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Arnie66
22 Posts |
 Posted - 01/08/2011 : 18:09:30
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| Why is it that we always have this event in one of the "worst" months weather wise of the season? How does GA expect to compete at thier teams highest level ( whatever that may be) if this is one of the first events in GA? FL comes here & primarily dominates, as they have been playing for a couple of months if not continous from last season. (I'm jealous) Does GA not have any pull or say in the matter? It seems as though the GA Super NIT gets the leftover times/dates. If that is not the case and GA has some say in the matter, then the decision to have the event in March is insane. Doesn't everyone love to play in 30*, rainy, crappy weather? Also, Who cares if the Bandits are coming? Why would you not want to play against some of the best? If you are looking for soft competition, go play in smaller event and stop whining. How about preparing your players for events that offer real competition vs. a bunch of run rule games and then one actual games at the end? Novel thought, no? |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2011 : 19:45:33
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Many many teams have shown they don't like to compete against better competition.....It is a joke how many teams bail out when good competition signs up. Every daddy has to coach travel ball, especially if his son (next Derek Jeter) doesn't play where he wants him. It is really bad at the AA level, but I know there are good coaches at the AA level who coach to their available talent pool. I like what you are saying tho Arnie, these kids will get to HS or play in their first game vs. similar talent and have no idea how to cope with failing to succeed with every pitch or every at-bat(mine still does to a point)...Being too successful and dominating every game means NOTHING if you aren't playing against the best.
Also, there are a few previous posts about USSSA in Ga that I had never read before last night and it has become pretty obvious to me at least that GA is getting hosed here.....Alabama and LA both have more Super NIT's but neither state seems to have the same quality of baseball teams??? I can't find a legit reason why... I for one think it is a joke and if USSSA points didn't determine seeding at the Elite 32 I would prefer our team to play as little USSSA as possible. |
Edited by - Spartan4 on 01/08/2011 20:35:33 |
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baseballnutz
427 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2011 : 21:50:32
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| I thought the whole idea for travel ball was to get a group of talented kids together coach them up and play the best to see where you stand? It seems recently 90% of it has become a glorified rec league to make money. |
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Gwinnett
791 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2011 : 23:30:44
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I guess GA doesn't have that much pull when it comes to the Super NIT. In fact doesn't ALL the talent come from AL, LA and FL?.. lol
I agree with Arnie on the issue of March for the tournament. What a sh@#% month to have such a big tournament since we only get it once a year! But since we're the lowest on the toetum pole I guess we'll take it...
As far as top talent at these tournaments--we feel lucky to have the oppurtunity to compete against any top team! With as many tournament choices out there, I'm thankful we will have the possible chance to play a game with those teams.
Like it or not, I think a lot of these tournaments make quite a bit on AA teams because there are sooooo many. In fact, IMO the tournaments cater more to those teams. I know that's not going to change. |
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10 BB
264 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2011 : 11:03:58
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There is always some kind of good in every thing if we take the time to seek it out! Last year Florida had 4 Super NIT's and none as big as the Atlanta one. The Pensacola Super NIT had 6 11u teams in it. Now all of you know that is a pittyful number for such a high profile tourny and I would bet that if Ga. had more Super NIT's it would turn the one you do have into more of just another tourny.
I have seen some complaints on this forum about teams coming to Ga. and dominating this event fact is this event brings lots of revenue to your state and your parks not to mention alot of good baseball. Winning the Atlanta Super NIT would almost be as nice as winning the Elite 32 because it has a feel of entering the lions den of youth baseball.
The Atlanta Super NIT is not just another event in your state it is although one of the most sought after tournaments of this Florida teams season. Win or loose this event we always look forward to coming up and competing in it. It is one of those tournaments we build our schedule around and I for one think this tournament would make Ga. baseball teams proud of it. If you have other Super NIT's in Ga. I bet it wouldn't be the spectacular event that it has become! |
Edited by - 10 BB on 01/09/2011 13:52:55 |
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Gwinnett
791 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2011 : 14:36:00
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Truth be told we would play in Jan even if it was freezing and nasty! We're not complaining just saying. Maybe in the future we will get more as a state.
10BB, your right it is a great tournament. It is nice to know people from other states plan around this tournament. Keeps us from having to drive out of state. Thanks for coming up this way! |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2011 : 17:50:41
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| It is spectacular and full every year because it's the only one we get...I agree 100% if we had 2 it would take away from the first one. But it would allow another opportunity to secure an Elite 32 berth, something I feel GA deserves over ALA and LA....Florida consistently puts out several top 10 teams per year so I understand USSSA's willingness to allow more than one Super NIT....Also, if we had less teams for the first Super NIT maybe they could be had at better facilities. I have asked more than once why we play the state's biggest tourney on the horrible fields we do and the amount of teams is usually he answer that is given. Two years ago while playing an elimination game with the 10U Ga Grip our catcher fell in a hole that was HUGE, Bandit_Hawk can confirm....The fields are terrible, but because this event is the "premier" event for Georgia and is very successful USSSA has little reason to improve. Like I posted earlier, I hadn't really read the posts with the complaints about USSSA til the other night and now I see why people complain. It wouldn't take much to improve this tournament and the overall perception of USSSA in Georgia. Florida is VERY lucky, and while 10BB was spot on saying the Atlanta NIT is a GREAT tourney with a TON of teams having at least one more would make USSSA more money than having a 3rd in Alabama...IMO..... Our 11U team will play in at least 4 out of state tournaments (all of them being USSSA) for that very reason. Florence ALA had a very poor turnout the last couple of years with 9 teams two of them being AAA. This year they will try Auburn.....We'll see |
Edited by - Spartan4 on 01/09/2011 19:36:54 |
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baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2011 : 10:25:33
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The real truth is that all of us could care less if this was a USSSA, Triple Crown, Nations, or any other organization giving the tournament. We show up for 2 reasons and 2 reasons only and the reasons do not include what time of year the tournament is given or what venue the tournament is held at or even how bad the traffic is.
We come because this is a tournament that all of the bad boys of youth baseball tend to come to. The badder the teams are the more we all want the chance to beat them. Due to financial restrictions the better teams only get very few opportunities to lock horns and the better teams like to get as many opportunities to play the best out there and this tournament allows you to do that in one weekend. The 2 reasons we show up is that this tournament has most of the great teams in the Southeast in one central location and it gives you a ticket to Disney if you are fortunate enough to manuever your way through the minefield.
USSSA is not the reason we come but the teams that they attract to this tournament is one of the reasons.
You can all give up on USSSA as I have but you can't miss the opportunity to play in this field of teams. When there is an alternative I know that we all will take advantage of the alternative and give back USSSA the same kind of love that they have given Georgia over the years. Maybe they will add a 5th tournament to Florida and have 3 teams in 12U show up so that their weaker teams at least have a 33% of winning a bid to Disney. If you can't qualify for Disney in Florida you should consider horseshoes. |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2011 : 12:28:59
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| LOL I agree Papa, if Triple Crown or Nations had an end of the year tourney that was even close to Disney teams would support it. Every year at Disney there are several AAA teams that got in because a particular team already had a berth and passed it down or like you said enter a tourney with 3 teams in it!! But for the most part the top 25 is VERY VERY strong and IMO still the best option for determining a national champion(other than NYBC which doesn't offer a tourney for many age groups)..... |
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11UFAN
149 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2011 : 15:00:17
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Papa,
Some on this site talk about this Super NIT issue and blame USSSA for going for the money. Make no mistake about it, youth baseball is big business but as you often post, it is a whole lot more than that.
As a business man and baseball lover myself, there is no business reason not to have another Elite 32 qualifier in GA. In fact, we are just about the most baseball crazy state in this country. 10BB says another one might dilute the "ONE" we get. You gotta be kidding me!! Like S4 said, USSSA would make a helluvalot more money if we had another one and they would have a better field of teams in their Elite 32 for their efforts, which is what it is all about. If I got less than 16 teams showing up I'd be moving that venue in a NY minute. You got a bid to the Elite 32 to reel them in!
Guess what I've learned running businesses over the years? You put the best product out in the market, listen to your customers, staff your business with the best people available and treat them fairly, you will make a ton of money. The minute complacency, politics, favortism and/or greed (maybe not just for money but for power or pride or some other reason) become more important than serving your customer/purpose you end up eventually losing to a competitor that gets it. |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2011 : 19:39:32
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Well said 11UFAN, only problem is there isn't another Elite 32....For the life of me I can't understand why Nations or Triple Crown doesn't make a great tourney like the Elites?? We have been to several and while Southaven MS is a GREAT place for a tourney the competition isn't the same as the Elites....It is probably getting old me saying it over and over again but MAYBE someone from USSSA will PAY ATTENTION!!! One more and we all shut up...It is that simple! But...somebody lives in LA so they get more berths and Super NIT's...makes no sense but it is what it is....Is GA punished for participating in Triple Crown, Nations, and USTBA tournaments?? Are those organizations not around in other states??
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10 BB
264 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2011 : 19:27:33
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| Five paid teams so far in this tournament on the official USSSA site and 1 is from Ga. 2 NC, 1 TN and 1 FL. There is a 16 team max on the Atlanta Super NIT site, will they add more if needed? |
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G-Man
326 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2011 : 19:37:31
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LA gets more Super NiTs because the Usssa Vice President of baseball runs tournaments in LA. He has to keep his teams happy or could lose business. Honestly the best run model for tournaments I have seen is in Miami Florida. They run a few Usssa tournaments but most of the tournaments they have are non sanctioned but yet they have one every weekend with a ton of teams registering to play. Because of the number of teams registering they usually start the tournaments during the week and run them through the weekend.
You win the Elite 32 tell me what does that really mean? The following year or two years later once all these young men hit the big field what does winning the elite 32 really mean for them. So What you get to play at Disney, well there are a ton of tournaments put on at Disney. The cost to play in the Elite 32 would pay for 2 or more trips to Cooperstown not to mention other National tournaments that in my humble opinion put on a better tournament for the kids than Usssa.
Sure if a kid from a team goes to the Elite 32 and beats the Bandits or wins the tournament at that moment it means something to them. However a couple of days later it means nothing in their mind. Two days later they are trying to figure out how they can beat this game on Xbox and winning the Elite 32 wont even cross their mind. Again I think it means more to the parents than it ever does to the kids. In my mind I want to play where my child will be able to have life long memories of playing in a particular park or tournament.
We have played at Disney a ton and every time we go play there the one thing my son remembers about that park is the long walks to the fields havint to carry his bat bag LOL and the fields are not that good. As long as we as parents continue to take that dangling carrot that Usssa or any other organization puts out in front of us they all will be laughing all the way to the bank!!!!!
quote:
Originally posted by Spartan4
Well said 11UFAN, only problem is there isn't another Elite 32....For the life of me I can't understand why Nations or Triple Crown doesn't make a great tourney like the Elites?? We have been to several and while Southaven MS is a GREAT place for a tourney the competition isn't the same as the Elites....It is probably getting old me saying it over and over again but MAYBE someone from USSSA will PAY ATTENTION!!! One more and we all shut up...It is that simple! But...somebody lives in LA so they get more berths and Super NIT's...makes no sense but it is what it is....Is GA punished for participating in Triple Crown, Nations, and USTBA tournaments?? Are those organizations not around in other states??
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Nationals10
36 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2011 : 20:53:47
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| G-Man....... Why let your son play then? |
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10 BB
264 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2011 : 21:30:04
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G-Man;
I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you it is my opinion the Elite 32 is the best tournament (because of competition) in the country. Now with that said my good friend Shannon Ivey may very well change my mind this year because my sources tell me that he is putting together a tournament in Chattanooga TN. that people will be talking about including the kids for a lot longer than a couple days!
I have also watched my son play a lot of games at Disney and yes it is a long walk but it has been worth every step to get to experience these oh so valuable years with my son. You ask what does it matter at this age in the realm of the "BIG FIELD" and I say to you that it matters as much as one wants or will allow it to matter to a 12u young man.
You ask "You win the Elite 32 tell me what does that really mean?" It means you, your coach and most of all your sons team have worked hard to win a berth, raised the money to attend and then competed in the top tournament in the country navigating the toughest mine field of any tourny and came out of it the USSSA National Champion. That's what it means, and to some who have attempted this year after year can appreciate the desire to once again make the Elite 32 there goal in the spring of every year!
I will not attempt to beguile you as this tournament does pose a very expensive problem in that lots of teams just can't afford to do it but I for one went to Disney last year for a week on $400.00 and that was paying my motel out of that $400.00. Money should not be an issue because it can be done on a budget. |
Edited by - 10 BB on 01/13/2011 08:42:08 |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2011 : 00:37:17
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| My nephew wants to play in the Elite 32 and the NYBC next season(he is 11)...Some kids know who the best teams are as well as the best players....They can also see the difference between a top major team and a AA team...Also when I was 11 years old players like Kyle Davies, Francoeur, Jeremy Hermida(wasn't a big kid either) as well as Micah Owings were all in the top 5-10% out there and they seemed to make it just fine.....I recall them playing on the "small field" and being DOMINANT. Younger kids who get the best coaching and play against they best competition are IMO better prepared when they hit the bigger field or at a minimum at no disadvantage.....True the big field changes things but I don't think you can discount all the baseball and hard work these boys put in at younger ages. |
Edited by - Spartan4 on 01/13/2011 08:42:29 |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2011 : 11:55:08
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| I forgot to agree with 10BB, I speak to Shannon Ivey once every couple weeks and he is a GREAT tourney director. This fall we spoke a lot and he always give good honest advice about his past experiences with his sons. Shannon will go out of his way to put on a good tournament, he is always on site and will handle any problems then and there....If he continues to attract the top talent(which he works VERY VERY hard to do) then he will take business from other organizations... |
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G-Man
326 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2011 : 12:35:19
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I think you all missed the point of my post. LOL you all complain about Usssa but all jump at that dangling carrot called the Elite 32. The purpose of my post was to also point out that the kids will love it at the time playing in the Elite but will not have long lasting memories of that tournament as compared to Cooperstown, Steamboat Springs, Ripken Experience or several others out there.
You claim its the best teams in the country. If that is so then how many teams last year were teams that either came in 2nd or 3rd at a Super NiT but won the berth. How many teams were just given invites but never won a berth. These are all things you all complained about last year and have started pointing fingers about this year already. I am just summoning these things up and adding my own little take to this subject.
10BB - I am not sure how you got by on $400 for the Elite 32 because it is my understanding that any team more than 75 miles from Disney is required to stay at a Disney property in which those rooms run anywhere from $225 to $450 a night.
Nationals10- Because its special as a parent to be able to spend time with your child traveling to these ball parks and watching them do the things they can do on a baseball field. |
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10 BB
264 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2011 : 16:10:33
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G-Man;
I didn't miss your point at all and just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean that I missed your point. I like the Elite 32 and you don't. You think baseall doesn't matter at 12u and I do. You think the game starts on the "Big Field" I think it starts whenever you chose to play.
So lets agree that we disagree, it's ok that you believe what you believe but I don't believe the same as you.
Last of all no you don't have to stay on Disney property during the Elite 32 if you live outside 75 miles. I stayed 4 miles from WWS for $28.00 a night, paid for my entry to WWS, paid for the gas from PC to Disney and back. My son and I put food in the fridge in our room and did it all for a week on $400.00 |
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bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2011 : 17:18:01
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I agree with you 10BB. The Elite 32 is a solid event. Sure, its not the top 32 teams in the Country, but its as close as you can come to it that I've seen at the younger age groups.
What other tourney can you play some of the best teams from California, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio, North Carolina, ect..? The 10U Cooperstown event perhaps, but I cant think of any others.
The playing fields looked very good to me the year I went to watch.
I wish births couldn't be handed down though. There needs to be a better way to handle those vacancy's. Maybe use the power rankings of non-qualifiers starting at the top and work your way down until the field is filled (have proviso that any invited team had to have played in a S-NIT and be a major classified team). |
Edited by - bmoser on 01/13/2011 17:35:55 |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2011 : 17:49:50
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| Why exactly doesn't the Elite 32 offer the same "long lasting" experiences as the above mentioned tourneys?? That makes little sense to me, people always RAVE about Cooperstown and while I am sure the experience is AMAZING it is still possible to play rec level teams who just ponied up the money to participate. The E 32 has tops 6-7 "weak" teams who had a berth handed down, that is NOTHING compared to the 75 AA teams who enter Cooperstown, or Steamboat Springs which is also possible to have a "paid entry"......Like Biz said agree or disagree but saying things like kids will have a better time in Myrtle Beach than Disney isn't true at all. If a team has the goal of winning a national championship or just competing against the BEST competition available the Elite 32 is the best alternative other than the NYBC which only has 2 age groups available. |
Edited by - Spartan4 on 01/14/2011 08:44:11 |
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G-Man
326 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2011 : 19:10:09
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I dont have a problem with anyone who disagrees with me. I am not commenting to try and get someone to agree with me. Its an opinion and nothing more.
However I never said I didnt like the Elite 32. Been there played it and was fun but I guess because we lived in Orlando it was no big deal for us to play at Disney since we get to play there often.
Also I never said baseball didnt matter at 12u. That is you putting words in my mouth. Baseball matters at every age group but the game changes big time once they hit the big field.
As for staying at Disney I know we have been told more than once that if any team lived outside a 75 mile radius that they had to stay in a Disney property. If that is the case then my point stands that it would cost more to play in the elite 32 than going to Cooperstown or any other nice National tournament.
quote:
Originally posted by 10 BB
G-Man;
I didn't miss your point at all and just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean that I missed your point. I like the Elite 32 and you don't. You think baseall doesn't matter at 12u and I do. You think the game starts on the "Big Field" I think it starts whenever you chose to play.
So lets agree that we disagree, it's ok that you believe what you believe but I don't believe the same as you.
Last of all no you don't have to stay on Disney property during the Elite 32 if you live outside 75 miles. I stayed 4 miles from WWS for $28.00 a night, paid for my entry to WWS, paid for the gas from PC to Disney and back. My son and I put food in the fridge in our room and did it all for a week on $400.00
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The Football Ref
19 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2011 : 21:42:53
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quote:
Originally posted by G-Man
10BB - I am not sure how you got by on $400 for the Elite 32 because it is my understanding that any team more than 75 miles from Disney is required to stay at a Disney property in which those rooms run anywhere from $225 to $450 a night.
For those that don't know, The Elite 32 is a Free tournament if you stay in a hotel that the USSSA wants you to stay in. If you don't, you have to pay $ 1,000. to the USSSA.
Last year my son's team decided to pay the $ 1,000. and we stayed at Mystic Dunes. I went on the cheap, and got a 3 bedroom (full kitchen, 3 full bathrooms, TV's in every bedroom) with 2 other families. We were 3 miles away from WWoS, had a 60 inch TV in the living room, and a really nice pool 100 ft. from our door.
Wound up costing about $ 42. tax included per night per family to stay there.
So the $ 84. per family to pay the $ 1,000. to stay at a non USSSA hotel, $ 42. per night for 6 nights(we left Friday morning), $ 140. in gas for the whole trip, and say $ $ 300. in food for 6 nights and 7 days, and my ticket in.
Total = $ 870.
Even if I don't include the $ 84. for the USSSA, I'm still near $ 800. I don't know how you did it for $ 400, but congrats.
What do you drive, a Prius ? 
PS - Itemized for anyone trying to figure out what it might cost them. The $ 300. for food included going out with others on the team to eat 2 times and one Pizza night.
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Edited by - The Football Ref on 01/14/2011 08:45:11 |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2011 : 09:36:50
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| Kudos for doing Disney for 800$, I can do without knowing what this is gonna cost us this year. |
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Coach D
167 Posts |
Posted - 02/21/2011 : 12:57:34
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| I have a question for USSSA about the Alabama Wizzards playing in the AAA SNIT. I remember them from GWS in Gulf Shores , they were 11 u major. They have at least 8 returning players and they are registered as 12 U AAA . How is this ? Doesnt this go against the rules ? |
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HAWKS8
70 Posts |
Posted - 02/28/2011 : 05:07:52
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I am not sure USSSA has rules. I was told by the director as a AAA team I could not get into the SNIT in the major division until AFTER all the qualified major teams had a chance to join. That is not 100% true. As it appears there is a AAA team already on the website as being able to play up. I guess rules are only used for their benefit and randomly enforced at best. USSSA wonders why many of us opt to not play their tournaments unless we really have exhausted all other options.
I have questioned this and am anxiously awaiting this response. I am sure there will be a good excuse....yea right. |
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