PGF Regional Showcases Non Invitation only

[okiedad1961]

Noticed attendance a some PGF Showcases in Ohio,Ind etc,having 2 to 3 teams from the same age group and same org at there events. I would think you would want your best in each division representing,opening up slots for the best in other orgs.I don't see how you can keep your status w college coach's and as a event to be at, without this imop.

 

[wow]

You want the best teams bar none. I don't care if its multiple or not. There are some larger name tournaments, who simply do not draw the best teams. If the top three teams at a org are better than 95% of the teams there then ok. Firecrackers in GA, Bandits, and Texas impact are a few which come to mind. They have countless teams at each age bracket and they are above average.

Someone used to have a tag on their signature " It matters who you play".... BEST TAG EVER

 

[Justamom]

Who gets to decide who the best are before the games are played?

In my daughter's org. there is an elite team and a non-elite at the same age group. On paper the elite team would be the best. Hand picked players, all with speed and big bats. However when they played the non-elite team bested them 7-2. I'd hate to think the non-elite would get left out just because they weren't considered the best in their age group.

 

[tjsmize3]

Noticed attendance a some PGF Showcases in Ohio,Ind etc,having 2 to 3 teams from the same age group and same org at there events. I would think you would want your best in each division representing,opening up slots for the best in other orgs.

There are many, many reasons why you don't see only one "best" team per org in showcase tournaments. Some orgs (i.e. Bandits, Chill, OC Batbusters, Firecrackers, etc...) have a number of teams that ARE elite level teams and may be the 2nd or 3rd best team in the org, but still are better than the BEST from many other orgs. Some orgs like ours (Outlaws) have teams from different states (i.e. OH, PA, WV) which play at a very high level, and so again why would you exclude teams when they are more than capable of winning in any given field on any given day. Also, some tend to forget that part of putting together showcases is to get a large diversity of college coaches there. Sometimes a team will be accepted largely based on the schools that are actively following that particular team. Irregardless of the W-L record to some extent, if you can bring along a unique group of coaches who are actively recruiting then that may be the overriding factor in the decision to let a team in.

Who gets to decide who the best are before the games are played?

In my daughter's org. there is an elite team and a non-elite at the same age group. On paper the elite team would be the best. Hand picked players, all with speed and big bats. However when they played the non-elite team bested them 7-2. I'd hate to think the non-elite would get left out just because they weren't considered the best in their age group.

There is always someone at higher level tournaments (in any sport or sanctioning body) whose job it is to keep the talent level legit, which often times leads to some hurt feelings or perceived snubs. Stingrays have had to deal with that for years. I know for my team we have been asked to send in schedules with W-L records, list of schools following our players, and even letters of recommendation from D1 schools prior to either being accepted to a tournament or accepted into a "power pool." It's not a perfect science for sure and we have been on both sides of the decision making, but all things considered I'm not sure how else it could be done.

 

[okiedad1961]

Tom,I would expect a couple Outlaws,Bandits,Lasers teams in these events due to there college coach draw,but 2 to 3 teams from a middle teir org? Sometimes orgs take on more teams in a age bracket than they should for financial reasons or cashing in on there name recognition and recruiting success.Then they have to come thru for the parents getting these lesser teams in the age group into events they probably shouldnt be at.

 

[CARDS]

When talking showcase structure and teams entering events, I think what you see from the more established organizations is, better networking with Tournament Directors and College coaches or college representatives.

Team and Organization Communication at events outside of tournament events such as coaching clinics, NFCA meetings or camps/clinics helps give teams/organizations that may not be as strong but are competitive get the invite edge in getting in.

When filling out tournament applications the more established organizations communication of past performance, past recruiting performance and current ladies getting recruited are really the only thing TDs have to go on when reviewing applications.
I know when were were doing showcase events from 13-18U there were years where we as a team were much stronger than several of the teams accepted however; our ladies,teams and organization built groundwork with college coach communication and success in other events/nationals competing with and beating some of the more well known programs around the country. This helped us and our younger teams get invites to major showcase events the next year. Even when having teams that may not have been as strong as the teams that did not get invites the previous year.