Anderson Express Invitational - Coming in May

[AE_Y2K]

The teams listed on the VTD website are the teams who are committed. Not the teams who were invited, the invites were sent to numerous DFW area teams. If we've overlooked someone it was not on purpose. Tell us who is missing and if we haven't already, we'll do what we can to get them an invite.

Just because teams aren't there doesn't mean they aren't welcome, there are 20 teams signed up so far. Don't think we've only sent out 20 invites.

[MRinehart]

We would like an invite:

99 RoughRiders

Mike Rinehart

[LETHAL WEAPON 25]

Ok, well im assuming by the lack of an answer that this tournament is most likely going to be pitched at 40' and they just dont want to say that yet. So that said, we (Gametime 97, Okc) are going to begin looking for an alternative 43' option. Should this tournament wind up being a 43' tournament, then we are definately in. Im not going to debate what sanction is pitching from what. It is what it is, and we choose to play nothing but 43'.

[AE_Y2K]

14U pitching distance will be 40'

We are playing under VTD sanction, so we will use their rules.

Thanks

[LETHAL WEAPON 25]

No Problem. Appreciate the clarification. Please Remove Gametime 97.

[rothie]

I can understand and do respect that you (LETHAL WEAPON 25) will not have your Gamtime 97 team play in this even. It is completely up to you and your team whether or not you want to play in it. I have not dealings with this tournament other then playing in the 98's age group. I understand that you have a great pitching staff so I was wondering why you have decided not to play at 40'? I play on having my girls play up in 14U and they will have to pitch at 43'. From all that I understand it will not cause them any problems. I understand that your girls pitch at 43' for there high school and everything. I respect that you do not want to pitch at 40' just wondering why if 40' offer the best competition? Just wondering and if you do not want to respond I understand? Thank you for your time.

[LETHAL WEAPON 25]

Ok,since you asked, I'll be 100% honest. It's not really about pitching. If they practice pitching from 43' reguarly they wont have much trouble adjusting to 40', but if you've been HITTING from 43' for 6 months (We started winter workouts in November) and are in stroke from top to bottom. Why would you risk jacking with that for 1 tournament? If just 1 girl goes into a slump because the adjustment messed with her then its not really worth it. I would love to play all of these teams, but the situation must fit. We have chosen to go to a 43' World Series and that is what we are going to spend the season preparing for.
Im sure there will be those who wanna talk and stuff, but I will say UP FRONT our schedule is posted on our website and that highway runs both ways....We're not hard to find.

[rothie]

Thanks for your responce. I was just asking and in no way was I thinking or suggesting you were running. Your resume speaks for itself. You can't play USFA 12U "A" World Series and be running. I know ASA is the sh*t as for as Nationals go and I can and will not say other wise. I will say that just because a team does not go to ASA Nationals does not mean they are running from anything. I respect what you have said and completely understand. What I don't understand it if very State has high schools at 43' why wouldn't VTD and ASA have the same for there teams that have HS players on them. ALL second year 14U. Just wondering.
Well the tournament is going to be a very good tournament and I hope that the 98's get all the best teams possible as well as all the other age groups. We look forward to playing in it.

[txfastptchcoach]

Thanks for your responce. I was just asking and in no way was I thinking or suggesting you were running. Your resume speaks for itself. You can't play USFA 12U "A" World Series and be running. I know ASA is the sh*t as for as Nationals go and I can and will not say other wise. I will say that just because a team does not go to ASA Nationals does not mean they are running from anything. I respect what you have said and completely understand. What I don't understand it if very State has high schools at 43' why wouldn't VTD and ASA have the same for there teams that have HS players on them. ALL second year 14U. Just wondering.
Well the tournament is going to be a very good tournament and I hope that the 98's get all the best teams possible as well as all the other age groups. We look forward to playing in it.

Every state is different. Some states have Jr. High softball. The problem with 14U is half the girls are in 8th grade and the other half are in High school (9th grade) and most of your 9th grader's in the state's that don't have Jr. high softball play 16U because the distances are the same and they have a Dark period (meaning most high school’s don't allow their kids to play while high school season is in swing). I have a team FULL of 8th grader's and we don't have Jr. High softball in Houston, Texas area. We played various 16/18U tournaments this fall and Lethal Weapon 25 hit it on the head. If you have really GOOD pitching the 3' feet doesn't make much of a difference but the hitter's do have to make an adjustment. I saw this first hand the weekend we dropped back to 40' (Timing). The advantage teams have at 43' is good to average pitching gets HAMMERED. A lot of teams were probably having a problem with the 43' because Hall of Fame Qualifier for Texas teams was the next weekend after this tournament and were afraid there hitting would be effected for that tournament. Just my opinion and it doesn't mean squat.

[AE_Y2K]

Very few spots left......

00 have 2 open spots
99 is full at 24
98 have 4 open spots
14 have 3 open spots

Looks to be an exciting weekend, format has been set, look for updates at fastpitchsoftball.net over the next few days.

Thanks