PGF in OHIO

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There was a heated 45 minute discussion about the Jr Olympic eligibility issue between ASA, Dan Hay and some travel coaches. I don't think the principles will be exchanging Christmas cards again this year..... I believe Sue Enquist was asked to head a group to moderate a future discussion concerning this issue.

Can you fill us in on the details of this confrontation? Enquiring minds want to know...

 

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This is one of the biggest reasons the tempers have elevated on the PGF side..

HeyBucket.com - View topic - NEW ASA POLICY ON SELECTING USA SOFTBALL JUNIOR TEAM

 

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When I first played USSSA slowpitch in the early1970s, I was banned for life from ever playing in ASA again because my team and I dared play USSSA--they stripped our titles and everything. This looks like that scenario all over again---they seem to not like any competition and respond to competition by threats. If ASA continues this tactic and does not match or exceed the PGF product, ASA will find itself included with all the others--NSA, USSSA, etc. and PGF will be undisputed king. In the last couple of years, USSSA has been more progressive than ASA--- allowing spikes, moving the pitching plate to 43 ft for 14Uand the stance USSSA has taken on bat standards.

 

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If I understand correctly, the most elite teams (those with money to travel and desire to be at the top of the heap) will go the PGF route since that offers the best exposure. How many teams per age group would you think meet the criteria of Elite. I would think it is small percentage of all the teams out there. It seems to me that if PGF has tournaments in every state then things can get watered down fairly quickly.

PGF Nationals are for the very elite teams and is separate from the new regional program (see excerpt below). IMO, the only overlap will be the National Qualifiers and the regional expansion will help PGF draw the top teams from more areas of the country.

PGF is pleased to officially announce the launching of its new Regional Fastpitch Softball program. The Regional System is a completely new and separate softball program from our current National Championship system, held each year in Huntington Beach, California.

We have fielded numerous inquiries over the past two years as to when PGF will come to their state or community. We realized that there are a vast number of teams from across the United States that are only interested in playing in their own individual states and regions. Therefore, we will launch this Regional program immediately.

I certainly understand the parents' and players' drive to be Elite but in the end it all comes down to the parent's realistic assessment of their daughters' skills and then playing at the level that best suit their abilities and desires. Sometimes ASA, NSA, USSSA, etc provide that right level, but they have to do with it with a good product, as you pointed out.

There are definitely different levels of travel ball and the appropriate org(s) for any given level in an area depend largely on how well the orgs are run there. PGF's regional program will also vary by area due to differences in Region and State Directors.

 

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So Cal--thx. If I understanding correctly, the PGF Regional System will include the teams that deem themselves "not elite" and they would have Regional Qualifiers much ASA/NSA/USSSA have their "Eastern National Qualifiers"/non-qualifying events. Whereas we in Ohio have seen other so called fastpitch organizations come and go, PGF seems to have a very real chance of making an impact and I can see teams/TDs that put on the events changing over to PGF if there are good State/RegionalDirectors as you pointed out. BTW, did you ever make the Walking Tacos?

 

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So Cal--thx. ... BTW, did you ever make the Walking Tacos?

Not yet, the group opted to just stay with regular nachos. DD has changed teams, but I still have the PMs in case of another snack bar.

I did add turkey sandwiches and they've done very well. The basic sandwich (sub roll, turkey & cheese) is assembled ahead of time and the customer adds the fixin's they want from the condiment table (we already had everything there).

 

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I'm curious to hear which Ohio teams will try and make a run at PGF this year. I heard through the grapevine that Lasers Gold, Blue and Red are headed to Huntington Beach. Any others?

 

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I'm curious to hear which Ohio teams will try and make a run at PGF this year. I heard through the grapevine that Lasers Gold, Blue and Red are headed to Huntington Beach. Any others?

Is that a stated goal or do they already have berths?

 

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I would think that they would have to earn berths. Gold might get an invite to go because of their accomplishments.

 

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Is that a stated goal or do they already have berths?

I was told they have them (invite/returning/at large berths)

 

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I was told they have them (invite/returning/at large berths)

They would have to be invites because none of them earned a returning berth.

 

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They would have to be invites because none of them earned a returning berth.

you are probably right

 

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Yes

not a big suprise. i'm sure other regional or state directors will get a few berths to. guess thats a benefit of playing for the bandits or chill or team new jersey or lasers.

 

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^^^
I had an easier time tracking the PGF results from 2,500 miles away than I did the ASA results being there in person. As I think about what all PGF does and what ASA does for Nationals, it's like the Arena League vs. the NFL.

 

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14u ASA Nationals tweeted results live in the finals, seemed like several updates per half inning. They tweeted scores from games within seconds of game over. How is PGF doing it? Curious.

 

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what exactly has ASA done to lose this talent and these coaches?

to add to what has already been pointed out by others in this thread-

To be able to put that you competed at PGF Nationals on your softball resume (profile) is in and of itself, an eye catcher. Right now, i think it carries more prestige than ASA Nats, but that is just my opinion.

 

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14u ASA Nationals tweeted results live in the finals, seemed like several updates per half inning. They tweeted scores from games within seconds of game over. How is PGF doing it? Curious.

I believe this is the product that PGF uses:

Softball Products | Pointstreak Solutions

 

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Pretty sure Premier had an official scorekeeper at every game with an Ipad, using gamechanger. Some of the games were also being shown over the internet.

Using gamechanger also provided box scores for every game, and stats were updated and available for every player.

 

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Joe A you also had a very good scout out in California ;&

 

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^^^ hey there will be no ****ing up on this thread...lol