Saw something interesting today at a 13U AA Tournament and have some questions. Long thread so please bare with me.
Team 1 played Team 2 …. Team 2 is leading 4-2 when Team 1 stops to protest the game.
It turns out Team 2 is classified as a 13u AAA team and thus the protest is upheld and Team 2 has to forfeit the game and leaves the tournament. I know some of the families of Team 2 personally so was surprised they had to forfeit the tournament. But even more surprised they were listed as a AAA team because our teams have played each other in many tournaments in the past year and they are an average to high AA team. Don't get me wrong, they have some good athletes but not world beaters.
So when I got home, did some research and have some questions about classifications. The team went 8-7 last year as a AA team. 1-2 when they played against AAA. 6-4 against AA and 11 against 11u
I get that a AAA Team should not play down so understand why they were asked to leave.
However, my son had some comments which got me thinking a little deeper.
My son said when they play up, they know they are not expected to win and when they do, it's great. If they lose, they are ok because "we're not the same level" but the goal is to compete.
Question 1 - What lessons are being taught by Team 1? I have to wonder if they would have protested if they were winning (obviously no) but it was not like this team was out playing them.
They were much smaller and it was a 2 run game and only the 3rd inning. Our boys were looking forward to playing Team 2 again but due to the forfeit, feel not only did their boys miss out on the extra reps that Fall tournaments afford, our boys missed out on competing with a good team.
One can ask why a AAA team would play in a AA tournament which leads to my second question.
Based on the record above, - How does USSSA determine to reclassify them as AAA at the end of last year?
BTW - Team 1 did go on to win the championship today which is good for them however my son, I and our coaches all feel that things may have been different had they earned their seeding. |
USSSA Questions
Posted - 11/06/2016 : 20:40:59
