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Post by mvpsbdad on Jul 6, 2009 15:06:19 GMT -6
I am looking at starting up a travel ball team this fall or maybe spring. Could someone give me some insight as to what affiliation I should choose (ASA, NSA, ISA, USSSA, etc.)? What are the pros and cons to each. Thank you for your insight.
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Post by Riptide '99 on Jul 7, 2009 20:43:36 GMT -6
My opinion... It is based on what your team goals are. If you want to play in a certain sanction's World Series, then you should focus your tournaments with them. If you don't have a specific goal, then you will probably wind up playing in several different sanctions. The downside is that you will have to sanction with each of them, each costing about $30. It also depends on your location. USSSA has tournaments mostly from Cullman to north Alabama. USFA and NSA are all over North Alabama, also, but have a lot of tournaments in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. ASA has alot in the southern half of the state.
One note....you only have to purchase insurance from 1 sanction, and it is good for all tournaments, regardless of sanction. Don't get fooled into purchasing multiple policies.
USFA and USSSA have "age-up" rules for Fall play. Basically, girls have to age up after September 1. ASA and NSA age-up in January.
If you have anymore questions, feel free to post here, or send me a PM.
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Post by mvpsbdad on Jul 8, 2009 9:56:05 GMT -6
Thank you for your input. It is much appreciated.
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comets01
Bench Warmer
MEMBER #1
Posts: 17
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Post by comets01 on Jul 9, 2009 4:34:42 GMT -6
where are you located mvpsbdad
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Post by mvpsbdad on Jul 9, 2009 12:29:13 GMT -6
I am located in East Central AL
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Post by bluemachine on Jul 13, 2009 13:18:06 GMT -6
I'm not sure why you HAVE to affiliate with an association.
You have to buy insurance but my understanding is the same as ttowndave's, one policy covers your team. Make sure you check with someone smarter than me though.
ASA is the organization that sponsors Team USA and the Olympics. Outside of Alabama, they are probably the strongest organization.
A few years ago, NSA was king in the state. NSA had the most and the largest events throughout Alabama.
USSSA has grown exponentially the last several years with tournaments nearly every weekend now, it seems. They have staked their popularity on attempting to avoid Sunday games so that families can attend Church together (a big plus in Alabama).
The latest addition to the fastpitch community is the USFA. Their claim to fame is NO slow pitch, no baseball, nothing but fastpitch. With their World Series in Panama City, FL, many teams are anxious to participate if only to enjoy the between game environment! OK, haven't been there, but I know how the girls loved the beach when we played in Gulf Shores!
Affiliation implies sticking with one association over all others. My experience has been that the teams that play the hardest competition will be the teams that improve. If you only pick tournaments that have weak teams in them, you can't get any better.
Play often, but not just to be playing. Play hard teams. It's not all bad to lose. It's not all good to always win either. I remember a team a few years ago that bragged about never losing... when you looked at their opponents, you saw a lot of first year teams and a lot of teams playing up... not a lot of elite teams. They weren't playing anyone tough. When the rubber met the road, they weren't such a great team after all!
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