Talk the talk, but don't walk the walk

[Al Czervik]

This is dedicated to all of those teams out there that like to talk the talk, but in the end they don't walk the walk. Those that talk a good game but their actions speak otherwise. For the life of me I cannot comprehend how a supposedly good A team in their second year chooses to go to PCB instead of ASA. Well, I guess I can...they know they are not good enough to make Top 10 @ ASA and so instead decide to hopefully finish TOP 3 or 5 at USFA. This is not limited to just the Houston area either, there are teams like this from all across Tx. You have all these Houston people talking noise about their teams and they have never even experienced ASA competition. Just to show I have no agenda against Houston let me give everyone an example from North Tx and the nurturing bosom of Glory Ranch.

The latest example is the 96 Glory. Up until very recently they have been classified as an A team, which is fairly accurate and I thought a requirement to be included "in the club." Now they are classified as a B team. WHY???? Why would any team demote themselves from an A team to a B team? Did they lose key players? This is what is said on the VTD about changing classifications:

"Classification: Please Understand That once you select a classification, YOU CAN NOT LOWER YOUR CLASSIFICATION. This will only be able to be modified by an ASA Official. Additionally, This classification will determine what tournaments you are able to play. If you select "Class A" then you WILL NOT be able to play any Class B or C tournaments."

So did they contact an ASA official? Or did Shelton or Adkins use a Jedi mind trick on poor Mr. Tate? Did they do this just for this weekend so they can play in a weak B tournament? Truth be told maybe this is the best thing for the team. I looked at their tournament history and it reflects them playing in 25 tournaments over the past few years. 40% of those were B tournaments. Of the 60% of A or Open tournaments they played in they only placed in 1 (that being a 4th place finish). Upon further review, I offer a sincere apology to this team. You are in fact a B team. Good luck at Panama City this summer.

No, I do not have a dog in this race (a year older). Yes, we have been burned in the past by the Glory-less Nation. However, none of this clouds the facts that I have presented. For all of you who may respond about being bitter.

[Proctologist]

Yes, we have been burned in the past by the Glory-less Nation.

For all of you who may respond about being bitter.

Bitter 1st post there caddyshack

[TexasYellowBall]

WOW.......that is alot of information to take in....

[sbfan]

This 96 Glory team has never been an A team. Know your facts dumb A@@

They are a B team and have always been a B team. There are only two real 12u A teams in N. Texas Fusion and Diamonds. Everyone else is smelling their dust.

So your DD has been effected by the Glory Nation but plays in 14u. Well the 96 Glory is playing in a 14u B tournament this weekend.

I guess you can feel better when your 8th and 9th grader can spank the 6th and 7th graders.

[play4fun]

WOW!!! Haven't been on here in a long time but I did some research for you.

Its seems that 96 Glory did use to be an "A" team but now they are under new coaches with different players so they can classify themselves however they want to. I also noticed that for a "B" team they are stepping up and playing in all the ASA "A" qualifiers which proves that they want more.

Everyone in Texas knows that the classification system here doesn't mean #%$$*!!! You can be a "B" team and win every "B" tournament for two years and our commisioners won't do a thing to make you move up. (You can also claim to be "GOLD" and not have even qualified for the "BIG ONE").

Look past the classification system in Texas because it's not going to change.

Good luck to all the 10U and 12U teams because these are rough ages for the parents!

[sbfanatic]

Al,
Check your facts first before you start trashing everyone and their mother. The 96 Glory have had a rough couple of years. But new coach, new players never know what will become of them. Hopefully with hard work they will eventually become top contenders.

Everyone knows that classification means nothing in Texas anyway. Look at Fusion 96 aka 96BB they are one of the top 2 12U teams in North Texas and still classified as a B team. But before I ruffle any feathers they NEVER play any B tourneys most have been quality tournaments.

[Al Czervik]

So I am being accused of being a dumb a@@. I am also being accused of not having my facts straight. Please tell me what facts did I not get right in my post? The FACT is they were an A under Mr Wines' direction and now they are not. Period...end of discussion. In addition, if anyone wants to check my figures, please do so and tell me where I am wrong. The fact is they like to talk a big game but in the end they are playing in a B tournament. Yes, it is 14U and they are 12U, but why play a B if you are trying to position yourself as an A team. Unless of course, it is trying to pad those stats.

The bigger question beyond just this team is why any team that considers themselves to be a Top 5 in their area, would classify themselves as B??? Honestly, everyone wants to come on here and talk about how good Texas is or how good Houston is or how good North Texas is compared against California or these other powerhouses. But what does it say about North Texas softball in the 12U age group if there are only 4 96 teams that classify themselves as A: Tx Legend (not really a factor on anybody's radar); 96 Elite Stidd (I've never seen this team play and they are less relevant than Tx Legend); 96 Diamonds (a true A team in every sense of the word) and 96 Lady Longhorns (considered in Top 5 of N TX). I mean that is a joke!! No wonder the H-Town people monopolize the Tx board. Surely they have more A teams down there. And lets not even bring up CA...I guarantee they have at least 20 A teams in SoCal. Dont get me wrong, I am not suggesting there are only 4 A level teams out there, in fact, there are more. Fusion is a great team and should be considered A. Glory is a good team that is probably better than the first 2 A teams I listed above. Rankings are meaningless, I agree. But its time for everyone to step up to the plate and play the big boys and not worry so much about trophies or win/loss records. It is about competition and making your team stronger. If that truly is your team's direction, than why not classify yourself as an A team and roll with it. After all, if you are gonna talk the talk, you better be able to walk the walk.

[carsdad]

Hey Al, you can ask them why would you play in the 12U A HOF qualifier if you are a B team ? that's the qualifier for 12 U A Nationals in Normal Il....not the B South nationals in Ga.

[honest bob]

Hea HATERS---------Give King Richard a break. He has a master plan that no one cares to know about. Just let the Glory machine roll on or they will crush you all like little bugs. The D1 gods will rain hail & fire on you beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LONG LIVE THE GLORY NATION!!!!!!!!


Thank You
MR. BOB BILLINGSLY

[Joe]

Hea HATERS---------Give King Richard a break. He has a master plan that no one cares to know about. Just let the Glory machine roll on or they will crush you all like little bugs. The D1 gods will rain hail & fire on you beware!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LONG LIVE THE GLORY NATION!!!!!!!!


Thank You
MR. BOB BILLINGSLY

I just CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!

The King Dick, Dan, Kevin...they're just so...so...GLORIOUS!!!

...sniffle...