We got back last night from my 1st experience from ASA Regional B Nationals...I'm posting this in follow up to Marriard's post and with the hope it might give some insight into the whole experience from my perspective...
In our area, "B" would be defined just as Cannonball describes here: http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-discussions/24866-winning-b-nationals-means-you-should-have-been-playing-bracket-6.html#post340169
My team fits that bill. We are 100% 1st year 12U players. All girls are 2003 birth year. In addition to that, my whole team comes from within a 6 mile radius of our facility and 8 of my 10 girls came through our house program. My team however plays in the "A" travel league in this neck of the woods. We were not successful against the “A” teams in the area but destroy the “B” teams in our area.
There are others in my area who play in the "other" travel league that would deem themselves "B" teams as well. These can be made up of any combination of ages\experience. With all due respect and not to sound demeaning to that league, they typically don't like to see teams from our travel league show up at their tournaments. Most of the tournaments hosted by these teams are unofficially classified as "B" tournaments.
I only mention this because I think the ambiguous definition of "A" or "Gold" or "B" or "Premier" can set unrealistic expectations of the "real" level of your opponents. Even if it says "B" expect "A" competition...don't walk in there and start whining when your pocket radar clocks a 12 year old at 56 mph...enjoy the experience, there is plenty to be learned...Like when you go and clock the next pitcher and she hits 59mph LOL (yes, that really happened on Thursday). I didn’t whine…frankly, based on Marriard’s post, it’s what I expected.
OK OK...don't poop your pants thinking you should never go to a higher end tournament...I think it is a great goal to shoot for...but more on that in a minute...
The average pitcher that I clocked at the event threw 48 mph. The slowest was 41 mph. There were 14 teams there and I clocked 21 pitchers (including 3 of my own). If I back out the 3 girls who were all 55+, the average drops to 46+. Most only threw 2 pitches - fastball and change up. In the grand scheme of things, I didn’t think the pitching was overwhelming. It’s pretty typical of what we see…around 50 mph with a change up…
Not surprising, every team that reached the final 6 teams all had a killer shortstop...the team from New Jersey had a shortstop that saved 4 runs against us...she was amazing! Oh...she was a 1st year 12U player to boot...
They all had killer catchers too!
The team we were eliminated by was the best hitting team we've faced all year from top to bottom.
The other team we lost to was the fastest team we've faced all year. Great slappers that we just don't see that often around here.
Both of these coaches (Ray from the Impact Panthers) and Mark (from the Cicero Renegades) were nothing but pure class. Tremendous sportsmanship displayed by both and it was clearly seen in their team's attitudes. I would play against and lose gladly to these guys 7 days a week. When we played the Renegades, there were girls on both teams that had birthdays…it was cute to see teams singing in unison to the birthday girls.
In fact, all the teams we played displayed great sportsmanship. In spite of playing a very competitive tournament, I never saw anyone lose their cool. I had some great conversations with some of the head coaches and assistant coaches. Great guys and gals…everyone was very classy. I had a blast!
Umpiring was pretty good. I thought the strike zone wasn't as consistent as it could have been but it is what it is…the field umpires were terrific…
For the parade and gift exchange…whatever you think is “enough” it is probably pretty bland. We had Christmas in July and we saw teams that had “dog-reindeer” pulling coach in a sled, marching “presents” and a gangle of elves…we had t-shirts and socks…fail LOL
Bring at least 2 dozen pins and lanyards per player…
From a coaching perspective, you’ll quickly see who your gamers are and who crumbles under pressure on your team…
From a coaching perspective, you’ll quickly see the weaknesses in your coaching. If you can swallow your ego for a minute and look at this objectively, it could make you a better coach I learned a ton!
I was the only true 11U team there…we made it to Saturday morning. I thought it was a great experience. My hitters and pitchers did fine. Issues with my middle infield that have existed all year were greatly exploited.
Kudos to Miss Scotties from the Albany, NY area for winning and for the PA Eliminators for giving them a run for the money. Great event…well done ASA and well done to all the teams…CP
In our area, "B" would be defined just as Cannonball describes here: http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-discussions/24866-winning-b-nationals-means-you-should-have-been-playing-bracket-6.html#post340169
My team fits that bill. We are 100% 1st year 12U players. All girls are 2003 birth year. In addition to that, my whole team comes from within a 6 mile radius of our facility and 8 of my 10 girls came through our house program. My team however plays in the "A" travel league in this neck of the woods. We were not successful against the “A” teams in the area but destroy the “B” teams in our area.
There are others in my area who play in the "other" travel league that would deem themselves "B" teams as well. These can be made up of any combination of ages\experience. With all due respect and not to sound demeaning to that league, they typically don't like to see teams from our travel league show up at their tournaments. Most of the tournaments hosted by these teams are unofficially classified as "B" tournaments.
I only mention this because I think the ambiguous definition of "A" or "Gold" or "B" or "Premier" can set unrealistic expectations of the "real" level of your opponents. Even if it says "B" expect "A" competition...don't walk in there and start whining when your pocket radar clocks a 12 year old at 56 mph...enjoy the experience, there is plenty to be learned...Like when you go and clock the next pitcher and she hits 59mph LOL (yes, that really happened on Thursday). I didn’t whine…frankly, based on Marriard’s post, it’s what I expected.
OK OK...don't poop your pants thinking you should never go to a higher end tournament...I think it is a great goal to shoot for...but more on that in a minute...
The average pitcher that I clocked at the event threw 48 mph. The slowest was 41 mph. There were 14 teams there and I clocked 21 pitchers (including 3 of my own). If I back out the 3 girls who were all 55+, the average drops to 46+. Most only threw 2 pitches - fastball and change up. In the grand scheme of things, I didn’t think the pitching was overwhelming. It’s pretty typical of what we see…around 50 mph with a change up…
Not surprising, every team that reached the final 6 teams all had a killer shortstop...the team from New Jersey had a shortstop that saved 4 runs against us...she was amazing! Oh...she was a 1st year 12U player to boot...
They all had killer catchers too!
The team we were eliminated by was the best hitting team we've faced all year from top to bottom.
The other team we lost to was the fastest team we've faced all year. Great slappers that we just don't see that often around here.
Both of these coaches (Ray from the Impact Panthers) and Mark (from the Cicero Renegades) were nothing but pure class. Tremendous sportsmanship displayed by both and it was clearly seen in their team's attitudes. I would play against and lose gladly to these guys 7 days a week. When we played the Renegades, there were girls on both teams that had birthdays…it was cute to see teams singing in unison to the birthday girls.
In fact, all the teams we played displayed great sportsmanship. In spite of playing a very competitive tournament, I never saw anyone lose their cool. I had some great conversations with some of the head coaches and assistant coaches. Great guys and gals…everyone was very classy. I had a blast!
Umpiring was pretty good. I thought the strike zone wasn't as consistent as it could have been but it is what it is…the field umpires were terrific…
For the parade and gift exchange…whatever you think is “enough” it is probably pretty bland. We had Christmas in July and we saw teams that had “dog-reindeer” pulling coach in a sled, marching “presents” and a gangle of elves…we had t-shirts and socks…fail LOL
Bring at least 2 dozen pins and lanyards per player…
From a coaching perspective, you’ll quickly see who your gamers are and who crumbles under pressure on your team…
From a coaching perspective, you’ll quickly see the weaknesses in your coaching. If you can swallow your ego for a minute and look at this objectively, it could make you a better coach I learned a ton!
I was the only true 11U team there…we made it to Saturday morning. I thought it was a great experience. My hitters and pitchers did fine. Issues with my middle infield that have existed all year were greatly exploited.
Kudos to Miss Scotties from the Albany, NY area for winning and for the PA Eliminators for giving them a run for the money. Great event…well done ASA and well done to all the teams…CP
We lost but she pitched well...great experience...
