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Online now: 1 member: scottflodin; 26 anonymousDiscussion: Timberworks
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| Sept. 22 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Timberworks has a run of world championships and triple crowns that is unequaled in all of Senior Softball since its inception. Many teams have aspired to create that, but Timberworks DID IT. Feelings towards them seem to be similar to the feelings from many of us towards the Yankees of the 50's-70's. Animosity. We forget that we are amateurs and seniors playing a kids game. But the Timberworks run has been unequaled. This year Timberworks was the only 70 M+ team at worlds. That is a TESTAMENT to the domination of that team. And the 'powers' that be, not really sure how to handle this fairly, put them in the 70M bracket, but set it up extremely well to where they did not disturb the 70M bracket. Nice job, Dave Dowell. Genius, really. However, I am going to be a voice to lead an attempt to right what I believe is a wrong. As a team, Timberworks was put in the 70 M bracket with the stipulation that they had to win ALL FIVE OF THEIR GAMES TO QUALIFY AS THE WORLD CHAMPS IN 70 M+. When they lost their first game, and we all know those games happen, they ended up playing 4 more exhibition games at worlds, at considerable personal expense, (since Timberworks is NOT a fully sponsored team), for nothing. My issue is that EVERY OTHER TEAM PLAYS DOUBLE ELIMINATION BRACKET PLAY. Why did they decree that Timberworks had to win all FIVE games to get their ring? I fully believe that, by winning 4 of 5 games, they should be considered the 70M+ Champs and get their rings. SSUSA, I hope you take this into consideration. Timberworks, thanks for being a class team that came out and won their last four games from pride and love of the game, even though they knew they could not win the rings. They deserve better. |
| Sept. 23 hitnrun5 Men's 70 72 posts | I agree 100% with Webbie. It's not Timberworks fault none of the other 70+ teams came. If you strive to be the best, play the best. In my mind and in the minds of many, Timberworks is the 70 major plus champion for 2023 regardless if SSUSA wants to recognize it. Congratulations to a team of class players coached by a man that has kept it going, Doug Robbins Kenny Scorpions 70 major |
| Sept. 23 Enviro-Vac Men's 65 489 posts | Agreed. Good post |
| Sept. 23 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Dave Dowell just informed me that Timberworks IS the 70 M+ Champion. What ended is their run of Triple Crowns. Congratulations, Timberworks. |
| Sept. 23 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | EnviroVac-congratulations to you on your 70 M Championship. It eases the pain a little bit of our one run loss to you (Scorpions). It was great to see you guys again! |
| Sept. 23 Cowboys22 8 posts | Webbie, I always knew you were a CLASS ACT. As a Timberworks player I appreciate the kind words. We played hard even after our loss. I play with a great bunch of guys. See you in Hawaii!! Good job Enviro-Vac |
| Sept. 24 hackman 8 posts | Thank you Webbie, Kenny and Enviro-Vac. Nothing means more than recognition and support from your peers. You are all great softball players, and as a longtime Timberworks player your words are much appreciated! |
| Sept. 24 DRobb 16 posts | This is Doug Robbins the manager of Timberworks. I rarely get on the message page but I want to clear up a few things. First of all Dave was incorrect saying that Timberwork won the 70 Major+ division. We did not because we had to go undefeated in all games. Clearing up something that some people think is that Timberworks gets preferential because I'm a Director. Five years ago Timberworks was one of 5 teams in the country that was made Major++, 3 years ago at the World Championship SSUSA took away the 11th player from us and we had to play with 10 in the 65 Major+ division. We played all year using 11 players as a 70 team. To my knowledge that has never happened before. Two years ago we had to play 65 Major+ again at the Western National Championships and took 2nd, but it cost us the Triple Grand Slam because we had no East/West opponent. This year Timberworks had no East/West or World opponent. We had the option to either play 65 Major or play 70 Major Exhibition and win all games to win the Worlds and Triple Grand Slam. The guys just wanted to play against players our own age as we are 3 years into our 70's. I have a hard time seeing that we get preferential treatment. Hopefully next year some teams will step and play instead of folding. No sour grapes here just tired of guys saying we get preferential treatment. Congratulations to all the winners at this years Worlds. |
| Sept. 24 Webbie25 Men's 70 2414 posts | Doug, I was wondering if I had that wrong, but all the players were telling me they had to win all 5 to be M+ World champs. OK. Doug, thank you for the clarification. Now I am back to the original post as written. Every other team plays a double elimination. Why should they have to win all 5, giving the 5 run equalizer, to get the rings that should be theirs. It is not Timberworks fault that everyone else defaulted. Maybe it is time to change things if this is happening now in 2 divisions. Not coincidentally, both divisions are over 65. Last year I threw out the idea of eliminating the major plus division for either 65 or 70 years old and UP for play during the year. This would eliminate those tourneys that always ended up a best 2 of 3 between the same two teams all year long. Especially now with prices skyrocketing for travel, I, for one, want it to be worth it to go to Reno, Sacramento, Vegas, Aurora and other places. For the M+ division it is not. So, here is my proposal and I welcome all input. Major Plus at the 65 and over age brackets is eliminated for the 'regular season'. All M+ rated players are now free to play with major teams during the year. However, those that wish to compete a major plus will be given that chance in Vegas at worlds. M+ teams will submit a roster at the beginning of the year to SSUSA. Those players will be rated M+ when they play for Major teams and they will be restricted to 3 per team (or maybe make it 4). There will need to be pretty tight restrictions on this, as so many people try to game the system. This will make for an extremely competitive Major division at each age group. THEN, in Vegas, there will be a one or two day Major Plus tournament that will run just before or just after the age bracket of these teams in regular worlds play. No pool play, and just a double elimination tournament to determine a M+ champion. Now, this is just for over 65 years old where we are getting older and fewer and fewer players are up for that level of competition. In a way, it is a concession to age. I fully understand that the major plus teams will not be playing as a team for these events, but there are many other tournaments to play as a team. Players, this is a germ of an idea and needs some work. Maybe it won't work, but I don't think it really is working right now. But, on top of it all, I want to thank SSUSA for providing us this venue to play. If it wasn't for them, we would have far fewer options to play. |
