PGF 14U Nationals - Predictions First Round

[MarkJMillsap]

Where are the brackets? I couldn't find them on Premiers website.

[crowhopsoftball]

Where are the brackets? I couldn't find them on Premiers website.

Go to: http://premiergirlsfastpitch.com
click: Championship
Then click: Times, Fields & Rules
Scroll to the bottom click your division

[PDad]

Where are the brackets? I couldn't find them on Premiers website.

http://premiergirlsfastpitch.com/schedules/tourney01/brackets/14U_2011.pdf

[BenAround]

Ladys Lightning Future over CA Raiders

hmmm, expect more of the same.

That's what happens when you pay-to-play and get a berth w/o winning a game.

[GSB]

Just wondering, out loud I guess. With the pool games counting for absolutely nothing for anything. Do you think the coaches treat them more like practice games? I know, they want to win but is this not the time to maybe let the weaker players on the teams (players that wont be playing bracket) rack up some playing time. Thoughts.

[mercyrule777]

Just wondering, out loud I guess. With the pool games counting for absolutely nothing for anything. Do you think the coaches treat them more like practice games? I know, they want to win but is this not the time to maybe let the weaker players on the teams (players that wont be playing bracket) rack up some playing time. Thoughts.

Good point, I think so! You never know when someone might get hurt and that player has to step in to play. I'm all for PGF but I think pool play games should seed you in bracket play. The luck of the draw is not the business at all.

[Clean_up]

Something else for teams to be watchful of is the "official" score being kept by those scorekeepers doing the live streaming. They missed a run in our game, kid hits a single, runner on 2nd makes it in for a run, batter-runner is thrown out at 2nd like 2 steps after runner scores.. Umpire clearly says "run scores" but the "official" scorekeeper doesn't record the run.

So, just saying that the home book needs to make sure the "official scorekeeper" is on the same page, especially after a close play.

Opening Ceremonies could be done much better, but we hung out at Freds and the girls had fun just being out there in the beautiful weather...

[AM Softball]

Just wondering, out loud I guess. With the pool games counting for absolutely nothing for anything. Do you think the coaches treat them more like practice games? I know, they want to win but is this not the time to maybe let the weaker players on the teams (players that wont be playing bracket) rack up some playing time. Thoughts.

I talked to several college coaches today that felt the pool games should seed you. One coach said she wants to watch the best teams (besides the normals) and so she usually, in tournaments, will look at the seedings and go to the top seeds first...another coach said they want to see competitive play all week long because it means more if the games are seeded and the teams will be playing their best players and playing for something and they want to see those "pressure" situations.

I agree 100%. I don't know if we get a feedback form but I believe most of the coaches (TB and college) I spoke with agreed that the pool play games should mean something so I hope people write that or PGF takes it into consideration.

[andy]

One of the advantages of PGF is they intend to listen to the coaches that support it. It could be that there is enough interest to make pool play count or use it for seeding. However, seeding from pool causes some concerns. For one thing each game would have to be completed until there is a winner. That would mean the schedules would fluctuate and college coaches would not know where teams are and when. By having a "no new" or "drop dead" game, college coaches can count on schedule. No seeding also allows for the PGF to draw the bracket ahead of time, further helping college coaches plan their schedule in advance. Seeding of pool play does not determine strength of teams. As the pools are also drawn blind, there could be pools made up of all strong teams and others with teams of less strength and thus the number one seed in one pool is not nearly as strong as the number one in another. No seeding allows the coaches to fine tune their line up . No seeding allows them to work on their game strategy. No seeding allows the coaches to showcase players who are younger and may not get in to the bracket game as a signed senior is in her position. There are pros and cons for both. My guess is if enough teams want seeding then PGF will do so in the future. However, the manner in which PGF is running the current Nationals is based on inputs from upper level travel coaches who have consistently attended Gold Nationals and were frustrated with those issues not being addressed by ASA.

[sportzjunky]

no matter what you cant win when it comes to this. Pool play counts some are mad because of the pool they ended up based on the draw and where they place into the bracket. Dont count pool play and its another set of issues from people. My opinion is they should count and its a draw everyone is getting treated the same its just the "luck of the draw". You should seed into the tournament format good teams overcome bad draws.