Anyone (else) here playing Co? Fireworks/Sparkler?

[livingontheroad]

Just wondering if any here will be there. Getting close, looking forward to good competition. (and a week off of work!)

 

[Coach-n-Dad]

We'll be there for Sparkler and a tourney the weekend before Sparkler.

 

[Coachmom]

We'll be there in Fireworks 18 U Division in Aurora.

 

[livingontheroad]

Hard to believe only 2 others here!.

 

[yoopergarce]

We're looking to go next year (2011). I see that applications have to be in by this August or September already with the G. Does anyone have a feel for what the chances are of getting turned down? I take it that the Fireworks is more prominent than the Sparkler since the entry deadline is a month earlier?

 

[Kelly Clinevell]

We'll be there for the Fireworks 18U. This will be the first time for us.

 

[Coach-n-Dad]

http://www.cofireworks.com/docs/Fireworks%20and%20Triple%20Crown%20Sports%20to%20Partner.pdf

This year the 2 events have partnered.

 

[shockcoach]

We have a team heading that way. I'm staying put. Doesn't the Independence Day Tournament have more coaches watching out of the two?

 

[livingontheroad]

We're looking to go next year (2011). I see that applications have to be in by this August or September already with the G. Does anyone have a feel for what the chances are of getting turned down? I take it that the Fireworks is more prominent than the Sparkler since the entry deadline is a month earlier?

Fireworks is more elite. You have to apply and be accepted, usually established organizations that have strong reputations and play it every year. If you are an unknown team, dont have a reputation of doing well at nationals, etc, you probably wont get accepted to fireworks unless you can get some other coaches to vouch for you , unless they just have room.

When sparkler started, it was a tournament for the common teams, new teams etc, gave them a showcase tournament to go play. All you have to do is pay to play, sign up, you dont have to be any good. The average level of play may not be as strong, but there will still be some darned good teams in it and top level of play is probably equal. You will not be turned down by sparkler if you send a check and they still have room. Register early as possible.

Dont know whats going on with the TC taking over fireworks. All I can think is that they will ruin it, to make their sparkler the more prominent tournament. Its already bigger due to accept -anyone policy. TC is in it for the money, nothing else.

 

[changeupskill]

Hi all. Colorado here. This past season we drove 20 minutes for the Sparkler, 15 minutes for Independence Day and 5 minutes for the Fireworks tournaments. Our DD was at 14U this past season and now at 18A because of scouts advise and recomendations. At the Fireworks, we saw a lot of "scouts" and chatted to a lot, but what we found out was they were there to see a particular 2 or 3 players that invited them. Or the coach did. At the Sparkler, we saw more clip boards that a wal-mart back to school aisle. Teams from EVERYWHERE and just as many scouts just there on a game to game mission instead of just a couple of targets. We aren't / weren't shy about striking up a conversation, and at least a dozen watched our DD for a couple of innings, and told us she did not belong in 14s and that she had better move up real quick or get overlooked. But they were everywhere and talked very freely with "spectators" if you just said something to them. We didn't see but maybe a handful at the Fireworks, or they weren't anywhere near us and we were at the big complex that had all age divisions. The Independence is very elite and tough talent, but awesome. The Sparkler has SO MANY levels of talent and from all over the US, and outside the US as well. Our DD and some girls set up shade tents and invited random teams / girls to join them for somewhat of a pic nic gab session in between games. They had a ball and made SO many friends vs. Hi, you wanna trade a pin.... etc. One team from Oregon couldn't beat a pinata, but had the best parents, players, coaches and all around attitude and sportsmanship. During the Sparkler you couldn't spit in any direction in the Metro area without hitting a field with awesome games going on. We weren't trying to get our 14U scouted or crazy stuff like that, but we learned so much for the time that she may be in that position. Enjoy.