Anybody here going to Marietta Georgia for the 18U Gold Nationals?
Serg

Yes, I will be there. Also, my son is going (he turned 21 today). I can't wait are you flying in? I live in South Georgia and will be staying in the Holiday Inn with you.
Look me up when you get there. My name is Greg. I thought I recognized your name from the list B.Sullivan sent out. Jim Craig is an excellent UIC and the Cobb Co. people really take care of you. I have been to 3 nationals in Cobb and they get better each time.

[Edited by goldcoastump on Aug 4th, 2004 at 03:55 PM]

Congrats on your selection to the 18U Gold Nationals!!

A great tourney to work...got my chance last year when it was on the West Coast.

Hope you get selected to work on Sunday!

Hi Greg. My wife and I will be driving. We should be arriving around 5 or 6 Sunday nite. Look forward to seeing you there.

LT, Thanks. Hope to get selected for Sunday also.

Serg

I just checked the ASA site and it looks like the tournament is the 9-15th. I might have to stop by just to watch a little ball... it is only about a 2-2½ hour drive for me.... and being that I am having withdrawals having only called one double header since the end of high school ball.

I wonder if Elaine will be stopping by. It's her neck of the woods.

Con grads on being selected to Ump the Tournament. Jim Craig is a good teacher. I just wish I was there next weekend to watch.

Have fun and drink alot of water.

Hey all! I hope to get out to the tourney at least 1 day. It is about 55 miles from my house in SE Metro Atlanta out to the site in NW Atlanta Metro.
ATTENTION! When you come in or are driving around, allow for extra drive time as Atlanta traffic is especially bad around the Cobb County area.
I've called 4 ASA Nationals in Cobb, and they treat the umpires like royalty! At the Lost Mountain complex, golf carts take you to and from the fields. Wonderful air conditioned room in GYM, clean bathrooms and showers! Great food, beverages, fruit!
Buy a BIG water bottle and keep it filled. Drown yourself in water before, during, and after games as it will be VERY hot and humid.
I'll try to write down everyone's name, but if I forget, I may just come into the Umpire room and say "Hey, I'm Lady Blue!" and see how many of you say "hey" back. I'm really overweight now with auburn hair and I'm 54. LOOK for me.
I don't know Jim Craig, but I've heard good things about him.
If you meet other Atlanta folks, just tell them I'm your on line umpire buddy! Good Luck and have fun! :>)

Elaine Manross
(worked with Gwinnett Umpires and North Metro Umpires)

Wish I could meet some of you at this tournament in Marietta. We have one from Augusta going to the national in Atlanta, His name is Cameron. He is a good umpire. Take care of him for us, we need him back!! ha ha ha. We start high school fastpitch next week. Please send him back.. ha ha ha

Like LadyBlue said" Drink plenty of water!!!!!!!!!!!"

Need some help from those heading to Marietta.

There is a scandal-rumor among the coaches about an additional team being permitted to partake in the 18U Gold in spite of ASA's 64 team limit. The team seems to be the Miami Valley Express from Region 9.

Of course, the argument is ASA burying their head in the sand while it may actually be an appeasement to avoid legal action which could possibly delay the entire tournament.

I have absolutely no idea what the story is and would appreciate you keeping you ears to the ground for any additional info you can gather.

Thanks,

my guess is that you would be right about the legal action.. That would be the only thing that would make sense

Mike,

The scoop that I heard is that, yes, an additional team was entered in the tournament. That team is the Miami Valley Express. Apparently, they were told by their commissioner and JO commissioner that they were a Region 10 team, therefore, they went to the Region 10 qualifier. Upon arrival, they found out that they were in fact a Region 9 team, and therefore, were not allowed to participate. They couldn't participate in the Region 9 qualifier because it was held about 2 weeks prior. So Ron Radigonda used his "executive director" power and got with the team's lawyers and allowed the Miami Valley Express entry into the Gold nationals, thus, raising the team field to 65, even though ASA code says maximum of 64. Ron must have felt that the team was being penalized for a mistake on the part of ASA.

My only question (like others) is: Did this team only plan on entering just one qualifier with the hopes that they would get the bid without having to go to another qualifier? My expreience has told me that you enter as many qualifiers as financially possible with the hopes that out of all the qualifiers, you will get a bid somewhere. Oh well. Guess we'll see some after action at the next council meeting in regard to this.
Serg

All you blues going to Marietta, keep me posted on
how the Beaumont Blast team does.

And congrats to the blues going.

Thanks

I heard the same thing Sergio heard about appeasing the Miami team. If I hear anything further I will report unless I am asked not too.

wrt "Apparently, they were told by their commissioner and JO commissioner that they were a Region 10 team"
- umpires on the field have to get it right w/o being able to look it up or make phone calls.

I called up the Lost Mountain Complex yesterday and asked for Sergio---and he came to the phone!!! I am going to try to get out there on Friday. He hadn't met Scott from Tampa, but had discussions with an Atlanta umpire on his crew about me.
(I wonder what the Atlanta ump said, as I helped train him)
LOL

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