DeMarini Invitational

[gunshy]

Our team played in a showcase tournament this past weekend that should be a working model for Indiana tournament directors on how to properly administer a big-time showcase event.
The DeMarini Invitational was an event that was first and foremost FOR the players and the teams and NOT driven by high profit motivations. The facility and time frame allowed for competitive play and full length games for 40 teams, so that was the size of the tournament field; In direct opposition to Indiana, where we usually take whomever will pay the $$$ regadless of what it does to game competitiveness or length of the games played. Tournaments here find remote fields to add 6 more obscure teams to the event to get their entry fee.
The Demarini had 6 pool games of 1 hr 30 minute length; pool games were scheduled either back to back or play-sit-play; there were no teams that played at noon, then not again until 8pm. Virtually every event we have played in Indiana has taken ALL DAY to play 2 pool games, which is just poor scheduling, period. In events that start on Thursday or Friday, there is no reason to keep teams at the park 10 hours to play 2 1/2. There was also NO GATE FEE this weekend. I am sure that was somewhat figured into the tournament fee, which was fine. We were not badgered at the gate every time we went in and out and did not have to wear bracelets or worry about stamps wearing off. Umpire crews were very experienced college level crews that flat knew their stuff and were excellent. The fields themselves were not fantastic, but they were line and raked EVERY game. Indiana directors need to really step up their efforts if they ever hope to host quality events with top competition, which in turn draws the college coaches we all seek.

[slapperdad]

Is this the same organization that is doing the fall showcase this year? Can we expect the same deal, I know it's limited in size.

[INBLUE]

Where was this tournament held and what organization or group of people should be taking credit for your praise?

[gunshy]

There is a DeMarini fall showcase in Southern Illinois at the end of October being run by different people, but I would expect similiar results. The Fall Showcase is also being run by experienced top-level travel coaches who will draw the best teams and lots of colleges; look for it to be a good one. This past weekend's event was run by Gerry Quinn (Illinois Chill) and Bill Conroy (Bandits); Both of these guys KNOW what it takes and know what teams/college coaches want and make it happen. They chase the result instead of chasing the dollar.

[whatever]

Couldn't turn around without bumping into a college coach. Event was in a small complex that thankfully was shaded by trees in the middle so spectators were covered. I sat on a bench between Arkansas coach and Loyola Coach. Next day North Carolina Chapel Hill came and sat next to me. Saw Radford, UIC and a host of others. Ran smoothly and on time. A kid looking to play in college needs to be on one of the teams invited to this showcase! There were some 16U teams there as well.

[The Farm]

The Demarini had 6 pool games of 1 hr 30 minute length; pool games were scheduled either back to back or play-sit-play; there were no teams that played at noon, then not again until 8pm.

Gunshy, were most games able to be completed, full 7 innings, in this time?

It's funny, I've talked to several people this summer and mentioned that I would rather see fewer games in a weekend but see them all go a full 7 instead of more 4 and 5 inning games. Some have agreed, but I've been surprised by the number who like the shorter time limits and playing more games. I guess it may depend on the caliber of team and quality of the games too. IDK.

[gunshy]

Farm, 5 of our 6 pool games were complete 7 inning games. Bear in mind, these were very competitive games that were not 12 run affairs. The one game that was not 7 innings was the result of many at bats in the 10-12 pitch range, which was awesome. Everyone is different, but my view is that the game was meant to play 7 innings and I would rather play 5 full length games than 6 games of 5 innings each. Our team played 10 total games at the Demarini and I would estimate that 7 were decided in the last 2 innings, the other three were decided in the first inning. There are lots of numbers for you to digest!! Again, I would rather spend my weekend playing more innings and spending less time warming up for multiple short games. This also is why I prefer back to back games........warm up once and play twice!

[The Farm]

Everyone is different, but my view is that the game was meant to play 7 innings and I would rather play 5 full length games than 6 games of 5 innings each. Again, I would rather spend my weekend playing more innings and spending less time warming up for multiple short games. This also is why I prefer back to back games........warm up once and play twice!

I agree 100%...

You mentioned that the fields were not fantastic, but, they were lined and raked every game. From my observation this summer, that in it's self is rare... It's amazed me all summer how many games are played on a field, before or even if, it gets any attention.

[slapperdad]

I tend to agree with gunshy on this. I prefer longer game times, less games. I agree 100% warm-up once, play twice. The 5-6 hour wait between pool games is a complete WASTE OF TIME. I understand the parks need to make money, but perhaps if they weren't so overtly obvious about it, people wouldn't mind spending some jack on concessions at least I wouldn't. But when you rape me to get into the park, (I would think some bracelets would come with a small jar of lube) then you want to charge outlandish prices for a freaking bottle of water, screw it, I ain't spending money at your park and I'm sure as hell not buying my kid another damn T-shirt! But that's just me.

I have no idea what we paid to play in the Stingrays event, however the playing surface was outstanding, and the fields were raked and lined before every game. No admission fee and no bitching about coolers. The downside, no fences, parking was a joke, (if my kid ends up at OSU, maybe I will have to pay the parking tickets) and you need either a Camel or a pack Mule and two Sherpas to get to the diamonds at Fred Beekman.

[Play Hard]

I don't understand the hate. I have not been to Sparks or Demarini. I have been to Homer Hawks, NFCA tournament in Cleveland, ST. Louis, Music City Hits.......

Good and bad with everything.......

It should not come as a big surprise that a private facility that hosts exposure events is trying to make money. They have to pay for the facility. The exposure events that are held at publicly funded facilities have a huge advantage in that regard. Now if the field isn't kept up and lined, that is a legitimate complaint. I also agree that warming up once to play twice is preferable.

Keep in mind that the public facility (most likely) will have more problems in bad conditions. ASA ran into this year in Plainfield when the public park said to shut it down.

I am glad Demarini worked well with a limited field. I believe there is one in Indianapolis in the fall that limits teams as well. There are also a couple of others that opens it up more. This is also good for some of the players that aren't on the top 1 or 2 teams. Believe it or not, some of these girls will play college ball and need exposure also.

It was only a few years ago that there were no local options for exposure. I can say from personal experience, it would have been nice to play locally in front of college coaches.