PGF vs. ASA

[riseball]

This thread makes even less sense than arguing over tastes great vs less filling. All are regional money grabs that promote themselves as having some type of mythical national championship.

 

[Sparky Guy]

This thread makes even less sense than arguing over tastes great vs less filling. All are regional money grabs that promote themselves as having some type of mythical national championship.

You know what makes even less sense? Cooperstown for the boys. Paying the equivalent of a tournament entry fee a team pays for each player and coach for some games with no tournament and you have to supply an umpire. I do believe they get a jersey. The kids stay in bunkhouse.

And they do it all summer with 80+ teams a weekend. Talk about a money grab. What's crazy is there are rec leagues who send a 12U team EVERY year.

 

[Indian3]

I think one fair thing to say is that there is more competition for the national tournaments, and as a result all of them are more watered down. Things have evolved and each org offers something different.

PGF still probably is the toughest tournament, mostly due to the fact that the best travel softball occurs on the west coast. And the PGF gets the best west coast teams along with the handful of better national teams. But again PGF is more than 50% west coast teams, and there are a lot of teams that don't play PGF or go to nationals. The west coach beach is also a draw and its has multiple fun destination to at least attract some teams from around the country.

We went to the USA Select Elite Nationals in Kansas City. This tournament brings some good competition, OC batbusters come out and some Bandits teams go and has the best teams in the Midwest and good south representation. I would say their comp level is much better than ASA. It also has some fun nuances, as they bring in a WPF game. Also, the central location in a major city helps something. Yes, kind of hot and Kansas City is not the best vacation spot, but it has a good amusement park, decent restaurants, some cool museums and a major airport. USA Select Elite is catching up with PGF. I wouldn't be surprised to see it surpass or be equal in the near future.

ASA is not even close to what it used to be. And also, ASA needs to hold their nationals in major metropolitan city or at least a close to a tourist location. Who wants to got to Plano, TX in the middle of July. Never been there, but I but its hot as ?? What is there to do in Plano?

Saw somebody mention that you go to Nationals to just play softball. Come on, these national tournaments are the family vacation for most people. Yes, I want my DD to be focused, but lets also have fun and enjoy it. Generally, you still have time to do something fun and entertaining. Does the fact she went to the beach or a park one afternoon mean shes going to play bad the next game? I think the better the experience overall, the less likely shes going to get burned out. I agree on early poster, I don't envision my family vacation in Normal, IL or Plano, TX in the mid summer.

I guess most dont realize Plano is essentially Dallas our the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. Tons of attractions but sadly no beach and temps to rival Hades in August.
As to the other PGF and TCS even attracted the big Texas teams think in 12u there was a better majority of teams from Texas. Which makes a statement being there aren't but a couple tournaments a year hosted in Texas by these two orgs from what I've seen. You see a bunch of Usssa tournaments and a new comer in 5tool sports.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[YOCOACH]

We enjoyed the USSSA tournaments we have played in Ohio. The person you are speaking of was knowledgeable, communicated well with teams, and was always at the fields to help and answer questions. You seem to have a personal grudge because she was nothing but fantastic this year when we had dealings with her. We will continue to play USSSA tournaments especially if she is involved.

I'm happy you enjoyed them. I know many teams that did not and will no longer play them since rules that were put in writing were changed verbally mid-tournament. I WILL say that the umpiring was by far the best I've encountered in many years though.

 

[4KidsDad]

I've read a few times in this thread that PGF is giving people "what they want" and USA isn't.
What does that mean? Can somebody give some tangible examples of what people want that USA isn't delivering?

 

[DefiantGray]

My DD played in the 12U Nationals in Spartanburg SC. I thought this ASA tourney was ran really well. I like the rule... finish the inning + 1. An 80 min game turned into close to 2hrs.

 

[ang2bmd]

I've read a few times in this thread that PGF is giving people "what they want" and USA isn't.
What does that mean? Can somebody give some tangible examples of what people want that USA isn't delivering?

I would say real softball...7 inning games without time limits in bracket play and 80-90 min limits in pool. I my area usssa is 65 min pools and 70 min brackets...most games are only 4 maybe 5 innings allowing teams to ride 1 pitcher instead of developing a staff.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Softball scholar]

This thread makes even less sense than arguing over tastes great vs less filling. All are regional money grabs that promote themselves as having some type of mythical national championship.

tastes great vs less filling might not make sense, but Miller had the best most entertaining commercials back in the day.

 

[Softball scholar]

I would say real softball...7 inning games without time limits in bracket play and 80-90 min limits in pool. I my area usssa is 65 min pools and 70 min brackets...most games are only 4 maybe 5 innings allowing teams to ride 1 pitcher instead of developing a staff.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

We played USA A 18U Nationals and the time limit was 80 minutes plus one inning including pool play. All our games were mostly 7 innings with a couple going 6 innings.

 

[Dabears17]

I'm at my first USA/ASA Western Nationals this week. So, later this week I can compare this experience to what I've heard from several friends whose daughters have played at the 10u or 12u Nationals.