- Jun 22, 2008
- 3,438
- 48
In the NY/NJ area it feels as if there are too many travel teams and not enough players at the younger ages. The teams are watered down and there are a lot of teams still looking for players or only have a roster of 10.
I understand on a National level ASA is the most competitive; but in the NY/NJ area for 14u and younger; ASA presence is almost nonexistent. They are unorganized and tournaments are few and far between. Teams are forced to go to other organizations (USSSA, PONY, ISA, NSA) to round out their schedule. ASA also require you to purchase specific ASA insurance for qualifiers which for a team that might already have insurance is seen as a waste or added expense to maybe enter one ASA tournament.
I completely agree with you. Your assessment is on target and this is a case where the LOCAL heirarchy seems to have its priorities bass-ackwards. The insurance requirement is, and always has been, absurd. I'm a firm believer insurance is a team's prerogative and responsibility. However, ASA is not the only one which demands insurance.
OTOH, I have said for years that ASA is a sanctioning body, not a tournament organizer. Want to have an ASA tournament, go ahead, they'll be happy to help you out.