2020, anyone?

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Tom, I think you are missing the biggest bullet points; the ones that have the teams outside California most upset.

Their most legitimate complaint is the length of the tournament, and the amount of time needed to play a 64 team tournament.

Steve, I think this issue is more than XX number of days. Like I stated previously, the 2002 Gold was played on an 8 field complex. The games began on Monday and finished on Sunday. A "savings" of two days, and I think the number of teams was less than 64 (52 or 53 I believe). No one complained about the location, which was rural OK, or length of the tournament. And at that time, the top pitcher eligible to play was not there, she was playing for the US team. Want to venture a guess who won that year?

What has changed since 2002? More teams playing Gold, and way more showcases. The culture is now to show up on Tuesday, play for fun on Wed/Thurs/Friday, then single elimination on Sat/Sun. And they go to one every week, so who really has time for a tournament that really means something?

I guess it isn't too difficult to figure out what side of the argument I'm on. Nationals used to be the end all of the summer. Now it is just an annoyance.

[AtlUmpSteve]

I did it in 2001 & 2004; 64 (I think 2004 was the 65 team year) teams, 8 fields in Marietta, GA. The first day was just sign-in, opening ceremonies, an exhibition game.

Totally wasted day, and the rest of the tournament was really drawn out.

The math is 64 pool games; 8 rounds of 8 games. Coach luncheon and draw (if not done in advance), check-in, opening ceremonies, play two rounds opening night. Play 6 rounds day 2, draw that night (if pool used for seeding), team parties that night.

Day three, play 6 rounds of elimination bracket (no one sent home, 9, 11, 1, 4, 6, 8). Day 4, play 7 rounds of elimination (9, 11, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9). There would be 8 winners, 8 losers left; day 5, finish the tournament.

It could Tuesday thru Saturday, with Sunday as a rain day and travel day. I believe that is the Premier plan, more or less.

[Dakota]

The length of the tournament could be a legitimate beef, except if you notice what is being emphasized is high school players only, location, and college coaches in attendance.

It is at its core a showcase tournament being put on for the convenience of the socal teams, with window dressing to draw in teams from outside socal.

There is no doubt in my mind that ASA handled the long-standing coach's complaints poorly. If, in fact, they merely took suggestions and provided little or no feedback (as you suggest), that is worse than not taking suggestions at all, since it can easily be taken as deceptive.

I'm completely out of the loop on the internal workings of the ASA, but it has been clear even to me that ASA was viewing OKC as the permanant home of the 18U Gold tournament. I still think that is the crux of the issue for the socal teams; they feel they are not being paid their due homage. They'd be perfectly happy if ASA's HQ and therefore the permanent home was in Barstow and you'd hear nary a peep about the hot weather or lack of activities.

[wadeintothem]

Some dead on balls assessments by Tom and Steve right there..