Sponsored Links
Forsyth Grizzlies - Georgia Octane
Flush Baseball
Cherokee Batting Range
Georgia Stars
Georgia Jackets
Team Insurance
Georgia Travel Baseball - NWBA
Georgia Travel Baseball - NWBA
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Search | FAQ
Username:
Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 NWBA Forums
 General Discussion
 USSSA BASEBALL it really is all about the money.
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

LeftyBat

160 Posts

Posted - 06/05/2012 :  22:59:18  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Today we were told that our appeal to the state director was denied and we are unable to compete in the USSSA AAA state tournament. We are told this is because we did not play enough USSSA touraments. We did sign up for six. Played two. One was turned into a AA tournament, with us being kicked out because we were a triple a team. One was turned into an open tournament and we did not play because it's dumb to play against competition that is clearly above your level, and two were just outright cancelled. All of these actions occurred within 10 days of the tournament or less. It's not our fault USSSA attempted to run tournaments that did not "take" We signed up for 6 and sent in our entry fee. We can't do much more than that.

So my advice to you parents and coaches is to watch out for this next year. USSSA just decided to kick out two teams and run a tournament sub state with six teams instead of eight. They sent a message loud and clear. It's about the money. Hope you are listening and get the message.

C. MORTON

1051 Posts

Posted - 06/06/2012 :  14:21:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
There is always Bpa state this weekend in Dalton, Ga. We had a similar problem as they MADE us a major because of how we did in COACH PITCH!!! We don't the arms that major teams have or the number of kids to choose from. USSSA wants to MAKE YOU PLAY their tournaments to be able to play state. I understand about the sandbagging but just have one state and everyone plays. Triple Crown doesn't make you play their tournaments to play state. And they seem to have better turn outs with teams just coming to play baseball.
Go to Top of Page

bmoser

1633 Posts

Posted - 06/06/2012 :  16:35:41  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I think that USSSA rule was put into place after what happened to my sons team a few years ago...

We played an extensive USSSA schedule and made it to AA State Finals. Our opponent was a team who qualified by winning 1 event in Southern GA that had 3 teams in it. That was their only USSSA event. They came into States a stranger to all of us who competed. All the rest of the teams there were familiar with each other, and most had competed in USSSA throughout the season...except this one "mystery" team. They ran the table at States, and none of the AA teams could stay on the field with them. They were run-ruling the AA teams with the highest power ratings. They were clearly not a AA team.

This same team went to the Grand Slam World Series in Panama City a couple of weeks later, and beat Major teams, like the Homeplate Chilidogs (a top 10 team that year).

This rule was enacted the following season. I support the rule.

I am not saying you were trying to pull one over on anyone, just saying there are Coaches out there who will. There is good reason for that that rule, and it's not totally money driven.

We spent ~$5,000 with USSSA that season, and felt ripped off after our kids worked their butts off all year to make it to the finals. This rule protects the integrity of the class system USSSA offers. Granted, there are some pitfalls as you point out, but hopefully you can understand why USSSA is doing this.
Go to Top of Page

mrbama31

252 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2012 :  09:32:41  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
If it is about the money as you state....then why didn't USSSA simply take your teams money and let you team play in the tourney?


quote:
Originally posted by LeftyBat

Today we were told that our appeal to the state director was denied and we are unable to compete in the USSSA AAA state tournament. We are told this is because we did not play enough USSSA touraments. We did sign up for six. Played two. One was turned into a AA tournament, with us being kicked out because we were a triple a team. One was turned into an open tournament and we did not play because it's dumb to play against competition that is clearly above your level, and two were just outright cancelled. All of these actions occurred within 10 days of the tournament or less. It's not our fault USSSA attempted to run tournaments that did not "take" We signed up for 6 and sent in our entry fee. We can't do much more than that.

So my advice to you parents and coaches is to watch out for this next year. USSSA just decided to kick out two teams and run a tournament sub state with six teams instead of eight. They sent a message loud and clear. It's about the money. Hope you are listening and get the message.

Go to Top of Page

field6

72 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2012 :  11:52:35  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Sorry, but there is way to many tournaments that started when snow was still in the forecast. Poor planning sounds like what happened. It's not USSSA fault that 6 events is all you signed up for. The USSSA format is spot on and I am excited every Friday of every week because it's baseball/family time! Quit hating and play more events.
Go to Top of Page

ramman999

241 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 :  08:35:12  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Understand this - ALL organizations are about money. Otherwise they wouldn't charge, and every one would be a non- profit.

You as a manager/coach have a choice of where you want to play each weekend. Loyalty has it's rewards, so you can't expect favors or "exemptions" if you play with a given organization sparingly, and drop out of playable weekends because it didn't suit you.

Regarding the situations you described - part of travel ball is challenge; if a tournament is cancelled, that isn't held against you, but if the tournament turned into an AA tournament, maybe there is an opportunity to play up that weekend? An AAA team should be competitive playing older AA teams. You don't think the TD would remember that come appeal time?

If a tournament turns into an open, why back out? Play it - if you are a AAA team, you should be competitive against most of the teams in your pools, and you might surprise yourself - sure you might take some lumps, but its a measuring stick moment for your team.


Edited by - ramman999 on 06/08/2012 08:53:55
Go to Top of Page

in_the_know

985 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 :  13:12:01  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Ramman,

I agree with you with the caveat that playing up will often introduce potential danger to the players. Specifically when 10u/11u play up to 12u, 12u playing up to 13u and 13u playing up for 14u and above, primarily based on the distance from the mound.

There's a reason we don't start 9 year olds on 60/90. Their bodies aren't ready. Therefore the gradual steps taken across age groups to allow the boys to grow into that field size. While jumping up for a weekend certainly poses a competitive challenge, it also poses one of size and strength that could expose them to injury throwing greater distances from mound to plate and across the diamond. Particularly early in a season.

I never fault a coach for not wanting to play his team up when doing so means playing on a larger field. Not saying that they can't or shouldn't, but certainly it's a team choice and I wouldn't hold it against them for not doing so. I'd rather see them jump up and play major within their own age group if they need to "log" USSSA points.

Otherwise I agree 100% with your comments.

I guess a pertinent question (and I obviously haven't looked at the Utrip rule book) is whether it states that some minimum tournaments must be entered or points earned to qualify for entry to State?
Go to Top of Page

ramman999

241 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 :  16:39:19  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
quote:
Originally posted by in_the_know

Ramman,

I agree with you with the caveat that playing up will often introduce potential danger to the players. Specifically when 10u/11u play up to 12u, 12u playing up to 13u and 13u playing up for 14u and above, primarily based on the distance from the mound.


Duly noted, since I don't know the ages involved.
It is wrong to assume - but the 46/65 to 50/70 isn't really too big a stretch provided you have the arms, but 50/70 to 60/90 would be tough, provided there isn't a 54/80 step along the way -
Go to Top of Page

Blocking Everything

30 Posts

Posted - 06/10/2012 :  12:59:50  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
This was classic: USSSA state tournament/West in Stockbridge this weekend had mandatory games Friday - Sunday, so gate fees applied all three days. Sunday morning games were obviously in jeopardy due to weather, but that didn't prevent the collection of $7pp. All games were eventually cancelled before the first pitch was thrown Sunday morning.

You don't think they were passing out $7 refunds as cars exited the park after seeing no baseball do you? Just have to shake your head and smile. :)
Go to Top of Page

TaterHead03

18 Posts

Posted - 06/10/2012 :  14:51:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Not only did they collect the gate fee. All the teams started arriving around 8:00 for the 9:00 games. There was no one at the gate at the time. What did USSSA do? They made everyone do back out the gate come back in and pay the $7, and then canceled the tournament about 9:10. WOW!!!!!!!!!! Never ceases to amaze me!!!!!!!
Go to Top of Page

SOGAS

143 Posts

Posted - 06/10/2012 :  17:44:54  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
As long as you allow it, it will continue to happen. USSSA is setting themselves up for future failure. Many teams have decided to play other sanctions as priority and usssa as a backup. One team in Dublin said the South tournament was changed from 3 to 2 days after they pulled out. Their scheduled had them playing 1 game each day for all 3 days and they lived 100 + miles from the tournament location. If I'm not mistaken, this TD is the same one that changed most all of his tournaments from 2 day to 1 day because of fuel prices and the economy. Perhaps someone sees the light!
But lets not fool ourselves or be blind, for most, it is about the money.
Go to Top of Page

BarryGreensteen

1 Posts

Posted - 06/10/2012 :  21:11:14  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I was at the same tournament event as Blocking Everything and TaterHead03, in Social Circle, and experienced the identical treatment.

At 9:00am, not only was there a constant and steady rain, with dark clouds completely covering the sky, with any rational chance of playing incredibly limited, the tournament employee was openly selling, promoting, and stating that we were playing and the fields were just fine. In other words promoting a product that was completely undeliverable, without any consideration for allowance of cancellation. AND, this employee was fairly rude in his opinion that if you didn't like the choice, you could go somewhere else. Yeah, yeah I know, I'm whining. I guess I'll go to the traveling circus with my checkbook and whine...at least I'll get something out of the situation.
Go to Top of Page

nwgadad

137 Posts

Posted - 06/11/2012 :  13:21:38  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
If an 'all-star' team wanted to play in USSSA State how would that happen since they cannot form a team and play until late May?
Go to Top of Page

bmoser

1633 Posts

Posted - 06/11/2012 :  16:40:16  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
They'd need to play a tourney or two before their seasons began, then squeeze in one or two more over Spring break, then another just after their all star stint ends.

quote:
Originally posted by nwgadad

If an 'all-star' team wanted to play in USSSA State how would that happen since they cannot form a team and play until late May?

Go to Top of Page

Outsiders

14 Posts

Posted - 06/11/2012 :  17:28:06  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I agree it is about the money.
Go to Top of Page

nwgadad

137 Posts

Posted - 06/11/2012 :  21:07:37  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Would be nice to do that, but you can't officially have a team til late May according to Dizzy Dean! Maybe a 'different' team?!

quote:
Originally posted by bmoser

They'd need to play a tourney or two before their seasons began, then squeeze in one or two more over Spring break, then another just after their all star stint ends.

quote:
Originally posted by nwgadad

If an 'all-star' team wanted to play in USSSA State how would that happen since they cannot form a team and play until late May?



Go to Top of Page

bball-fan

89 Posts

Posted - 06/12/2012 :  06:58:36  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
nwgadad, Dizzy Dean changed that rule. I guess it was easier to do that than actually enforce it.
Go to Top of Page

Bigwhitevan

67 Posts

Posted - 06/12/2012 :  14:29:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
An all star team could play all fall before spring baseball starts and accumulate points and tourney appearances.
Back to OP, U trip is a business and being profitable is a part of that business. Tourney directors set park entry fees if I am not mistaken. And again being a director, the idea is to make money, not lose money. The consumer is baseball teams and families. U trip is trying very hard to create what they consider a level playing field for all teams by enacting rules to keep alike strength teams competing against each other. Some of the rules have draw backs and some teams slip right by. The model is still good. As far as state tourney goes, It is clear that there are requirements to qualify. It is to avoid sandbagging and promote playing in their system. That is why it is their state tournament. There are other state tournaments to play. In Some you are likely to run across teams that have picked up some players from teams that are done playing, to help. Creating a monster team. This is what U trip is attempting to prevent and it is what kept some teams who wanted to play out.
Go to Top of Page

nwgadad

137 Posts

Posted - 06/12/2012 :  15:37:20  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
This was the first year since 2008 for AllStars for us so I guess I didn't realize that! Went all-stars to travel, then got burned out. Now back on All-Stars and maybe travel next year hopefully!

quote:
Originally posted by bball-fan

nwgadad, Dizzy Dean changed that rule. I guess it was easier to do that than actually enforce it.

Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Reply to Topic
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Georgia Travel Baseball - NWBA © 2000-22 NWBA Go To Top Of Page
Snitz Forums 2000