State Softball Tournamentbeing held in Mississippi

[sourone]

First I would like to congratulate all the softball teams that have made it to the State Tournament. I hope that non of the other teams have the same problem we are having in East Tennessee in other events. Several of our athletes had to decide whether to participate in the Spring Fling or attend their graduation. Since it is so far to Memphis they will be missing the Spring Fling where if it was in the middle of the state they could do both.It just doesn't make since. Why would the TSSAA , I think it stands for Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association do something as absurb as play the State Softball Tournament in Mississippi. Have it in a cow pasture in East Tennessee, a hog lot in Middle Tennessee or a swamp in Memphis but at least have it on Tennessee soil. These girls represent Tennessee not Mississippi or is that where most of the Memphis area players come from.

[mrscoach18]

I agree with sourone. I know that Southaven is a wonderful complex from experience. But, do we not have great complexes in Tennessee? It should be held in Middle Tennessee so that it is a central location to everyone. The teams from east Tennessee are looking at 8 hours drive time at least. It should be about more than money.

[muffin]

T.S.S.A.A. what more can Isay,they can make some stupid decisons.

[ERA]

You will find little to no sympathy from anyone on these boards or anywhere else. These are the same issues brought up when the announcement about Memphis/Mississippi was made and suprisingly enough, the responses were partly in favor of TSSAA by rather influential coaches with few disparaging remarks about the issues from the actual impacted families. As I predicted, it would be when the state actually arrived before an uprising of concern would resurface. Too little, too late. The only way things change is with money. For whatever reason, not one city in middle tennessee found it worth the time or money to take the Fling away from Memphis. The TSSAA does have the right to determine what is the best package for the Fling regardless of the monetary size if it is more likely to benefit the Fling in other ways. That's wishful thinking though. Money balances the books. The Fling is in Memphis/Mississippi because we don't know what the "Greater Picture" is in the eyes of the TSSAA.

 

I believe you will find the Fling in Memphis for good, at least for the next ten to twenty years. Memphis has been stood up and used by the NFL, they brought in a second rate pro basketball team and are covering their tracks by spending more money on a so called state of the art arena with the bungling of the Pyramid debacle. Memphis has an image problem and they attempt to fix it by throwing money around. They have built nationally recognized state of the art malls that have completely flopped. Memphis has more money than sense. That's why this whole thing makes sense. Think about it.

 

If you want the Fling to be back in Middle Tennessee, don't complain to the TSSAA. Start by tearing open the pockets from your local Middle Tennessee city administration to get more money on the table, otherwise, take two aspirin and visit CoachT same time next year.

[rblfan]

Sourone & mrscoach,

It is all about politics and money. The two of you have done an excellent job of indentifying the problems with playing in Memphis and have some ideas about where to play the Spring Fling games. The truth is the TSSAA doesn't give a darn about the kids or their families, its about the money and politics.

If you analyze the situation and see the lunacy around this decison, you have to ask yourself how could any logical thinking person (or group of persons) make a decision to play the softball tournament for the State of Tennessee - State Championship, in Mississippi.

Our state and local government officials bombard us with the fact that the State doesn't have enough money to maintain current levels of school funding, police protection, Tenn Care, etc. So, if that is true, why in the world are we going to send a percentage of the revenues from the Tennessee Spring Fling to the state of Mississippi?

Many of the families and supporters will be traveling to watch the players. They will be purchasing food, drinks, and other concession items for the entire week. Who is going to get this money, the park facility in Mississippi. How absurd?

To the two of you, thanks for asking your questions. Maybe one day these political officials will wake up and do the right thing for the right people: THE KIDS.

Sure, when donkeys fly!

[muffin]

Well said rblfan, they could care less about the kids.

[sourone]

Maybe someone should float the idea around of a Middle Tennessee City organizing a major High School Softball tournament at the same time. Arrange for coaches from all colleges to be able to see prospects.Be surprised how many teams would show up instead of going to Mississippi.Might take 2 years to get off the ground but it would be a success. If the TSSAA doesn't support the kids why support them.

[Funman]

My money for hotel, gas, food, etc is going to Miss. instead of Memphis.....shouldn't the Memphis Chamber of Commerce wonder about that......enough has been said already about the Tennessee state championship being played in Miss. The TSSAA is greedy and as said before does not really care about the kids, parents or teams. Time for a change in Management at TSSAA

[PonyXpress007]

Actually i've heard that memphis was supposed to to build new complexs for all spring sports ing TN and that is a lot of the reason they ended up getting the Spring Fling from Chattanooga. But we all know now that didn't happen because we are playing in Miss well at least softball is. i'm not sure if the other spring sports are being played in Miss or TN. But moving on i disagree with ERA on one thing i actually don't think tha Memphis will keep the spring Fling for ten year i say maybe for 1-3 years because face it Memphis is not a big softball town and I think they will end up lossing more money then they are making and will end up seeing that keeping the spring filng is a waste of time and money.. but i do agree that Middle TN would be a good place to hold it becasue of of the simple fact that is is in the Middle and Both West and East TN team can make it in less than 8 hours. but hey ya know what it doesn't matter cause it is in Miss and there ain't a darn thing we can do about it

[ERA]

PonyXpress007

 

I think it will stay there for one purpose only. After going all over this state this year, the one topic that seemed to pop up when talking about the state was Tunica. That's when I realized my suspiscions were right on. With that many adults showing up in Memphis and everyone playing one game a day on average, that sets it up to play the tables rather nicely. If I owned a casino in Tunica, my money would be helping out Memphis a little to get those adults close to the action. Did I ever mention that my uncle Dominique owns a casino in Atlantic City? It's in the family!

[ELA]

IMHO.... the games should have never been moved to Memphis. This is not a knock on Memphis or the fine folks in Shelby County, but these games should always be held near the center of the state. It places this least hardship on the most people and know one has to travel more than four hours to arrive at the games!

[tnfisher]

We all know the Fling should be in Middle Tennessee. The TSSAA knows the Fling should be in Middle Tennessee. Anyone, anywhere with half a brain knows the Fling should be in Middle Tennessee. I tend to think that the TSSAA is trying to send a message to Nashville and Murfreesboro. The message, "Even though we all know the Fling should be in Middle Tennessee you will have to show us some money before we put it where it belongs. We (the TSSAA) are not going to automatically award you(middle Tennessee) the Fling just because it is the only logical place for everyone involved."