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Discussion: Southwest Tournament

Anybody have any idea when the field assignments will be out for the Southwest tourney? TIA
That's a heck of a question! ... And currently one without an answer ... At the entry deadline Tuesday afternoon, the previous tournament record had been obliterated, which makes the publication of TENTATIVE field assignments all the more complex ... We'll let you know when we know, but probably not until we're back in Sacramento next week following the Spring World Championships ... If your curiosity is regarding housing, hotels on the Boulder Highway corridor have excellent access to all facilities we would be using ... Good luck!

Dave would you be able to share if we will be using rocks or stotes for that weekend? Thank you.
You'll be hitting "The Rock" softball in The Southwest Championships ... Good luck to everyone! ... Play/Travel safely and have fun!
With recent post regarding session #1 field assignments, is it safe to assume (oh crap.....used the word assume) that session #2 will use the same field mix/locations? TIA
Session #2 will use the same fields as in Session #1, PLUS Shadow Rock, Hollywood, Cheyenne and Warm Springs ... We don't "think" at this time that we will be using Hemenway Park in Boulder City ... The challenge right now is trying to fit 173 pounds of "stuff" into a 160 pound capacity sack! ... We'll know in a day or two how many teams will clear the Session #2 "waiting list" ... On that topic, repetitive inquiry calls to the Home Office actually delay, rather than accelerate that determination ... Thanks!

D²...If anyone can cram 173 pounds of "stuff" into a 160 pound sack, it's you !!
Dave, I heard that covid rules using a non-adjoining state player is no longer allowed. Is this true?
Damn, 55-AAA gets jobbed again on the field assignments! Little Valley and the grapefruit balls for the St George tournament and now assigned to the absolute worst fields in the entire Las Vegas metro area, Hollywood!
Wood-1966

SSUSA is busting hump to pull tournaments together across the country while meeting local COVID requirements / regulations that you probably wouldn't believe. Looking for ways to screw any division over is likey 479th on their priority list.

A year ago, we were all playing catch, ALONE in the back yard. 500k Americans died last year. Be happy that you weren't one of them and have the opportunity to play ball.
Attaboy Tim!
Could be worse,55 AAA could have gotten Shadow Rock.

I'm just glad we get to play, because who knows if it will ever happen in California. Right now, we can have "tournaments" in California so long as not team plays more than one game per day.

Thank goodness for neighboring states and SSUSA staff finding places we can play

@Tim - great words.

Bill Dodge
Tim - Not discounting that the folks at SSUSA are working hard to put these things together, but we are paying just as much to play in this tournaments as the other divisions and seems because of our age and rating we get the shaft with field selection. My guess Tim is that you did not get stuck at Little Valley or are out at Hollywood this tournament, there comes a time when continually giving the same divisions the lousy draw starts impacting turnout, and since this is my division I do not want turn-out to start suffering. There are already multiple teams, mine included that are no longer going to St George if we get stuck at Little Valley every year, so it is already starting. Just my 2 cents, but just because of COVID should I lower my expectations? I don't do that at my company, do not let my employees do it, so I simply do not expect others to do it just to play, especially when playing on lousy fields increases injury risk and playing with grapefruits lowers the fun level.

wdodge22 - I don't know, I would take Shadow Rock or even Cheyenne over Hollywood! They are all bad, but Cheyenne and Hollywood are a hazard to just walk on the field!
Dbax, 65+ divisions get Sunset and BLD, which is unfortunately the best this town as to offer, maybe with the addition of Arroyo. I do not think you would be happy if you got thrown out to Hollywood, worst fields in town and worst location.
In 2019, 55 AAA got Hemenway Park in Boulder City. Awesome park. No tourney last year. They rotate fields every year. You most likely will never get the same complex two years in a row. And I agree with WDodge. Shadowrock is by far the worse.
I just noticed they are also playing at Cheyenne! Has this place been refurbished?
What are the conditions for spectators at BLD. Rumor has it that they are not allowing spectators at all.
RUMOR CONTROL SUGGESTION • If you're curious about BLD, maybe it would be a good idea to call them and ask? ... Their phone number is publicly listed ...
6 homeruns this year in 50’s AAA? With Rocks? Outstanding!! Good luck everyone.. Travel safely
"What are the conditions for spectators at BLD. Rumor has it that they are not allowing spectators at all."

If the rumor is accurate, that's a tough hit at what, $5/person each day? That park could use an influx of updating.
Make it a ridiculous $6 a day.
Dbax ... Reminds me of an actual incident from a few years back when a more senior (70+ and up) player came through the gate at BLD and his "lovely bride" was on an extended verbal rampage over the (then) $5 at anyone who appeared to be breathing ... I was one of those persons ... After a couple of minutes, which seemed like an hour, he sort of casually nudged her away toward Wrigley Field and I thought it was over ... A few hours later, here they come back toward the exit and I'm thinking "Here we go again!" ... She's walking the Wrigley left field fence line and he sort of veers my way ... When he get to me first, he whispers, "..I'm sorry about her when we came in ... Please don't tell her, because I'm going to say I let you have it again, but I'd pay $10 a day to play here ... I just can't let HER know that!.." ... It's all in the perception! ...

Lol! I’ll be looking for you when I enter.
Lokahi, where did you see or hear about the 6 homeruns in 50-AAA? The schedule still says 3 per team.

Thanks
Men's 40-Masters AAA are allowed six (6) home runs ... All other AAA age divisions are limited to three (3) ...
wood_1966

It was changed to the normal number of 3. Must have been changed today
Dave. I emailed the office last week and again today with a question about a player move. Can someone take a look at today’s email and get back to me pls. Thank you.
Damn, was hoping I missed something! I hope it is bumped up to 6 in AAA, will make for some fun games!
Call the office and ask for a rating increase to 50-Major for The Freak Show ... Guaranteed 6 HR's!! ... We get one or two of those requests per year, or the converse of a team declining a downward rating change after the semi-annual rating reviews ...
No thanks, rather earn the upgrade.
@Wood_1966 Be happy you're not playing with the 50-Majors at Cheyenne, not only is that place worse, but at Warm Springs they have toilets to do your business in!
Dbax - Cheyenne refurbished? Talk about LOL.... there's a reason SSUSA had to move night games from there to BLD.... last time I drove by there - last week - the outfield looked like our other favorite field - Shadow Rock....
Bld covid rules are posted on their website. Nothing there says anything about not allowing guests. Just standard covid rules apply. Temperature checks etc
Please see the thread here titled: Covid19 rules and restrictions at Las Vegas BLD for the text of an official statement from BLD/LV on topic ...
DavidGee24 Cheyenne and Hollywood are both real bad. A little more glass in the infield over at Cheyenne than Hollywood though. I would rather not play at either of those fields. I think the fields should be rotated between divisions, last time this tourney was actually played in Vegas I was in the 50's and we had to play over there, and this year the 50-AAA guys are back over there again.
Dave,
Looking at the fields for 60 Major it shows Shadow Rock 1 & 2. I'm hoping these are the two turf fields and not the two grass fields, and calling the weeds in the outfield grass is a stretch, that are alway in horrible condition. If they aren't the turf fields what would be the reason for not using them?
Thanks
FOFO ... They are NOT the turf fields (#3-4) and we are not using them because they have been closed by the Clark County Legal Department as unsafe/unplayable until they are repaired/replaced ... They are part of a six-field construction contract that also includes all four fields at Desert Breeze ... The absence of those six fields for the mid-term future, for reasons completely outside of our control, is what resulted in a very tight schedule in both sessions ... Good luck!


Thanks for the info Dave. Will SSUSA be making sure the weeds on the two fields we are using is at least mowed down and not knee high as usual or must we put all our faith in Clark County Parks and Recreation?
That's some funny stuff! ... Don't ever underestimate the Power of Prayer! ... Ha!
Good luck Fofo! Bet you wish you were at Hollywood.
Last time we played at Shadow Rock, I was with the Bandits-60M. The wind was coming over the two top fields and swirling around down to the lower fields at up to 50 mph. Our pitcher was the hero as he only walked 10 per game in the 2 games we played. We received 20 walks each game for a total of 60 walks in 2 games. Dbax played in that one, I believe. My wife told me if we ever drew those fields again she was staying home from the tournament. I also remember a small mountain about 40 feet behind second base on one field on the top. I understand you have to use them, Dave. But they can be a nightmare.
I come from the northeast where, for most of my playing career we didn't have parks near the caliber of what you're used to out west. League ball fields were drug once a week on a set day and you'd use the same chalk lines for multiple days. "Leveling" the batter's box was done on an individual basis- using the shoes on your feet. Watering the fields? Fah-get-about-it!

My team has been assigned to Shadow Rock a few times and it hasn't been that bad. The grass isn't shin high and we aren't carting people off to the hospital at a higher clip than any other park on the circuit. The problem with Shadow Rock is that 2 grass fields sit adjacent to 2 turf fields. The visual has a lot to do with the perception of the park.

As a player & director, I've been to every facility in Las Vegas and have seen it all- Gopher holes at Sunset, skateboarders stealing HR balls at Doc Romeo, homeless sleeping in the dugouts at Cheyenne and gun wielding home owners at Lorenzi.

THESE are the stories (and laughs) that tie us all together and strengthen that common bond. Enjoy every moment my friends.

Timmymac-








Hi Dave,
SSUSA tells us Hollywood has been remodeled and is an awesome complex. Not that I don't trust them but I think I'll drive up there and look myself while I am checking out the weeds at Shadow Rock.
Good Luck to you as well.
FOFO ... Hollywood was re-done by Clark County fairly recently to add two new diamonds (one adult, one youth/fastpitch) and add a combination Concessions/Storage/Restrooms building ... It is very likely quite different from the "Hollywood you remember" ...
I'll drive by and take a look and let you know. There was only one way to go and that was up......
How are the field conditions at WARM SPRINGS? Anyone play there recently?
AZRealtor ... Nobody has played ANYWHERE in Nevada for over a year now, so that term "recently" is a bit outdated would be my guess ... Warm Springs is a pretty standard three-field complex (we're using two diamonds) ... Dirt and grass ... 70' bases ... 300' outfield fences ... Covered dugouts ... Restroom facilities building ... No concessions on site (plenty of retail nearby) ... Lighted (but no night play scheduled) ... Good luck! ...
The warm springs fields are what they have always been, good but not great infields and occasional gopher holes in the outfield that pop up every night. But we hit out there each weekend and for Las Vegas the fields are in good shape, just whomever plays out there first each day have the outfields cover any new gopher holes and watch those hops at SS on field 8!
Someone earlier today was checking out some of the Sunset fields. Some OF had loads of geese droppings and don't forget, not much shade for fans.
Forgot to mention about all the gopher holes on 5&6 that I was told about recently. Let's hope the city has or will work on those fields prior to tomorrow morning or USA softball puts in a request.
FOFO, have you been by the Hollywood fields? I have not had any luck finding anyone who has played up there since they were redone to get their opinion of their condition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcetSf-AVcI

Review is a couple years old. The snack bar/bathroom improvements were much needed. Previously, the bathrooms were a bus ride away (way down past the parking lot in the rec center). The actual fields are ok, not great, but playable. Lots of weeds, holes in outfield to contend with, although I have not seen the fields in the past year. Please make sure you lock your car or leave nothing in the back of your truck. I have heard of multiple incidents where things disappear from cars/trucks in the parking lot.

Not the worse place to play. I am sure SSUSA will get the city to address the weeds/holes in the outfield. The softball fields are 1, 2, and 4. Number 4 is the newest of them. The little league field (#3) is not big enough to hit on, but good for warming up or infield before you play on the other fields.

The best part of the fields are the covered bleachers on fields 1&2. You/spectators can get out of the sun. I don't believe field #4 has covered bleachers, but that might have changed or maybe I have misremembered.
This is actually pretty hilarious ... The Hollywood Fields are still there ... They're going to be used, but the bleachers aren't because of COVID-19 protocol closures ... Enjoy, pretty much because it doesn't matter and it's out of anyone's control now! ... You'll be playing ball again after way too long away! ... Play safely and have fun! ...
I am playing 55 Major at BLD and the bracket shows the first bracket game starts at 8pm Friday night for all teams except the top 3 seeds, is that correct? I don't think I ever played a first bracket game that started that late.
Eazy ... Yes, the 55-Major Bracket start at 8:00 PM is correct ... With the exception of a single 2:00 PM game, the Seeding Rounds are at 3:30 and 5:00 PM ... There is a one-round Seeding Break at 6:30 PM prior to the bracket games for the 10 teams who do not earn a Round 1 bye ... This structure is the result of the event obliterating the former tournament record by two dozen teams ... The SSUSA Southwest Championships 2021 is now the largest Qualifier event in senior softball history (by any association) ... There are only two open game slots at BLD during the entire six-day run, both at 8:00 PM on Saturday night ... Good luck! ...

Thanks for the verification.
Where’s all the updates for Wednesday? I have refreshed my browser. Lol.
Ran out of time today/tonight. Maybe tomorrow?
They ought to be ashamed to let anyone play on the fields at Cheyenne Complex. Dangerous in fields. They literally cut the grass and raked the infield yesterday. ABSOLUTELY HORRID!!!!
Dave Dowell! Curious what you meant by "Call the office and ask for a rating increase to 50-Major for The Freak Show ... Guaranteed 6 HR's!! ... We get one or two of those requests per year, or the converse of a team declining a downward rating change after the semi-annual rating reviews ..." I play on this team, we are a brand new squad and was forced to Majors as we had a handful on the squad that played up last year. We have played in about 4 tourneys and have only won a few games. We are competing and having fun but no way should we be a Major +, if anything we are a AAA team. Hopefully you have your teams mixed up!!!
CLM ... It was a joke! ... If people want to hit more HR's, all they have to do is call the SSUSA office and ask to be raised to a higher rating with higher allowed HR's ... It actually does happen occasionally! ... It was my bad to think that "ratings" and "home runs" can be used in the same sentence ... That's funny stuff! ...
Gotcha Dowell! Everyone wants to hit dingerssss!!!!!
Is anybody else having trouble getting updates? I have nothing from about Tuesday afternoon.
In due time grasshopper.
Curious, the past organization that was responsible for field conditions @ the SW's got blasted on here for lack of job they did. How did the new organization do in field prep at each complex? Everyone happy with their field conditions?
Well, when I am wrong I will admit it. the Hollywood fields are 1000 times better than a couple years back. The infields were recently completed and are, for Vegas fields, in very good shape. No more uneven surfaces or broken glass mixed in with the dirt, only saw one bad hop all weekend! The covered bleachers are nice, hopefully we will get to use them next time through which I expect to happen as we move away from COVID requirements here in Nevada. The best part was no longer having a mile roundtrip(a slight exaggeration) to use the restroom.

Umpiring was solid all weekend long, actually I would say it was more than solid in our games as there were no real calls that there was any dispute on in any of our games. Good job SSUSA on this weekend up at Hollywood for the 55AAA!
For the 40's women AAA, the umpires were horrible. Making obvious wrong calls and not even knowing the rules. The tournament all around was great but we have to look into some these umpires because they go out there with the I am getting paid regardless and don't care.
Curveball - Imagine the fun 50AAA had going from running on the sandy beaches at Cheyenne (horrible fields) to the artificial turf at BLD - back to the sandy beaches Saturday, then on Sunday to the cement infields at Russell! Fun Times!
I played at Cheyenne and BLD this tournament and visited Sunset and Hollywood to see friends play. Folks SSUSA can only do so much. There are far too many teams and too few quality venues in LV to make everyone happy. Not everyone can play at Arroyo Grande, BLD, and Lorenzi is out of commission. More than half of the divisions aren't going to love where they get assigned to play.

Senior Softball can't make the folks re-build the burned out bathrooms at Cheyenne (3 years running I believe), the lack of upkeep at BLD (despite $6/person it appears they do little to maintain the place-- I played outfield in Dodger stadium and there appeared to be more dirt than grass), etc. I am actually impressed with all of the juggling that had to happen to even pull off this thing. In speaking to the TD at Cheyenne, local officials did not want us there and if they saw non-compliance with masks we would be shut down. Despite all of this, the tourney went on with little to no incidents that I am aware of. My friends that traveled from CA were so happy just to be somewhere to play competitive softball.

It's true some fields are not great. That's not a SSUSA thing. That's a Las Vegas City/lack of $$$ thing. You can't polish a turd.

Jon 44:
"It's true some fields are not great. That's not a SSUSA thing. That's a Las Vegas City/lack of $$$ thing. You can't polish a turd."

I have felt the same as you Jon, yet the organization that did field prep the past few years has been blasted on here for field condition. I never felt it was right or justified, that's why I asked how everyone enjoyed the field conditions this year. Sure would like those that were unhappy in the past to voice their opinion and compare to this years.
Jon 44 - You are correct - the city's of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Clark County P&R should be ashamed of these fields and their condition considering how much revenue is brought into this area - in large part thanks to the efforts of SSUSA...

However - curveball is absolutely correct - IF that other organization were still involved, the fields at Cheyenne would have been in much better condition and more playable than this year.
Fundamentally, all of you are on point about who is responsible for basic facility conditions: the municipalities and in the case of BLD, that business entity ... It's much easier to maintain fields kept up to higher standards year-round than to attempt to rehabilitate them in the last few days before, and sometimes during, a significant event ... The COVID-19 Pandemic also had an adverse impact ...

@curveball: To answer your original question, my personal view is that field prep was "pretty much as usual" across all venues, excepting the improvement at Hollywood as Wood_1966 noted ...

@bond_191513: Here's a very significant additional factual item that you may not be knowledgeable about and that had an impact ... A former President/C.E.O. of that small local association threatened persons who are members of both associations with expulsion from the local league at Lorenzi if they worked for SSUSA on this event ... A couple dozen experienced field workers caved into this threat and dropped out of the field staffing list at the last moment, forfeiting the opportunity to earn much-needed funds for their teams and themselves ... It wasn't his first failed attempt at SSUSA event sabotage ... What effect, if any his inexcusable behavior may have had is entirely speculative ...

@Jon44: Your assertion that "..local officials did not want us there.." is factually inaccurate ... Our Director at Cheyenne in all probability said "..Certain officials of a local association do not want us there.." ... We have outstanding personal and professional relationships with all of the entities that own and operate the Las Vegas area facilities ...

Sunset 5&6 were still overrun with geese prior to the first games, but the gopher holes were leveled for the most part. Homeless persons around the fields or spending the night in the bathrooms is still an issue at some parks.
If the different municipalities in Las Vegas are not going to make the effort to improve the playing facilities, I know going forward I am going to suggest to my team that we simply skip this tournament in the future. No need to go to Vegas twice, once a year for World's would be enough for us.
I agree with TAT22 going to Vegas twice a year to play on subpar fields is a waste of money. I realize how proud SSUSA must be to set yet another record with teams signed up but I would think quality and safety would supersede quantity.

My team played at shadowrock where the games started at 8AM and ran until the lights shut off at 11PM (in some cases during the middle of an inning which created safety issues for the players and their spectators trying to get all of their gear and go to their car without any lights). Predictably each day the games were running late and by the afternoon games the field director reduced the games to 60 minutes or 6 innings (at Dave's direction so I was told) so the scheduled could get back on track it never did!

My point being, since SSUSA knew ahead of time that with this many teams in addition to the limited fields that would make it improbable/impossible to run the tourney without limiting innings/time limits they should have shared that with the participating teams, which brings me back to my point quality vs quantity.

On the bright side I was impressed with our officiating crews they were professional, friendly and did the best they could do given the circumstances they were the best I have seen all of this year.

It really is a shame that Las Vegas doesn't give a crap about their recreational facilities. Sunset 5&6 are a couple of the worst fields I've seen in a while. Just plain dangerous in the outfield. We at least got to play at Arroyo on Sunday, but that place is starting to deteriorate too. Still one of the better complexes we see though. Considering how packed the Strip was this weekend, there's no excuse. Come on Vegas, spend some of that cash. Because you probably won't see our team there again after this year, not worth it.
Hi Dave,
I'm a member of LVSSA and I didn't get the memo that said I would be kicked out of LVSSA by the former President if I worked the tournament. Can you email me a copy?
I'm curious as to how a FORMER President would have the authority to kick me out. I suppose I can give him a call and ask.
FOFO ... I don't recall mentioning any written memo nor anything about being kicked out of the club ... The threat was with respect to participation in the local Lorenzi league play ... A lot of calls were absolutely made, in particular to one entire team who owed us for a late withdrawal from a tournament and agreed to work to forgive the forfeited entry fee ... Please feel free to call the referenced individual and ask ... If he tells you the truth, he would be obligated to confirm that yes, in fact, he made those calls ... Too many people used that exact same threat wording, citing him as the source, when quitting the tourney work force ... Don't be embarrassed later by getting too far out on this limb without knowing the facts! ...
I don't know the facts which is why I was asking. I play in the Lorenzi League from time to time and just never heard this mentioned. The referenced individual wouldn't have the authority IMO to ban any LVSSA member from participating in the Lorenzi League but obviously some people believe he does.
BTW: I have no worries about being embarrassed about anything I post on this site. If I was worried I would hide my true identity like so any others seem to do.................
Later Dave.
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