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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 43 anonymousDiscussion: USSSA Senior Nats
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| Aug. 24, 2008 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | USSSA Senior Nats Give us your pros and cons on the Utrip nationals this past weekend in Panama City Beach. It was a very frustrating weekend for us. Because of hurricane Fay, the TD decided to put off the rr games until the double elemination games finished. Who would stay to play the rr games after the winners were decided? They should refund $ to the teams. The umpires told us going to the top of the 7th that we were down 16-18. We scored 2 and were retired. The umpire then said sorry, he made a mistake, Hendricks had 19. We need official scorekeepers for national tournaments, not umpires keeping stats in the sand with a stick. I think we learned that we need to keep a book for us and the opposition. The first umpire told us the pitcher couldn't fake. The second game the umpires said "this is utrip, you can fake". I did like the balls used and the fields. I heard that one player was hurt after colliding with the temporary fence. I like being able to pick up players outside of your geographical area, I just think there should be a limit, say 3 or 4. Congrats the the winners, anyone know who won? |
| Aug. 24, 2008 hitman Men's 70 339 posts | If you were there everything Bruce said was true!!!!!! Along with no water, pitch count changed every game, Utrip doesn't call illegal pitchs just balls but one game it was illegel and the next nothing but balls. Foul allowed after two strikes and then changed to out. We offered to play more on Thursday since all teams were there but even with it raining and more on the way, they said no you can get them in tomorrow. Poorly run tournament, as no awards on site either, TD was selling t-shirts, instead of running tournament. No score keepers but umpires writing down scores on scrap paper or as Bruce said marks in sand. Why not more teams in this tournament, you have just read why and probably less next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God Bless, The Hitman #13 |
| Aug. 24, 2008 jah#4 Men's 70 576 posts | It was the worst run tournament I have played in. The UIC said what ever the umpire on the field he was on was the rules that you play if you change field it that umpire than he ask me if I wanted a shirt. The ball was ok fields was great but the tournament was give me your money and we will try to get it in. The Teams we played all year long was in the division below us. The TD said you had to tell him where you wanted to play he did not care. With that said at least we didn't get wet. But there was only 17 teams there in all divisions not much turnout. Don Ward |
| Aug. 24, 2008 Fred Scerra Men's 80 542 posts | Makes you appreciate the SSUSA tournaments. |
| Aug. 24, 2008 breeze53 Men's 65 57 posts | Played 55AAA, the balls were OK, could not use senior bats but we knew that going in. We had 4 teams in our division. In the 3 games we played there were 6 HRs. Fields were mediocre at best, not what you expect for a national. We had 1 outfielder fall over the temporary fence. He was not hurt. Umpiring was so, so. We had trouble with the ball and strikes, and the faking, but almost never playing USSSA, I did not know what to expect. It did not feel like a national tournament. But what did we expect from a organization that drop out of the senior summitt. It tells me that U-trip does not care about senior softball. Most of the players including our coach said that they would not play u-trip again. That being said, congrats to the teams that won the tournament. We did play 2 teams that we have never played. Bob |
| Aug. 24, 2008 Joncon 328 posts | At least the umpires didn't sit on buckets..........did they? |
| Aug. 25, 2008 Airbosn Men's 70 329 posts | The Panama City Beach complex is a great site, however, the TD and the park administration left a lot to be desired. 1. No water in the dugout. When I asked, the officials did not respond, but one did suggest I find a water jug and fill it...Found jug and filled it with warn water. Left jug for other teams to use. 2. When I asked about field preparations the response was a blank look...No committ line, no foul lines in the outfield, no pitcher box, no field crews to drag or line the fields 3. Home plate and the mat was sunk about 2 inches below grade making it difficult to see the plate or mat. 4. As a pitcher for 1 game I appreciated the crappy balls...As a batter, well that is a different story. 5. Since we keep a scorebook it was not to hard to keep the official scorekeeper on track. 6. Lighted scoreboard that could not be use...If that was so why waste the energy to keep it energized? In general it seemed that the TD and other officials did not care about the event. |
| Aug. 25, 2008 Secret Men's 60 34 posts | How could they call this a World Tournament? It would not qualify for a Saturday pick-up ball tournament!. This was the most unorganized event Senior Moments has ever participated in. It makes you wonder if USSSA has ever held an event. The TD had the personality of the balls we were using. He did not have any contingent weather plans and would not have fast-paced the event if not for some heated debates with the 60's teams. The field conditions deteriated after the first game and were not tended for any other games. No scorekeeper, no water, no scoreboard, no bat checks, no roster checks, no awards, uninformed umpires as to what rules to use game to game. And by the way, the schedule was not available until team check-in. While we won our bracket, I can truly say, it does not seem like we won anything. Senior Moments will not be attending any more USSSA tournaments until we can be assured that they will be more organized. Senior Moments Softball Shelby Simmons |
| Aug. 25, 2008 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | I did share this with the USSSA director here. and hopefully he will elevate this. Midwest is dual sanctioned NSA and USSSA. NSA also dropped out of the senior summit this year. I have told our NSA directors for years that the reason they can not get more teams involved in seniors is because they are not listening to what they want. Seniors are treated as a "specialty" in these major organizations; so we get little attention. I know the ISA WS had issues this year, but they seem to do a great job in tournaments that I have been to in Florida, and they did at least adjust their rules for seniors to eliminate the stealing and allow the senior bats. I think that we are very lucky to have associations that make seniors their only business, but even they have issues as we all note here. |
| Aug. 25, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | And yet, as being discussed in another thread, guys just keep going back. Anyone hear PT Barnum talking? |
| Aug. 25, 2008 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Dirty; We (some of us) are in kinda like a 12 step program.. however we climb up a few and fall back one or two. Not quite completing the program. And it is a time consuming 7 costly program I admit, but I love it and make certain sacrafices to partipate in it. You however stated not long ago you only play locally, no travel tournaments, so why is it you complain about us who choose to climb another much longer ladder rather than a step stool? Not that that isn't bad, because some of us do both, or more than just those, as well. I d like to try Golf or Cricket, which we have locally, but then that would mean another set of items to purchase. I'll pass for now. |
| Aug. 25, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | taits, I would like to play. Have had offers from area teams the past two years but would like to see it become a better situation before I do. The senior rules are often silly, but I put up with them. Don't see the need for the special bats, but I can live with that. The balls? Who cares as long as they are round and the same for both teams. If guys want to hit homers with Titleists, stay home and take BP. But to spend that much for a weekend to play in a 4 team bracket is just not my idea of a good use of money. Perhaps if changes were made, and there were more teams attending a fewer number of events, the tourneys would mean something and have value to them. Just my thoughts. |
| Aug. 25, 2008 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Dirty; 1. Don't knoct it until you have tried it. and that isn't going to work with say just one or two tournaments. 2. Another ole saying, don't judge a book by ( in this case playing with geood bats and whatever balls), by it's cover.... Get out and play then reply from first hand experienc, who knows you may take a liking to it. I'll be one of the first to say it's costly. I'm one of those who has to pay his own way. I'll also agree as many others also do, that playing in a division with only a few teams isn't worth it, but if you look at other rewards, it is. By that I mean the hundreds of guys I have met over the 11 years as a senior player, (for me that is 50 & up not these 40 + guys) and friendships struck up with them that last. Think about it. Try it for a year. Then make a been there, did it honest reply. Titleist make golf balls, & more, this is not that game. If by chance you you do anything else sport car whatever, you i would think want the best done or be able to use the best to do what ever you are going to use it for. After all would you use a stock Opal in a race when you have a Vett available as an example? I have far too many good bats and a wood bat as well, Rarely use the U-2 but do on occasion. do use a Seniot Combat and others though. Save your $$ for it though, new year starts Nov. for SSUSA....Lots of luck. |
| Aug. 25, 2008 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | Pardon my typos. |
| Aug. 27, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | taits, guys are certainly free to do whatever they want, but I don't need multiple tourneys to see that spending a weekend and $500 to play 3 other teams is not very rewarding. |
| Aug. 27, 2008 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | dirty; Well, perhaps you can put a SS amount on everything, some things, at tournaments, are priceless. Others are a waste, I agree. But don't knock that you do not know well. You bettter stick with the local stuff. The way I view it, you have no standing, or knowledge, on what it is really like playing in the tourneys we are talking about. The game has evolved over the years, just like cars and trucks and GPS...some work some give wrong brarings. Things can change when confronted, for the bettermant of those playing and the ones who make the final decision. |
| Aug. 28, 2008 Corky Men's 55 451 posts | Sometimes traveling to softball tournaments are like guys going on a fishing trip. Sometimes ya catch fish, sometimes ya don't. BUT. Ain't it great to get away for a weekend with the guys. The best memories are not just the time spent playing (which is great fun) but the time spent socializing with guys with the same interests. When we have team get togethers (cookouts) we seem to talk more about the pranks and stunts pulled on each other than the games themselves. BTW fishin trips aren't cheap either. Hope the naysayers can find a group willing to let them experience that part of it. (You'll probably have to pay their way the first time). "Keep on Playin" notice i didn't mention any names...............but then, you know who they are. |
| Aug. 28, 2008 hitt2 353 posts | God I love this game let's all enjoy it. We've been bless to be still playing what is truly a kid's game. Maybe that’s why we have heated discussion. Tait: I agree with you on dirty needing to get out and experience the senior Game. Like most I play for the game and association with peers with same interest and building friendships. Yes it cost to travel and play as does anything you enjoy. The opal and vet analogy was good. l.o.l. As far as bats and ball go. Play with what you can afford. (Advantage for some and disadvantage for other) sounds a little like life. Dirty: Hope one day to see you out there. But if you keep waiting for the changes you want you may miss out on a good thing. |
| Aug. 28, 2008 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | hitt2; Thanks Jef. But if he's gonna wait until a change is made he may be buried before it comes round. dirty; An alternative to buying a good bat, to save a buck (many actully), and possibly allow you to attend, would be to use someone elses bat, like many do anyway. But you might be considerate and ask if you can before using, some do, some don't. That way you might defer the bat cost for awhile at least. As for balls, your not going to have to byt them, just use them in the game. Unless you want some good ones for BP. |
| Aug. 28, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | I play locally with the "senior" rules, and while most don't make much sense I still do it. It is not that I cannot attend, my guess is I make more than most on here. But just because I can doesn't mean I should be dumb in how I spend it. Half a grand to platy 3 teams and win little if anything of value is just not my idea of good economics. Seriously, you guys really like to go for a weekend and barely play anyone? |
| Aug. 29, 2008 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | dirty; Local "senior' rules differ according to locality and city policy. They are not tournamernt rules for the most part, some may have some portions the same, but I doubt they all will be as if you were in a "senior tournament" of any quality. We actually have 3 different sets of them locally, if i go 50 miles south to play locally they have another set. 90 miles to the north, a different version but closer to the tournament rules we use primarily. Enjoy your rec ball. That's also fun. |
| Aug. 29, 2008 Dirty Men's 50 1371 posts | I have played senior tournaments, and these rules are pretty much identical. What level do you play? I could very well be wrong, but I sense a bit of you looking down your nose at league play. I have seen tournaments at all levels, and you really have to be at Major or above for the tourneys to have any real quality. Some AAA is okay, but AA is just terrible. And again, beating 3 teams just doesn't mean a thing. |
| Aug. 29, 2008 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | I play stick ball..lol. What I play now is not really relevant to the complaing about tournaments cost, bats, balls & numbers of teams we end up playing against. But I do play. As for local ball, the other areas out of my specific area are much better than here for many reasons. Another story. Persoonally, I only use local games for keeping in shape, & contact with certain players. |
