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[ Midwest Fastpitch - keeptheboardcorrect@gmail.com ]

Easton Rawlings

Posted by Antagonistic Adjudicator on July 11, 2026, 9:54 pm

Got to catch a few games today. Gerry and Bill do a great job with this event, and there was top notch teams and the usual strong number of P4 eyeballs.

Two thoughts coming home...

1. It's really a shame this event left Glen Ellyn. I get that it's more efficient for college coaches to all be in Orland, but the Humphries fields are just *not good*. Glen Ellyn was perfect size/scale, and that was even before they redid them. I wonder if the new New Lenox complex would be convenient enough, while putting this level of play on the fields it deserves.

2. My heart breaks for all the '27s out there. They are getting screwed by this new NCAA 5-Year Rule... and the rule isn't even going to survive! Already one court in OH has already issued an injunction, and plenty more are being filed. While the NCAA and these schools fight being employers, kids are getting screwed. They. Don't. Have. Time. Time to burn down the NCAA.

Hang in there moms and dads, and enjoy the games and moments. Try not to let this immense pressure allow you to miss what's best about these experiences.

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by Agreed on July 15, 2026, 9:47 am, in reply to "Easton Rawlings"

With that field of talented teams coming from all over the country, it should be held at the best fields Chicagoland has to offer. That absolutely is not in Orland Park.

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by @NCAA 5-Year Rule on July 13, 2026, 9:14 am, in reply to "Easton Rawlings"

they'll be okay, COVID did a lot worse damage then this ruling.

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by Black eye on July 12, 2026, 6:18 pm, in reply to "Easton Rawlings"

Those fields in Orland Park are awful. When was the last time you saw the entire infield all wearing mask for protection at the 16u and 18u level? I multiple teams where both middle infielders were wearing masks which is very unusual at that age level. At least the girls were smart enough to realize how dangerous those fields are to play on. I don't think I have enough fingers and toes to count on to add up the amount of horrible hops I saw all weekend.

The dangerous fields must be why the girls were hitting softballs that sounded like socks all weekend. As has been stated before those Conroy/Betcher balls need to be thrown in the garbage.

Outside of those two complaints the tournament was ran well.

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by All About the Benjamins Baby on July 14, 2026, 4:55 pm, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

It’s amazing what you’ll see when these tournaments are ran for profit vs the benefit of the players.

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by One more time on July 13, 2026, 10:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

I just hope all the college recruiters that were there realized that the balls were not quality balls and judge the players accordingly. I know some girls were able to succeed in spite of balls but a lot of other girls were dumbfounded by sound and weird filling when making contact. Local teams are familiar with this problem but out of state teams have no clue whats going on.

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by Sock balls on July 13, 2026, 7:34 pm, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

I've never given a lot of weight to the complaints about Betcher balls on this board.

I've been converted.

What I will say is that I was at one game where every hit sounded like things should.

I was at three others that sounded ABSOLUTELY like socks!! LOL

Is there a different tourney fee for non-water logged balls?

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by Dr Ballz on July 13, 2026, 5:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

Funny you mention the balls. I was sitting by a team hitting into the bownet and you could clearly hear the difference between the balls they were using and game balls. Also noticed when our team played a bandits team the balls sounded nice and crisp and not like socks. When I grabbed a foul ball I noticed it was a Rawlings but seemed like it’s been used in a batting cage for a couple years! lol Who knows if it’s done on purpose or not. I will say I’ve noticed has been using better balls as of recent. It’s all a conspiracy!!

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by Excuses McGee on July 13, 2026, 4:45 pm, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

Eat a bowl of Wheaties, lots of 14u home runs with those balls

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by Yep on July 13, 2026, 3:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

Well run tournament but I agree with you on this. Girls always get the shaft. Orland fields are horrible.
Most of the games were played in Bradly and wow nice turn out by college coaches. Didn’t really see any out in Orland on Saturday.

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by @yep on July 15, 2026, 4:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

Just a note. Having been at several showcases, mot coaches are getting out of town by the end of the week or when bracket play starts

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by Calling Mr Betcher on July 16, 2026, 6:45 am, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

That is why we should do away with these pointless tourneys at the end of these 5 game showcases. At least get rid of the 2nd and 3rd loser brackets. The showcase is great, tons of coaches, but everyone is done being there after that point, including those college coaches. Next thing you know, you're heading to Channahon for ONE late afternoon/early evening game on Saturday in a 4th and 5th place bracket because you were batting everyone and doing the right thing during the showcase/pool play. Let people enjoy the rest of their weekend. Trust me Dave, we're good!

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by Massi on July 16, 2026, 9:31 am, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

Lot of good teams and a lot of college coaches. The balls sounded like squishy balls and the umpires were awful. I watched a couple games and the umpires were calling strikes two feet out and at the nose making hitters look bad! Good umps are hard to find these days.

Re: Easton Rawlings

Posted by YES! on July 16, 2026, 8:02 am, in reply to "Re: Easton Rawlings"

This is exactly right, and should be employed by more tournaments, especially those that are showcases. Sundays are always DEAD for coaches and it's a waste of time. Would be nice if showcases were separated from trophy tourneys.

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