ASA Proposed Rule Changes of Note

[Dholloway1962]

So what was the true reasoning given for not allowing College Girls play 18G? Who was the big lobby for that change?

[Snocatzdad]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

So what was the true reasoning given for not allowing College Girls play 18G? Who was the big lobby for that change?

If they were honest about it the reasoning might have been about losing 60% of the top 100 teams to a competing organization whose members tried unsuccessfully to work within the system for change and were only heard on the way out the door.

What reason for moving the 18U Gold up a week can you come up with other than trying to get the teams that have committed to Premeir to at least show up to 18U Gold in addition.

That's what it looks like to an outsider anyway. JOFP in ASA always seemed to me to be analagous to the Marine division of Honda. A few years back Honda automotive retooled the engine for the Civic and had all the old tools obsoleted and destroyed. Almost every Honda outboard motor used that old civic motor and when they asked that the tools not be destroyed to avoid the cost of reengineering 100% of their bigger outboards the answer that came back from Honda Automotive was "We make $7 Billion worth of automobiles every year. Why do you assume that your 100 Million in Marine sales is even worth discussing?"

That doesn't mean that ASA JOFP isn't the #1 youth softball program, but it means that the priorities of the passionate few aren't always the main issue.

[Dakota]

re: college players: can't play in G or B, but can in A.

End result: 18A is now the premier 18U division and the 18G becomes the "high school all-stars who don't have a scholarship yet" division.

[wadeintothem]

The cool thing is I've been awarded the ASA/USA 18A tourney next year.

Obviously while everyone else is showcasing their HS all star players at "other tournaments" (maybe they should just do a combine instead of a 18G tournament)... I'll be working the top level national tournament in the only open division 18 y/o competitive level left.

[wadeintothem]

and I would be remiss if I didnt mention .. 18A, being the open division now, should be the tournament that counts as the major.. Not the 18Gold ..

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

The cool thing is I've been awarded the ASA/USA 18A tourney next year.

Obviously while everyone else is showcasing their HS all star players at "other tournaments" (maybe they should just do a combine instead of a 18G tournament)... I'll be working the top level national tournament in the only open division 18 y/o competitive level left.

Well then, congratulations and West Coast represent!

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

re: college players: can't play in G or B, but can in A.

End result: 18A is now the premier 18U division and the 18G becomes the "high school all-stars who don't have a scholarship yet" division.

Actually, not as far fetched as you sound. It was even mentioned in committee that maybe ASA needs to create what is basically a "competitive" division and a "showcase" division. The possible names noted were the 18U Gold (comp) and 18U Silver (showcase).

The point being (which many parents/coaches seem to miss) is that the premier softball tournament should be played by the best 18U teams in the country and that cannot exclude the better ball players that properly qualify to play. The fact that they may be in college should be irrelevant to an age-oriented classification.

IMO, if teams were properly classified (okay, stop laughing), the "B"s would be the perfect place for the returning collegiates to play.