Who is the most likley from TN. to Qualify For ASA nationals

[ASAdefender]

I appreciate the kind words about our program and players. Not sure who you are, but I'm guessing maybe Jay Vincent?? If so, I noticed that Casey is about 8 feet tall now and flat bringing it. I remember her as a 10-12 year old at the clinics way back when, although she had really grown the last time I saw her a couple of years ago... they grow up way too fast don't they? I've also been told that she has developed into a very nice pitcher, but that doesn't surprise me.

 

I was getting so many emails asking whether or not we were playing 16U this year that I knew we had to be popping up on a board somewhere, but my time is a little stretched right now and it took me a while to figure out that it was CoachT.

 

To answer a few of the questions in this thread... we moved away from the straight 92 age group the past couple of years and have been playing a straight exposure schedule with about half of our players being 90 and 91. We played in the ASA State a couple of years ago (with no plans to advance to Nationals) but haven't played in any other ASA qualifiers the past two years. Now that those 2008 and 2009 graduates have moved on to college softball (or are on their way following graduation in May) we decided to return to the 92-93 age group around our long term core group and shoot for the 16U ASA Nationals because of the number of college coaches who regularly attend that event.

 

Like every other 16U team in the state seeking a berth to Nationals, we hope to qualify early. Earning a berth early will allow us to spend the bulk of the summer participating in exposure tournaments instead of chasing the elusive berth every weekend. But, we certainly aren't counting on blowing everybody away in Hendersonville or Chattanooga at the Memorial Qualifier to get one of those early berths, and we certainly won't be playing with that attitude... and we aren't assuming any certainty of snagging a late berth either. We haven't even checked the price of air fare to Sioux Falls, and I don't even know if they have an airport there or not, although I assume they do. There are a lot of fine 16U teams in Tennessee and it is going to be a dog fight for those berths.

 

I'm at a little bit of a disadvantage because it has been three years since I have seen any of the teams mentioned play a single game - Frost Falcons, Fury, Thunderbolts, Thunder, White Lightning, etc. I know that they all have outstanding teams which have had outstanding seasons for many years, but I couldn't even begin to estimate how we will match up with any of them. Players mature and change so much between 12 and 16 that trying to determine how good a team or player is now based upon what they were like at 12 or 13 is futile. We might be the best in the bunch. We might be the 10th best (or worse) in the bunch. Since we haven't played any of them in at least 3 years and half my team is new to me this year, there isn't any way to know or even speculate with any accuracy. We'll just have to wait until late May to see how we match up. I have no doubt that there are other teams out there who haven't been named in this thread who will show up with very nice teams and will compete very well. I've seen two predominately 93 teams in my facility (Tennessee Dream and Lady Maniax) who haven't been named but are very talented and will make some noise this year.

 

If anyone is interested, I like this group of players as much as any group I've had over the past 30 years. They are serious about softball and their softball futures and they work very hard. Off season workouts have almost been mundane to me because they come in, stay focused, and do their work without any pushing or prodding... but they are a fun group as well. I think it is a very special group and I believe they will all eventually become NCAA Division I scholarship players (my opinion for whatever that's worth) - but that may or may not translate into wins or berths. In reality though, if these young women develop as players and receive scholarship offers, then wins and berths are pretty irrelevant anyway.

 

As for our name, we will use Team Worth this year. Another team in our organization began using the 92 name when we moved up with older girls a couple of years ago, and I don't want to take it back from them. We won't use the Gold part of the name, except perhaps during Gold exposures if we get the chance to play any of those. I'll probably leave it as Gold on the web site simply to avoid confusing those college coaches who have known us by that name, but we are 16U and not 18 Gold. We have four 2010 players and six 2011.

 

And as for Frost having a roster full of sub 3.0 home to first runners... I hope they do, and I hope there are a lot of other teams with more speed than we have as well. I thought we were pretty quick, but our team speed isn't anywhere near that so Frost and others with good speed will really make us step it up a notch. If my players have true aspirations to play college softball, they have to be able to field and throw out fast runners - and there is no better way to learn than to play teams that force them to learn. The same goes for flame throwers in the circle. I'd love to see gas every game and tons of 65 mph rise balls. That's the best way to get better.

 

So now, we have to sit around and endure the endless and often futile high school season before we all get to step on the field together in May - without the chance to practice since Tennessee ASA decided to cram that qualifier right on the top of Spring Fling. My prediction? Some good softball in Tennessee ASA this summer... and if the four berths go to the Falcons, Thunderbolts, Thunder, and White Lightning, then they will have earned it on the field, and we'll get busy right away to get our program up to their levels. Other than that, I'll leave the prognosticating to everyone else.

 

Best of luck to all of these teams. I look forward to seeing you in May!

 

Michael Connell

Team Worth Fastpitch

[ASAdefender]

Coach Connell: ASA is pleased your Worth team is back and chasing an ASA berth this year. However, I want to correct one part of your very humble post. Tennessee ASA did not choose to "cram the first qualifier right on top of the Spring Fling." Nashville has been whining for years about having an ASA Qualifier. So some in East Tennessee worked hard to register more teams so Tennessee could have an extra berth. We were successful this year and the powers that be at Tennessee ASA chose to give this extra berth to Hendersonville. (BTW - I voted against it) Hendersonville then chose to award this berth at the Drake's Creek Classic. Tennessee ASA had nothing to do with this decision. I know some, including myself, called Hendersonville and expressed concern about the hardship it would place on teams with players participating in the Spring Fling. Our pleas were given lip service and then ignored. So please don't slap the puppy, Tennesee ASA gave Nashville what it wanted and Nashville Michelle Kwanned it. Nevertheless, welcome back and thanks for playing ASA! Look forward to seeing you and your team this summer.

Kim Swafford

Tennessee ASA

J.O. Vice President

[administrator]

I'll just be glad to get school ball behind us so we can have some real fun. We've played travel ball for years, and my daughter is now 16, and it seems to be more of a challenge every year to find a team that needs players. We generally get "lucky" and get asked to play at the last minute, but hopefully this year, we're locked in early. We'll face Miss Vincent early on in our season (Tullahoma) as well as Miss Swann, and trust me, both are a pleasure to watch play. Where ever those two wind up playing this summer, those teams will have a leg up to go far![/size]

[TBALLEXPERT]

Coach Connell: ASA is pleased your Worth team is back and chasing an ASA berth this year. However, I want to correct one part of your very humble post. Tennessee ASA did not choose to "cram the first qualifier right on top of the Spring Fling." Nashville has been whining for years about having an ASA Qualifier. So some in East Tennessee worked hard to register more teams so Tennessee could have an extra berth. We were successful this year and the powers that be at Tennessee ASA chose to give this extra berth to Hendersonville. (BTW - I voted against it) Hendersonville then chose to award this berth at the Drake's Creek Classic. Tennessee ASA had nothing to do with this decision. I know some, including myself, called Hendersonville and expressed concern about the hardship it would place on teams with players participating in the Spring Fling. Our pleas were given lip service and then ignored. So please don't slap the puppy, Tennesee ASA gave Nashville what it wanted and Nashville Michelle Kwanned it. Nevertheless, welcome back and thanks for playing ASA! Look forward to seeing you and your team this summer.

Kim Swafford

Tennessee ASA

J.O. Vice President

 

 

 

Kim,

 

I agree with you that the qualifier shouldn't be crammed right on top of the "spring fling".

 

However it is very pathetic that someone must resort to "whining" as you put it in order to host a qualifier anywhere else in middle Tn. except Chattanooga. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

[Mr knowitall]

Kim,

 

I agree with you that the qualifier shouldn't be crammed right on top of the "spring fling".

 

However it is very pathetic that someone must resort to "whining" as you put it in order to host a qualifier anywhere else in middle Tn. except Chattanooga. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

 

I may be wrong, but wasn't the Chat Qualifier last year the week after Spring Fling???? We didn't go cause all our players needed a break to rest.

[utfan3]

Coach Connell: ASA is pleased your Worth team is back and chasing an ASA berth this year. However, I want to correct one part of your very humble post. Tennessee ASA did not choose to "cram the first qualifier right on top of the Spring Fling." Nashville has been whining for years about having an ASA Qualifier. So some in East Tennessee worked hard to register more teams so Tennessee could have an extra berth. We were successful this year and the powers that be at Tennessee ASA chose to give this extra berth to Hendersonville. (BTW - I voted against it) Hendersonville then chose to award this berth at the Drake's Creek Classic. Tennessee ASA had nothing to do with this decision. I know some, including myself, called Hendersonville and expressed concern about the hardship it would place on teams with players participating in the Spring Fling. Our pleas were given lip service and then ignored. So please don't slap the puppy, Tennesee ASA gave Nashville what it wanted and Nashville Michelle Kwanned it. Nevertheless, welcome back and thanks for playing ASA! Look forward to seeing you and your team this summer.

Kim Swafford

Tennessee ASA

J.O. Vice President

 

The city of Hendersonville needs to take a hard long look at the upkeep during any tournaments. The fields were NEVER raked or line after the first game of the day in the USFA State tournament! The over facilities are ignored. I have been told this is the city issues and not USFA, USSSFA or ASA problem. I am hoping someone will bring this to the table before you sign the contract to have any tournament there.

[ASAdefender]

Kim,

 

I agree with you that the qualifier shouldn't be crammed right on top of the "spring fling".

 

However it is very pathetic that someone must resort to "whining" as you put it in order to host a qualifier anywhere else in middle Tn. except Chattanooga. /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

 

 

TBall: I agree. It is pathethic but it is also a reality that Nashville teams have become wed to every other alphabet soup organization other than ASA. These reasons for this are numerous and include, ASA commissioners in Nashville not doing their job and holding tournaments, ASA losing touch with Nashville rec leagues and a lack of understanding on the part of coaches about the ASA qualification and berth process. I understand the confusion, when I first joined ASA as a commissioner, I felt like I had followed the rabbit, fell down the hole and woke up in Wonderland.

 

In ASA, the number of berths each state receives is based on the number of ASA registrations from that state. Right or wrong, this is how the ASA berth system works. In Tennessee, we registered just over 2000 youth teams this year and this number includes recreational leagues and individual teams. If you look at a map of Tennessee and draw a line from Bristol down thru Knoxville and on down to Chattanooga, this area accounts for about 72% of the ASA youth registrations in Tennessee. Nashville, M'boro, Columbia and Clarksville only account for 7% of the ASA youth registrations despite having more rec and travel teams participating in softball. Commissioners in east Tennessee have been increasing ASA registrations and as a result, Tennessee received an extra berth this year. Why should East Tennessee shoulder the burden of getting the registrations and then gratuitously give the berths to middle Tennessee?

 

The truth of the matter is travel ball coaches in middle Tennessee choose to play in everything but ASA. When the kids reach about age 14-15, a lightbulb goes off and these coaches figure out they have players that need to be seen and recruited. College coaches don't come to the FL Pan Handle "world series" to recruit. Kids get recruited at exposure tourneys and at the ASA Nats. (BTW - there were college coaches in Midland, TX at the 14U ASA Nats last year including, Oklahoma, OK State and Washington) This is usually about the time the coach calls me and says "how do I qualify for ASA?" and I have to explain it is more than just a matter of playing weekend after weekend in every pervasive tournament and building points. It requires more than just paying your money and showing up at the Redneck Riviera for a softball/beach vacation. Qualifying for an ASA National means winning or placing in an ASA qualifier and college coaches know this and know competition is the whetstone that sharpens softball skills. Taking a team to an ASA Nat for the first time at age 16 is like leading the lambs to the lions.

 

So, the answer is, if middle Tennessee wants to host more ASA qualifiers, middle Tennessee coaches need to get vested in ASA and start thinking about going to the ASA Nats at an earlier age. My goal for 2009 is to register 498 additional teams and add a 5th berth for Tennessee. However, I will never be in favor of giving a berth to Nashville until such time as middle Tennessee coaches get on board with Tennessee ASA.

 

Sorry for the epistle - they say brevity is the soul of wit but up here on my soapbox, I have no use for brevity.

Kim Swafford /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

[ASAdefender]

The city of Hendersonville needs to take a hard long look at the upkeep during any tournaments. The fields were NEVER raked or line after the first game of the day in the USFA State tournament! The over facilities are ignored. I have been told this is the city issues and not USFA, USSSFA or ASA problem. I am hoping someone will bring this to the table before you sign the contract to have any tournament there.

 

 

UT: I agree and I will pass this along to the folks at Hendersonville, thanks for your input.

Kim Swafford /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

[TBALLEXPERT]

TBall: I agree. It is pathethic but it is also a reality that Nashville teams have become wed to every other alphabet soup organization other than ASA. These reasons for this are numerous and include, ASA commissioners in Nashville not doing their job and holding tournaments, ASA losing touch with Nashville rec leagues and a lack of understanding on the part of coaches about the ASA qualification and berth process. I understand the confusion, when I first joined ASA as a commissioner, I felt like I had followed the rabbit, fell down the hole and woke up in Wonderland.

 

In ASA, the number of berths each state receives is based on the number of ASA registrations from that state. Right or wrong, this is how the ASA berth system works. In Tennessee, we registered just over 2000 youth teams this year and this number includes recreational leagues and individual teams. If you look at a map of Tennessee and draw a line from Bristol down thru Knoxville and on down to Chattanooga, this area accounts for about 72% of the ASA youth registrations in Tennessee. Nashville, M'boro, Columbia and Clarksville only account for 7% of the ASA youth registrations despite having more rec and travel teams participating in softball. Commissioners in east Tennessee have been increasing ASA registrations and as a result, Tennessee received an extra berth this year. Why should East Tennessee shoulder the burden of getting the registrations and then gratuitously give the berths to middle Tennessee?

 

The truth of the matter is travel ball coaches in middle Tennessee choose to play in everything but ASA. When the kids reach about age 14-15, a lightbulb goes off and these coaches figure out they have players that need to be seen and recruited. College coaches don't come to the FL Pan Handle "world series" to recruit. Kids get recruited at exposure tourneys and at the ASA Nats. (BTW - there were college coaches in Midland, TX at the 14U ASA Nats last year including, Oklahoma, OK State and Washington) This is usually about the time the coach calls me and says "how do I qualify for ASA?" and I have to explain it is more than just a matter of playing weekend after weekend in every pervasive tournament and building points. It requires more than just paying your money and showing up at the Redneck Riviera for a softball/beach vacation. Qualifying for an ASA National means winning or placing in an ASA qualifier and college coaches know this and know competition is the whetstone that sharpens softball skills. Taking a team to an ASA Nat for the first time at age 16 is like leading the lambs to the lions.

 

So, the answer is, if middle Tennessee wants to host more ASA qualifiers, middle Tennessee coaches need to get vested in ASA and start thinking about going to the ASA Nats at an earlier age. My goal for 2009 is to register 498 additional teams and add a 5th berth for Tennessee. However, I will never be in favor of giving a berth to Nashville until such time as middle Tennessee coaches get on board with Tennessee ASA.

 

Sorry for the epistle - they say brevity is the soul of wit but up here on my soapbox, I have no use for brevity.

Kim Swafford /rolleyes.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":rolleyes:" border="0" alt="rolleyes.gif" />

 

Kim, Thanks for the great post on this matter. I just hope that for what ever reason there are some 8U,10U & 12U travel ball coaches that are reading this thread, educating themselves on the matter but the simple fact is they aren't reading a thread about who might qualify for 16U & 14U ASA Nats out of Tn.

 

You are also right............the other alphabet soup organization has a tremendous grip on the younger teams in Mid Tn

they give these newbies to travel softball all the information they could ever ask (& they want it) for in order to participate & get started playing "travel ball" I mean they actually have a real website that they post tournament dates way far in advance. I think they even sell team uniforms & insurance- can you believe that!

 

Hopefully if ASA really wants to grow in Mid Tn. with these younger teams (which over time turn into 16yr.old's)

they will get a director in the Mid Tn area that knows how to promote a travel softball organization in this area . I think that it is obvious that doin much a nothin doesn't work because its not.

 

I've spoken with some parents of some younger girls playing softball & they know & have heard very little about what ASA softball could do for their daughter down the road.

 

We love ASA softball and pass the word as much as possible!

[ASAdefender]

Kim, Thanks for the great post on this matter. I just hope that for what ever reason there are some 8U,10U & 12U travel ball coaches that are reading this thread, educating themselves on the matter but the simple fact is they aren't reading a thread about who might qualify for 16U & 14U ASA Nats out of Tn.

 

You are also right............the other alphabet soup organization has a tremendous grip on the younger teams in Mid Tn

they give these newbies to travel softball all the information they could ever ask (& they want it) for in order to participate & get started playing "travel ball" I mean they actually have a real website that they post tournament dates way far in advance. I think they even sell team uniforms & insurance- can you believe that!

 

Hopefully if ASA really wants to grow in Mid Tn. with these younger teams (which over time turn into 16yr.old's)

they will get a director in the Mid Tn area that knows how to promote a travel softball organization in this area . I think that it is obvious that doin much a nothin doesn't work because its not.

 

I've spoken with some parents of some younger girls playing softball & they know & have heard very little about what ASA softball could do for their daughter down the road.

 

We love ASA softball and pass the word as much as possible!

 

 

TBall: Thanks, I appreciate your input and your willingness to pass along information. We do a have a new Tennesee ASA website that lists all tournaments in Tennessee. www.tennesseeasa.org Maybe I will post that on the eteamz message board, I know you many coaches seem to use it. We are working to make the new websiet as user friendly as possible. Hopefully, Larry Spears can make a difference in Nashville and if he can get some parks, you will see more ASA tourneys in Nashville. I plan to contact as many of your Nashville 9U and 10U coaches as I can find this year to remind them that the ASA 10U Nats are in Johnson City this year and Chattanooga next year Hopefully the close proximity will encourage some of them to start playing ASA. Thanks again for any help you can provide in getting that word out. Look forward to seeing all the Middle Tennessee teams at the ASA Qualifiers.

Kim Swafford

[playitup]

Who are your favorites from Tn. to qualify for the 09 ASA nationals in 14U & 16U age divisions?

And why do you think they will likely qualify?/popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

 

 

14U - The TN FORCE will be be a team to reckon with this summer. There is some of the top freshman in the state on this team who played HS ball this spring on some really good HS teams. They must be a favorite to get a berth to the Nationals. /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

[CFS]

14U - The TN FORCE will be be a team to reckon with this summer. There is some of the top freshman in the state on this team who played HS ball this spring on some really good HS teams. They must be a favorite to get a berth to the Nationals. /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

 

 

At Drakes Creek Qualifier: (one berth to winner)

 

In 10U, I know Frost Falcons 98 were in Finals but had to win twice but do not know how it ended and who received berth. (Only 4 teams)

 

In 12U, TN Illusions were playing Warriors in finals

 

In 14U, Chattanooga Force won berth. Would have to say favorites for remaining berths in TN are Fury 94, Nashville Cruisers, Fury 95 and Lady Aces of Knoxville plus Mustangs of N GA area. Also, White Lightning gave some teams a run for the money.

 

In 16U, Three teams left playing and not sure of results were Team Worth (In drivers seat) Thunderbolts were playing the Nighthawks for spot in Finals.

 

In 18U, Attack won tournament. Not sure of favorites in TN

 

 

Who is coming to Chattanooga for another berth this weekend