SD ASA Let Down

[Kalani]

Pfeff, call me or send me a text regarding the IP address and location of ILikeBall(s) when you have a chance.

Thank You!

[Dan Pfeffer]

Can't I just tell you who it is on here?

[Kalani]

Absolutely...

[Big B]

I have not posted since around 2002, but visit the site from time to time. I have spoken with the powers that be and talked to everyone on my team about the situation and what it boils down to is that it is up to the state director ie, Mr. Harrington, to decide what he thinks is the best solution to the situation and what will afford the least amount of termoil that goes along with it. He has decided that since Lenny and Madsen are A ranked players that they are not allowed in Division I events in South Dakota. That is up to his discression. There are no bylaws that prohibit their participation or no wording that can be justified to read exactly between the two classification systems of A, B, C, D, E, and Division I, II and III., but case by case decisions can be made by the state TD.

Now with that said, I find it hard to belive that this would be left alone until now to bring to the forefront. Why didn't it get discussed earlier in the season let alone a couple of weeks ago. I know that Wall Lake died out and it stinks, but it sure smells fishy in the rest of the state as well. I could go on and on with questions, but I think I already know the answers. I thought I would throw my hat into the mix because I too am passionate about softball and have played the sport for 23 years.

I know Mr. Harrington has been getting pressure from a lot of managers about this situation but no one has stepped up and said I don't want Madsen or Lenny to play. Fine, We know for the most part who you are by your actions and comments to them via texts and phone conversations. These two guys have been playing all year in league and we have been beaten twice. Just because they are playing doesn't mean we are unbeatable. It has been done. Lay off of the drinking and partying all night if you want a chance to be your best. Sanford has been noted for not drinking, minus a couple of guys, and gets serious when it comes to playing. I admit to having a few too many in my younger years, but have changed now when I have things to get done. If you want it, you will work hard to get it.

Bottom line is, Jason and Lenny love the sport and so do I. I feel sick if rules are changed because some individuals are mad or tired of the same team winning. We have had our share of losses in tournaments in the past right up through this year. If the decision to have Jason and Shane not play in the state tournament is because Gary Decided it on his own then let it be. But if he is going off of every manager from teams in Sioux Falls and their response, then shame on him and you. These guys love the game and so do I. I will not get on here and blaspheme all over the board to get someones attention, that is not how I was raised. But I will tell you this. I have met and talked to a lot of individuals on and off of the field and now I don't know who to trust. I grew up getting my butt beat every weekend in Minnesota, and when I moved here I have had the chance to win and play with a few of the top teams.

I see posts througout the season that I am on my last leg, but I don't see the names behind it and don't see situations where I feel I am getting the beat down. After this situation though, I feel sick about the sport and South Dakota Softball. I feel like politics have entered into the game more than the fun that used to be in it. If that is the way it is going to be from here on out, I would rather retire and listen to all of the people talk about how great they are and how wonderful softball has come since Sanford has left the sport.

I might stick around to reply to any level headed comments, but that is about it. Way too much to talk about in a short period of time, but you can call me @ 759-2650 or email me at bergdog99@yahoo.com if you want to talk to me personally.

Barry Berg
Sanford #51

[Kalani]

Did I just hear games got cancelled tonight?

Sux Reggie ain't gonna get his max number of games in!! To soon?

Surprised Sanford aint cryin to the board to let them play through the rain!

Kalani, Dan Harrington has nothing to do with the weather bud!

Hi Weezy!

[ILikeBall(s)]

Jeffy already tried that hunny.


Kalani, I've got room for an EH on my coed team if you wanna play in that state tourney! Lemme know.

[word]

So Sanford was playing in multiple C tourneys with a B roster? A roster is a roster is a roster isn't it?

[Secrets]

So Sanford was playing in multiple C tourneys with a B roster? A roster is a roster is a roster isn't it?

No. We played in all of our C tournamnets with a C roster.

[Secrets]

It's apparent that a lot of you don't seem to know the rules in this matter so let's back up to the beginning. Years ago SDASA wanted to have a state tourney featuring all the top teams in the state, in order to do this they renamed the tourney to D1, D2 etc. The teams still had a national classification that they had to go by but this way they could all play in the same tournament.
Secrets is correct when he says if you have 3 A players on your roster than you will be classified as a B team. This is for the beginning of the year to help determine your TEAM classification, it's not the only thing that determines it, it's just one of the factors. Once your TEAM has been classified, then it must abide by the ASA rules in regards to that class for the entire year. A few years back Sanford, which then was Chuk n Duk petitioned to get their TEAM reclassified back to C. They did this and have been a C TEAM since. If they were a B team they wouldn't be allowed to play in any C tourneys, especially ones that are a National Qualifier such as the Spring Classic.The rules clearly state that no C TEAM may have any A players on it. Next year, they have the choice to petition their team to B and then these players could play with them. Of course, they wouldn't be allowed to play in the Spring Classic. That is a choice they will have to make.
[b]It's really this simple, don't get fooled into thinking because our state tourney doesn't say Class C or whatever that they can do what they want. Every team still has to follow the ASA code in regards to your TEAM classification for Championship play. League play is totally different. Our state tournament is considered Championship play[/b].

1. Just so you know, back 4 years ago that was the case. TEAMS are no longer classified - the players are now classified. You are using outdated information.

2. A team is ranked according to the players on the team. A team with 12 C players will ALWAYS be classified C. It is the only determining factor.

3. A team can pick up players during the season, correct? If a C team picks up an A player, they move up to B, there is nothing that says that there classification stays the same. There is no such thing anymore as "petitioning a team down or up", the players can petition their individual classifications which can in turn make a team a different class.

4. The bolded and underlined part is the most incorrect statement. After having a conference call with the ASA national office and receiving several emails, HARRINGTON CAN DO WHATEVER HE WANTS WITH THE STATE TOURNAMENT. IT IS SOLELY HIS DECISION. That coming straight from the top.

All we asked for is that ASA ask Harrington to enforce the South Dakota laws which state that a player only needs 5 league games to be eligible. It is written nowhere that Division 1 is a C tourney.

[Haterade]

So Sanford was playing in multiple C tourneys with a B roster? A roster is a roster is a roster isn't it?

No. We played in all of our C tournamnets with a C roster.

This is the only part that still doesn't make sense to me. You can't have two rosters. Your roster was a B roster. Just because the A guys who forced your classification up to B weren't there that weekend, that does not make you a C team. Classification goes off your actual paper roster, not who shows up and is in your lineup.