My mens 60M played this last weekend at Wallace Marine in Salem Oregon. Just wanted to thank everyone involved. Grounds crew prepped fields before every game, lined, raked and watered before every game in 90 degree heat. They were fantastic and the fields were in great shape. Bathrooms were clean every day, concessions were awesome, great food, ice cold beer. Tourney director was approachable, friendly and kept us informed the whole weekend. We played 6 games and had top level (in my opinion) umpiring for every game. It was a long weekend but I cant remember a single issue with an umpire. Had 2 person mechanics Sunday which was a bonus. Really good competition all weekend. Really nice shirts for winners in all divisions. Hats off to grounds crew, TD, umpiring crew etc. Just a very well run event. Thank you.
jimperry19 you beat me to the punch. I agree with everything you just said. We had a great experience.
Great comment Mr. Perry. I played 65AA and 60AA, Tues thru Sat. Everything you mentioned was the same, outstanding. Wallace Marine Park also had security roaming the parking lot, keeping everything safe. Security was awesome!
KJ, great seeing you and Dors. Congrats on your championships.
I'm a big fan of the Salem venue, and I agree with the comments above. I'm definitely not letting perfect be the enemy of good, but feedback can be valuable.
The grass outfields at Wallace Marine for the NW Championships tourney were flat, manicured, green, and beautiful, but much too tall for play. I suppose the length has to do with the maintenance schedule and water preservation (shorter grass requires more watering to stay green?), but it's probably the only knock on the Jim Sherman tournament this year.
Hard hit ground ball and line drive hits were stopped by the grass closer to the infield than the outfielders, and players spent a lot of energy sprinting in or out to get them. Hopefully SSUSA will request a shorter cut for next year.
Thanks to SSUSA and the tournament director, umpires, and food & beer vendors for another great weekend!
Salem Fields / Complex has always been great.
Played countless USSSA NIT's up there from 97 - 2001 and made it up there a few years later in 2004 to play a ASA National.
Plenty of room to take BP on the soccer fields, plenty of parking, plenty of shade and the dirt fields were always in great shape.
