Post Season Play

Don't get all hung up on the phrase "World Series" it seems like every year, new organizations are hosting their own. As far as prestige goes, you cannot beat the LLWS. Are they the best teams? I doubt it. I think they are good teams, but when you get some of these regional All-Star teams together, I doubt most LL tournament teams would stand a chance.

I'm involved with Babe Ruth and AAABC at the 12U level this year. My AABC team has a legitimate shot to make it to regionals and then we'll see from there. My Babe Ruth team is in a very tough district, so that weekend it's all who gets hot. I'm also taking my AABC team to a qualifier tourney for some organization called USSSA or something. Apparently, the top 2 teams in this tourney qualify for the "World Series". I'm not real impressed with that format. When you only have to win 6 games and you go to the "World Series" I tend to think it's more like a "World $erie$". That is, being run primarily for the $$.

I think the format the Cooperstown Dreamspark has is pretty impressive just becasue they draw from all across the country. They invite all the weekly winners back at the end of the year for a "Tournament of Champions". I would think the competition there would be excellent.

If you're looking for good tournaments for your team, look to tourneys that draw teams from far away. Our house league runs a tournament every year in Buffalo, NY and we have drawn teams from Canada, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. I already have inquiries for this year's from teams in Long Island (9 hrs away), Toronto, Ont. (2 hrs.), Pickering, Ont. (2 1/2 hrs), Quebec (7 hrs.), and a team from Virginia (10-12hrs.). Are we a "world Series"? No, but we run a great tournamnet with lots of events for the kids and we draw some very good teams. Look into something like that for your guys.