| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| baseballpapa |
Posted - 07/04/2010 : 20:34:11
I want this to be a sounding board to rate USSSA in Georgia. Let us know where you rank them overall. Papa will start it off by saying Bubba has tried hard and most likely done everything he told us he would do but as I told Bubba himself without any authority his efforts have been and will be wasted. Georgia USSSA is still being run by Matt and he could care less about anything other than the bottom line.
Without all of the Georgia teams banding and sticking together next year will be a repeat of this year. USSSA understands one thing and one thing alone and that is money and as long as we dish it out and not expect something for it they will continue to get the gold mine and the Ga teams will get the shaft.
If the teams agree than I will be front and center helping organize a Boycott next year that will speak to USSSA the only place they will ever listen to us and that is their "Checkbook". I know that there are some USSSA events that we all like to play in so if we boycott someone will have to step up and replace the prize USSSA events with an alternative. What is the difference if the same teams play the Slugfest under the Triple Crown banner instead of USSSA. Am I missing something or does it matter little to us who is running it if it being run right.
If most are happy then we will all continue with the "status guo" |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Foul Territory |
Posted - 08/19/2010 : 21:27:15
bmoser: I don't think the Slugfest would loose any teams if they go away from the classification system USSSA uses. If teams require that for participation then I'm sure Nations Baseball will be glad to grab the steering wheel.
Another option is to have the multiple level bracket play that Triple Crown Sports, AAU, and BPA amongst others offer. Where teams are bracketized based on pool play performance, a format I prefer because it prevents teams from cruise controlling through pool play. In this format you better come out guns blazing because RA or RD could be the difference in "Gold" or "Silver" bracket play regardless of a good W-L record (especially in large field events like Slugfest).
I'm a firm believer that travel ball is travel ball. If you're committing parents to purchase the same uniforms, bat bags, cage work and instruction, elite or AA, you should get on the field with them at least every now and then. Most teams that stray away from playing "elite" teams is to avoid looking bad which forces parents to ask the question: why are we with this team? why are we so far behind these teams?
When you go to most post season events they don't classify like USSSA does (i.e. AA World Series). You get a random mix of talent in your opponents. Wouldn't you agree?
The folks in Cooperstown could care less if your club is AA. They'll put you on the field against the San Diego Stars and webcast them destroying you.
Trying to get back to the original purpose of the topic, I would rate USSSA behind all organizations in Georgia as my choice to participate.
I give USSSA a most favorable rating with their web site ONLY (USSSA.com) NOT gausssabaseball.com. A web site that is inclusive in all sports they sanction, so can't even fully credit them. Nations is right behind them in this category and I'm sure will improve on it and is willing to hear suggestions how... |
| seminole tony |
Posted - 08/19/2010 : 19:42:53
Does anyone remember how poor the officiating was at the slugfest? We won't go back.
I enjoyed the part about it being for charity but TD needs to change. Bring in real umpires(from
neutral areas). |
| bmoser |
Posted - 08/19/2010 : 15:50:57
Foul Territory:
A big part of the draw to play in the Forsyth County Slugfest is the different levels of play USSSA offers. If USSSA is replaced, the new org will need to offer 3 levels of play. |
| Foul Territory |
Posted - 08/19/2010 : 10:58:51
I too think it's time for team managers and parents to demand more from USSSA specifically, as well as all other sanctioning bodies that govern weekend events. Boycott is a heavy plan of action and word. It starts with tournament directors. The reality is that TD's will sanction their events with whatever organization us the PEOPLE want. They are in business and whatever sells is what they will push.
General info: USSSA gets $30 per team for any event they sanction. If 50 teams total, ages 8U-13U, participate in a weekend "WS Qualifier" the TD cuts a check for $1,500 to Georgia USSSA! Just for use of the term USSSA WS QUALIFIER. A bit much from my financial perspective. What does USSSA do with these funds? They do host a Director's Cup Event that is free to participants but that's pennies on the dollar to their profits.
Action should be taken now in the fall to convert these TD's to host events sanctioned by organizations we the PEOPLE want to support. I have read only positive comments about Triple Crown Sports and it's Director Tony Von Dolteren (mispelled I'm sure...lol). Let's open lines of communication with him and see if he has interest in expanding his Spring 2011 calendar. In my conversations with him he has explained that he doesn't want to oversaturate their brand and that ensures huge participation in their events. Good business plan...but money is money he/they may be willing to try.
Everyone loves the FC Slugfest. Get with the TD and FORCE him to sanction it with another organization. Everyone should email their interest in the event and intent to participate IF it's sanctioned with an organization other than USSSA. Why should he refute that suggestion if it's a charity event for physically disabled athletes. That's a start.. |
| billbclk |
Posted - 08/11/2010 : 10:33:37
LLH
I agree about the power rating meaning more than your points but it is only valid as it relates to the teams that participate in USSSA events. If the "top" teams don't participate then you are still not getting a true ranking. If the top ranked teams don't play a balanced schedule then the results are tainted at best.
BTW you will never get a true ranking. Remember guys the power rating/points system is a marketing tool designed to get us excited about playing more USSSA events. |
| LLH |
Posted - 08/10/2010 : 21:37:56
Unless your power rating is more or close to your point total it really does not matter. Points are paid for by just playing. Your power rating is what is earned. Sort teams by power rating not points to really see who is on top. |
| powerhitter15 |
Posted - 08/10/2010 : 16:42:30
Was wondering why usssa moved a AA team up to AAA and that team got to keep there points. There points were from beating AA teams. If im right I think they only beat one AAA team all season. And now they are the #1 team(in points)in AAA. Can someone please explain? |
| qui-gon.jinn |
Posted - 07/19/2010 : 12:38:21
supposedly, the west cobb deal was for cobb county to pony up more than $25M (and i hear as much as $35M) with no guaranteed return on the taxpayers' investment in a for-profit business (remember - they don't have these tournaments out of the goodness of their big-ole hearts, now! if they did, they'd not charge 10.00 per day and hold only one game per day, now would they?)
as a resident of cobb and the parent of a ball player, i believe that the county did a very prudent thing in NOT investing in this. But then, again, I haven't heard the complete story. |
| teddy41 |
Posted - 07/14/2010 : 21:35:44
I just noticed the best 14u teams in the country are at the usssa elite 32 in orlando...ever wonder why |
| baseballpapa |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 09:39:01
Good point Coach Tony: Nations has not taken off like everyone hoped it would but the ones we have played in have been awesome. Have you tried Triple Crown. If you read the posts you will find that many of our Georiga Teams are very satisfied with Triple Crown and that is obvious by the number of teams that Tony is attracting. Some of our best tournaments were ran by Triple Crown so you might want to give them a try. I want to make one thing very clear and that is that the point of this post is not to eliminate USSSA. The idea of a boycott is to get the attention of the directors who refuse to listen or respond to legitimate concerns of the teams that are funding their program. If they won't listen because they want to listen and make their program better then maybe, just maybe they will listen when their bottom lines begins to drop and someone above them wants to know why the sudden decrease in revenue. If we could get the right man on the job in USSSA that would listen to the teams concerns and work hard to make a strong organization stronger instead of more arrogant then I think most would agree that it would be a great place to "Play Ball"
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| bmoser |
Posted - 07/13/2010 : 09:34:03
USSSA is firmly entrenched on the South side with AA/AAA teams as evidenced by coachtony's post. Proximity is key. These teams are NOT going to boycott an org that regularly runs tourneys in their backyard
Because the Slugfest benefits ill/disadvantaged Children, most can't boycott that event in good conscience. Also, it's the only big tourney in the Forsyth/Gwinnett County areas, so local teams will play it since they have to travel far the rest of the year.
Then there's the S-NIT. USSSA could move the SNIT into the Slugfest's venues and weekend time slot, but then they'd lose 1 huge money maker (Slugfest). If they moved the Slugfest into the SNIT venues and weekend time slot, it would draw fewer North metro teams.
Then there's the Sub State/States. A,AA,& AAA teams best chance to be a State Champ. Attendance was down in my sons (11U) age group vs. last years 10U event, but I cant see States going away. I'm guessing Global offset the States revenue loss.
So, USSSA will live on in its current form, mostly catering to AA/AAA teams, and will only draw Major teams to Slugfest, S-NIT, States at EC, and a few Global events. Revenues will stay flat.
How many of you are willing to start the boycott at the Major States at East Cobb complex, right in your backyard? |
| coachtony |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 21:39:20
I dont claim to be as "in the know" as many of you on this board...I am just a father/coach who is trying to do right by his kid. With that said, I know nothing about field leases and the business end of things but here is what I do know. On the south side of Atlanta, Nations Baseball had dozens of tournaments scheduled this year with fields, officials, balls, trophies, and everything that anyone would need to hold a great tournament except one.....teams. Nobody signed up to play. Everyone wants to complain about USSSA but they still sign up and play U-Trip tournaments every weekend. My team played our share as well, but there were a number of weekends that we were signed up to play Nations and had to beg a TD to let us into a USSSA tournament at the last minute because the Nations one didn't make. You can argue about field leases and everything else, but if teams won't sign up to play all of that is irrelevant.
--T
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| G-Man |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 21:06:28
Well if that is the case I have a friend who is a tournament director for AAU who was interested in me starting something up with him in Georgia. If I can get all the particulars worked out I might take him up on the offer and at least get another organization in here. I will keep you advised as soon as I know more.
quote:
Originally posted by baseballpapa
G-Man, I have done some checking and it appears that USSSA doesn't control as many leases as you would think they might and that they just get in line year to year. I have not checked the fields for the Super NIT down south of Atlanta but as you know most of the Georgia teams have been trying to get the Super NIT out from that nightmare traffic area for years with no success. The Georgia teams are embarassed that this is the best place that USSSA thinks they can find to put on such a showcase event.
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| baseballpapa |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 16:33:13
G-Man, I have done some checking and it appears that USSSA doesn't control as many leases as you would think they might and that they just get in line year to year. I have not checked the fields for the Super NIT down south of Atlanta but as you know most of the Georgia teams have been trying to get the Super NIT out from that nightmare traffic area for years with no success. The Georgia teams are embarassed that this is the best place that USSSA thinks they can find to put on such a showcase event. |
| Spartan4 |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 16:25:54
Papa we just got back from Panama City and we played a Louisiana team. It was their 10U Major state champ, and while they were a good team I do get the feeling Louisiana is a weak state, I asked in the 10U forum but nobody told me, and it just made me that much prouder of GA baseball all together....I do agree that USSSA is going downhill, I play in a few men's softball tourney's that are USSSA and while I do like the rules much more than ASA the director is a jerk!! He is impossible to get on the phone, advertises that balls are supplied(never are) and more of the same we see in the baseball side. I hope we can get this situation worked out soon and one organization/TD will begin to provide better tourneys for us all. |
| G-Man |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 14:13:18
There are politics involved here. These are teams that pay to play in his local tournaments. These teams are his lifelines for his business in Louisiana. Papa I admire you for not only trying to fight for your grandsons team but also all the other teams in Georgia. However as I have mentioned before the man with the gold makes the rules. The gold in this equation is the person who controls the leases on these fields and the organization he or she has aligned themselves with.
quote:
Originally posted by baseballpapa
bmoser calls it weird and Papa calls a pig a pig. Think that they might some politics involved here. Let's all remember that the Louisiana director is running the Elite 32 show. This is not the way to showcase the talent that this group has to offer.
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| baseballpapa |
Posted - 07/12/2010 : 09:35:33
I have spoke with several TD's that seem to be as unhappy as the teams that play in their events. I have even spoke to a couple of the bigger TD's that fly under the USSSA banner that are considering ending their relationship. If they do the right thing and leave USSSA then this could be the beginning of getting USSSA to at least discuss the complaints being discussed on this forum. Wouldn't it be a good thing if we all just thought that they cared enough to listen to what we are saying. |
| baseballpapa |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 22:36:24
bmoser calls it weird and Papa calls a pig a pig. Think that they might some politics involved here. Let's all remember that the Louisiana director is running the Elite 32 show. This is not the way to showcase the talent that this group has to offer. |
| billbclk |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 22:21:28
I think we are all starting to realize that our "girl" has been cheating on us.
Two questions:
1. Why do we continue to seek out USSSA tournaments?
If you want them to get better then stop rewarding them by chasing after their rankings, just play the 3 - 5 games you get and be happy. Their points/rankings system is a marketing tool designed to get teams to enter multiple events. I would take more pleasure from saying I beat the "16u East Forsyth Mudhens" in the finals one weekend rather than talk about how I am ranked ahead of teams that I have never played.
2. Why do Tournament Directors (TDs) keep aligning themselves with USSSA?
For all that we say about how bad USSSA is (in GA) they are still being fed by local TDs who want part of the action. These guys use the USSSA name and the lure of double points, NIT points, Elite 32(4) spots, etc. to get us EVERY time.
TDs don't have to affiliate themselves with any tournament sanctioning body, they do so to attract "customers" who are looking to get something in return. Try this next time you enter a USSSA event: ask the TD if he would consider not making it a USSSA event and see what happens.
BC |
| bmoser |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 14:21:11
I just looked it up, there's a team called the Louisiana Tigers who went 3-14 in Super NIT's yet are in the Elite 34 (I thought it was Elite 32, so they might be an alternate). That's weird.
quote:
Originally posted by baseballpapa
I have 3 unresponded too emails to this great guy Joey and I quit calling Matt or emailing him two years ago because he has rarely if ever responded to any complaint. If you want Matt to call just leave a message that you have a check and need to know where to mail it and you might get an answer. I would have thought Joey Odom would have responded and maybe something went haywire with the emails and I might just try him again but then again this is the guy that made sure 2 of his state's teams with bad losing records got into the Elite 32 that he set up for Elite teams.
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| baseballpapa |
Posted - 07/11/2010 : 06:48:59
I have 3 unresponded too emails to this great guy Joey and I quit calling Matt or emailing him two years ago because he has rarely if ever responded to any complaint. If you want Matt to call just leave a message that you have a check and need to know where to mail it and you might get an answer. I would have thought Joey Odom would have responded and maybe something went haywire with the emails and I might just try him again but then again this is the guy that made sure 2 of his state's teams with bad losing records got into the Elite 32 that he set up for Elite teams. |
| gasbag |
Posted - 07/10/2010 : 08:46:58
Brother Bilbck - I love your idea of writing a letter to USSSA's "Grand Pooba" outlining our complaints and also suggestions on how to fix the complaints. Then, to give it some true meaning, having as many Coaches from as many Teams as possible, sign the letter so that he knows it's not just one, two or three of us with these concerns, but a whole lot folks from the great state of Georgia whom are upset. I also think we ask for some sort of time frame to be established to implement the changes. That's a great step one.....but, I also think the strategy needs some additional steps or it will lack effectiveness and we'll go on being frustrated ! Step two could be some type of organized boycott of some of USSSA's big money maker tournaments....or perhaps we attend the tournaments and create picket lines with posters, chanting etc.....maybe even drum up some media coverage etc. Step three, research the parks they are leasing and lobby them to not renew the USSSA leases ( the last thing these parks want is bad PR ).
One last thought I had is that folks like the USSSA rating system with it's points etc. In my opinion, isn't it kind of self serving that the organization that benefits from participation does the rankings ? Shouldn't we set up an independent system to rank teams regardless of the specific type of tournament brand is being played ? It should not be affiliated with any organization which gains monetarily from the rankings but be independent. Maybe I'm dreaming and this can't be done but I know if enough people are frustrated to the point that they are willing to do something, we can move mountains together ! |
| biggin |
Posted - 07/09/2010 : 19:38:52
Everyone knows your waistin your time trying to talk with matt t. Trust I've even tried talkin to him in person at directors cup championship this year. He wouldn't even listen to my concerns I explained to him that our team has been to more usssa tournements over last 4 yrs then any in ga he didn't care. With that bein said we played in 1 triple crown event this year and by far was the worst. We also played 1 usssa event in alabama and found it to be the best run event we went to. Maybe they just appreciate our buisness a little more over there. |
| G-Man |
Posted - 07/09/2010 : 19:16:19
Don and Joey are both good guys. I know some people contacted Don who is the CEO of Usssa and voiced some complaints about one of the tournament directors in Florida and now this guy is no longer with Usssa. So its a good suggestion to maybe call some of the Usssa bigwigs to voice your concerns. |
| billbclk |
Posted - 07/09/2010 : 13:30:44
All,
I applaud you on wanting to boycott USSSA because that means you realize it’s a business and the best way to show companies’ you mean business is to stop using their product.
Aside from the obvious fraud cases where Tournament Directors (TD) promise certain things and then don’t deliver (dragging fields, updated scores, etc.) you guys should only expect to get games from them. We all know the refund policies if we don’t play all the games. Occasionally a TD will make you play a game in freezing or rainy conditions just to reduce the amount of the refund. If so then don’t play in another event hosted by that TD.
• If you are upset because rankings seem unfair, be happy that you beat the teams you played and move on.
• If you think the pitching rules are wrong, play tournaments that best suit your pitching setup.
• If you think tournament companies are just after your money, then you are right. Theses are businesses that need to be profitable. For some reason we have put too much emphasis on being ranked #1 by these guys. I wonder if the national or even state #1 ranked 2009 10U team every received a call from the USSSA EVP of Baseball Operations congratulating them on a “fine” season.
Unfortunately this topic is not new and is now getting old. If you want to boycott USSSA that’s fine by me (at 16U I don’t play in tournaments because it’s TC, USSSA, USTBA, etc.) I look at who is hosting and go there just to get 3 – 5 games.
Rather than getting guys together to boycott an organization how about you first try one or all of the following:
1. Contact the National USSSA guys (listed below) to express your displeasure (showing a list of coaches, like a petition, might help as well). Let them know we are not happy with X-Y-Z. If you don’t hear from them or they direct you back to the GAUSSSA then (as the kids say) “It’s ON” let’s shut down GA.
2. Come up with minimum guide lines on what we think a good tournament has. Publish a list of TDs that do it right. Only go to tournaments of guys who are on the list. Make the TDs want to be on the list. BTW, if you are 14U or older high school tournaments provide good venues and structure (although some do not offer championship rounds). I have used Loganville HS and Eagles Landing HS. I have had success with JBAthletics. Tim Ashe in Monroe works hard and will work with you as well. Now have any of these guys had issues? Probably, but my most recent experience was good so I am seeking them out this fall.
3. Temper our enthusiasm about tournaments a little. In a setup where not all teams play and participate in every tournament, you can only be the champion over teams that you play. Somewhere out there is an NAIA team that thinks they are better the South Carolina but the NCAA and College Word Series says something different.
As much as we want to blame our State Director and his people, the USSSA higher ups are obviously happy with his performance.
If you are unhappy and feeling ignored voice your concerns to the main guys (call, write, fax or email). I got these names off their website.
Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations
Rick Fortuna
Bus. 816-587-4545
Fax. 816-587-4549
6324 N. Chatham Avenue #136
Kansas City, MO 64151
email: rick@kcsports.org
Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations
Joey Odom
Res. 337-562-1251
614 South Lake Court Dr
Lake Charles, LA 70605
e-mail: joeyodom@aol.com
Website: www.lausssabaseball.com
Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations
Donny DeDonatis
Bus. 321-697-3644
611 Line Drive
Kissimmee, FL 34744
e-mail: michusssa@aol.com
Vice Presidents
Frank Griffin
Bus. 318-356-8392
Fax. 318-357-3893
259 Plantation Point Blvd
Natchitoches, LA 71457
email: usssaevents@gmail.com
Travis Leming
Bus. 423-279-1092
Fax. 423-323-9996
PO Box 3133
Blountville, TN 37617
email: tnusssa@charter.net
Scott Mobley
Bus. 256-473-6626
Fax. 256-447-2205
PO Box 570
Piedmont, AL 36272
email: alabamausssa@yahoo.com
Wally Fortuna
Bus. 816-587-4545
6324 N. Chatham Avenue #136
Kansas City, MO 54151
email: wally@kcsports.org
Matt Trebuchon
Bus. 678-794-8713
Fax. 678-364-8923
1029 N. Peachtree Parkway
email: mtrebuchon@gausssabaseball.com
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