Other than location... PGF / ASA

[Trophy Hunter]

Moving this from another thread...

Other than location, what has PGF done that's better than ASA?

[jonriv]

I think the smaller number of teams and shorter time of tournament are huge. I think PGF has also developed a great "brand name" as the elite of the elite. It probably will never overtake ASA, but it does not need to. By specializing on the "upper end" of the sport they can keep lean and agile. You can be very successful targeting the right niche.

I also have to give the founders of PGF some credit, most people just usually whine and complain about something they don't like, they actually went out and did something about it.

I just hope they can attract more "elite" teams from outside California and Arizona

[Trophy Hunter]

I think the smaller number of teams and shorter time of tournament are huge. I think PGF has also developed a great "brand name" as the elite of the elite. It probably will never overtake ASA, but it does not need to. By specializing on the "upper end" of the sport they can keep lean and agile. You can be very successful targeting the right niche.

I also have to give the founders of PGF some credit, most people just usually whine and complain about something they don't like, they actually went out and did something about it.

I just hope they can attract more "elite" teams from outside California and Arizona

For accuracy sake, ASA Gold and PGF HS run the same number of days, and I believe PGF has a few more teams than ASA.

You bring up an interesting point on the "elite" aspect, now that they have most of the top teams in their tournament, what if anything else is on the agenda? Other than trying to maintain that position against whatever initiatives may come from ASA or Triple Crown?

[Luther]

PGF has the better competition... and that is all that matters.

If you are looking to play with the best... you MUST choose PGF.

If you dont care about playing the BEST in the country then choose ASA or TCS as they are both well ran. I think TCS had a leg up on being organized and ASA would have a leg up for their level of competition on a National level.

[Trophy Hunter]

PGF has the better competition... and that is all that matters.

If you are looking to play with the best... you MUST choose PGF.

If you dont care about playing the BEST in the country then choose ASA or TCS as they are both well ran. I think TCS had a leg up on being organized and ASA would have a leg up for their level of competition on a National level.

While PGF does have better teams than ASA now, the competition isn't any better than it was prior to PGF being formed. The same teams now at PGF were always at ASA. You could even say the competition isn't as strong as it once was, since some teams pass of PGF in favor of ASA.

[jonriv]

I like one of the points that Uno had made- teams playing at PGF has opened up room at ASA's which might get some more teams into the mix.

I think PGF will try to increase the number of and the attendance at it's qualifiers. I think it will continue to try to expand its Brand outside of California. I do think it is important that PGF keep it's eliteness, as Luther mentioned-the competition aspect is one of their best selling points

[ontheblack]

PGF has deals with hotels that actually provide lower than market rates.
PGF has 14-18 playing within a 30 minute drive of each other, making it far easier and less expensive for college coaches, thereby making it exposure heaven at all levels.
PGF has 14-18 playing within a 30 minute drive of each other, making it far easier and less expensive for families with multiple players. No more Dad goes to Bloomington while Mom goes to Moline.
PGF has begun to attract a higher percentage of the best teams. This could change as other parts of the country catch up to the West Coast, but that is tomorrow, not today. There were few cakewalks last year.
PGF is shorter in duration than ASA at 14s and 16s.
PGF has no gate fee.
PGF has TV coverage.
PGF has online updates. I followed several games at different fields from one location. Even the DD loved that as she could get updates on how her friends were doing on other teams.
The ASA Nats still feels more like a "Nationals" to me at 14s and 16s. At 18s I give the edge to PGF. At 12s I would still elect to go ASA over PGF.

[ontheblack]

PGF has the better competition... and that is all that matters.

If you are looking to play with the best... you MUST choose PGF.

If you dont care about playing the BEST in the country then choose ASA or TCS as they are both well ran. I think TCS had a leg up on being organized and ASA would have a leg up for their level of competition on a National level.

While PGF does have better teams than ASA now, the competition isn't any better than it was prior to PGF being formed. The same teams now at PGF were always at ASA. You could even say the competition isn't as strong as it once was, since some teams pass of PGF in favor of ASA.

Thats absurd at the lower levels. We played teams at ASA that would lose to SoCal rec all star teams. There were few games that were a given at PGF, and none where you felt sorry for the other team because they sucked so bad.

[CULater]

PGF has deals with hotels that actually provide lower than market rates. Agree
PGF has 14-18 playing within a 30 minute drive of each other, making it far easier and less expensive for college coaches, thereby making it exposure heaven at all levels. Coaches will be there and at Gold and at ASA 16U
PGF has 14-18 playing within a 30 minute drive of each other, making it far easier and less expensive for families with multiple players. No more Dad goes to Bloomington while Mom goes to Moline.easier yes, not necessarily less expensive
PGF has begun to attract a higher percentage of the best teams. This could change as other parts of the country catch up to the West Coast, but that is tomorrow, not today. There were few cakewalks last year. they have actually lost 3 or 4 of the top teams to TCS and ASA Gold so you could say they have begun to lose a percentage of the top teams too.
PGF is shorter in duration than ASA at 14s and 16s.The extra day only effects a couple of teams
PGF has no gate fee.neither does Gold
PGF has TV coverage.two teams per age division are on TV
PGF has online updates. I followed several games at different fields from one location. Even the DD loved that as she could get updates on how her friends were doing on other teams.Gold does this too
The ASA Nats still feels more like a "Nationals" to me at 14s and 16s. At 18s I give the edge to PGF. At 12s I would still elect to go ASA over PGF.Agree

[Trophy Hunter]

I was just looking at ASA's Gold website and I like how they list who is coming and who the berth was earned.

http://downloads.asasoftball.com/tourna ... dTeams.pdf

Does anyone know why there is a slot open in Region 14?
Is SoCal Athletics-McCasland Mike Smith's team?