I’ve written here on a few occasions what I feel was one of my best decisions in life: getting satellite television. Within the past two months, I have been able to watch the NCAA Women’s Fast Pitch National Championships, the World Cup international tournament, the Triple Crown 10U National final, the Little League Softball Championships and many other softball games. It is unbelievable the exposure television is bringing to our sport.

Even so, I’m registering a complaint, the same I registered last year. Why can’t ESPN realize that Little League Softball is not the pinnacle of our sport? Perhaps it is because of the fact that arguably Little League Baseball is the most competitive baseball in the world for boys of that age. Perhaps it is because Little League, Inc. has the marketing appeal and the leverage of the boy’s tournament to demand such coverage.

Whatever it is, I sometimes become embarrassed in what the general public might perceive as excellence in this sport for this age group. But based on this exposure, is it possible that Little League may become "the" program for younger softball players? Considering ASA’s reputation, as "the" program, where the best teams go to play, will the allure of the bright television lights swing the players towards LL?

With the Little League tradition, and ASA’s existing openness for "A" travel teams, ASA cannot develop the "community" spirit for the teams at their nationals like LL, nor does its format foster sustained community support.

As discussed here in the past, originally, the ASA program was very similar to Little League in terms of teams representing local communities.

This community-based team concept is also at the heart of the current ASA’s "B" program. But a lack of consistency in interpretation throughout the country of the intent of the "B" program has very much diluted that concept. But are these obstacles too much to overcome in the media wars?

Well, perhaps not. But it is not clear if ASA has the time or resources to make its tournaments appeal to television opportunities. While the existing 100 plus team tournament format is not conducive to generating sustained drama and continued viewing, a minor change to the format would eliminate some of these obstacles, while additional actions could overcome other shortcomings. Such actions might be to have a national network with regional affiliations (such as FOX Sports), film the championship games of Regional Championships and/or National Qualifiers throughout the country to build "regional" interest, and support for teams playing at nationals.

Whatever the outcome of this might be, I’m just happy that it will ultimately increase the number of games I can see at home, and that is not a bad thing. It’s Thursday night; there isn’t a youth softball game within flying distance.

Luckily I TIVO’ed the NCAA games so I’ve got something to watch. Speaking of TIVO, did I ever tell you what my second best decision in life was?

GOLDEN NATIONAL

I can’t express just how happy I was to hear all of the positive comments concerning ASA’s 18 Under Gold Nationals that were conducted in Salinas, California this year, yet at the same time how disappointed I was that another softball commitment caused me to miss it. Other than opposition to the new ASA national three game format that was expressed at every age level, I have not heard one negative comment concerning the job done by Northern California ASA in hosting this prestigious event.

While the fact that conducting the event in a beautiful location such as Salinas immediately makes it more favorable than many other Gold Nationals, the organization and extra features provided to the players and spectators made it one of the best nationals conducted by ASA. At least that is what I have heard. Considering some of the complaints that were tossed around about other national sites and hosts, this is a feather in the cap for ASA, and especially for Northern California ASA.

But as ASA basks in the glory of this successful event, there is the realization that next year various ASA nationals will be held in less spectacular locales, but even more disappointing, with less organization and a lack of the special touches that make a national truly memorable. To ensure that all ASA Nationals live up to these type of standards, it is necessary that when the ASA Council members vote to award them they spend more time considering the ability of the local host to provide a positive experience, instead of voting to re-pay someone or to support some group that has political power in the association. It’s not about the money, so it should be about the players, teams and spectators.

FOUL TIPS

Gotta ton of tips, so lets go. I spent part of a day at the ASA 14U Western Nationals. Was lucky to run into a couple of friends. Hot day, nice facility and I thought the O.C. Fury and TNL looked tough * * * * I missed out on the Gold Nationals. Had an invite and room, but unfortunately I was managing a women’s team to a national championship on that weekend and had to miss it. Gold Nationals are the best, and despite what I was doing, missing it is a major disappointment for me. Not just missing the best youth softball, but also the opportunity to provide you a story about it * * * * I would also like to mention that my daughter was named 1st Team All America for the ASA Women’s Major Nationals. While this is not youth softball news for you, she is still my baby * * * * Early this season, I was attending a softball tournament and someone asked me how many games I see in a year. He suggested perhaps more than a hundred, but I really didn’t know. I do know that it varies from year-to-year, and I also know this has been a banner year. Whatever that number might be, it never seems like enough * * * * As always, you can contact me at floydeunslip@yahoo.com_and so the ball rolls.