2009 Colorado Sparkler and Fireworks

Just curious but for a family to go watch dd play in Colorado, Texas or California for a couple of tournaments isn't that approaching a year of tuition?

 

Don't worry, I think it's like the California coach said, it's just for bragging. Some of the best universities and colleges are right here in our own backyard. I've seen most all of them multiple times at many local tournaments.

Words to the wise: Take that excess money and attend various camps that our fine universities put on. I don't think you can be observed in detail any more than you can be at those camps. Not even to mention the actual purpose of learning and refining skills.

Why not be absolutely certain of being seen by Donna Papa, Lisa Navas, Tracey Kee, Kelly Van Houten, Charlie Dobbins, Niki Dobbins, Kama Tucker, et al. When you attend a camp populated by coaches who will also most likely see you compete locally what more can you ask for?

Save your leftover money for a ski trip to Colorado.

 

It's more about the jersey.

 

Now that's funny

 

Kind of ironic that you have the money to take a ski trip to Colorado, but can't afford to go with your DD to watch her play softball against talented teams from around the nation. For the past two years, I have happily spent my money to go to Boulder to see my DD play against the best that this nation has to offer. Nothing more satisfying than to see NC girls compete against and beat teams from CA, AZ, TX., etc. These are times that she and I will never forget.

By the way....most of the coaches you mentioned (Papa, Van Houten, Navas, Raduenz, etc.) were watching most of our games. It is also nice to play in front of coaches from Missouri, Washington, Florida, Alabama, etc. Not saying they are specifically looking to recruit any of our kids, but......just sayin'. You never know.

I'll save up some money and take a ski trip to Colorado, or Utah next year, or the year after. Anybody that turns down the opportunity to play in Boulder, CO., where over 350 coaches attend, is crazy. If you ever get the opportunity, jump on it and don't look back.

 

OK

This past week I made a couple post that were unpopular and this one will as well. I am unemployed and basically except for a couple consulting jobs, have been since late 2007! However, I found a way to fulfill my obligation to the Blues and attended Boulder. My wife and I ate peanut butter sandwiches, potted meat, used a gift card for our only meal outside and used some of breakfast food offered by the hotel for some change of pace dinners. The Blues did pay my flight but not my wife's. You can find a way if it is important or you can always make excuses and cut down others that make the sacrifices. We also do fund raisers, search out the best flight and hotel deals, and share rental cars.
There are so many opinions and post about NC girls being as good as California, Arizona, Texas (western girls), well the very best of NC are good and if we could take a team of very best, we have a chance. The difference I see is the western teams have their signed seniors, committed underclassman attending to make sure they perform well to give the remaining unsigned kids a chance to play at highest level possible. Also, they hit from 1-9, there is no easy out and they are all very skilled with "high softball IQ", which I think is still lacking in many NC kids. Also, they flat love playing the game and play it year round and every chance they can. Our kids play other sports and only a small percentage play or work year round to better their skills.
All that said the Blues, won the Louisville qualifier in 2006 going 10-1, finished tied for 9th in 2007, actually losing to the Cardinals who finished 5th, and in 2008, finished tied for 17th losing to the winner of the tournament 2-0. This year, we were in one of the toughest brackets in Boulder thanks to our success and were 2-5! Why? we were not as well prepared as we had one senior grad with us and just did not handle the pressure well. Our kids played hard, tried hard but the speed and power of the teams we played was just to much for us to handle. The pitching overall was not that much better than NC but the power, speed and softball IQ/base running was awesome. As said in a post, if you have not been to Boulder, Champion's Cup, Gold or A Nationals, or even NJ Showcase, you have no idea what you are talking about on this subject.
The Blues will continue to go to Boulder even if we have to give up Nationals and other events, it is that good and that exciting, and that critical to achieving what we want out of our NC kids! We want to win it! I think we could if we took the best NC has to offer but we do not have the talent pool California has to choose from and if you think so, you are mistaken. However, if we would work together instead of finding fault in each other and making all things negative that are different from our ideas, we could move closer to the "west" as you have said much quicker.
I will make a deal, I will not criticize teams, players, coaches when I do not have first hand knowledge of the subject if all others will make the same deal! Oh, I don't believe I have ever done that anyway on this board.

 

How much do you think a year of tuition is?

 

CONGRATS TFS

I am happy that you guys did so well out West. Good to see some names of players that I have seen play and one of mine seems to have done pretty well too. I am sure your girls have worked very hard and the ones that i talked to seemed to have a great time bonding and seeing some new things. Hat off to you guys for sacrificing so much time and effort to make this happen for the kids. Hopefully I can get you a couple more players in the near future.

 

having a " softball head"

Bingo!!!!

 

My intent was not to criticize those who went to Boulder. I was pointing out that there is much training and many opportunities available for much less money in front of many very good coaches right here in NC.

I am happy for those who were able to go to Boulder. Nothing at all wrong with that.