Premier is it really worth it at 14U?

[Mr. Monday!]

No, you dont have to patronize the hotels that Surf City suggests...

Well... actually you DO have to patronize their hotels. Copied this from their website a moment ago:

**Please be aware that your team is required to make all Hotel Reservations with one of the Surf City Tourneys Hotel sponsors listed on this site. Failure to use tournament hotels will jeopardize your team's participation in future events**

***Teams that wish to make a hotel reservation at a location of their own choosing may do so for a fee, payable to Surf City Tourneys, in the amount of $500.00 per team***

That sounds to me like pretty close to a HAVE to, although maybe "required" doesn't mean the same thing?

I just took a look at the ASA Far Western Championship (Roseville) website. http://www.sacramentoasa.org/m51_3_14ua_western.shtml
I was impressed with the amount of information that has been posted already. They have a hotel list and it looks like many of the hotels are offering great deals to the incoming participants. Something at least to take a look at. Thanks to everyone for their input so far. Staying in California maybe the ticket for this year's younger 14U's (our team anyway)....Save the $550.00 to qualify for Premier. It looks like many teams will be signing up for both the Southern and Northern qualifying tournament......this is what I found on the Northern qualifying tournament being hosted by the Grapettes.... http://www.grapettes.com/pages/11_tourn ... ifier.html
In there description on the site says that the North qualifying tournament will only get 4 teams in?????? Many things just don't make sense.......

[dhay]

I, nor Gary, visit this site on a regular basis. I apologize for not responding sooner. We "do" have fields for the 14U level - Premier National Championship. We have always had fields for the 14U division. We would not have promoted a 14U division had we not had fields from the start.

During the actual championship week we will only use four major complexes.

1. Huntington Beach Sports Complex
2. Fountain Valley Sports Complex
3. Bill Barber Park, Irvine
4. Harvard Park, Irvine

The 14U division will most likely be played at the Fountain Valley Sports Complex and Harvard Park. The 14U championship game will be played on Saturday evening at Deanna Manning Stadium, Bill Barber Park. All games, in all divisions, will be covered by iscore or something similar.

Comcast & Fox Sports will jointly televise the 18HS Championship Game and we are looking to webcast the 16U & 14U Championship games if we can come to an agreement with the respective companies. We will have a formal announcement soon concerning the Broadcasts of our events. Not sure who is spreading the rumor that we dont have fields for the 14U division, but those rumors have been untrue.

Best Regards,
Dan Hay

[FENWAYS]

Here is another post you may want to respond too

viewtopic.php?f=401&t=23157

[AlwaysImprove]

No, you dont have to patronize the hotels that Surf City suggests...

Well... actually you DO have to patronize their hotels. Copied this from their website a moment ago:

**Please be aware that your team is required to make all Hotel Reservations with one of the Surf City Tourneys Hotel sponsors listed on this site. Failure to use tournament hotels will jeopardize your team's participation in future events**

***Teams that wish to make a hotel reservation at a location of their own choosing may do so for a fee, payable to Surf City Tourneys, in the amount of $500.00 per team***

That sounds to me like pretty close to a HAVE to, although maybe "required" doesn't mean the same thing?

Semantics. You can go elsewhere if you write a check. At the end of the day, instead of Smalltown USA taking your money, its Surf City, but as I said, if they save me a few bucks, I dont care.

Sounds like our current political environment - every other politician is a crook except the one that I support.

I developed a simple rule for politics. After the politician is done with me, I just open my wallet, the politician that took the least well, he is the least crooked.

[fastpitchdad05]

Here is another post you may want to respond too

viewtopic.php?f=401&t=23157

Yes, there are a lot of questions remaining regarding the Surf City March Classic debacle. Here's your chance to respond to your customers while they last.

FYI...it's 50/50 right now as to whether my DD's team goes to Premier qualifying and I'm guessing there are many others watching and waiting for your response to decide.

[Uncle Rico]

I have heard many things over the past month in regards to the way the tournament directors run a tournament. I take it that it has only been the side of a few who have had bad experiences. But it really has me thinking.....DD's team is contemplating weather to try and qualify for Premier or go to ASA Far West Nationals. They wanted to stay local this year. So at the 14U level is it Roseville or Huntington Beach? Any feedback would be appreciated!

Back to your original questuion "Is Premier really worth it?" If you have an elite team and your goal is really trying to win a national championship, then yes you should try for Priemier. Their tournament was very well run last year and Surf City tournaments are not going to be representative of a Premier tourney. If you feel the cost is too high or the challange too great, then shoot for ASA in Midland or Roseville. You need to be able to put an honest assesment on your teams abilities to know tourney is the best fit. Midland will be an expensive trip, Roseville will be easier, TCS will be fun, West Covina (USSSA) will be very convienient. If you think you have ashot at a national championship, then go Premier. If not, then choose between the cost/competition value of all of the other options.

[fastpitchdad05]

Their tournament was very well run last year and Surf City tournaments are not going to be representative of a Premier tourney.

why would it be any different when it is the same guy running it
dan will run premier into the ground just like he is doing with surfcity he has already run off espn and other board members with his greedy ways

Or better yet, how about Dan Hay or Gary Haning come in and explain how it will be "better" and why Surf City is dropping the ball so badly.

And let me point this out...the "National Champion" is a subjective determination based on who goes where. If some or most of the so-called strongest teams go to Roseville or Midland then the champion could conceivably be crowned at one of those tourneys.

How about this...why don't we all meet up at Park City in July? I've heard this is a beautiful place to play a tournament and the weather, although not necessarily as nice as SoCal beats Midland by a mile.

What I'm saying is...Why put up with ASA or Premier? We have options.

[Mr. Monday!]

@ Uncle Rico...Great point thanks...
@Fastpitchdad......I wonder why TCS is not talked about much. I hear that Park City really does it up for the kids.

[bugs]

Dang, I agree with lets all go to Park City. Great tournament with great weather and lots to do for the girls.

[PDad]

And let me point this out...the "National Champion" is a subjective determination based on who goes where. If some or most of the so-called strongest teams go to Roseville or Midland then the champion could conceivably be crowned at one of those tourneys.

The winner at Roseville has no chance at being considered THE National Champion.

How about this...why don't we all meet up at Park City in July? I've heard this is a beautiful place to play a tournament and the weather, although not necessarily as nice as SoCal beats Midland by a mile.

This is quite a change of opinion since your Monster Mash posts in October - viewtopic.php?p=159664#p159664

What I'm saying is...Why put up with ASA or Premier? We have options.

Teams do have options. Teams that want to play against the best competition have to qualify for Midland or Premier. Park City and Roseville are good options for the rest of the teams. JMHO