USA Junior Olympic Cup update

[AlwaysImprove]

He, as in Gary, is merely reflective of all the big teams. Tyson, SoCal A's, FC, LadyHawks, East Cobb Bullets, Beverly Bandits, Choppers, NJ Intensity, Cruisers, Mustangs and many others all wanted the same. They felt that having accomplished something last year, should mean something this year.

The term gold meant nothing, since everyone could declare themselves gold. Winning Nationals meant nothing, since the person winning Western Nationals also declared they had won Nationals.

If you were a new startup team, that you should not get the instant right to start at the same place as other teams that had already accomplished something. Just because you bought samwiches for umpires did not mean you started the same spot as an established program who had 10 years finishing top 15 at Nationals.

They all were fine with everyone getting a chance, but that qualifiers were so blown out with teams. Everyone was pretty much of the belief a tiered system where top finishes at nationals last year got you somewhere meaningful this year, top 8 gets you a returning berth, top 32 gets you a berth to a qualifier. Plenty of chance for everyone to still have a chance, but they may have to play a play-in tournament. That way number of teams at qualifiers could be kept to something reasonable. The system could be a bit more formally stated than it is now. Only pro ASA nit pickers really take exception to it. There are more than enough people with good hearts, good conscience in place. If your team is competitive, you are going to get a chance to play at PGF.

Parents wanted the same thing. They embraced a system that had a lot more consistency. They were rejecting the system of 100's of teams, no one knows who is what, no quality. Everyone is gold. Joe's Double Double Gold had the same starting sport as Larry's Triple Triple Triple Gold. Too many teams were fly by night that would spread the talent across, and then not make Nationals. Then after they crapped the bed and missed a berth they would then push ASA to not let their players pickup with others. That might of worked for you, but not for the kids and the parents. The big teams are largely reflective of what parents were asking for.

You don't want what PGF is, fine, ASA still exists. Them that thinking buying umpires samwichs is what is important, they still have a home. Plus now you can gamble your way to cash prizes.

There may have been some questions for some as PGF started up. But it was pretty much so a given from the start. They had the right teams involved. They had clearly listened to what coaches/players/parents wanted. They set about delivering it. Something ASA, TC, USSSA failed to do. You want to lay all of that at Gary's feet, he should be more than happy to take the credit If I were him, I certainly would be proud of what has been created. I am just saying there were several key individuals that did a lot of leg work. There were also 10 or so head coaches that really got together and made this happen. They should be getting some credit as well.

[PDad]

Haning tried to run PGF as an invitation driven Championship, but found out quickly that it wasn't feasible.

WTF? The invitations were supposed to be temporary to get the support of the top orgs and it became obvious a couple years ago the invites are not going away. PGF does a good job with most of their invites, especially at 18U, however it still rubs people the wrong way.

No matter how you look at it, he screwed over teams in SoCal that had every right to play his or any other "elite" teams in the blind draw qualifier we all paid to enter.

How many teams and fields did ASA have in the 18G qualifiers prior to the classification tourneys in 2009? Kinda funny his partner's team couldn't classify as Gold...

The number of fields does constrain how many teams can be accommodated in a weekend qualifier and additional fields beyond the minimum number are preferable. PGF's NorCal and SoCal 18U qualifiers with 72 teams on 8 fields have a very Sunday-heavy schedule - win 1 on Friday, win 1 on Saturday and then play up to 6 games on Sunday until you qualify or are eliminated. I suspect they'd change the ratio of teams/fields if their buddies had to qualify.

[Pale Rider]

Good Lawd...
Mako and / or Xenos at 10 paces or STHU...

Proof is in the pudding,
make money, provide good experience...=GOOD
make money, provide bad experience ...=BAD
Bad=loss of market share, which = butthurt

Maybe ASA will give free puppies at Nats this year...

[B-Dad]

Did someone say free puppies? I'm there.

[Dugout Dad]

Maybe ASA will give free puppies at Nats this year...

Dane pups?

[Lace]

If ASA just invited the best teams in the nation and dropped the $6000 entry (crazy) you might be surprised how many teams would have participated. A week in Cali playing great teams in great weather. I think a lot of teams in the East, South and Midwest would still support ASA but they are making it difficult.

[Pale Rider]

A week in Cali playing great teams in great weather. I think a lot of teams in the East, South and Midwest would still support ASA but they are making it difficult.

Gee, sounds like PGF.

Point goes to Spaz

[PDad]

If ASA just invited the best teams in the nation and dropped the $6000 entry (crazy) you might be surprised how many teams would have participated. A week in Cali playing great teams in great weather. I think a lot of teams in the East, South and Midwest would still support ASA but they are making it difficult.

It would have been interesting to see what kind of response ASA would have gotten if it was a straight-up choice (i.e. without the inflated entry fee and prize money).

However, teams from the East, South and Midwest would be mistaken to think ASA's site has the same great weather as PGF. The avg high in Chino Hell is 92-94 compared to PGF's range of 71-72 in HB to 82-83 in Irvine. "Great weather" is relative to what you're accustomed...

[exD1dad]

Great point PDad, don't forget HB's proximity to the beautiful Pacific Ocean

[jonriv]

At this point, 70, 80 90 etc........ sounds pretty good. Plus I heard you guys don'y "do" humidity in Cali?