USFA in Panama City reviews?

[default]

I was looking at the USFA site and they seem to be pretty big in the southern states. Their World Series in Panama City, Florida looked like a very nice tournament with teams from all over. Can anybody who has attended the USFA World Series provide some feedback and/or reviews of the tournament?

As a side note, I seen where they are allowing steel cleats for 16U and up.

 

[default]

Seemed to be well organized. Fields were spread out but easy to get to. Very sandy fields though. Like batting off the beach. Humidity was brutal. 8:00 am and you sweat just sitting in your chair. Main fields were very nice. Opening day parade with pin trading was huge. USFA is very big from Texas to Florida. We were the only Ohio team at least in 12u (Cincy Static 12U Black). Their was one highly ranked team from Illinois that we spanked in pool play, hehe. Great beaches.

 

[default]

I agree with Musty. We ( Static Black 12u ) were there for the "B" tournament which there were 93 or so teams in. The "A" is the following week and there were only about 25 teams. I think a lot of teams register with USFA as "B" that are actually "A" teams.

As far as things to do, I thought it was great. There is a Park ( St. Andrews I think ) that charges $8.00 a car load of up to 6 people and you can snorkel all day or boogie board. There is an additional fee to go to Shell Island, but don't get fooled. There are no better shell hunting out there than in the park, in fact it used to be called Hurricane Island until they changed the name a few years back. ;& Sure beats 75.00 / person at the Mouse Land. And the usual Put-Put and sightseeing trips in the gulf. \

+ No parking fees or entry fees for the parents to get into the games.

 

[default]

We are looking to go there 2010, and I have heard all good things about it.. I know of a few Ohio teams that have gone, and they all liked it.. Definatley a + for no gate fees!!

 

[default]

We are looking to go there 2010, and I have heard all good things about it.. I know of a few Ohio teams that have gone, and they all liked it.. Definatley a + for no gate fees!!

And you can bring in coolers. I would like to go back.

 

[default]

The NKY Bandits 12U were there in 08 for the B tournament and the biggest thing to improve was the schedule changes. I’m sure our coach can elaborate more but he was sending out one call now messages 3 to 4 times a day because they kept changing the schedule and we still had a team not show up for a game. Setting that issue aside it was a great trip softball and the beach two of my favorite things. I like the fields the umps were good and the competition was good. I think they pull the umps from all over but not sure how they choose who makes it and who does not. Another issue is finding tournaments the Bandits hosted one in Northern KY to get our birth and we played in one in Dayton to get more points for a higher seed. Other than those two that was it for the Cincy / Dayton area after that you had to go south. I think the Bandits are considering going again in 2010 so we could be hosting another tournament in Northern KY. Not sure of the time or place but if you think your team would be interested post it on here and let us know.

 

[default]

We ( Static Black 12u ) received a "Berth at Large" due to the shortage of tournaments in our area ( Cincy / Dayton / Columbus ) to actually be able to qualify for it. Just contact the tournament director and I'm sure they will take care of you because they are wanting to get more "Northern" teams down there. Last year the Static Organization was the only Ohio teams down there.

 

[default]

Best world series tourney I have been to by far. Opening ceremonies was great for the girls and parents and free food is always a plus. I have been there twice, 06 and 07. We went for the A week and in 12u there were 60 to 65 teams both years. First year was very humid and very very hot and the second year was hot but nice. Plenty of fun stuff to do and I think all teams do get a day off for family time. Parasailing is a must along with the banana boat rides. We did not play in any USFA tournaments when we went so seeding hurt us but still very awesome time. Look into the Commodore Condos if you go, very reasonable, on the beach, close to fields and plenty of room. 3 bedroom will sleep 8-10 comfortly with 3 baths, kitchen, dining room and living room. 2 bedroom will sleep 6-8 with 2 baths and so forth. I think the 3 bedroom was about 2000.00 but split 3 ways is not bad. We are looking to go to ASA A Eastern Nationals or Panama ourselves. Great place to play, cannot speak highly enough about it.

 

[default]

went this year we loved it!!! Did well. Excellent umpires, fields were OK, not great. Best tournament of the year as far as the "kids" and "parents" were concerned. We were never outplayed... we outplayed ourselves. We will go back every year as far as I'm concerned. I've already been in discussions with Megan of USFA. Heat is an issue but overall we only had 1 player drop. We rented a house and had them team back to the house quite a few nights. Was a blaaaaaaaaaaast!!!

 

[default]

We ( Static Black 12u ) received a "Berth at Large" due to the shortage of tournaments in our area ( Cincy / Dayton / Columbus ) to actually be able to qualify for it. Just contact the tournament director and I'm sure they will take care of you because they are wanting to get more "Northern" teams down there. Last year the Static Organization was the only Ohio teams down there.

yeah we had 10u, 12u, and 14u there. Was cool to see some teams from Indiana, Michigan, and Canada and I found myself rooting for them We had 54 teams in our bracket. The southern coaches were awesome too. They made sure we were handling the heat as they know our summers are not as brutal. Again, very very positive experience. I would recommend getting everyone to stay in same neighborhood, condo, or dwelling to simplify the girls hanging out together.

 

[default]

And Les, can't forget the awesome "Boom-Box" wagons ! Most teams in the north use the wagons for hauling equipment from the trailer to the field, they had battery driven ones that only contained speakers and the cd / stereo / mp3 player. Some with chrome wheels. I'm surprised that Captn' Morgan isn't going over plans with you on how to build a bigger one. :lmao:

 

[default]

and you know we will have to put ours on 18 wheels... where's Katjoe at with the pic?

I will say the silent or 'unwritten' boom box "competition" those boys had down south was pretty cool. The totally redneck thing about it was the boom boxes had better rims than their cars did. Boom boxes rollin on dub's is hilarious. Some of those probably costed upwards of $3000 or more.

C'mon Kat... gotta get us the visual.