NTC Dot Richardson College Spring games

[jonriv]

Any bucketeers going to be there next week in Clermont, FL??

[jonriv]

Down here now. Anyone else here?

[fasterpitch92701]

JONRIV.... sorry I missed you there. Probably a good thing as I spend most of my time in bed with the flu.

Regardless, a couple comments on the NTC... just jaded opinions... this is NOT a tournament where you want to get hurt. We had a brutal collision between SS going out for a deep pop up and CF coming in. Crash!!! The CF was up and sort of walking after 3 minutes. The SS was out, not moving. 911 called immediately. The tourney chief chicken was contacted within 60 seconds but shrugged it off as no big deal. Coaches were trying to be VERY careful with the SS, seeing if they could wake her and if she could move limbs. No luck. The tourney chief chicken at that field (near the Hampton Inn and local hospital, Clermont) was disinterested, no sense of urgency. Nada. I would classify him as an arrogant ass. The fire station is next to the Hampton Inn, about 400 yards away. The hospital is 550 yards away. After m-a-n-y 911 calls the fire truck and ambulance showed up... about 24 minutes after being called. The NTC chief chicken wouldn't let the ambulance on the field (field was dry....) even though there was an access gate readily available, so, out with the gurney, up the walkway ramp, over to the edge of the concrete, off the concrete edge, plow through dirt, onto the outfield for the bumpy crossing from far right field to short left/center. The paramedics worked on her for 5 minutes or so and she started moving. 10-15 minutes later she was fully strapped down on the gurney from head to toe. And, of course, had a nice, long bumpy gurney ride across the field, through the gate, up to the concrete, down the ramp…to the ambulance. SS ended up at the Orlando Level 1 trauma center, concussion, neck, spine, back, possible liver and stomach damage. Very thankfully, she was up and semi-mobile within 48 hours, with no thanks to the NTC jerk. She will be ok but it was not only scary but frustrating for everyone involved. The NTC people acted like this was their first rodeo. By their demonstrated actions, I would say it was.

On the last day, DD led off the first with a single, stole second with a head first slide, very safe. SS for the opposing team decided that wasn’t a good thing so she simply decided to place her 230 pounds on one cleated foot and step on DD’s hand. SS didn’t have the ball… wasn’t near it. I guess stealing against this team brings out the idiot clown factor of chump players. Regardless, DD was out after that. Thankfully, X-rays appear negative upon returning to school.

The team went 9-3, a good start. DD did well as did the whole team. The teams playing this week are in, I believe, a rain/lightening delay mode. Argh.

Again, sorry I missed you but I would not have been good company and you would now be sick. As for the tourney, overall, it was “ok”. 3x cost of school entry vs Ft. Myers. The fields were good. Traffic wasn’t too bad. The facilities were typical with limited services. It seems like this tourney exists only on the premise of a fabricated name, “National Training Center”… really… training for what? How to rent fields?

I hope all else is going well and you DD is doing great !

Enjoy !

[jonriv]

Sorry did not see you there- glad to hear your daughter is OK and I saw the write-up of her first day. Hard to believe the delay with the ambulance(with a hospital so close)

THe NTC- with all its warts (plus you probably saw the results of the drought in Florida) costs more than Ft Myers or the Kissimmee tournaments because it draws more schools and better schools. In the DIII world it is the place to go. Was talking with my daughter's coach and he said they would like to go other places to change things up a bit, but none could offer the consistent competition. Your DDs team's results versus last year surly are an indicator of this

From what I understand- teams can choose A, B and C schedules (by level of competition) It is a great way for teams from colder climates to come down and play a lot of games against great teams.

[jonriv]

That's the hospital to the left of the scoreboard

[fasterpitch92701]

Have to laugh.... We just stared at that damn hospital for what seemed like forever, pondering whether the player could be carried there. It would have been a b-a-d choice as no one wanted to move her for fear of further injury. But, there we were... soooo close, soooo far, soooo long. And your photo shows how visible it really was/is. I calculated a driver, fairway wood and, maybe, another fairway wood. But, what do I know.

Yes, competition is better at the NTC games. But, dang, at least you see alligators at Ft. Myers. But, overall, the girls on all the teams seemed to have a good time. Looks like Babson did very respectable. And... you have two future games with Coast Guard and Tufts, both power houses from last year. But, didn't both teams lose their star pitchers to graduation? Hummm.... time for Babson to be the giant killer!! Grrrr....

[jonriv]

Coast guard lost their pitcher, but tufts is only a sophomore. Saw tufts easily beat top rated plattsburgh

[fasterpitch92701]

Plattsburgh plays tough, no doubt about it. Says something about Tufts. I think Tufts is something like 13-1 or something. Tufts struggled with Middlebury but won, which appears to indicate that Middlebury is also strong (as expected). Overall, NESCAC seems to be developing more competitive teams. Healthy competition. Good to see it.

I am assuming you will be in attendence for the Tufts/Babson games. Growl as you will !!!

[jonriv]

Going to try to get to as many games as possible. Tufts has a tough couple of games in part of its schedule- Bowdoin, Eastern CT, Babson and Springfield

My guess in the NEWMAC is battle between Babson and Springfield(although Wellesly looks strong) In the NESCAC- Tufts(unless Bowdoin upsets theme) from the East and either Amherst or Middlebury from the West

[fasterpitch92701]

I would say you are 100% correct, or as correct as anyone can be at this time of the year.
Stay warm.