Minnesota Thread

wildthing81

Active Member
Can some one tell me the deal with TI and why that complex hosts nationals when in Minnesota more often then not for D, C and B? I've talked to alot of people about this and for the life of me cant understand why nationals are always played there. The fields are extremely average, the location sucks for alot of people. The amenities besides the casino and their 300 a night rooms are non existent. Is there some sort of rule against having it at like Sand Creek? Noble? Shako? Dred Scott? Savage fields? Just food for thought. Good luck to all teams playing the C at TI and B and A in OKC this up coming weekend.
 

leib0039

New Member
Can some one tell me the deal with TI and why that complex hosts nationals when in Minnesota more often then not for D, C and B? I've talked to alot of people about this and for the life of me cant understand why nationals are always played there. The fields are extremely average, the location sucks for alot of people. The amenities besides the casino and their 300 a night rooms are non existent. Is there some sort of rule against having it at like Sand Creek? Noble? Shako? Dred Scott? Savage fields? Just food for thought. Good luck to all teams playing the C at TI and B and A in OKC this up coming weekend.
The Casino across the street makes for a lot of fun for sure! But yes I agree, its not really close to anything so everyone drives, and the rooms are outrageously expensive. I would have to think USA softball get some sort of kick back for brining that many teams there so often. I can't say for other years, but to be fair for this year, they were planned for Caswell in Mankato and then the whole debacle with their fields/fences happened so MN needed a spot to step up and TI did. I would agree on finding other spots, Mankato is fun, Sand Creek is great as well.
 

Yoke

Too sweeeeeeeet
The thing I had heard is that there aren’t a ton of places that want to hold the events. It would be nice to get to go to a few different spots.

Is part of the problem that a lot of the metro spots are Utrip? Brooklyn Park and Blaine are, but they’d be good spots. Plymouth has solid fields (at least, they were a few years ago).
 

Maximus Decimus

Slap Hands!
Can some one tell me the deal with TI and why that complex hosts nationals when in Minnesota more often then not for D, C and B? I've talked to alot of people about this and for the life of me cant understand why nationals are always played there. The fields are extremely average, the location sucks for alot of people. The amenities besides the casino and their 300 a night rooms are non existent. Is there some sort of rule against having it at like Sand Creek? Noble? Shako? Dred Scott? Savage fields? Just food for thought. Good luck to all teams playing the C at TI and B and A in OKC this up coming weekend.
They want the events and have zero competition. Also most cities say no because they make more on fast pitch
 

EAJuggalo

Addicted to Softballfans
I would guess that TI pretty much gives the fields to USA and makes their money on rooms, gambling, concessions since there isn't anything else around. No reason they couldn't have it at Savage, Burnsville, Sand Creek, Woodbury. I believe there is a requirement of how many fields you have to have in one place, so BP would be out.
 

alp312

Addicted to Softballfans
I would guess that TI pretty much gives the fields to USA and makes their money on rooms, gambling, concessions since there isn't anything else around. No reason they couldn't have it at Savage, Burnsville, Sand Creek, Woodbury. I believe there is a requirement of how many fields you have to have in one place, so BP would be out.
That's probably true. Woodbury used to hold some USSSA stuff, seems like they are shifting to all youth sports now too. Savage is not a bad complex, I wish it were used more. Burnsville would be nice between Neill and Lac Lavon you could get a lot of teams through.
 

Yoke

Too sweeeeeeeet
I would guess that TI pretty much gives the fields to USA and makes their money on rooms, gambling, concessions since there isn't anything else around. No reason they couldn't have it at Savage, Burnsville, Sand Creek, Woodbury. I believe there is a requirement of how many fields you have to have in one place, so BP would be out.
If only the other 4 fields up the street from Noble in BP were 300 feet. They’re like 280 or 285. We used to hit there when I lived in Champlin. Like a bootleg Wrigley with vines on the fence.
That's probably true. Woodbury used to hold some USSSA stuff, seems like they are shifting to all youth sports now too. Savage is not a bad complex, I wish it were used more. Burnsville would be nice between Neill and Lac Lavon you could get a lot of teams through.
Savage was really nice. You could maybe even make it a little more if you temp fences the open fields. I don’t know how big the infields are on those two, though.
 

Beauner

Starting Player
Can some one tell me the deal with TI and why that complex hosts nationals when in Minnesota more often then not for D, C and B? I've talked to alot of people about this and for the life of me cant understand why nationals are always played there. The fields are extremely average, the location sucks for alot of people. The amenities besides the casino and their 300 a night rooms are non existent. Is there some sort of rule against having it at like Sand Creek? Noble? Shako? Dred Scott? Savage fields? Just food for thought. Good luck to all teams playing the C at TI and B and A in OKC this up coming weekend.
I'd assume Dred is out because they need 300' or more. Sand Creek and Lac Lavon would be great places to play for nationals but I'm guessing there's something to do with USSSA in those cities.

I don't mind the TI fields to play on but as you said, there's nothing around except the casino. Nearest non-TI casino is probably 20 minutes away and there's limited places to hit out there before/between games.

As someone else said, I would bet TI lets ASA use the fields for very little because they know they're making a killing on the hotel prices and the people losing money in the casino.
 

EAJuggalo

Addicted to Softballfans
I'd assume Dred is out because they need 300' or more. Sand Creek and Lac Lavon would be great places to play for nationals but I'm guessing there's something to do with USSSA in those cities.

I don't mind the TI fields to play on but as you said, there's nothing around except the casino. Nearest non-TI casino is probably 20 minutes away and there's limited places to hit out there before/between games.

As someone else said, I would bet TI lets ASA use the fields for very little because they know they're making a killing on the hotel prices and the people losing money in the casino.
Until a couple years ago there were USA leagues at Lac Lavon. The One Pitch league there was USA. Possible with Sand Creek though, if USA offered the right number I doubt they would care.
 

Beauner

Starting Player
Until a couple years ago there were USA leagues at Lac Lavon. The One Pitch league there was USA. Possible with Sand Creek though, if USA offered the right number I doubt they would care.
True, but were the 1-pitch leagues actually ASA/USA certified?
This is the first year they haven't run it in at least the last 5 years, but I think it was basically organized by a non-Burnsville employee/parks and rec guy who just approached them about trying to start a 1-pitch league and Burnsville said yes because it was more money in their pockets. I could be wrong though. I know he announced on Facebook that he was stepping away from organizing it and asked Burnsville to continue it but I don't think they did.
 

Beauner

Starting Player
I will say, having done the broadcasting/livestreams and the stats etc. for C nationals, it is really nice to be able to sit up above the fields and stream from up there.
 

wildthing81

Active Member
OKC is hot and those Amish boys can play ball, we played one of teams friday night, i had a pretty good knuckle ball an i dont think they swang at a single ball despite how much my ball moved. They hit everything extremely hard.
 

Chembry

Addicted to Softballfans
OKC is hot and those Amish boys can play ball, we played one of teams friday night, i had a pretty good knuckle ball an i dont think they swang at a single ball despite how much my ball moved. They hit everything extremely hard.
When I played in Philadelphia, we played several Amish or Mennonite teams in many tournaments. One thing is for sure, they can play. We had a very good team. In fact, the team I played with just won a National Championship. There were only a few games that we even came close.
 

wildthing81

Active Member
When I played in Philadelphia, we played several Amish or Mennonite teams in many tournaments. One thing is for sure, they can play. We had a very good team. In fact, the team I played with just won a National Championship. There were only a few games that we even came close.

Both the Silverbacks/Rock Run and D & R Amish teams are extremely good, they can base hit you to death, they have a ton of speed in the infield and outfield. The Silverbacks beat ThunderChosen a team comprised of mainly major players 37-2. Brandon Jonas a outstanding pitcher for a major team didnt make it out of the first inning vs the Silverbacks. The Herd also was in a class above everyone else also beat the Monsta team 35 to 5 made up of alot of Major and AA guys. Therldsens and DirtDogs were two other teams that stood out to me as having good weekends in OKC.
 

Beauner

Starting Player
When I played in Philadelphia, we played several Amish or Mennonite teams in many tournaments. One thing is for sure, they can play. We had a very good team. In fact, the team I played with just won a National Championship. There were only a few games that we even came close.
Some of our reps on my team are from that part of the country. They said the Amish teams basically wake up at 5am, work until 5pm or so, and then practice or play 3+ hours a night every day during the week starting at like age 14 or 15 and they are basically done with softball by like age 25? Something like that.

They are definitely fun to watch. They hustle and play hard on every play and it seems like every one of them is extremely humble and respectful from the streams I've watched.
 

wildthing81

Active Member
Some of our reps on my team are from that part of the country. They said the Amish teams basically wake up at 5am, work until 5pm or so, and then practice or play 3+ hours a night every day during the week starting at like age 14 or 15 and they are basically done with softball by like age 25? Something like that.

They are definitely fun to watch. They hustle and play hard on every play and it seems like every one of them is extremely humble and respectful from the streams I've watched.

Agreed, one of their hitters drilled me when I was pitching and basically the whole team apologized. I told them it was apart of the game and they still couldnt apologize enough. They cheer for each other every at bat and go very hard. They are a fun group to watch.
 

Chembry

Addicted to Softballfans
Some of our reps on my team are from that part of the country. They said the Amish teams basically wake up at 5am, work until 5pm or so, and then practice or play 3+ hours a night every day during the week starting at like age 14 or 15 and they are basically done with softball by like age 25? Something like that.

They are definitely fun to watch. They hustle and play hard on every play and it seems like every one of them is extremely humble and respectful from the streams I've watched.
You hit the nail on the head. Hustle everything and play like every play is their last. The ones I talked to were very nice, but they mainly kept to themselves. As Wildthing81 said, they are very respectful.
Both the Silverbacks/Rock Run and D & R Amish teams are extremely good, they can base hit you to death, they have a ton of speed in the infield and outfield. The Silverbacks beat ThunderChosen a team comprised of mainly major players 37-2. Brandon Jonas a outstanding pitcher for a major team didnt make it out of the first inning vs the Silverbacks. The Herd also was in a class above everyone else also beat the Monsta team 35 to 5 made up of alot of Major and AA guys. Therldsens and DirtDogs were two other teams that stood out to me as having good weekends in OKC.
I haven't played against the Silverbacks but they are fun to watch. My experience playing against Amish and Mennonites are at the C/D level. They hit hard and didn't make many mistakes. They capitalized on our mistakes with their hustle.

Can the Silverbacks go from B to AA? With their success in conference last year and this year, while winning USA B and 2nd in USA A?
 

wildthing81

Active Member
You hit the nail on the head. Hustle everything and play like every play is their last. The ones I talked to were very nice, but they mainly kept to themselves. As Wildthing81 said, they are very respectful.

I haven't played against the Silverbacks but they are fun to watch. My experience playing against Amish and Mennonites are at the C/D level. They hit hard and didn't make many mistakes. They capitalized on our mistakes with their hustle.

Can the Silverbacks go from B to AA? With their success in conference last year and this year, while winning USA B and 2nd in USA A?

Without question the Silverbacks/Rockrun could play AA, they might be a hair light on the offensive side on the bigger fields, but I would bet they would very tough to play against because they dont beat themselves and put alot of pressure on the defense with their speed and base hitting ability. One rumor was if a B team made the mens major WS they would be bumped to A minimum, I know back in 2015 Classic Glass and Eurotech both made the mens major as B teams and both returned in 2016 as AA teams. My guess would be that they would be A next year however.
 

EAJuggalo

Addicted to Softballfans
Some of our reps on my team are from that part of the country. They said the Amish teams basically wake up at 5am, work until 5pm or so, and then practice or play 3+ hours a night every day during the week starting at like age 14 or 15 and they are basically done with softball by like age 25? Something like that.

They are definitely fun to watch. They hustle and play hard on every play and it seems like every one of them is extremely humble and respectful from the streams I've watched.
By the age of 25 they have to choose if they are going to join the church or "go English." If they join the church they aren't allowed to play anymore. Most of the Rock Run team works together at one of the RV plants in Elkhart Indiana, one of the players told another umpire in Chicago that he wakes up at 5, goes to work, plays softball until dark, has some fun with the wife and goes to sleep. Slow pitch is one of only two sports they are allowed to play, I don't remember what the other is.
I've seen a couple Amish teams talk a little smack at Worlds, it's hilarious and really throws off the other teams when they do. I've never had a problem with them and it's always fun to umpire them, but that can be a lot of running if I'm on the bases late on Saturday night and get them, they always take extra bases.
I don't think they can compete in AA, I don't think they have the power. If they made any roster moves they would have been moved to A this season, but the policy is they don't reclass midseason without a roster move.
 

Maximus Decimus

Slap Hands!
The Amish teams are fun to watch. Got to see them in Grand Rapids, MI.

Random Twins Q: When and how much is Arraez going to get? The MLB could use about 30 more guys who can just flat out hit like him.
 

Beauner

Starting Player
The Amish teams are fun to watch. Got to see them in Grand Rapids, MI.

Random Twins Q: When and how much is Arraez going to get? The MLB could use about 30 more guys who can just flat out hit like him.
He doesn't hit UFA until 2026. He's got 3 years of arbitration left (he and the Twins could also agree to a contract before arbitration to extend him for a while).

As for how much? Assuming he doesn't totally fall off I'd bet he gets between 20-25 million a year. Maybe more if he continues to add some more pop to his game.
 

Maximus Decimus

Slap Hands!
He doesn't hit UFA until 2026. He's got 3 years of arbitration left (he and the Twins could also agree to a contract before arbitration to extend him for a while).

As for how much? Assuming he doesn't totally fall off I'd bet he gets between 20-25 million a year. Maybe more if he continues to add some more pop to his game.
Tony O told him to never think about hitting for power. He's too good of a contact hitter.

If the Twins let him walk I might burn the stadium down.
 

Yoke

Too sweeeeeeeet
I bet at some point he signs for like 4 or 5 years at $15mil a year, as long as he holds up. I think the lack of homers as a 1B drives his value down.

One of my favorite players to watch bat, though.
 

Yoke

Too sweeeeeeeet
Nope, but I need to get down there before I shut it down one of these years.

Just don’t want to be in charge of a team going down there. Seems like a horrible hassle.
 
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