Stingrays 18u event at Obetz

[Stedman00]

first a compliment to getting the fields workable with the Friday rain, and also adjusting the schedule Friday to get games in before the rains came.

AND compliment to the SINGLE umpires that were working these 18u games. They worked their butts off and did as good as possible.

However, 18u and especially 18u at a showcase event REQUIRES 2 umpires. Really no excuse for this disservice to all teams. Witnessed multiple calls that were simply missed due to 1 umpire.

Again, facility was good, lots of parking, field conditions good and worked quickly between games. Single umps at this level of event is just not acceptable.

 

[HITTER23]

Stingrays was always known as first rate, 1 umpire for 18u ? I wonder how those big out of state teams liked that.

 

[TheSoftballZone]

Ok, so let stop calling tournaments a showcase unless teams are treated like it’s a showcase. After
reading about how unhappy people were with the big show in Colorado and it the biggest showcase I’m aware of. And now one the biggest showcase in Ohio is using one umpire for 18 under teams. What’s going on people? But at least no one played on a Soccer field like they did at another big name event Ohio.

People stop drinking the Kool-Aid it’s really getting bitter tasting.

 

[PlayTwo]

Two are always preferred over 1, but college coaches are not there to see the umpires. The number 1 most important thing for umpires in a showcase setting is a "by the book" strike zone. That's it. From there, let the kid's play. The umpire numbers are what they are. They don't grow on trees.

 

[CARDS]

How much was the fee this year?

 

[PlayTwo]

Quick search on this site shows the following costs for 5GG, including 90 minute pool games.

Age Division
10U - $650
12U - $800
14U - $1100
16U - $1100
18U - $1100

 

[Hilliarddad3]

At the end of the day it’s a showcase with a trophy for the winners aspect… showcase first, games standings second, but with that stated, a showcase is a full package for the player. How she plays, how’s her attitude, does one gel with the team, or all about me? How is she if seen away from the field, interaction with parents? How does she carry herself …. Stingrays is more than missing one umpire in todays world of disrespect to umps and refs in all sports… bummed I missed watching games this weekend…

 

[CARDS]

Quick search on this site shows the following costs for 5GG, including 90 minute pool games.

Age Division
10U - $650
12U - $800
14U - $1100
16U - $1100
18U - $1100

WOW...That is a chunk of change for a 10u/12u that honestly did not need to be at a showcase... $1100.00 and one umpire for 14U-18U is a disservice to the teams and spectators...Period...
I have said it many times OHIO Struggles with putting on national level events...Or in some cases, recreational or state level events...

 

[TheSoftballZone]

WOW...That is a chunk of change for a 10u/12u that honestly did not need to be at a showcase... $1100.00 and one umpire for 14U-18U is a disservice to the teams and spectators...Period...
I have said it many times OHIO Struggles with putting on national level events...Or in some cases, recreational or state level events...

I’m with you CARDS. I will say that the Stingrays and D1 have the best showcases in Ohio. And if I was Coaching a talented group of 18’s, 16’s or 14 under girls I would 100% play in them both.

But does that mean they really put on the best showcase events for your money? From everything I’ve read and seen I would have to say no they both fall a little short. Something they can fix some they can’t. But if your going to claim to put on the best show (then put on the best show) don’t just talk about it. Make it the best event money can buy.


I remember about three years ago a TD in Louisiana stated that they would start taken less team in order to give a better experience to the 14u - 18u and stop taken teams under 14 under in their Showcase events as a way to make more $$$. Well they did that and now they have to turn teams away. What a concept a showcase tournament with only 18u, 16u and 14 under age groups.

 

[Energy-vp]

Stingrays 16U at Hilliard had 2 umpires for all games that I saw.

 

[22dad]

A lot of extra $$ for the organizer with fewer umps. Refund provided? Not likely

 

[CARDS]

I’m with you CARDS. I will say that the Stingrays and D1 have the best showcases in Ohio. And if I was Coaching a talented group of 18’s, 16’s or 14 under girls I would 100% play in them both.

But does that mean they really put on the best showcase events for your money? From everything I’ve read and seen I would have to say no they both fall a little short. Something they can fix some they can’t. But if your going to claim to put on the best show (then put on the best show) don’t just talk about it. Make it the best event money can buy.


I remember about three years ago a TD in Louisiana stated that they would start taken less team in order to give a better experience to the 14u - 18u and stop taken teams under 14 under in their Showcase events as a way to make more $$$. Well they did that and now they have to turn teams away. What a concept a showcase tournament with only 18u, 16u and 14 under age groups.

I agree, Stingrays is the premier event in Ohio as you stated. But Ohio as a whole has struggled putting on the same type of high level events as other states for years.

I will say Ohio has gotten a lot better the past 10 years but Ohio still has college showcase or, state events played on men's softball fields or baseball fields, 300+ feet fences or no fencing, bases not set at proper distance (and that extra 5 feet makes a big difference especially on throws from the catcher).

Not enough or, no restrooms for the players/fans, Field prep / lining happens at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day at many events and as in this post, inadequate or poor umpiring and some are stay to play and only allow personal water bottles/coolers.

Most of the showcases we attended out of state did not have a 8/10/12U division of play. Many also had rules excluding college players along with stay to play and cooler restrictions.

Like you, I think the tournaments that have divisions of play for these young age groups are taking their money as the teams that enter paying $600-$800 dollars hope when they make 14U they may a better shot to get an invite to the event by then many of the ladies wont even be on the same team... Now, I have also heard many Ohio showcases invite 8/10/12U to keep cost down for the older age groups but $1100.oo and one umpire I guess because of having to put umpires on the young age groups seems to be counter productive.

 

[Passion4theGame]

There’s a shortage of umpires everywhere. I am just thankful the girls got to play. I wasn’t happy about having 1 umpire but it’s better than having none.

1 less person I have to worry about my assistant coach yelling at. Lol. Those that have played us know this is a True story.

All in All I would give Stingrays a solid review. Clean bathrooms, coolers allowed, nice fields, solid competition, and tons of coaches which is what matters.

 

[HITTER23]

it has been a gripe about Stingrays for years about why even have 10u and let more recruitable ages in their place in.

 

[TheSoftballZone]

it has been a gripe about Stingrays for years about why even have 10u and let more recruitable ages in their place in.

Yes if you using umpire in the younger group your taken them away from the showcase teams. I do agree that the StingRays is one of the best Showcase currently in Ohio

I 100% agree with you HITTER23

 

[wahoochief]

I agree, Stingrays is the premier event in Ohio as you stated. But Ohio as a whole has struggled putting on the same type of high level events as other states for years.

I will say Ohio has gotten a lot better the past 10 years but Ohio still has college showcase or, state events played on men's softball fields or baseball fields, 300+ feet fences or no fencing, bases not set at proper distance (and that extra 5 feet makes a big difference especially on throws from the catcher).

Not enough or, no restrooms for the players/fans, Field prep / lining happens at the beginning of the day or at the end of the day at many events and as in this post, inadequate or poor umpiring and some are stay to play and only allow personal water bottles/coolers.

Most of the showcases we attended out of state did not have a 8/10/12U division of play. Many also had rules excluding college players along with stay to play and cooler restrictions.

Like you, I think the tournaments that have divisions of play for these young age groups are taking their money as the teams that enter paying $600-$800 dollars hope when they make 14U they may a better shot to get an invite to the event by then many of the ladies wont even be on the same team... Now, I have also heard many Ohio showcases invite 8/10/12U to keep cost down for the older age groups but $1100.oo and one umpire I guess because of having to put umpires on the young age groups seems to be counter productive.

I would have to say Stingrays USED to be the premier event in ohio. After the last couple years, I would say no longer. The facilities for the 18u at obetz are way below par. They spend about $20 on there fences, fields are barely average and no where to get out of the sun between or during games. To have 1 umpire and about the highest fees to get in was a bit ridiculous. I was a little embarrased for columbus while watching a game between a colorado team and a team from Georgia. Listening to the parents around me talk about the event and why they came all this way... was a bad representation of the city/state and I guarantee those orginazations will never come back to ohio, let alone that tourney

 

[JaredSaling]

Question, what is expected when one goes to a showcase?

The total games guaranteed? The showcase turning into a tournament? How many College coaches are present?

What are these coaches looking at recruiting for their own roosters? They may not be looking at the 18u girls because those ‘22,’23 classes are filled. Have those girls made themselves known through emails, videos and all correspondence possible? Did they invite that coach to be present at their games?

Was there not a mixture of Division 1,2,3 NAIA coaches at the Stingrays showcase this year? They usual average over 110 college coaches per year.

The D1, Lasers, and Marion showcases have a good mixture also. I do feel that Ohio has lost its Buzz for drawing in competitive teams from out of state. I’m happy to hear that a few came to Ohio to see what talent is here. Question is, does your team travel out of state to challenge their talent?

Please keep in mind that not every coach walks around the field wearing a backpack. They walk around listening to parents and the girls. Who’s positive attitude shines on and off the field gets their attention.

I don’t know for sure if these coaches are Compensated by the TD for their stay or if they are given a meal ticket. Maybe that’s the reason for the entry pricing. That’s for a TD to explain.

As for the younger age groups. Most of these Showcases are tournaments. It just falls under the same umbrella weekend. 8th grade girls aren’t being offered scholarships anymore. From my understanding, it’s September 1st of t the High School players Junior Year. If I’m wrong then I’m sorry.

 

[Passion4theGame]

@JaredSaling
Here's what I expect at a showcase event.

(we only had 1 2023 left to get recruited but still its work)

reasonable entry fee
Clean bathrooms
feilds w/ 200' fences
coolers allowed
communication
field crews
new good balls (No MUSH balls)
if there's a gate fee coaches should be free. (Berliner Exception)
Great competition top to bottom. (don't take teams for the money)
I love after you play your Showcase games seeding or blind draw into a single elimination bracket.
Don't put me on a Pod field up front 1 day where its easy for the coaches to watch mulitple players at a time then turn around and put 16s & 18s on the back diamonds on saturday. (this happened at Berliner) alot of 16s & 18s coaches not happy about that. College coaches even questioned why they have you playing clear back here? Sunday we was back up front but still saturday is an important day for alot of teams and recruiting. Make it easy for the college coaches.


As a coach you and your athletes should be working to get the coaches there. Even the girls that are already committed.
If coaches are watching step out and talk w them. They are taking time to watch so give them the respect & time to talk for a couple minutes.
2023s still have plenty of time to get recruited. A lot of these coaches & programs are in no rush right now. (Portal has not helped)
Its not show up and play in front of a bunch of coaches and someone will offer you anymore.
You have to work for it and build the relationships.


I'm sure I could come up with more.
This year I feel Stingrays & Sheer Madness nailed it. Both events smooth and quality events. Lasers was good but they need to get back to selecting teams based on resume instead of whoever mails in a check.


As for a few events up north in the summer i have stopped playing those events for a reason. Same as some of the other coaches.
I will always play the events in the fall at Berliner but until theres some serious changes made I will not enter a team up north in a certain companies events.
Those events have went way down hill and it seems like its a money grab. You can't possibly belive your "showcase schedule" is good when you have saturday games 6:30pm & 8pm / Sunday 5pm & 6:30pm.....


Take less teams or something. STOP making it about the MONEY!!!

 

[JaredSaling]

I agree 100% with the above. Hopefully this will get read by those making the final decisions and change the way things have been in the past and build towards the future.

 

[LineDrive1434]

I think coaches should answer these type of questions or provide their feedback without constantly promoting themselves. Just answer the question. We don't care how many girls supposedly got recruited from your team or when your tryouts are, or any other type of self promotion. Also be self aware when sharing your feedback. If your team isn't really as good as you think it is, understand that. Everyone else who has seen your team play or watched you recruit from other teams at all of these events, sees through the vale of bull crap.

Coaches who have valued knowledge and feedback make these communication boards work so well, but blowing your own horn isn't necessary.