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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 92 anonymousDiscussion: and ideas concerning "where to place teams in tournaments"
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| April 23, 2017 Perl 212 posts | and ideas concerning "where to place teams in tournaments" In March we played in the SPA Southern Spring NIT. There were 7 60 teams, 5 AAA and 2 Major. After we arrived some of the 60AAA decided they didn't want to play the Major teams so RH declared the two Major teams would play a 2 out of 3 even though the SPA rule book clearly has and equalizer rule for this situation. Both Major teams were 2-1 in the RR losing to a AAATeam. This weekend we played in the SPA Mid South NIT. Similar situation except only one 60 M team. The tournament director decked we would play the 55AAA teams, no problem right. Well, he decided to ignore the SPA rule book and forced the 60M team to spot the 55 AAA 5 runs. The rule book is clear, no runs given in the situation. |
| April 23, 2017 Perl 212 posts | Next up the SPA Souther NIT Triple Crown Qualifier. We've already been told that the tournament director may disregard the SPA rule book when it comes to what to do with the two 60M teams. The organization wants teams to move up or force teams to move up but then discriminate against you and disregard their own published rule books at tournament time. Where should a Major team be placed in a tournament (1) against AAA teams in the same age group or (2) against AAA teams in the next lower age group. Sorry for the double post and long read. |
| April 23, 2017 k man Men's 65 326 posts | Peri - At Tidewater SSUSA got it correct as you suggested. We are 65AAA and played 65 Major - same team twice. We were given choice of 5 runs or middle fielder. (we took the middle fielder both times) and they made the Major team home team in all such situations. In the 60's division in seeding games our sister 60AAA team played a 55AA team- they were considered even - no equalizer. So it seems like you have to get further justification from SPA TD. |
| April 24, 2017 Ho 301 posts | Best solution is do not invite majors unless you have four. We have 92 teams at Thee Buckeye Classic with only FOUR MAJORS in the 75...figured they probably couldn't find a tournament they could play unless we set it up. Equalizers do not favor the lower team. It is like giving 70% handicap in a bolwing league. You aren't giving anything you are keeping 30 %. That said, I appreciate your problem SSUSA and SPA is top heavy AAA and low on AA and MAJOR. ISSA is different, you just tell them where you want to be rated and pay your entry fee. Both SSUSA and SPA need to move more top AAA'S to MAJOR and bottom AAA'S to AA and balance the structure to avoid PERL's situation which is standatd happenings in most senior tournaments. Ho |
| April 24, 2017 Perl 212 posts | Ho The tournaments we play are comprised of teams primarily from the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Louisiana. There are 2 60M teams in this area. Under your solution we would never get to play an SPA or SSUSA tournament until the Nationals. The 60AAA teams we play are legit AAA teams so forcing them to play Major isn't the answer. Somehow the equalizer rules must be applied. This isn't a new problem and you'd think the organizations would have figured it out by now. Why not put all the 60AAA teams and 60M teams together. Declare the highest finishing AAA teams and highest finishing Major teams winners of their division? |
| April 24, 2017 Omar Khayyam 1357 posts | I love Ho's analogy to a bowling team giving a handicap. Back in the day, I was on a high average bowling team, and even with the handicap, we seldom lost to a lower average team, even when the handicap was 80%. Just too much difference (including the ability to bear down and perform better by the higher average bowlers). Same in softball. Major and Major Plus teams have more ability to bear down when necessary. Don't you remember the last time you saw a Major Plus trailing in the 7th to a lower-rated team and then it was hit, hit, hit, until the Major Team's score was out of sight. I honor any lower-ranked team that can keep up with those barrages and occasionally defeat a higher-ranked team. |
| April 24, 2017 Perl 212 posts | SSUSA please answer. If you have a tournament with the following teams how would the bracket look? 5 60 AAA teams 2 60M teams 3 50 AAA teams 3 50 M teams Also, would threats of teams not coming if they're placed against teams they don't want to play impact your brackets. |
| April 25, 2017 Vance+50 Men's 60 66 posts | Hey Perl, great seeing you last weekend in Valley. Same situation coming up next in Pensacola. You guys have 2 60M teams, we have 2 55M teams entered. I don't know what you guys are going to do, but my understanding is that they are throwing us, Doc C's (the only 50M team entered) and the 55AAA teams in one bracket and playing straight up 50M rules. Not sure if everyone will agree to that, but seems to be the best short term answer for that tournament. |
| April 25, 2017 Perl 212 posts | Vance, great seeing you too my friend. The Swarm 55M team is for real. Hopefully the powers to be in Pensacola do the same with the 60's as you've shown above for the 50s and 55s. The SPA rule book is clear on the equalizer rule but the SPA has chosen not to enforce their own rules in the last two tournaments we played. When the organizations let the teams dictate who they want to play vs following their published rules they have a credibility problem. |
