|
Post by southside on Aug 4, 2011 14:25:35 GMT -5
How is playing unlimited arc the easy way out? It is a much more difficult game to play??
I get that you have over 800 posts on here and are the definitive answer in Wisconsin softball, but come on? You cant tell me unlimited arc is easier to play then chuck and duck. . .
|
|
|
Post by bgraser12 on Aug 4, 2011 14:31:28 GMT -5
I'm not saying its easier, its just not what the rest of the states play. Every association has a 6-10 arc limit, i think thats probably how we should play then. I was saying the easy way out is making excuses why you don't want to play by the way the Associations that govern this game say.
|
|
|
Post by bgraser12 on Aug 4, 2011 14:32:38 GMT -5
... and can't play a lick of d either somedays i field slow rollers.
|
|
|
Post by southside on Aug 4, 2011 14:52:10 GMT -5
When these Associations that "govern the game" actually do something in this state to progress the game . . . then I'll start listening . . . NONE of the three associations do anything on our side of the state. . . . Our league dropped ASA because all they did was collect our fees every year . . . the contacts I've had that are higher ups in ASA Wisconsin were all (not very nice people), then I went to USSSA and they told me if you want USSSA in your area you have to run it and financially back it yourself, and I have no idea what or where NSA even is . . . So I guess my point is, why jump through all the hoops to play association ball (that doesn't exist anywhere near here) when we can go play "carnival ball" every weekend and try to win some $ for our team so easily??
I think the answer is that the State Associations have to tighten up on the top and include the whole state on the board of directors . . . not just the South-East side of the state that it seems to be currently. I could be completely wrong on everything I just said . . but I call it how I see it!
And Im sure that if you look hard enough, the rest of the states have teams that play unlimited arc as well. . .
|
|
|
Post by bgraser12 on Aug 4, 2011 15:40:35 GMT -5
You make valid points about that stuff...Thats why I'm trying to make a effort to make that push in our state. It doesn't exsist down in mke either. Nothing can happen the remainder of this year, but perhaps in 2012 something can happen. Maybe ASA isn't for you guys maybe NSA is. I don't know enough about either to give you educated answers at this point, maybe in a few months I will. USSSA is not for this state at the moment and maybe wont be for a while. But the other two have teams that currently play it. Just getting more teams to take a couple carnival weekends off to play a qualifier a state and a world is the challenge.
|
|
|
Post by southside on Aug 4, 2011 15:51:56 GMT -5
How many qualifier's are there??
Why not make one of the bigger "carnival weekends" a qualifire
Either Sparta tournamet or Holmen?
All 3 have drawn 32 teams this year with the two game play in format. . .
|
|
|
Post by bgraser12 on Aug 4, 2011 16:02:49 GMT -5
I'm not sure...those are all things I hope to find out the answers to. I also run a tournament that gets about 24-26 teams down here. I will definitely get back to you on those things. What would be nice is that we had a 32 team class C and 32 team class D state tournament. Thats the ultimate goal
|
|
tdish
New Member
Posts: 1
|
Post by tdish on Aug 5, 2011 10:06:48 GMT -5
You make valid points about that stuff...Thats why I'm trying to make a effort to make that push in our state. It doesn't exsist down in mke either. Nothing can happen the remainder of this year, but perhaps in 2012 something can happen. Maybe ASA isn't for you guys maybe NSA is. I don't know enough about either to give you educated answers at this point, maybe in a few months I will. USSSA is not for this state at the moment and maybe wont be for a while. But the other two have teams that currently play it. Just getting more teams to take a couple carnival weekends off to play a qualifier a state and a world is the challenge. bg12, Have you considered that a majority of people who play softball don't care about a state or world championship, and that they play the game just to have fun and hang with their friends? Is there anything wrong with that? These "carnival tournaments" you speak of are usually packed full because A) they are local tournies, B) they are cheaper, C) you can play with friends, D) you can play in front of friends and family, and E) the money raised usually goes to a good cause. Most players are not trying to "relive their glory years" by playing state or world, they just play to have fun. That is why it is called a recreational sport. Some of us play softball, golf, baseketball, etc, all for fun. Yes, it gets competitive, but that what it is about, the competition, not the a state or national championship. Do you play basketball? If so, does your team go to a state touney? My guess is no. If you want to play competitive and travel ball, that is great, more power to you. Just don't insult the rest of us (calling us drunks, saying we are afraid of competition, etc.) who want to play those carnival tournaments and hang out with friends and family while playing a sport we like to play. And before anything is said, yes, I have played state, nationals, and world, and have a few championships under my belt. And guess what? Nobody cares when you win those tournaments!!!! As a side note, maybe if teams nowadays spent a little less on uniforms, you would have some sponsorship money left to play some more tournies and money wouldn't be the problem. What happened to the days your sponsor gave you a t-shirt and entry fees? Why does every team need to spend $1,000's on unis?
|
|
|
Post by dimer10 on Aug 5, 2011 10:50:26 GMT -5
I enjoyed playing state and good competition, but there is something to be said for playing in front of a lot of people in a "hometown" tournament. You find some of the biggest and most fun crowds at these smaller "carnival" tourneys. When we played Fleet Feet in the state championship a couple years ago i think there were probably 25 people watching the game. Of these 25, i would say half were workers and volunteers for the tournament. Even though i think it would be cool to win a state championship, i have more fun playing when there are more people around. Both Sparta tourneys, Wilton, Melvina and Arcadia are the most fun tournaments for me because there are actually people around watching ball, instead of just the teams playing against one another. In most big sanctioned tourneys like Firemans, Corky's, State, Nationals, once you get past the chair game on sunday there isn't anyone around because no one cares and leaves with their team to get home. Go to Sparta on a nice Sunday and the stands are packed. I am going to Wilton, WI tonight, which many of you have never heard of. But there will be 150-250 people gathered around that ball park tonight, tomorrow night and throughout Sunday watching ball... That's what makes it fun playing at 10:00pm on a Saturday night when everyone is hackling and yelling, even if it is against you...
|
|
|
Post by bgraser12 on Aug 5, 2011 11:37:08 GMT -5
You make valid points about that stuff...Thats why I'm trying to make a effort to make that push in our state. It doesn't exsist down in mke either. Nothing can happen the remainder of this year, but perhaps in 2012 something can happen. Maybe ASA isn't for you guys maybe NSA is. I don't know enough about either to give you educated answers at this point, maybe in a few months I will. USSSA is not for this state at the moment and maybe wont be for a while. But the other two have teams that currently play it. Just getting more teams to take a couple carnival weekends off to play a qualifier a state and a world is the challenge. bg12, Have you considered that a majority of people who play softball don't care about a state or world championship, and that they play the game just to have fun and hang with their friends? Is there anything wrong with that? These "carnival tournaments" you speak of are usually packed full because A) they are local tournies, B) they are cheaper, C) you can play with friends, D) you can play in front of friends and family, and E) the money raised usually goes to a good cause. Most players are not trying to "relive their glory years" by playing state or world, they just play to have fun. That is why it is called a recreational sport. Some of us play softball, golf, baseketball, etc, all for fun. Yes, it gets competitive, but that what it is about, the competition, not the a state or national championship. Do you play basketball? If so, does your team go to a state touney? My guess is no. If you want to play competitive and travel ball, that is great, more power to you. Just don't insult the rest of us (calling us drunks, saying we are afraid of competition, etc.) who want to play those carnival tournaments and hang out with friends and family while playing a sport we like to play. And before anything is said, yes, I have played state, nationals, and world, and have a few championships under my belt. And guess what? Nobody cares when you win those tournaments!!!! As a side note, maybe if teams nowadays spent a little less on uniforms, you would have some sponsorship money left to play some more tournies and money wouldn't be the problem. What happened to the days your sponsor gave you a t-shirt and entry fees? Why does every team need to spend $1,000's on unis? I will agree to disagree with you...you make some valid points, people do care when you win, or at least they used to. Carnival tournaments are so you can get drunk and play and have a good time, that doesn't make you or anyone else a "drunk". That isn't what I meant by saying you can go and get drunk. I do agree that the majority of people in WI don't care about it, thats why I'm trying to change that. Provide some people who may have never played a opportunity to grow it. True or false the game of softball in WI used to bring out really good teams to important tournaments...the answer is obviously true. And teams are scared to play "good" teams, why do you think every tournament is listed as d/e and have a 5 home run rule. Weird. Our team doesn't play basketball, if you saw our team you would know why hahaha. I'm not asking people to quit the carnival circuit, just one or two tournaments a summer try and be the best of your state. Whats wrong with that?
|
|
|
Post by hollywood13 on Aug 5, 2011 11:52:36 GMT -5
I don't know that you can change the majority of peoples feelings on the sport, think this is just a losing battle hate to say it. I enjoyed the state tournaments held in my hometown, lots a great games to watch, but every year teams enetered became less and less. I think nowadays there just aren't that many committed teams, for whatever reason, yeah we can list a pile of C and D teams but how many of those are committed teams or really care about nationals or worlds?? Life is busy for everyone, maybe minus a luck or unlucky few. Many players have families with kids events to attend or coach, plus other obligaitons. The younger teams may be playing baseball yet there are many wood bat leagues and teams in most populated citied in WI, that I know have a lot of the college aged kids playing in and they don't want to ruin there hard ball swing, or they just don't care.
We play as often as we can but with most of us in our 30's or older we have busy lives and only get into tournaments as we can and rarely afforded the luxury of getting away for a weekend tournament not in our area. I agree with Dimer that it's just more fun at your local tournaments, and easier for most to attend and play in these then having to travel.
|
|
|
Post by bgraser12 on Aug 5, 2011 12:04:01 GMT -5
If thats how you feel about it thats great. There are plenty of people that may want a opportunity to play. For years there has been zero promotion of anything in this state. I'm 28, there are plenty of younger people who are out there and want to play. There just is wait for it 1 state tournament, and no one knows much about it. I'm extremely busy myself, but but when you were playing these tournaments with a lot of teams you cared. Why is it so bad to try and get teams to come back to that, If you don't want to play something serious thats fine.
|
|
|
Post by hollywood13 on Aug 5, 2011 13:04:30 GMT -5
Not saying it's a "bad" thing at all, I wish you the best of luck, teamates of mine spent years on a local board trying to get softball back or even half way back to the way it was here I volunteered a year as well, but was a losing battle. Went from a great yearly tournament dawing 60+ teams to 20 now if that, and full leagues 4 nights a week to one night of mens league. I agree that with some other qualifying tournaments vs. the 1 state tournament may help with the attendance if teams don't have to travel as far to play. We still wanna play competitive ball life just makes it harder to Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by judgejudy on Aug 5, 2011 13:44:17 GMT -5
I know.. just messing with you bg12
|
|
lb02
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by lb02 on Aug 5, 2011 15:16:21 GMT -5
Brandon - have you or anyone else ever considered starting your own Wisconsin Softball Players Circuit. A series of carny tournies but run with some consistency. 1. Have a tournament each month April - August run the exact same way with the exact same rules and exact same payout format. You can use whatever rules that you or other competitive players prefer (asa bats, usssa pitching, 3ball 2 strike with a swinging/foul allowed., 52 / 300 ball , 1hr per inning, whatever it is that makes for the best ball,) 2. First year try to fill each tourny up with 16 competitive teams and get it done in 1 day if possible so players don't have to commit the whole weekend but can make a one day commitment for something that is going to be a step up from a normal carny tourny. If you can get more teams and have bigger event that's fine too.
The key would be good payouts that make it worth while for good teams to come yet competition rewarding enough that its ok going 0-2 if you dont play well / your still going to be at the place to be and having fun. Tourney's would be prestigious enough in there own right to win as well as an end of season championship tourney in august / maybe open to anyone or just teams that played during the season. In some ways similar to usssa conference but with no fee to just join or commitment to how many your going to play. Instead of playing for births and points and rings - teams would be playing for money and competition/fun. Tourneys could be spread around the state to try and draw from all areas during the year or a regular destination. In an another thread most of the good teams were listed, now the part would be to contact them and see how interested they would be to put any of the tourneys on their schedule.
just a thought.
|
|