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Online now: 2 members: Andy215, TABLE SETTER 11; 199 anonymousDiscussion: Midwest Championships
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| March 24, 2009 santo Men's 55 41 posts | Midwest Championships Anyone know why this was moved from Champaign? What fields will this tourney be played on. I live around Schaumburg and only know of one or two complexes good enough to host a tourney. Nothing is worse than travelling to a tourney only to play on fields that look like sandlots.... |
| March 24, 2009 santo Men's 55 41 posts | I hate to be a pest, and it is great having a tourney in my back yard, but why was the tourney moved? The 3 facilities mentioned are in no way comparable to the ones we played on in Champaign. Instead of one complex, we will be driving to 3 different ones. Who picks the fields and what input is used? I play locally 4 nights per week and will be a bit embarrassed to have my fellow players playing on these fields when there are much better fields located in the area. |
| March 24, 2009 Gekle BUilders Men's 50 204 posts | Santo, after reading your post,I am also curious and concerned about the new location which according to you is not all that nice.Part of the allure of the Midwest tourney was the beautiful fields,which drew a good number of teams and a great host in Rudy Pribble.Don't know if we want to spend $4K to go see Rudy.The tourney date was changed not to conflict,instead it now conflicts with ISF World Cup in Salem, Va.that we had planned on going to.With the new venue in ILL. the ISF is still a possibility.Thanks for your input.By the way, the fields in Va. are second to none.Which will weigh in on the decision. Gekle Builders |
| March 24, 2009 slomo 47 posts | I have to agree with you guys about the move from Champlaign. Rudy worked tirelessly to build this tourney to the best, by far, in the Midwest. I don't know why it was moved but there must be a reason. Hope the move to Chicago area doesn't keep anyone home because for teams in the Midwest that can't or won't travel far, this tourney is as good as it gets! Just my opinion. |
| March 24, 2009 lazer larry Men's 50 95 posts | Rudy P. did 1 hell of a job the 3 years i've played there. Last year those guys worked their ass off twice to get those fields in shape, not like ISA in St. louis where Jerry J. ran everybody off at 10am in the morning. This is a 1st class operation in Champaign on a top notch complex. Ray let us know if you go to Va. It sounds like some other teams could be on the bubble. None of us want to play a 3-4 team tourney. Lazer11 Coors Light |
| March 24, 2009 biggflyy53 16 posts | No doubt the fields for the ISF were great last year,i.e. bathrooms in the dugout. The trip by auto from Michigan was 12-13 hours. Only 2 major+ teams and the major teams entered were subpar, the balls were dead, and it was ASA (egads). Champaign was a treat to play in for the last 3 years. However, it might be worth the gamble to give Chicago area a chance for this year, with the hope SS-USA goes back to Champaign next year. I recall that some were concerned about some of the facilities last year in Phoenix. I talked to a team that played on the facility in question and they were pleased with the complex. SS-USA is in my opinion the best senior organization overall, although there have been several decisions in the past that leave me scratching my head. Hopefully, the Midwest Championships will be a positive experience. |
| March 24, 2009 Gary Heifner 248 posts | Someone correct me if I am wrong. The problem was not with Rudy or SSUSA. But rather some significant $$$ demands by the city of Champaign. I don't think the city official in charge of the fields realized how much $$$$ this tourney brought to the city. I agree with the comments, Champaign along with Phoenix are my two favorite places to play. |
| March 24, 2009 Gekle BUilders Men's 50 204 posts | Gary you are exactly right with your comment on the City of Champaign breaking the deal,a very short sited city government.Didn't see the "for a hamburger today I would gladly pay you two tomorrow" part of the deal.After all this is Illinois politics.What brought my attention to this post is you got a guy who plays on these fields 4 nights a week and he is saying that he is embarrassed to have his fellow players play on these fields.I'm just trying to get a idea of what I will be spending my week end and money on.After all the controversy on the Mesquite fields and with teams playing games on converted baseball fields and so on.I am going to spend my money on the very best venue available for comparable cost.I am not ruling Champaign out yet merely gathering information.Lazer Larry I will keep you posted. Ray |
| March 24, 2009 Gekle BUilders Men's 50 204 posts | That is, i am not ruling out Midwest yet.(correction) |
| March 24, 2009 busdriver 18 posts | IM sorry but moved not to conflict with any tournament, it conflicts with shelbyville, the biggest and only spa qualifier in the midwest, plus now there is no tournaments in july |
| March 24, 2009 WOW 197 posts | My guess would be "MONEY". Somebody wants more, someone doesn't want to give it! |
| March 25, 2009 wagon487 Men's 55 578 posts | Biggflyy53, The ISF in salem has changed. Senior bats are now allowed. They will be using a Dudley Thunder for balls (which are second to none) With the change of bats and balls, the great fields, there should be a large turnout! |
| March 25, 2009 Brett Men's 55 239 posts | The Mid-America sports complex, with 10 tournament quality fields, in Kansas City was being considered at one point to host the Midwest Championships this year in June. I would like for the SSUSA staff to explain their reasoning against not selecting Kansas City. |
| March 25, 2009 tater9 62 posts | Brett, It really is a shame. KC has some great complexes. Has to be politics or money! SSUSA there is a beautiful complex in Columbia, MO you should check it out. (Rainbow Sports Complex) |
| March 25, 2009 Gekle BUilders Men's 50 204 posts | Wow you got it.The mayor of Champaign didn't think it was worth 10K to sponsor this tourney.How he will explain it to the local merchants who will miss out on millions of $$$ to the local economy, will be interesting.Sounds like Blago is in charge,thought he got impeached?Yes wagon better bats and balls that should be a great draw that being the only draw back last year.Plus I think they got right on HR rule,9 hrs than one up,out if you go two up.What so hard about that? |
| March 25, 2009 santo Men's 55 41 posts | Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this a ring option tourney as well? I am very interested in finding out who and why these fields were picked. There just seems to be no excuse for the poor choices. Did anyone visit the fields? We have a great complex in Arlington Hgts, Ill and is very close to the ones we will be playing on. Did we check around?? So, who makes the decisions??? |
| March 25, 2009 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | santo- Please call the SSUSA office at (916) 326.5303 and ask for me. Thank you. |
| March 25, 2009 grumpy55 Men's 60 102 posts | Santo , Have you played or are you playing at these complexes now? |
| March 25, 2009 lazer larry Men's 50 95 posts | Ray now don't start picking on our Gov. Blago, he's just a pour schlub trying to get his wife a $ 150K a year job and line up a little sumpm sumpm( give me spelling lessons please)for himself. Can you tell i'm bored. We just got 2" of ran and have another 3" coming this weekend. 1 poss. a indoor tourney this weekend for old farts. Lazer Out |
| March 25, 2009 Ken Men's 55 462 posts | Santo, I'm curious. Have you ever tried to get fields on a weekend in the Chicago area? I have, and take it from me, the Park Districts there are a pain to deal with. I used to run youth traveling baseball tournaments in Elmhurst, and they, like a lot of other towns, are very uncooperative. You have to know somebody and kiss the right butts to get anything from them. |
| March 25, 2009 Gekle BUilders Men's 50 204 posts | Lazer if you get real bored shot me an e-mail at usa50plus@yahoo.com.Ken doesn't understand ILL. politics it's all about the money$$$$$.Looks like Santo got sent to the office.It's pretty obvious that there is something not copastedic about these fields.You must know a little about them.Send any info. to my e-mail.Keep it off the board I don't want you to get sent to the office too! |
| March 26, 2009 doker Men's 60 185 posts | YEH FELLOWS!...I"M KIND OF UPSET TOO THAT THE MIDWEST WAS MOVED TO JUNE FROM LATE JULY...WHICH IS PERFECT WEATHER TIME IN THE CHICAGO AREA!!!! NOW THE TIMING INTERFERES WITH THE TEXAS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS IN DALLAS...AND MY TEAM WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING CHICAGO...AND MAYBE TAKING IN A CUBS OR SOX GAME....NOW THERE AREN"T ANY TOURNEYS IN JULY THAT ARE ACCEPTABLE...DOKER...AUSTIN LONESTARS 60"S |
| March 26, 2009 berger Men's 70 66 posts | Chicago (Midwest Championships)....Dallas (Texas Championships). Kansas City -- JULY 11-12 -- is kind of in the middle of the two. ?? |
| March 27, 2009 doker Men's 60 185 posts | YES KC WOULD BE A GOOD ALTERNATIVE BUT KC IS NOT CHICAGO!!!! EVEN THOUGH IT IS A NICE CITY AND THE FIELDS ARE PROBABLY BETTER THAN THE CHICAGO ONES.....DOKER |
| March 27, 2009 geezer#6 Men's 70 58 posts | I went by the fields yesterday and they looked great even this time of year, somebodies pulling something. |
| March 27, 2009 geezer#6 Men's 70 58 posts | I went by the fields yesterday and they looked great even this time of year, somebodies pulling something. oops excuse me!!!! |
| March 27, 2009 grumpy55 Men's 60 102 posts | #6, Which fields did you go by? I am with you they are not that bad. We have played on alot worse. |
| March 27, 2009 geezer#6 Men's 70 58 posts | grumpy55.... I went by both the Schaumburg and Elmhurst fields. |
| March 27, 2009 Gary Heifner 248 posts | Hey DOKER Trust me, even if you are from Texas, you don't have enough money to travel up here and afford to go to a Cubs game. I checked prices on a box seat for the 1st Cardinal series and the best I could find was $350 and that had nothing to do with parking $30 + and figure another $25 for a beer and a couple hot dogs. My black lounge chair, 32 " TV and a few cold beers are calling my name. |
| March 27, 2009 Gary Heifner 248 posts | P.S. DOKER Now, the Sox are another story. Who cares? You can buy a cheap ticket outside the stadium and watch a AA type team. |
| March 27, 2009 geezer#6 Men's 70 58 posts | Hey Gary Heifner, what team do you play for? you say your moving up this year to 65AA. and not to be personal but, are you playing Elgin masters also. I played maroons the year before last. Jerry..geezer65's |
| March 28, 2009 Gary Heifner 248 posts | Jerry I play on the Chicago Classics 65s Gray Sox and play on the Blue team with Richie etc. I have been on a Chicago Classics team since since 2002. I think the 3 excellent players we had to leave behind (due to age)are playing with your geezer organization now??? |
| March 30, 2009 firestick 34 posts | To get back to the original topic, we were going to Champaign. we are not going to Chicago. Redwings 55+ |
| March 30, 2009 Ken Men's 55 462 posts | Hey Gary, who are you kidding? The reason the tickets are expensive for the Cubs is that all the tourists want to see Wrigley before Daley condemns that joke of a field. They haven’t played major league baseball on the north side since the Babe was around. Win something and then talk. (Sorry about going off topic, but I couldn't let that remark go by without responding.) |
| April 1, 2009 doker Men's 60 185 posts | YEH GARY...BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT IN THE LATE 90'S WHEN THE NATLS WERE IN CHICAGO...WE DROVE NEAR WRIGLEY AND PARKED ALONG THE STREET AND WALKED A FEW BLOCKS..FOR FREE...ALSO GOT THE TICKETS ONLINE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE AND SAT IN THE LEFT FIELD BLEACHERS IT WAS GREAT....ALTHOUGH WRIGLEY REALLY IS A DUMP!!!! NO HARM INTENDED...JUST THOUGHT IT A LITTLE DIRTY AND DINGY....ALSO SAW A SOX GAME BUT THERE WAS NO ONE THERE AS YOU SAY...BUT DEFINITELY A NICE VENUE TO WATCH A GAME.....YANKEES WERE IN TOWN....HAD A GOOD TIME DOWN ON NAVY PIER FOR DINNER...I KNOW ABOUT GOING TO GAMES ...AS THE ASTROS ALSO SELL $7.00 BEERS BUT MINUTEMAID IS A GREAT PARK TO VISIT...YOU SHUD COME DOWN SOMETIME.....HOOKEM....DOKER |
