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Online now: 3 members: Salt&Pepper, TABLE SETTER 11, kotonk; 94 anonymousDetails for Brock
Real name:
Greg Broeckelman
Location:
Colorado Springs, CO
Division:
Men's 80
Messages posted by Brock »Message board home »Start a new discussion
| Aug. 9, 2013 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Western National Championships Hey All, I'm very aware of the process. I worked on getting the Western Nationals to Denver for three years before it happened. I know what their requirements are. When we did land the Western Nationals, Terry was figuring on 50 teams and I was hoping for 100. We had 89. The requirements they have for the Rocky Mountain Championships are less than for the Western Nationals which is the first leg of the Triple Crown. Being a new tournament this year, Terry was figuring about 50 teams for the RM Championships for the first year. For several reasons that I won't enumerate here but Terry knows, I was not that optimistic. We hope to grow it from here because it will be played at the same great complex. Reno and Aurora are different in that the Aurora fields are grass but anyone who has played there would tell you the grass is like a carpet. Unless Terry is willing to accept less for the Western Nationals in the future it probably won't get played there again because the Visit Aurora Tourism Board hasn't found any new money and the Scrap Iron Club doesn't feel we can continue to throw money in the pot to make it happen on a regular basis. As I've said before, I think teams want two things when they play tournaments. They want good fields and a well run tournament. Last year you got both in Aurora. This year it appears you got one of the two. As long as money means more to SS USA than well maintained fields, we will find out with time what is really important to teams. That's why we hope to grow the RM Championships in future years. Denver is relatively easy to get to and flights are reasonable in comparison. We hope teams attending this year have a good experience so the word spreads. I'm actually playing with Rusty's in Arizona this year so I'm sure I'll see some of you at the Worlds in Vegas. Because of the Master Collision 60s team I played with the last several years plus a 65 Scrap Iron major team that folded for lack of players, I had a major plus tag and there was no Scrap Iron team at the 65 level above AAA. Then Master Collision folded before they were moved back to major but I had already committed to Rusty's for this year. That's another issue that has been hashed over on this message board a number of times. I'm not going there. |
| Aug. 7, 2013 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Western National Championships Curveball, like others, I'm still waiting for the results to be posted. Dave Dowell must be the only person they have that can do this. He needs an assistant so he can catch up! I think the Colorado Rcckies 55 AA team got second and our 70s major team did bad but I'm not sure how bad. Not sure about the other three. |
| Aug. 7, 2013 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Western National Championships Swing, I don't disagree with you. I know CA has way more teams than any other state and you can basically play somewhere close every weekend but with 89 teams last year we had teams from Minnesota and Missouri to Texas, all the West Coast states and states in between. That's what I meant about a "true" Western Nationals. It's supposed to include everyone from the Mississippi River west. Just as you say you're not going to spend the money to go to Colorado or Florida, most teams very far east aren't going to spend the money to attend in CA. This year is a good example. Five teams from Colorado and none from states south, north or east of Colorado. Our Scrap Iron teams have no choice but to travel if they want to play in very many tournaments. Anyway, as I've said to Terry H several times, when they have the Western Nationals in CA, it looks like another California Cup. Yes, it's financially advantageous for SS USA to have it there but it's not reflective of a cross section of teams west of the Mississippi. Denver(Aurora) is about as centrally located for the Western Nationals as anywhere west of the Mississippi and as others have said, we used a great 12 field complex where nobody, to my knowledge, complained about the fields. That's why I said what I did. You had a well run tournament but people like to play on well maintained fields also. Remember the chatter last year after the Worlds in Vegas. Some of the fields were terrible. People didn't like that. Will there be bad fields again this year. You bet there will be. Will people complain again? I think you know the answer. I want to thank all the teams that are coming to Aurora in about ten days. You won't be disappointed in the fields and I'm sure SS USA will do their usual great job in running it. |
| Aug. 7, 2013 Brock | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Rocky Mountain Classic JB Texas -The teams aren't yet posted but I was told this morning that 60AAA will probably be one of the biggest brackets. When there were only about 20 teams signed up there were six 60AAA so I assume there may be more now. |
| Aug. 6, 2013 Brock | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Rocky Mountain Classic I'm not sure how many 60s AAA teams will be there but you'll love the fields. Maybe you attended the Western Nationals there last year at this 12 field complex. I'm guessing the teams will be posted this week. Thanks for coming. |
| Aug. 6, 2013 Brock | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Western Nationals observations See post under the other "Western Nationals thread". Sorry about the mix up. |
| Aug. 6, 2013 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Western National Championships I posted this under the wrong thread. It should have gone under the "Western Nationals Observations" but the point is the same. |
| Aug. 6, 2013 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Western National Championships We'll see what we can do to get the Western Nationals back to the Denver (Aurora) area again next year to the excellent 12 field complex where it was last year. We heard nothing like I see here about the fields. They are some of the best grass fields in the country! To SS USA it's "make a buck". To the teams, they want a well run tournament and great fields. Appears you only got one out of two in Sacramento. I hope SS USA staff reads this thread! It's not always about the dollars. I tried to impress this fact on the staff last year but it was all about who put the most dollars up for this year. I realize there are more teams in California but you had 104 teams and almost 4 out of 5 were from California, more than even attended the California Cup by at least 20 to 25 teams. No teams east of Colorado attended this year. How does that make this a true Western Nationals? |
| Dec. 5, 2012 Brock | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: WESTERN WORLDS 2013 To Allan55 - You're correct that the Western Nationals drew 91 teams at Yolo County in 2011. Aurora drew 89 in 2012 or at least 30 more than SS USA was expecting. The difference was that 68 of the 91 teams or 75% were all from CA in 2011 and most of the rest were from WA and OR with a few Scrap Iron teams from CO whereas Aurora's 89 were spread from all over west of the Mississippi River including about 20 teams from CA, a more representative sample of teams for this tournament. I wish you the best for the 2013 Western Nationals but I hope it doesn't look like a second California Cup like it did in Yolo County. I realize all teams west of the Mississippi can come to the Western Worlds in CA but the fact of the matter is that Aurora with their 12 field well maintained complex will draw a better representative sample of teams for the Western Nationals than CA will. I think that's what the Western Nationals are supposed to be about. Terry H and I have had this very conversation but the fact of the matter is that Aurora didn't come up with enough money to keep it there in 2013. Hopefully, 2014 will be a different story. |
| Dec. 5, 2012 Brock | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: WESTERN WORLDS 2013 See above post by me. Like I said "you can do a whole lot worse than coming to the Denver/Aurora area in mid-summer". All teams that came last year were very pleased and it was hot then. Low 90s but there's very little humidity. I figured with the California State Championships and the Western Worlds in CA this summer that we wouldn't be able to expect many CA teams coming back to Denver/Aurora in 2013 so this is a good sign. If you weren't here last year you'll be very pleased if you come in 2013. The weather for playing ball is about as good as anywhere in the country and you'll marvel at the fields in this 12 field complex. Everybody will be playing at the same time on a 12 field complex so no travel to another complex to see your buddies play. The hotels and airport are close. As you can see from other comments here, people loved coming here last year. Welcome and bring your friends. |
| Nov. 28, 2012 Brock | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Step across the aisleuit the game and go fishin' In Colorado we have a Saturday Senior Travel League that's been in existence since the 90s. We don't use umpires but have the catcher and first and third base coaches double as umpires. One year in the mid to late 90s we all showed up at the post season tournament to find out that unlimited arc would be used in the tournament. The commissioner at the time was tired of hearing that the catchers/umpires weren't calling the 6 to 12 feet arc rule correctly. One team had a pitcher that could throw it as high as he wanted and have it drop on the mat. Needless to say, that team won the tournament. I play on the same team with that pitcher today and if this rule came back into play, I would definitely want to keep playing with him because I wouldn't want to hit against him. dMON, you might be onto something here. Beats the heck out of putting a screen on the field. |
| Nov. 19, 2012 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Winter World Charity Golf tournament-Mesa This is great. Since SS USA, as I understand it, is a recgnized 501 c 3 non profit organization, I've often wondered what organizations they might support. As one who really feels that those of us who have been fortunate in our lifetimes, that it is our duty to help support the less fortunate, especially kids. If we don't support kids now we will in the future except that we might not be happy about how we have to support them later on!!! I'm talking about us, as individuals, not tax money from the government. This is a great way for SS USA to set a good example for everyone associated with Senior Softball. Thank you. I salute the organization and those who supported this effort this year. I'll try to participate next year if possible. I could not this year since my flight home was Thursday night. |
| Nov. 19, 2012 Brock | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: WESTERN WORLDS 2013 Just so there is no misunderstanding, I'm the "Scrap Iron veteran" that Surf 88 is referring to because I talked to him in Phoenix last week while playing with Rusty's. What he's saying is true for 2014 but it is my understanding the Western Nationals will be in Sacramento in 2013. I worked three years to get the Western Nationals in Aurora before it happened so I'm obviously disappointed that it won't be there in 2013. However, the tourism board in Aurora knows what monies they need to raise and our contact for SS USA and myself, has promised to try to find those funds for 2014. Personally, I would like to find a permanent home for the Western Nationals and Terry H has mentioned several times that Aurora has the potential to grow to 140 to 150 teams based on this year's turnout. After all, Aurora is as centrally located for the Western Nationals as anywhere west of the Mississippi River. My concern is how do you assure the tournament staying there when you have to bid or match a bid every year? To me if a tournament will draw 140 to 150 teams versus somewhere that has the high bid but only draws 90 teams or so, that should be the driving force, not who is offering at least the minimum bid. 50% more teams at $550 more than makes up what the additional expenses will be. My aim is to try to get them back in 2014 but in the meantime, SS USA is planning a new TOC qualifier at the same fields in Aurora called the Rocky Mountain Championships. Our hope is that many of the teams that played in Aurora this year will want to come back to this 12 field, well maintained complex and bring your friends with you. You can do a whole lot worse than coming to the Denver/Aurora area in mid summer. Who knows? maybe the Rocky Mountain Championships can grow but I have my doubts when there must be close to 10 similar type tournaments around the country already but I'm hoping for the best in 2013 and that we have a shot at getting the Western Nationals back in 2014. Thanks for your support....Greg Broeckelman |
| Aug. 6, 2012 Brock | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Scores for Western Regionals Scrap Iron Master Collision won 60 major plus, Minnesota Prize won the 65 major, Scrap Iron Phiten won 65 AAA, Nor Cal Reds won 55 major. On behalf of the City of Aurora, CO and the Scrap Iron Club, I personally want to thank all of the 89 teams for participating. We had 30 + teams more than SS USA expected. Feedback I received at the park from a number of teams was that the fields were great, the weather very tolerable, centrally located and hopes that the Western Nationals will be held in Aurora at these fields again next year. Even though there were water fountains outside the dugouts, most still want water IN the dugouts. Again, we appreciate your support. Most areas of the western United States were adequately represented which makes the case for having this tournament in a central location. Greg Broeckelman, SI Master Collision 60s and past president of the SI Club. |
| Dec. 20, 2011 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Fortunate Had a big surprise here in Colorado Springs when I got up this morning. Four inches of snow and all on the level. What a beautiful picture and it wasn't even forecast last night. Ed, you live so high up in elevation that I'm surprised you don't have a nose bleed all winter long. Merry Christmas to all and may your Christmas be white. We're all so fortunate. Greg Broeckelman |
| Dec. 16, 2011 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Fortunate Now this is a refreshing thread after all of the courtesy runner and bat discussion. I attended a retirement luncheon where I used to work this past Wednesday and after hearing all of the ailments being suffered by others and other people we know, I feel very fortunate. Here I am at 66 years old playing on two very competitive 60 and 65 senior tournament teams in good health with really no physical ailments that hinder my play either. I'm glad I heard about senior softball shortly after I turned 50 because I thought I was going to have to give it up. Now we can be a rookie every five years. Life is good and I also thank the senior associations for giving us the opportunity to continue doing what we all love to do. Thanks for starting this thread, Steve, and thank you, my LORD, for watching over me and the rest of us so we can continue doing this for some time to come. |
| Dec. 15, 2011 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: CR Gary 19, he doesn't have to quit. he can still AH and be a CR. Unless his arm is completely gone, he could probably pitch if he has that aptitude or catch or possibly play first base also. If it's not a "strategy" then why when a guy runs that probably should have had a CR is thrown out at home by a half step do you hear someone say "we should have put in a pinch runner"(CR). Sounds like "strategy" to me. |
| Dec. 15, 2011 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: CR Correction. See second post above on the rules meeting from SS USA concerning courtesy runners. |
| Dec. 15, 2011 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: CR I can't believe this. One thread is closed and the next day another starts on courtesy runners. This was discussed at the recent meeting in Florida and was decided to leave as is. See first post from SS USA. As several have mentioned here, it's just another strategy to help win a game. I play on two teams and am the base running coach on one of them. I'm also one of the runners but if I'm on second base in the last inning as the tieing or winning run and I know there's someone on the bench faster than I who has not yet run that inning, I'll call for a pinch runner for me. I know we all do this to have fun but winning is more fun than losing and I've always said there are three elements to this game - offense, defense and base running. Why would anyone want to disallow one of the three strategies of the game? One of my teammates has posted on this before and was planning to get a knee replacement in the off season but will probably not have it done now. In the Winter Worlds in Las Vegas in the first inning of the first game, his cleats caught in the turf and down he went injuring his shoulder and he was finished for the tournament. Yes, it could have happened to anyone but don't tell me his bad knee had nothing to do with it. Some would suggest he should be playing AA or AAA if he can't run for himself at the major/major+ level. The truth be known, he would be laughed out of AA/AAA because he is that good of a hitter with power. Does this mean he shouldn't play? I don't think so. John (Goforit) I hope you see this. I know you commented on an earlier thread but by the time I saw it it was closed. Here's another opportunity. I don't get on the message board that often but enough is enough! Greg Broeckelman, Scrap Iron Master Collision 60s and Scrap Iron Redux 65s |
| Dec. 7, 2011 Brock | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: TOC Roster addition question Just throwing my two cents in that the TOC should be played in Nov/Dec in the same year as qualified, not the following year. Many feel this way but in discussing with SS USA, it definitely won't happen until their contract in Florida expires and I'm not sure how many years that might be. I suggested the TOC after the Worlds in November and then they could move the Winter Worlds and Nationals to December or as the first tournaments in the new year. I also suggested that if it gets moved to also consider a warm venue closer to the middle of the country like possibly somewhere in south Texas as an example. Being in Colorado we don't play much ball in the winter time but November still works. |
