14U poll

[Mr. Monday!]

Salinas Storm??? Is that an invite because they are hosting a qualifier? Please someone put me in my spot and tell me what they have accomplished at the 14U.......Now that's a head scratcher

[rbi]

You host you get a berth...

ALL PGF can go off of is past performance by any given team or program, so with the limited time in the Fall, its not a easy task, so they must put weight on last Summer, and OVERALL strength of program as well..

Sorcerers were not in Top 10 at ASA 12u Nationals, because they elected to not attend, and two years from now, no one will even remember, IMO smart move, saved $3,000 a family and avoided the Brutal August Southeast weather... Sorcerers 14U are a mix of 1st yr and 2nd yrs 14's but, very atheletic and very well coached.

Smash was the top Norcal finisher at 12u ASA Nationals, if PGF is handing out berths to anyone (which they are) in Norcal, Smash earned it. Are 14's a different animal, you betya, but that does not mean they dont deserve the berth.

Once you get to 14's the top teams are usually 2nd year 14's, and SoCal is notorious for having the luxury of fielding exclusive 2nd year 14's and a couple blue chip 1st year kids, tough recipe to beat.

And for all those that did not get a auto berth and feel you "deserve" one, just go and win the qualifier and prove your point.

[Old Darter]

Salinas Storm??? Is that an invite because they are hosting a qualifier? Please someone put me in my spot and tell me what they have accomplished at the 14U.......Now that's a head scratcher

Remember that PGF has little manpower for putting on tourneys outside of Southern California. It seems reasonable that they offer a spot to a team willing to put in the time and effort to host a qualifying tournament in an area where PGF has no other manpower. Until PGF achieves a bit more nationwide organizational maturity, it is a logical move.

[Fun4All]

Salinas Storm??? Is that an invite because they are hosting a qualifier? Please someone put me in my spot and tell me what they have accomplished at the 14U.......Now that's a head scratcher

Remember that PGF has little manpower for putting on tourneys outside of Southern California. It seems reasonable that they offer a spot to a team willing to put in the time and effort to host a qualifying tournament in an area where PGF has no other manpower. Until PGF achieves a bit more nationwide organizational maturity, it is a logical move.

I do see your point, so just for the sake of argument, why then was an invite not extended to the Grapettes, since it is they who are hosting the 12U/14U this year, and also hosted the NorCal qualifier last year as well?

[watchtonsofsoftball]

Your right order of finish does matter and that's my point. If it was seeded the first win would matter but instead it's about draw. I don't believe if you drew the bat buster-stith team first you'd feel to good about your chances. So another team who draws a team from a weaker qualifier has a much better shot at order of finish which is what your team is measured. So I'd rather my dd reporting back a 13th finish to college coach over a 25th. My point is that I don't believe necessarily that 13th place team is better than the 25th. Not sure why I'm even arguing this point. Oh well carry on.

[2face]

Fun4all

The Grapettes did get a berth and elected to use it on the 18Gold team.

[luvhaters]

I do see your point, so just for the sake of argument, why then was an invite not extended to the Grapettes, since it is they who are hosting the 12U/14U this year, and also hosted the NorCal qualifier last year as well?[/quote]


The Grapettes did receive a berth.

[Fun4All]

Ah! Thanks for the clarification.

[luv2teachthegame]

You host you get a berth...

ALL PGF can go off of is past performance by any given team or program, so with the limited time in the Fall, its not a easy task, so they must put weight on last Summer, and OVERALL strength of program as well..

Sorcerers were not in Top 10 at ASA 12u Nationals, because they elected to not attend, and two years from now, no one will even remember, IMO smart move, saved $3,000 a family and avoided the Brutal August Southeast weather... Sorcerers 14U are a mix of 1st yr and 2nd yrs 14's but, very atheletic and very well coached.

Smash was the top Norcal finisher at 12u ASA Nationals, if PGF is handing out berths to anyone (which they are) in Norcal, Smash earned it. Are 14's a different animal, you betya, but that does not mean they dont deserve the berth.

Once you get to 14's the top teams are usually 2nd year 14's, and SoCal is notorious for having the luxury of fielding exclusive 2nd year 14's and a couple blue chip 1st year kids, tough recipe to beat.

And for all those that did not get a auto berth and feel you "deserve" one, just go and win the qualifier and prove your point.

Again...not knocking the accomplishment of Smash...but how does having a good 12s year have to do with being given a berth to a National tournament for an age group they haven't played in? IMO a first year team should have to prove something in that 14s age bracket. Why should they not be required to show success at that age group? Why should they not have to prove it through qualifying? It seems that SOME of these invites are being handed out rather than earned. Big difference between the two.
To tell a team who thinks they "deserve" it is kind of funny when there are at least 3 teams that haven't done that. A National tournament appearance should be EARNED by ALL teams that are there.

[luv2teachthegame]

By the way..I am not saying they aren't good enough to play in that tourney, I am simply saying that berths should be handed out to teams that are visibly above the rest. I just don't feel they fit that mold. Should make for an interesting spring/summer.