Anderson Express Invitational - Coming in May

[Joe]

So...ummmm, why would we drive to Longview when there will be 2-3 tournaments close by to play in DFW, Houston, Austin/SA?
Let me help you with this one...

First, you're competing with the big boys on this one...so you'll need to figure out a way to motivate teams to load up and make the 2-4 hour drive in mid-May... right about when everyone else is running a tournament AND families are busy with end of school year activities.

Second, you stand a much better chance to make this thing work during the "off season"...as in early spring or late summer, after Nats.

Third and most importantly...your tournament ends on May 8th...MOTHER'S DAY! Some teams will play on Mother's Day, but many won't. By keeping the May 8th date, you've probably eliminated half of your potential customers...who are already having trouble justifying the trip because of obstacles #1 and #2 above.

Finally, finally...move on to plan B. Your facilities are nice, but you're located in the boondocks. Make it easier for teams to make the trip... pull out your calendar and look for conflicts, and get creative.

Our goal for this tournament is to make the drive to Longview worth it. Its the same reason we drive from Longview to Dallas/Houston on a normal basis. To play someone different, and to see what competition is out there. As of right now we have teams from Oklahoma, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama and Lousiana already verbally committed. Answer me this, how many teams from all those states are regularly in DFW on the same weekend? Right now that's where our TD's focus is, he's diligently working on getting teams from out of state committed. So far he has USSSA and USFA World Series champs, ASA National Finalists, so we're putting in the work, and all you guys have to do is drive.


And we're sorry that its Mother's Day weekend, I looked at it from a head coach's perspective. For a tournament that promises this type of competition, I could give my Mom some flowers on Monday and she'd love me the same.

I think for this one weekend in May, the boondocks will have some pretty good softball to watch.

Brother...you do it your way...I'm just suggesting you remove some of the obstacles that may prevent some or most from participating. Verbal commitments to a tournament mean about as much as the zit on my butt cheek...it's there for a while, and then alas...it goes away.

As for you driving to DFW...I know Longview and I know DFW...and my friend....you ain't no DFW...or Houston...or Austin/San Antonio. The difference is...all of the major Metros have hundreds of teams (some of them pretty good) to draw from... whereas Longview has what....4? The fishin' around your area is good though!

Your goal is a worthy one...but your timing is wrong on this event and I'm afraid you'll be penalized for not undertanding the dynamics of travel, limited budgets (preparing for summer tournaments/qualifiers/Nats), time of year (end of school year/holiday for some), and your remote location = boondocks.

Unfortunately for you...each of the major Metro areas will be hosting 2-3 tournaments the same weekend...close to home...cheap...no travel required...and also...with some decent competition.

Good luck!

[AE_Y2K]

Joe, I respect your opinion and I'm thankful for you input. But just for poops and giggles we're gonna go foward w/ this thing.

Our goals are high, and maybe we're reaching somewhat, but it has to start somewhere.

And we aren't asking 100 teams from DFW to come, maybe the "4" looking for more than "decent" competition. So your local tournaments will still thrive, I don't expect those tournaments to totally shut us down. Will they keep a few teams from attending, maybe. If so, thats fine, we don't expect to get every single team we ask, thats already been considered.

And I think I totally understand the dynamics of travel/expenses when it comes to softball. I'd put our travel log up against any other team in TX over the last 2 seasons.

One thing you're failing to look at. This isn't a World Series, we're aren't asking people to spend a week in Longview, this isn't a softball vacation. Sleep, eat and play ball, Longview has a world class complex (as nice as any I've seen) what more do you need? Hotels won't be a problem, there are plenty. I-20 is right there, if you're coming for softball there are no set backs.

If our timing is bad, if our venue is obsolete then I guess this shindig will not work. Until then we're gonna do our best to bring elite softball to the piney woods of East TX.

[Joe]

Oh okay...you win. We'll be there...

Do you think you could round up some of those tee shirts that say, "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"?

And I'll need a Lake Fork fishin' report a few days out...

[men talljie aunt]

You will have to excuse Joe...he just don't know no better. You see what you are talking about is a completely foreign concept to him. I must admit I have not read every single post in this thread, but I believe what you are trying to accomplish with this tournament is a "tune up" for nationals or HOF. This is why you are trying to recruit teams from OUT OF STATE. This is why you are so gosh darn excited about the POSSIBILITY (must admit I agree with Joe on this one as far as the likelihood of GA Impact actually showing) of having a team like Georgia Impact. We are talking about ASA Championship level play or perhaps Premier level competition. This is what Joe doesn't understand because he has no exposure to it. To him, softball is about Tarrant County, VTD tournaments with basically the same type of softball being played by 20 teams or so each weekend. And you know what, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WANT FOR YOUR SOFTBALL EXPERIENCE. The problem is, there are some teams that expect more from their weekend. The expect a hell of a lot more if they have goals of HOF and ASA A Nationals. No they don't expect this every single weekend because frankly, there are not enough teams of this caliber in the Metroplex.

You are simply trying to put on a quality tournament with the best possible teams out there that perhaps share the same common goals your team shares. Championship play!!! Not "nationals" at BLD sipping cold ones with Larry while he counts his gate fee money.

While, unfortunately, I believe you may struggle with your tournament in getting actual commitments from a number of teams, I do wish you the best of luck with your endeavor and understand that if you only wind up with 6 teams, if those 6 are really great, then in the end it is still worth it to those looking for the best competition.

[men talljie aunt]

I almost forgot, Joe was being serious about that whole fishin' guide thing. You see Joe is a very accomplished angler. It seems that most weekends he usually winds up with a lot of spare time on his hands late Saturday and Sunday. In fact, I believe that is the first criteria in selecting tournaments...check that, the first criteria is VTD, the next criteria is scouting the fishing possibilities and golf courses.

[Joe]

In fact, I believe that is the first criteria in selecting tournaments...check that, the first criteria is VTD, the next criteria is scouting the fishing possibilities and golf courses.

My only criteria IS golf and fishin'...You see Jemima, the last of Joe's DDs is enjoying her D1 career at her college of her choice. So now...lo and behold, my only HB mssion is to take on the Jemima's of the world who would slam, trash, disparage and degrade the 10 year old whose only desire is to play a game. A game that has been hijacked by the likes of shmegma like you who want to use it for a stepping stone to East Islam Texas Junior College just outside of Midland where the Jemima fam will refine their white trash skills at the local Motel 6 where they used to hang for those ASA jaunts. Oh...the memories!!!

Now for a case study: ...let's examine the Fusion project. Why....I believe it was just a year ago when you were preaching to us all... about all the virtues of the elite Fusion experiment, playing against the finest, friendlies with Slade and Big Dave, nothing but ASA, VTD will fail...yada, yada. This is classic example of a mis-guided, inexperienced no nothing, wannabe... being led through the maze like a mule, with his ASA boner, following a carrot. You bought it hook. line and sinker...and Slade/Dave/ASA really 'preciate it. And me? I'll be enjoying the last laugh, a victory lap if you will, all the way through 2011...watching and listening to the beginners talk the BS as they piss their coin all over some used car salesman selling "elite" softball! Ha.....!!!

[AE_Y2K]

Lake Fork ??

I thought you said you've been to Longview ??

Swing and a miss

[Joe]

Lake Fork ??

I thought you said you've been to Longview ??

Swing and a miss

Yup...been there...and after a few minutes, it was a no brainer that a side trip was desperately needed.

[51sDad]

Not "nationals" at BLD sipping cold ones with Larry while he counts his gate fee money.

I seriously just spit my coffee all over my keyboard. Too funny.

Lake Fork ??

I thought you said you've been to Longview ??

Swing and a miss

Yup...been there...and after a few minutes, it was a no brainer that a side trip was desperately needed.

Nice save.

[AE_Y2K]

Which part of Lake Fork did you fish near Lview?