Clearing up an issue with the ASA State

All,
I have heard complaints that my Cardinal's somehow managed to manipulate the schedule by having us seeded in with an "easy" draw for the NC ASA State. I would like to inform everyone that I had absolutely nothing to do with the way the schedule was drawn.
I am pretty disturbed at this assumption by those who I have worked so hard to help over the past several years. Just to clear the record, Bob Caldwell drew up the brackets by draw, my team received a bye in the first round. End of story. Contrary to popular belief, I had no input in the schedule.
Last week alone I fielded near 150 emails and phone calls helping nearly every team participating, add players, get their rosters straight, ect... just to hear the kind of negative comments made. I struggled with posting this. I have always said a man's reputation is everything. I will not have my reputation tarnished by the very folks I work so hard trying to help. If you would like to discuss further, please fell free to give me a call.
Rick McHone
NC ASA
Carolina Cardinals/McHone
336-416-6056

 

Thanks Rick

I, for one, asked for Ricks help this week. My daughter is on a 14u team and we have not registered or played ASA this year. Thanks to Rick we were able to register and enjoy the experience of "playing up" in a state tournament.
It is disturbing people would make such accusations. A "blind draw" is just that. If you are one of those making accusations such as that, you should be embarassed. Sportmanship is shown on and off the field. By players, coaches, fans, and parents. It is really nice to see it happening and really bad when it is not.

 

I wouldn't be concerned about that nonsense at all. The people that would make that kind of remark are people whose opinion you won't change anyway...so there's no point in defending. The one's that know you and that you respect are the only one's that matter...and I seriously doubt they would think you had some hidden agenda.

I'd let this one run down my back quicker than water off a duck. I'm sure there will always be arrows pointed...I've just learned to duck.

 

I would like to mention that Rick has always been very quick to respond and help in any situation. I know how much time we put in, and I couldn't imagine doing all that he does outside of his own team. Rick is a classy guy with a classy team. We have enjoyed playing them twice this year, and learning how to get in there with the big dogs.

We had a bye as well, and a good draw, and I know as a somewhat new 18-U team, there is no way we would have gotten that. Congratulations on what I believe was a 3rd place finish. In that field, that is phenomenal! Is there somewhere we can find the order of finish for everyone? Can someone post it on TBR?

Don't let this bother you. You deserve appreciation and respect for all you do in our sport!

 

Short Memories

Rick has helped so many teams over the past few years with not only ASA registration, but with helping them find quality players. I promise you, no one knows how many countless (and thankless) volunteer hours this man puts in behind the scenes all year so our DD's can play ASA softball. Rick is one of the most honorable and honest people I have ever met, and I can promise you, he has not and never will do anything to compromise his reputation or NC ASA softball.

Some who were so fast to criticize have very short memories in the fact in years past, if it weren't for Rick, a couple of NC teams would have been sent home from the ASA Nationals before playing a game due to not having their rosters correct and possibly playing with an illegal player. I know several ASA commissioners from other states and believe me, most would tell you if your roster wasn't correct before you left NC, don't call when you get to the Nationals, just come home. Plus as Rick stated, many teams would not have been able to play in the ASA states if it weren't for his Rick's last minute, late night assistance.

ASA softball has exploded in NC the past couple of years under Ricks direction with the number of teams registering and playing almost doubling each of the past 2 years. ASA is the governing body of softball in the US and is the most competitive sanction for ALL ages. If we all want to go back to the way things were just 3 years ago, keep up the whining and could be looking for another person to lead ASA fastpitch in NC. Do we have any volunteers??

Ben McKinney
Carolina Cardinals Red 14U
NC ASA JO Deputy Commissioner- Western NC

 

Success brings Jealousy!!!

Having been around ASA for several years, I have seen Rick's teams continue to improve from year to year. This year there is no question that his team is one of the best out there. I wonder if those complainers would have said anything about scheduling if Rick hadn't beaten them this weekend??

Thank you Rick for all that you do and congratulations on building a team that plays the game hard and wins. Jealousy is a terrible thing and you are just seeing it raise it's ugly head.

As BMac said you have been there and done the right thing...don't let these losers have an effect on what you are doing for the girls of our state.

 

Hmm...

Rick,
This is all just payback for beating us so bad last showcase in Rock Hill!!!!

Geez...people absolutley have turned into a joke around the softball world.

Every coach out here is UNPAID and doing this for the love of the game and for the girls.

Every one of you complaining, I/we can't catch a break, man he threw me under the bus, negative, his piece of cake is bigger than mine, hey ump....you got it out for me don't you, JFK conspiracy theory dopes need to grow up....and GET A LIFE.

You have all turned this into something way less than fun. Rick, I got you back....you are a gentleman and a true competitor.

Rick, Rodney, Ray, (any more R's), thank you for pioneering the game for NC/SC as it is today.

Guess thats why my youngest is playing TENNIS!!!!!

 

Have I mentioned....

Rick -

Have I mentioned lately that you are a doll?

 

Absolutley...................

....sign me up....
I have not been blamed for something associated with Travel ball for at least two years... kinda miss it.... I'll just blame it on Marlin anyway...

Rick... if you lose more than a minute of sleep over this, it's one too many... Most people have no idea what is involved in running a state ASA JO program.

Carry on!