A Note from Bill Hillhouse:
As everyone knows, the 2015 season will be unique due to international events like the Pan Am Games and ISF. Many of our international players who will be coming to the ISF tournament will have 2 basic options after that tournament… Go home or stay in North America. For some teams, 2015 will consist of a 3 weekend schedule: ASA, hopefully Erie!!!!!!, then ISC. All 3 tournaments played in USA.
Anyone wanting to base their foreign players in Erie, I have worked out an arrangement with the Erie tournament host Avalon hotel for a $500 per week rate. 7 nights, $500.
I am working on getting that to include breakfast too. But, with Ashland (ASA) 2.5 hours away, Erie tournament 2.5 MINUTES away, and South Bend 6 hours away by car, Erie might be an ideal place to base your foreign players after the ISF tournament. Most players enjoy the Avalon due to it’s proximity to the night life here in town. I realize the Avalon isn’t the fanciest place but it’s close to everything: downtown, beaches, and other cities to see check out on town time.
Teams/Sponsors/coaches interested in this can contact me and I’ll help arrange it. Many of these guys who may want to do this will be welcome to the amenities of my home: laundry, swim pool, etc. We can also offer a game per week for the guys to keep getting their swings in and work out, possibly even a tournament or 2 with the Erie Bud team.
This option of using Avalon might be easier than finding an apartment for a month (or less) and does provide a relatively neutral location for travel to other things.
FYI… The Erie tournament being held between ISC and ASA will feature a prize money of $3,000 (possibly $4,000) to help attract the teams who want the top competition before ISC.
Bill Hillhouse
www.houseofpitching.com