Mike_Craig_-_Ohio USSSA
Ohio USSSA
- Joined
- Jul 7, 2014
- Messages
- 1,613
- Reaction score
- 146
- Points
- 63
- Location
- Central Ohio
- Website
- www.playusssaohio.com
I was asked at our National meeting this past November to seek information on college showcase events. I said that I would dig in once the first of the year came to pass and the "bug" started to occur on OFC again. It's that time.
Now before anyone starts to draw conclusions or turn this into lets rip NSA thread, please hear me out. NSA is mildly interested in this segment of softball. Some of our higher ups get calls all the time from TD's looking to partner with a sanctioning body for obvious reasons (insurance, officials, etc.) We also have some directors especially in the east coast/southern U.S. who run college showcase events. I spoke up and said we have a couple of really popular ones every summer right here in central Ohio in Lasers, Stingrays, and GAPS off hand along with some of the PGF ones that have just started up. I was told that since I was in expert territory, to dig in and do some research and report back. I understand if you do not want to discuss in public, if so please email me at mcraig@playnsaohio.com.
My questions are.
1. What are you looking for? Open roster pool games with a true bracket? Nothing but all star type games where coaches pretty much scout whomever playing for whomever? What amount of games is reasonable for this type of format? Does Friday/Saturday/Sunday formats work?
2. What fees are exorbitant? What is reasonable?
3. What time of the year works best for these? Obviously spring is out because of the high school season, but do these work in early June, early July, any in August? September? How late in the fall do these occur? October? Early November?
4. If you have an exposure team, what events are you looking for college coach wise? Would an event with mainly invitations for D2/D3/NAIA/JUCO coaches appeal? Are there such tournaments around? Do you select showcase events based off of what coaches you expect to attend?
5. Age groups: Is it safe to assume that 18u is already signed? Or is this a big segment that might still be looking? I know 14u at these type of events is a lightning rod, but is it safe to offer that age group? If 14u in the fall is ran, aren't those girls technically going to be 15 when the summer season starts and most are freshman/sophs in high school at that point? I was 15 all thru my sophomore year of high school back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. (August birthday)
Please lets keep this as civil as possible. I am a fan of any sport and it's highest levels and appreciate great athletics when I get to sit still long enough to watch. I am all about learning as much as possible so it might help my bosses with their perception of this segment of the softball scene.
Thanks for your time and looking forward to some good dialogue on this subject.
Mike Craig
Ohio NSA
614-895-2253
mcraig@playnsaohio.com
Now before anyone starts to draw conclusions or turn this into lets rip NSA thread, please hear me out. NSA is mildly interested in this segment of softball. Some of our higher ups get calls all the time from TD's looking to partner with a sanctioning body for obvious reasons (insurance, officials, etc.) We also have some directors especially in the east coast/southern U.S. who run college showcase events. I spoke up and said we have a couple of really popular ones every summer right here in central Ohio in Lasers, Stingrays, and GAPS off hand along with some of the PGF ones that have just started up. I was told that since I was in expert territory, to dig in and do some research and report back. I understand if you do not want to discuss in public, if so please email me at mcraig@playnsaohio.com.
My questions are.
1. What are you looking for? Open roster pool games with a true bracket? Nothing but all star type games where coaches pretty much scout whomever playing for whomever? What amount of games is reasonable for this type of format? Does Friday/Saturday/Sunday formats work?
2. What fees are exorbitant? What is reasonable?
3. What time of the year works best for these? Obviously spring is out because of the high school season, but do these work in early June, early July, any in August? September? How late in the fall do these occur? October? Early November?
4. If you have an exposure team, what events are you looking for college coach wise? Would an event with mainly invitations for D2/D3/NAIA/JUCO coaches appeal? Are there such tournaments around? Do you select showcase events based off of what coaches you expect to attend?
5. Age groups: Is it safe to assume that 18u is already signed? Or is this a big segment that might still be looking? I know 14u at these type of events is a lightning rod, but is it safe to offer that age group? If 14u in the fall is ran, aren't those girls technically going to be 15 when the summer season starts and most are freshman/sophs in high school at that point? I was 15 all thru my sophomore year of high school back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. (August birthday)
Please lets keep this as civil as possible. I am a fan of any sport and it's highest levels and appreciate great athletics when I get to sit still long enough to watch. I am all about learning as much as possible so it might help my bosses with their perception of this segment of the softball scene.
Thanks for your time and looking forward to some good dialogue on this subject.
Mike Craig
Ohio NSA
614-895-2253
mcraig@playnsaohio.com