It is extremely disappointing to hear that ASA in Ohio is alot like ASA of Pa. ?Although it seem to be better if that makes anyone feel any better.
Until last year, I had never met or communicated with the Pa Youth Director, and even she could not guide me to "youth Girls PA fastpitch tournaments" in PA. ?She seemed surprised that there wasn't too many. ?There are very and I do mean very few ASA tournaments for fastpitch. ?Several of which I have attended in the past were not very well run. ?Don't get me wrong, there are a few that are WELL run. Pgh. Power holds one each year in July, but it usually conflicts with other big tournaments. ?Rage typically holds one as well but lacks the maintainence throughout the tournament, but I don't recall if either are sanctioned "qualifiers".
Almost all the ASA tournaments I have taken my teams to have been in Ohio or New York with Stingrays, Sluggerfest, GAPPS and Aunt Rosies. ?(daughters teams attended Compuware as well).
I have to agree, ASA in the North East seems to care and put their concentration on that other game "slowpitch" unlike the West Coast area that has always dominated. (but I think we're all getting closer).
Coaches do alot of REPEAT attendance if tournaments that were well run and competition is top level. ?When tournaments start messing with date changes, it kindof makes it more difficult than it should be for everyone. ?We like to plan our season well in advance, as should be noted by TD starting registrations earlier each year, and still fill them up quickly. ?This helps the parents vacation time planning as well.
It's a shame when "top tourneys" overlap and you have to choose only one. Especially when there are so few to pick from!!!
