| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| El Prez |
Posted - 03/21/2013 : 16:49:41
From the office of the Commissioner and President of 10U Baseball,
I thought it would be an opportune time to speak from the high office with some thoughts, wisdom and prognostications the the second installment of the State of the Unison of 10U travel ball. So join me from the ivory tower, and let’s talk some 10U baseball.
Let me say that spring is almost here. The winter rye is fading from the outfields, the dogwood buds are emerging, and it will not be long before we are throwing full speed and wishing for a cool breeze. Enjoy the chill, because we will soon be cursing the heat, mosquitoes, and pollen.
Let me also say a word about Coach Willis. Losing a good man is a hard thing to understand, especially when so young, with family and so unexpectedly. We pray for his family, that they would be comforted, and that their grief would quickly turn to fond memories and the pride and honor of being children and wife of Coach Willis. He will be missed.
We have learned some things about the authority of the Commissioner and President of 10U Baseball since the SOTU 1. There is one, and only one who is more powerful than the Commissioner, and he is the NWGA censor. I will try to keep this within the boundries. He is on the official watchlist.
Ok, now lets see what has transpired since the first State of the Union.
First, let me address the naysayers, haters and those who might question this office’s authority. I expressly gave specific instructions as to where to lodge complaints. Send them to the regional office, and do not try to assimilate with the all-knowing. I must remind you that the Commissioner speaks the truth. There are several on my official watch list and will move to double secret probation if I receive any more outbursts that question the authority of this office. Consider yourself warned.
To Swing, Adam, 3up, Strait, Off and Dew, I appreciate the support and you can stop by the office and pick up your official “THE COMMISH RULES” t-shirts at your convenience. Your comments are appreciated and welcomed.
Now several topics have cropped up since we last met so I will quickly address those. First, batting 9/10 or batting the entire lineup. The official recommendation from the Commissioner’s office is simply this. Bat those players who will give you the best chance of winning, BUT you must also keep the kids in mind. This is 10 year-old baseball. These are kids, with self-esteem, confidence and hope. Don’t forget that, but this is also elite baseball. If they are not prepared, practiced and developed enough to play elite ball, it might serve them well to have to earn a spot on the starting roster. Yes, we endorse competition here at the Headquarters but we also encourage all coaches to consider both sides. If you think that answer seems partly political, I would say you are correct, and astute.
On to the results.
Week two saw some interesting games: Several of the top teams did not play that weekend instead preparing through practice and scrimmage. Others of us headed to Cumming for a huge 37-team, 4 bracket extravaganza with Triple Crown. The weather was much better in Forsyth County and we saw some great games. Let me congratulate Georgia Select by coming from the 5 seed to win it all. Nice job. Not too many surprises but interesting to see the ECB Titans leave early. Also congratulations to Parkview, Sawnee and Hobgood for bringing home the hardware.
Our North Cobb Buddies traveled to the Volunteer State to play some ball and glad to announce that the Georgia team brought home the goods. Nice job to Rick and the Warriors from Acworth.
There was some action in the Metro where 643 hosted a tournament. That saw the high-flying ECB Black Knights winning over 643 by a wide margin. They look like a team to be reckoned with as they head to the NIT. By the way, 643 put the Astros on notice by beating them in the semi’s. I think these three teams will see some battles in Marietta before the summer is over. Congratulations to the ECBBK team and Job well done to Tom.
Now, the S U P E R NIT! Week three - two berths to Disney at stake. This is one of the big ones. 24 teams, and several states were represented. This looks to be a great indicator of who is ready to play early in the season.
Pool A - The Halos, Astros, and Strike Force battled for the top three spots. SFG took Seed 1
Pool B – Alabama Elite, DKSA and the Yotes make it to the bracket. DKNY tops the seeding.
Pool C – Angels, Chilli’s and Kudzu played on Sunday. Chillies no 1.
Pool D - CBC, Dulins and the Aces made it to the finish as well. The Back Knights found that a little known USSSA tie-breaker rule known as the “>2 tied in pool=eliminate head-to-head record to determine seed rule” kept them in Monroe for an extra night, but without a game to play on Sunday. They missed it by .67 of a run and beat both higher seeded teams. I feel your pain all the way up here in the ivory tower.
Now, the results. SFG, DKNY, HPCDK and DD10 found themselves with top seeds. The others went home to watch NASCAR and Brady Bunch reruns.
The Astros exited early as did the Aces Angels and Kudzu. Halo found themselves in the ship with DD10 from the Moonshine state and it was a tough battle. The Volunteers took it back north as the Georgia teams again let another state take our NIT. This has to be stopped.
What do we have to do to keep these foreigners from taking our trophies? Reject VISAs, create a 10U Baseball Border Patrol, send them Ex-Lax brownies, or simply work a little harder to stem the tide of this foreign invasion? I don’t know the answer but we are looking for answers here in the regional office. This must stop at once!
Congrats to Curtis and his band of Halos for representing Georgia in the tourney and hope they have a great time with Mickey and his ESPN comrades in Orlando. Now lets get some more teams to qualify and we might take the official Office of the Commissioner’s Airstream RV to Disney with free tacos and bottled water included.
Speaking of the Halos, they have securely driven their stake in the ground and represent the top of the class in Georgia 10U baseball. Let go to the rankings shall we?
Number 1 – uno – 1st Place goes unequivocally to the Halos. Job well done and how ‘bout let’s finish the job next time! Until someone can complete with the Black and White H’s, we might be seeing them at the Commissioner’s mansion at the end of the year for the “Best 10U 2013” ceremony. By the way we have Lady GaGa, Earl Thomas Conley and Weird Al scheduled to perform. It should be a celebratory extravaganza for the ages!
To tell the truth, and we always do up here in the ivory tower, it seems at this point there is number and everyone else. No one has come to the forefront to challenge the Halo bunch so I will simply list those who might make a run:
HP Kearns – Has potential and pitching to shut down anyone.
DKSA – They play some decent ball in south Georgia
Angels – Might contend late, you know they are coached up
Astros – Where y'all been? Hello..anybody home? Still waiting for you boys to show up
ECBBK – Don’t know if the camo boys can pull off a big tourney win, but there is some potential.
643 – These guys can play with anyone. If you are playing them, put your mouthpiece in because they can hit.
Well, I have a lot to do here at headquarters. Tell the boys to play hard and have fun. Once this cold spell passes, look for me on the veranda of the regional office. Don’t forget to come by and get your t-shirts.
As I close this second installment of this SOTU on 10U travel ball, I want remind those who have differing opinions to send them to the regional office. I will have the front office go through them and I will address as needed.
Thank you for your participation in 10U ball and see you at the park,
P-rods and cheese,
El Prez
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