at the next level, they need to be seen. I cannot tell you how many college coaches and scouts we met at the 16U ASA Nationals last year in Owensboro. I highly recommend it. I feel they will play the best competition and more coaches attend as these are their soon to be recruits, if they are not already watching them. Ask the Nightmare, Wolfpack, Lasers Orange, Magic, Cincy Doom, Cincy Storm, etc. that was there.

 

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Bs Dad, I'm not sure, but I think that the question is not whether you should try to go to ASA Nationals, but rather if you ARE going, should you take it easy the weekend before. I'm assuming that artisrice's team has already qualified (say by winning the Eastern Nationals last summer).

 

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I like the idea of staying close, but at the same time playing top quality teams.

 

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Yes, and play good competition before or on the way. Sorry.

 

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I know last year several teams played the NSA National in Columbus. I would definitely play in something competitive, keep the bats fresh.

 

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Several years ago we went to KC for USSSA 16a and then took a hard right and went up to Sioux Falls, it was a very tough trip, but we ended up playing our best ball ever as a team in Sioux Falls, I have always wondered if we would have played better or been rusty if we hadn't played in KC, this was also the year of the now defunct triple elimination ASA nationals so you were in the fire from your first game out, NO pool play of any type.

In answer to the question, because of the ASA starting and expecting coaches on Sunday at the sites, my best guess would be to find the toughest tournament two weeks before and get on e-teamz and other sites and find teams to schedule on your way up and when you get to Sioux Falls on Saturday or even Friday, in the meantime, get your workouts in and prepare every aspect of your small game in live action if possible. You will need it, both defensively and offensively.

Illinois is almost halfway, no shortage of great teams there, also WI and MN have some really top teams that will give you great prep.

Good Luck and have fun in Sioux Falls, "it's a rocking town!" If you like corn fields, that's the good news, very few distractions for 16's.