Is ASA weak across the US?

[anonlooker]

Heres' another note.. as far as Triple Crown.. Are they just a money making machine??

No more so than ASA, which rakes in dough faster than they can... what do they do with it?

[sbfan502]

Very interesting thread for me. I help with tour teams scheduling and I've had three calls from Triple Crown reps in the last two weeks wanting the team to attend an event. Very good sales push.

My perception has always been to play the best we NEEDED to go ASA. So we have in the last couple of years.

When my daughter was younger at 10U and 12U, ASA was weak in this area (Kentucky) and poorly represented (and the structure was hard to understand) so we mainly played NSA. In our area I believed the preference was to play NSA followed by USSSA then USFA in that order.

But if Triple Crown is where the action is I'd be willing to give it a shot. I think another poster has it right. Point the girls to the best events and they could care less where they are or what association they play.

BTW what is the best Triple Crown event if we started looking that way? By best... I suppose I mean highest level of play and attention from college coaches.

[MTR]

If true just another example of ASA's pompous attitude that they are more important than the game they claim to represent.

Well, it use to be much more prestigeous, and still is for many. Only a small percentage are selected out of thousands.

However, what it comes down to is the hosts. I know you have read my statements that umpires are handled like a commodity instead of a resource and that is the problem. They are treated no differently than a detergent soap on a store shelf and the bottom line of the host is the cost as opposed to quality. Unfortunately, the council has always looked at the financial side of everything. ASA is not alone in this, but probably a bit more democratic in the process.

Over the past few years, code changes that benefit the hosts of National Tournaments have been cost-cutting heavy. Unfortunately, that burden has more often than not fallen upon the umpiring ranks. The number of umpires per game were reduced by 1/3. Some of the FP games have gotten third 3rd umpire on the field back. The number of rotation (assigned by ASA) umpires have been reduced. The number of host exchange (from outside area for which neither ASA or host is responsible for travel) umpires have been reduced. This means you see more local umpires at these National tournaments and due to the increase in number of teams (with the introduction of territorial nationals), you are seeing a lower quality of umpires at some tournaments.

AFA the pay, the amount in the code is a minimum. Many hosts pay more, some scrimp and do not. Some hosts figure out that treating the umpires well leads to word of mouth advertising and umpires will go out of their way to work some areas while not lifting a finger to go to others.

Personally, I never went to a tournament to make money. It isn't my priority. And the post about DI and ISF umpires being among the ranks should not be a detractor, but a testimonial to the umpire. Last year, an umpire I am privileged to call a friend worked a Bound to Beijing game, the DIII championship, the 18U Gold final and the NPF Championship game. The umpire is ISF Certified, ASA/USA Elite and works a load of NCAA DI and NPF games. And in between, you will see the umpire working all levels of local slow pitch and HS ball. There is never a clinic or school missed whether an attendee or clinician.

Umpires like this do it for love of the game and profession. Wouldn't you rather have an umpire like this work your DD's game as opposed to an umpire who is going to look at the game fee first and worry about the game itself second?

There is no argument the umpires should be paid better, but don't shortchange those who work because they are not. If anything, you should probably thank them for putting your game ahead of their wallet.

Okay, off my soapbox now. Thanks

[MADDMAN]

ASA going strong in GA. Only the serious need apply. B-ball/Rec-ball all the same in the south. XYX tourneys come a dime a dozen. True "A" level teams have plenty of chances to play ASA in the beautiful state of peaches and peanuts.. If not shut up and drive to next door TN, SC or AL. Hope ya"ll make it to 14u National's this year. Ya'll bring your umbrella's too, it rains in hot ATL...Midland was just the start of a lovely long distance relationship with the SoCal folks....

[LVTHEGAME]

I can only speak from having my daughter in ASA, starting at the rec then to travel...in Southern Calif. the reason its so successful is because the staff is volunteers, although many seem to think they get paid, know at 5:00 they don't hang up and go home, they work out of their home....true only few tournaments are run by ASA, championship play which comes to Socal in rotation...their staff worked hard to get the 18A Nationals here next year. Know someone on staff...they do try to do their best although many think they don't. The only non championship play tournaments are the Championship Cup and Turkey Tournament who brings more then 60teams every year to raise money for scholarships and the championship Cup to try and help players be seen. Lots of hard work here, I can't complain, because of ASA my kid got a full ride last year...

Money? teams seem to pay it to be seen when they go to these tournaments no run by ASA, anyone can put on a tournament...

ASA players still are the best, still have the most talent and always will. have gripes? take it to the head guy to make it better...will they listen ? I'm sure someone on the board will.

The rest of the country needs to step up and follow what made Socal so good

[5sDad]

ASA,in Indiana, is not run well at all. the top teams in this state have to leave the state to go to better ASA tourn, NSA is a lot better in this state.