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the fan
15 Posts |
 Posted - 03/31/2009 : 13:04:34
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| Any predictions on this 9u tourney. Teams have to do well in pool play. One little slip and you are in the lower bracket. |
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mstimpson
57 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2009 : 12:53:45
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Hey the fan, I manage one of the teams playing this week end. It is a toss up. I am suprised there is not more discussion at the 9U level, as this field is arguably the most competitive you will see in a tournament this year. Every 9U team in this tournament, but one, is ranked in the top 16 USSSA power rating for Georgia and I believe each team finished in the top 10 of the Super NIT. It will be a good one for sure, as no team has an easy game. Another date to mark on your calendar is April 24-26. That is the East Cobb Invitational.
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the fan
15 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2009 : 17:47:14
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| Mstimpson: what do you think of the way USTBA runs their tourney's? If you slip up in pool play, you may not get to play for the big trophy. |
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tae281
447 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2009 : 19:40:00
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| They'll do the same in the Triple Crown when there are 16 teams so it's not uncommon. Plus, I'll bet they'll have nicer individual awards for the players, lol. |
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mstimpson
57 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2009 : 21:00:48
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| Hey all, this is my first experience with USTBA, so the jury is out. I will say the format calls for that sense of urgency in pool play, that you normally apply to bracket play. In the case of 9U in this tournament, I would have like to see one eight team bracket with a couple of byes for the top two teams. I really don't mind the format at the younger ages. Loser bracket or National, whatever, it provides kids with more of an opportunity to bring home some hardware.Just like with USSSA, I don't look at a championship at AA or AAA less than a Major. This has nothing to do with USTBA, but when you have pools as small as the one is in this tournament for 9U, it would be nice to play all of the teams in your pool. It does seem odd that we are playing only teams on our side of the pool, but others are playing teams outside of their side of the pool. Regardless, we still have to throw strikes, hit the ball, catch and throw better than the others. Anyone taken a look in their crystal ball to forecast the outcome of 9U? |
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tae281
447 Posts |
Posted - 04/01/2009 : 22:02:25
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| Sense of urgency is an understatement when you open with the EC Braves, should be a great opening game since most of the kids have know each other for years. |
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mwk2814
19 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 12:46:06
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| The tournament was well run, and we enjoyed the format. You have to play every game your best because they all count. The games went awfully late on Sunday, but hopefully better weather is around the corner. |
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mstimpson
57 Posts |
Posted - 04/07/2009 : 20:44:08
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| I agree mwk! It was a learning experience for us, but I truly enjoyed the format as well as having great umpires. Even though we lost our pool games, we were able to redeem ourselves somewhat on Sunday. USTBA made it special for the teams in the "lower" bracket. I have heard a lot of chatter about USSSA in comparison to USTBA. I believe it is all in who and how the tournaments are run. I look to the ECB Invitational(USSSA event) to be run very well! |
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the fan
15 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 13:50:00
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| Mstimpson, Did you think the umpiring was good this past weekend for the 9u? |
Edited by - the fan on 04/08/2009 18:01:25 |
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mstimpson
57 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2009 : 23:30:28
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| Hey the fan! Actually, I thought it was pretty good. Particularly on Sunday. Not to take anything away from the guys on Saturday, but the crews we had for both games at ECB on Sunday were the best we have seen so far this year. The guys were in position, strike zone was consisitent throughout the game for both teams, and they conferenced a couple of times to ensure the proper call was made. The only hick up we had was that the bases were 5ft. to close in our first game at SP. However, it did not factor into the outcome of our game. |
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9u USTBA Tourney
