I would just like to say before this rumor gets out, that I am NOT encouraging people to go back to LL> I am NOT discouraging people from joining USSSA league. I have said multiple times I like things about both. I am simply using this forum to exercise my 1st ammendment right. I have opinions, concerns and frustrations as a parent and taxpayer. I want our programs to be successful whether we play USSSA, LL or whatever. I want our board members to be informed, organized and of one accord, however, I don't think its fair that when a board member, or outside party has an opinion that doesn't back up everything the board has done to this point, that they become "the enemy". It is healthy to have a board of mixed opinions and I think it refreshing to come in contact with people who actually have one, vs. maintaining the opinions of those whose butt you are required to kiss at this particular time. If I have heard second hand information and I say it on this board, I will label it as just that. If I know it for a fact, I will label it as just that. In a nutshell, my opinion right now is: 1) I don't like how USSSA league is set up 2)I do like USSSA rules regarding gameplay 3) I do think the Delta board is on the right track, making changes 4) I don't think my particular local park has it together in the budget department 5) I don't like gameplay rules regarding LL 6) I do like the way LL is organized 7) I do think USSSA is a business and not a non-profit and it shows post season
SO if USSSA can get it together next year, we will have a great season. But if nobody voices their opinions in regards to the problems they have it WONT get changed and we will have the same problems next year. I do know that one of our board members voiced their opinion to one of the state directors and I applaud that. Pretending everything's perfect won't help, it is action like that , that will make changes. If I have offended anyone it was not intended, just stating simple opinions.

You must not know about the 13&14 year old division that plays at Trumann. Bay, Brookland, Caraway, Manilia all have plyed there in the past. Thats all I have to say. You can call people liers if you want. Free speech you know

Did you miss this post? Also, I was just simply stating that you were wrong about the 12 and under.

You do not want to discuss it because you know that financially USSSA is a nightmare and you don't want people to know that the real reason James and the Board wanted to leave Little League was that they are angry at Jeff Smallmon over a pro-*test*-('") at the 11&12 District tournament last year.

I welcome open communication with the Delta League Board. Debate over your switch is over. Now lets move on. There is a league in place using your boundaries. Your communities are welcomed to join this league without any shame or penalties. Craighead and Poinsettt Co Little League is growing by leaps and bounds. You are welcomed to come and take part in that growth or your teams are. It is your choice. Now let us see if we can be adult about this whole situation. Contact me.

why would they be angry over a pro-*test*-('")? Unless the pro-*test*-('") was not ruled in their favor, even though the rules clearly were..... Dont tell me they got told it was ok this time....

bbd, I actually ruled in thier favor and was over turned by regionals. That is why I can not understand thier anger at me. I would understand it better if I had ruled against them.

Man, you are just a funny fellow,

ok, here is the pro-*test*-('"):

I set the tournament up to be pool play that fed a single elimination tournament that 2 teams out of each pool advances. Thier pool was Delta, Mountain Home and Blytheville. You play everyone in your pool once. They all ended up with tied records.

The rules for ties called for using the runs allowed ratio. I applied that by ranking the teams by the ones who had the fewest runs scored against them. It was Blytheville first, then Delta and finally Mountain Home. So, I ruled Blytheville and Delta advances.

Mt Home pro-*test*-('")ed to Regionals. The Regional Director in Waco stated that I was suppose to only determine a Champion with the runs allowed ratio and then revert back to head to head competition. Mountain Home had beat Delta in pool play. so they advanced.

That was not the only reason that delta voted on going USSSA. There was also a regional tournament held in Blythville.(9-10 year old) There was a team to drop out. So rather than calling Delta who went 3-0 in pool play, he calls Marked Treewhich went 1-2.
Why did Delta not recieve a call before Marked Tree? There is alot of little things like this that changed my mind.

Do you remember who the coach was of that team? And what year that was? When a team drops out I have the opportunity to replace them at the Cotton Classic with another Arkansas team. I try to use the outcome of the State tournament to find a replacement team. Most time teams fall apart after the state tournament and disband. So, it really comes down to who is still together enough to feild a team. The 9&10 state tournament is the 2nd weekend in July and the Cotton Classic is the first weekend in Aug. Long time in between.

I try to contact teams that are still playing and coaches contact me and say "put me on the waiting list". I remember 1 time that I enter a team that James Evans coached as a replacement team over a team from Marked Tree by mistake. Marked Tree had finnished higher in the tournament. But, my last report from that tournament had Trumann up undefeated.

So, there is no conspiricy, If your coach keeps the team together and lets me know he is interested, I contact them if there is an opening. Remember, none of the replacement teams earned thier invitation.

Jeff, you are so stuck on LL that USSSA could pay teams to play and pay all fees and Motel rooms and gas and all and you would still find something wrong with them or any other league. When a man puts a "volunteer" program ahead of his family and job, man you got issues.

it is a hobby. You guys go to tournament every weekend instead of staying home a knitting. Whats the difference?

Maybe your right about me having issues. I am excessive compulsive. I go into it full force.

Youth, Keep doing the job you are doing. I have had my fun on here. Honestly
I would not want to be in your shoes. I dont think anyone else does either or
they would try to get elected to the posistion.

youthbaseballexpert
I would like to know how Kaiser got to host the small league district tournament. I think the small league team deserves the same respect as big league. The baseball complex at kaiser is one of the worst in the state. Does anyone look at the location before it is awarded. The field was at least 300 plus feet and hard as concrete if you played night games left field lights had to be monitored due to bad breaker that was pointed out to tournament director Monday night but was not fixed. Every team there had problems with Carl Robinson I will say he was fair he was just as bad for the other teams we played as he was for us. How fair is it that the small league champ has to go straight into big district dont you think that is a big disadvantage with pitch counts that carry over.