ASA Tournament USA/ASA Nationals 2005 - Impressions??

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I thought I would start a thread to get the teams that attended impressions on what they saw and their impressions on the Nationals and their new format.

First I want to congratulate ALL the teams that attended these events which arguably attract the "best of the best" teams from throughout the country. It perhaps takes more cajones to attend these events when you are uncertain if you can win a game, than when you are convinced you have a chance to finish in the top 10.

Before anyone takes exception, in no way do I lessen the overwhelming accomplishments of the Ohio and other Midwest teams that clearly upset the balance of power this season, their accomplishments have sent tremors through the West and I am certain that the complete domination of the western teams is if not over at least waning.

For years we in the midwest have pointed to the Orland Park Sparks team that won an 18u A ASA National as the great hope for our girls. Well there is a new team for those of us east of the Mississippi to pint to and hold up as an example to our parents and girls. Lvl Sluggers and C2nIce, capped and amazing year in Columbus and I congratulate them sincerely.

That will be all for now but the questions I would ask of the teams that attended are:

What was your impression of the 3 game format, and did it affect the tournament, if so how?

Did you feel as I did a great sense of parity in the field of teams?

Am I just being old and grumpy, but is the quality of umpiting at the ASA Nationals slipping?

That's a good start, I hope we can get some good feedback, this forum can be a great learning source for all teams, if we can use it the right way.

Now's your chance speak up!!

 

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I attended the 14(u) in Owensboro and while there were some very good teams there, I thought the level of play was not exactly what I expected. I defenately saw some teams that had no business being there. Not sure how they even qualified.

I personally did not like the 3 game gar. format. I feel the pool play games are a warm up for the girls. With the pool play games you can get the 1st game gitters out before bracket play starts. Also with the blind draw you can have 2 of the best teams playing in the first round, not real fair. Maybe they could keep pooln play and if your team goes undefeated in pool play then - do a blind draw with the guarentee that the undefeated teams do not play each other in the first round.

As far as the umpires - remember this is an invite only tourny for them. I saw some really good officials, but ta few so-so umpires as well. Also how often do these guys get to work 3 umpire systems? Not often - so most of the guys are pretty inexperienced when it comes to the rotations-which can take them out of their game which on a good day had to be pretty good to get picked to umpire an ASA "A" National.

 

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Is there any way you can compare the top 10 finishers at asa with the top 10 at nsa a????How do you think the nsa teams would fair????

 

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Its hard to compare apples and oranges,but last year at 12U the Tampa Mustangs won the NSA Championship. The next week they finished 13th at ASA. You be the judge.

 

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Who did Tampa Bay lose to at ASA? If they lost to a team that finished at the top, they might have gone farther had the brackets worked out differently.

I agree it can be apples and oranges, but the difference between 1st and 13th isn't a huge difference, to me, in any given year because of all the factors involved. 1st at one and 50th at the other might say something.

 

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They lost 8-1 to the Lady Lasers purple who then lost their next game to finish 9th.

 

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Maybe they should have a super-super world series, with the top ten finishers from each world series tournament.

 

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Yes I would love to see the final 4 from asa nsa and pony meet for ALL THE MARBLES!!!!

 

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Didnt the lasers purple finish AROUND 20TH THAT YEAR AT NSA A ????????

 

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sbguru,

The Laser organization has teams at every age group. I believe the green team went to the NSA that year. The purple went to the 12u ASA and finished 9th. Maybe the Spirit should try ASA next year?

 

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As a parent of a 10u team that attended both the USSSA and ASA Nationals in TN, my first thought is directed at the umpires. ?

In my opinion, the USSSA umps in Knoxville were a cut above the ASA blue in Johnson City. ?Their heads were in the game and they did not attempt to "showboat" and make it THEIR day.

ASA umps, were a different story. ?It was almost as if they were on the field to prove that THEY deserved to be there.

When an OIC is apologizing at a National tournament for uneducated officials and terribly blown calls (on both sides ) there is a problem.

 

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travelball30, Ya'll gots ya'lls pin's? lol

 

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sbguru, If you have a top 5 team in the NSA "A" and your still 14U eligible the following year, you almost have to try ASA "A"!!! As Tom Cruise once said " there is no Substitute". Serious though, between you and Laser Purple and Ind. Shockwaves Red (with a lot of hard work in the fall and winter and a tough tourney schedule leading up to Nationals), all 3 teams could place high at ASA next year In Johnson City, Tenn. The midwest has already stopped the "West-Coast" dominance at the College level, thanks to that team up north! lol. And teams such as Louisville Sluggers, C2 n Ice and Lasers Gold have won or placed high at 18U ASA National's. So lets get-er-done This year at 14U!!!

 

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Well said #5

 

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#5 you have great points there no doubt.I thought nsa a had some really TOUGH TEAMS from fla.,s.c,tenn.,illinois etc. 1 thing I have concluded after ive attended nsa a ths year and in 02 and pony the years in between compared to nsa A pony is a FLAT OUT JOKE!!!!!!!! > > > > >

 

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Bink,
A week in Johnson City versus a week in Bloomington next year...you do catch all the breaks don't ya!

 

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Hey 30, we still have to qualify- but thats half the fun!!! BTW did Angie get the rental info for the Lake house in Johnson City? If not you can e-mail it to BigBink200@yahoo.com if you get time.