quote:
Originally posted by Egyptian:
Just a few things to mention about the tournament. First off there are too many teams involved. 44 teams may seem great from the recruiting aspect but from what I heard from colleges was that the talent was too watered down. Sounds like it is about the $'s. Not to mention when you have teams going 3-0 in "pool play" and not making it to the championship round. Then there are 2-1 teams getting byes in the championship round over teams with a 3-0 record. It doesnt make any sense to myself and several other teams. As far as the venues were concerned Normal Comm HS's field was an embarrasment to the school. I have never seen such a large schools field in such a bad condition. The bullpens had 2 foot of grass and weeds growing in them. O'Neill Parks field had craters near fair territory that were huge and uncovered and the infield was a dust bowl. And one more comment about a participant in the tournament. The Illinois Jayhawks coaching staff has a reputation that precedes them in being arrogant, mouthy, ignorant and generally bush league. They have continually showed their butts all summer from what I understand. I can't believe that anyone would let these guys in another tournament. It is a shame their players who are pretty solid have to be associated with them.
I answered some of these complaints when i started another forum but please let me address some of your comments...
Recruiters loved this tourney; close to each field; limited driving time and as far as watered down talents- I heard from several that they found some players on some of those teams that they didn't know about.....and that they were glad i invited 44 teams.... overall they thought everyone was respectful enough to merit being there..
The field situation I totally agree with you..How would you like to have had to pay for that facility??? We were promised by a local organization that the fields would be taken care of on a full day basis but we only received attention after 2 games each day... Not a good way to treat your teams at all.....completely dissatisfied with the sit;uation myself.... thus changes coming in 2007 limiting to 24 teams - 2 different tourneys
As far as a team you have faced; based on your general comments and your screen name i recognize who you are talking about....and yes that team and part of their adults have caused some problems...but I was amazed on how different the kids acted in this tourney--- and I think I had a report of SEVERAL TRAVEL COACHES being ejected and "putting on quite a show"...in the heat of the battle...
The team you are referring to was talked to after the last incident in St LOuis; they paid for the Fun in the Sun but was not in it.... so before you criticize management on a public forum; make sure you know all of the facts on how things have been handled....and make sure your fans and coaches were all ANGELS too.... we all make mistakes in life and get caught up in the "competitive juices" which flow in a game....but penalizing the KIDS due to coaches actions is not the right way to handle things... There will be new kids next season on all teams so it is very difficult to penalize the 2008 kids due to 2007 actions....
MOST COACHES MEAN WELL; and all of us have been ejected....or made a fool of ourselves somewhere down the line....but overall these coaches bust their rears for those kids and unless they cause problems year in and year out....You have to be a little more "lenient" with their mistakes then what you are requesting..
Glad you made the tourney and your players were Champions...don't think anything less... See other forum in Illinois for comments on field conditions etc and the changes that are being made already to correct that situation...
