ASA Softball: Not everyone is happy!

This topic seems to be a never ending topic every year -- Does your DD have to play in these out of town or national tournaments to be recruited ?? No, but the experience is a once in a lifetime one. As one who has a DD that had an opportunity to play on a gold team this year, i will tell you that it was worth every dollar spent. To watch your DD face a pitcher that the week before was pitching in the CWS, at a single game have 35 DI programs watching a NC team play against one of the best teams in the country and do very well, to watch your DD elevate her game to a level you did not know she could reach due to the level of competition out there, to face a team in CO. that had a starting lineup of 6 committed to Arizona State, 2 committed to UCLA, and one to Cal, and to see the smile on my DD face after getting to follow a dream and travel the country to play softball. My DD will probably never get recruited by a major school, but i will tell you the experience was PRICELESS !!!!!

 

I dont think it was about being recruited but about being tested at the higher level.

 

My dd is going to UNC. We played for the Carolina Cobras since we were 12u. She got noticed by UNC when she was a rising freshmen. Last fall we left the Cobras to play for the Legacy Gold. She had already committed before we even played any this summer with them. I have been to New jersey twice and to Boulder twice. If you think your daughter is good enough to play D-1 it is a great oppurtunity for them to play in these tournaments, because all the big D-1 , D II schools go to these tournaments. Even the ones around here. Two years ago I saw the Phiffer coach in Colorado. These coaches want to see the girls they are recruiting play the compitition. They say it is better. Do I agree? For the most part yes, but there is several teams from North Carolina can play with any of these teams. Instead of 5 to 10 good teams in a tournament all the teams are the quality of our best teams here. The coaches just want to assure themselves that they are making the right decision.
So that is my take not agreeing or disagreeing with anyone.

 

Personally, I don't care how one chooses to spend their money. The fact is the quality time spent with your family is the same whether in Boulder, Colo, Myrtle Beach or Rock Hill, so that's not the issue or the topic. The topic started was about the lack of quality fields for a National Tournament. I brought up a question that turned the topic.

Although I am throughly knowledgeable about baseball's showcase, I am not knowledgeable about softball. That's why I ask questions......to learn.

Now, Dawgswood did a great job in explaining it to me and I thank him for it. What he stated to me was there is not a tournament in the SE that garners the attention from college coaches that the tournament in Boulder does. And if I read correctly, he suggested there is an opportunity for someone to fill this void.

I understand the advantages of playing against some of the best talent in the country. What I didn't know is that there is not a national tournament in the SE. Geez...lighten up people. A lot of members are trying to learn something reading the softball forum. Not everybody has an axe to grind.

I wanted to take more time and get to know and understand the softball community in NC. The past 6 years I have not had the time. Believe me, I am a supporter of softball. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have started this forum.

For those on here that know me, you know I don't stir crap up, nor do I like when others do. But I asked you to bear with me as I try to learn the ins and outs of fp softball in NC.

We will be gaining a lot of new members in the coming months. I'm sure questions that have been asked multiple times will be brought up again. I hope you veterans will treat these people with respect and be patient when they ask a question that seems "never ending". For them, it's the 1st time, as it was for you when you registered.

 

Nailed it

You nailed it Braves. I have only been on the board for a few months but it seems like forever and I can't tell you how much I have learned just by reading the threads. Most of it is new to me and I appreciate the patience and understanding of the 'veterans'.

I can only hope that I can help some of the newbees in the upcoming years.

 

There are a couple of major showcases in FL and one in SC as far as I know, but havent been through the softball cycle yet.

 

Yep....

...Rising Stars in Fla. is a must! If your TB team is not going to play.....and you want your DD to be there, simply contact the tourn. director.
My DD was put on a list of available players wanting to play and Bam!, calls came in from NJ to Wash. St. She hooked up with a team from NJ, and also got the opportunity to fill in for C. Dobbins which gave her, and another kid from here, the chance to play on the "big" stage., and twice the number of games! The games and competition were very good, no doubt, but I've gotta say that the top NC teams hold their ground with anybody.

As for joining a team as a pick up player....WOW! what an experience! Those NJ folks were so cool!

Oh BTW, the 2 pickup players signed with NCSU.

Was it a neccessity for them to play in Fla. to sign locally? probably not, but it damn sure didn't hurt.....

....TB isn't all about recruiting, theres bookoos of positives helping kids grow up in a cool family environment.

 

..and that, my friend, is what makes you a valued member.

 

Tournaments

Boulder is the best tournament top to bottom we have ever attended. Plantation, Fla is good but weather is so unpredictable! We are going to Savannah, Ga this fall instead of Fla. so we can drive home if rain comes. New Jersey is a good tourney and Dynamites is best in area. It used to be better when they required teams to meet certain requirements to get into the tournament. We could have a big time showcase if several of the top organization joined and sponsored it together as NC would be a great location.
There are tons of opinions on how to run a softball team and tournaments to play. We had a great time at Nationals and played teams from all over the country and saw different approaches to the game. We saw and spoke to college coaches from west and midwest that we do not see often, the girls bonded and did non-softball stuff together and made friends with other teams. Many benefits to kids and organization. We will continue to go to Boulder, Dynamites, Nationals, and other great tournaments because we want to play the best and improve our game. If you are going to play college ball, play the best and get ready. Fund raisers and monthly payments can ease pain of expenses and the stories and pictures make it worthwhile.

 

Thanks Abbey Fan for the info.