USA Elite Select World Fastpitch Championship in KS concerns

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May 15, 2014
135
16
Atlanta
My daughter's team won a berth to the USAES-WFC in Kansas City and I am having some concerns about what I am seeing. I thought this was to be a true competition between teams that won a berth BUT I have now seen several teams from our state that did not win anything, some didn't even come close to winning or even placing in the top 5. It seems like berths are being given away to teams just because of their name or who they know, not based on coming in 1st or 2nd place in a qualifier. We didn't play this last year so I am curious if this was also done then? Doesn't it seem to cheapen the experience if some teams have to win a qualifier while others just get a freebie pass?
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Marquee teams are always going to be given berths to national events because it makes the event stronger having them there. If you do not think the same thing happens at PGF, Triple Crown and JO Cup you are kidding yourself. Even ASA has resorted to giving out "at large" berths to teams just to fill their events. Just be proud of your DD's team for earning their berth and better get ready to tighten their chin straps because last year the competition in KC was stout.

Bottom line - event organizers are about making MONEY, and the more teams they have the more money they make, and a lot of teams watch where the marquee teams go and follow...
 
Aug 20, 2013
265
0
What division? We played 12u last year and it contained many of the top ranked teams along with tons of solid teams to round out the field. 14u & up should see some good competition, but may not be as strong because of it being scheduled the same week as Atlanta Legacy. Alot of really good teams will play Legacy instead of KC.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
What division? We played 12u last year and it contained many of the top ranked teams along with tons of solid teams to round out the field. 14u & up should see some good competition, but may not be as strong because of it being scheduled the same week as Atlanta Legacy. Alot of really good teams will play Legacy instead of KC.

Those tournaments didn't overlap last year, did they? Hope it doesn't dilute the KC event. I thought it was an outstanding tournament last year.
 
Aug 20, 2013
265
0
Those tournaments didn't overlap last year, did they? Hope it doesn't dilute the KC event. I thought it was an outstanding tournament last year.

I'm pretty sure they did. Not for 12's, but for 14's & 16's. Pretty sure most of the top teams were playing Legacy last year. Imo, that's 1 reason the Batbusters swept the divisions.
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
My daughter's team won a berth to the USAES-WFC in Kansas City and I am having some concerns about what I am seeing. I thought this was to be a true competition between teams that won a berth BUT I have now seen several teams from our state that did not win anything, some didn't even come close to winning or even placing in the top 5. It seems like berths are being given away to teams just because of their name or who they know, not based on coming in 1st or 2nd place in a qualifier. We didn't play this last year so I am curious if this was also done then? Doesn't it seem to cheapen the experience if some teams have to win a qualifier while others just get a freebie pass?

Lots of teams will be there that didn't 'win' a qualifier just like every other nationals. Lots of teams that qualify don't attend due to other commitments/nationals/never were interested/financials/etc..again same with every other qualifier nationals.

We were offered a spot last year because we just couldn't make a qualifier (and yes, we have the team name to go with that spot but we also have the resume and record that justified an invite). We didn't go in the end, but are probably going this year unless we qualify for PGF.

And yes, it overlaps with Atlanta Legacy. That said - I was told a very large number of coaches who are headed to Legacy spent the first three days in Kansas before heading over to Atlanta so it doesn't necessarily dilute the event recruiting-wise - you just have to understand that the coaches are there days 1-3 and then are gone.
 
May 15, 2014
135
16
Atlanta
We are 12U and our girls are super excited about playing some of the best teams in the country so I just hope it is as good as everyone says.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
And yes, it overlaps with Atlanta Legacy. That said - I was told a very large number of coaches who are headed to Legacy spent the first three days in Kansas before heading over to Atlanta so it doesn't necessarily dilute the event recruiting-wise - you just have to understand that the coaches are there days 1-3 and then are gone.

In the 16U and 18U age groups, teams with the majority of their players verballed would rather go to a National event vs. spending money to play in a showcase.
 
Mar 26, 2013
1,934
0
I'm pretty sure they did. Not for 12's, but for 14's & 16's. Pretty sure most of the top teams were playing Legacy last year. Imo, that's 1 reason the Batbusters swept the divisions.
It also overlaps with Triple Crown USA Nats, which draws a lot of top teams in the 14U-18U age groups. TCS being in NYC again last year probably kept some top SoCal teams away. Here are the results from 2016 - https://www.triplecrownsports.com/Classic/EventResults/event_results2.asp?tournyid=7430&ResultsTournyId=7057

I expect more will go to Austin, Texas this year.
 

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