| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
bosox04
16 Posts |
 Posted - 08/25/2010 : 12:38:32
|
I've been watching the Little league world series and thought I'd put this post out there. I would love to hear from coaches or anyone, thoughts on the difference between the travel ball we are familiar with and the LLWS. Obviously the big differences are the pitching distance and no leadoffs. How does this change the game? How would an ECB team stack up out there?
I'm also confused about what makes a little league team, are these teams travel ball teams in the spring?
Thanks
|
|
|
BFOXYPAPA
4 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2010 : 15:23:42
|
In order to qualify for the LLWS, players must first play in an official Little League sanctioned recreational league, and be selected as an all star in that league. The allstars from that league must then win thru their respective district, state, and regional tournaments to qualify for the LLWS in Williamsport. A travel ball team could split up into a sanctioned Little League by placing two or three players per league team, then select them as allstars at the end of the season, to make it possible for them to have an opportunity to go the the LLWS. The top travel ball teams from the major elite level would most likely destroy the competition at the LLWS. Team Georgia (aka Northern Allstars from Columbus, Ga.) are a prime example of this scenario...but they still have to play the best teams from the U.S., China, and Japan that do the same thing, in order to get to, and have an equal chance at winning the Little League World Series................
I say...all's fair with regard to staying competitive within the rules. Go Team Georgia!!! |
 |
|
|
alphadawg90
2 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2010 : 19:27:50
|
| It appears most of these kids played LL and travel. The Columbus team has at least 7 that I found (and probably more) who played 12u ball this year in Georgia. From looking at USSSA Columbus teams - 4 from the Chain Yankees (majors team), a couple of AAA, an AA and another from an "A" level travel team. I think most ECB are much deeper, plus kids come from a larger geographic area and are stronger 1-11. However, their top 2 pitchers look like could get most travel ball players out consistently at 50'. |
|
|
|
RBishop7
104 Posts |
Posted - 08/25/2010 : 22:39:58
|
Columbus also has another Little League team (American) that had a few players that would help out Northern A LOT! Columbus has about 8 or 9 Little Leagues in the area and each league has their own district lines. Northern is just one of these leagues. Seeing both sides of the story (ECB and Little League), I think it would be crazy to think teams like Northern couldn’t compete with the ECB teams... I played at Northern and am from Columbus... I believe teams like them and others in the World Series are definitely at the top of the shelf. I just think it’s impressive that the kids are from a certain district and not handpicked from as far as 60 miles away. That being said, the teams you see in the regionals and the LLWS are the cream of the crop. You don’t see many All-Star teams that are that polished. Ultimately, I believe that travel ball is definitely more competitive as a whole, but when you talk about the elite teams (ECB Astros/Titans and LLWS Teams like Northern) it would be just ignorant to think the LLWS team’s couldn’t handle their own against the upper level travel teams. Good luck to my Northern boys and good luck to all 12U ECB teams this year... should be a good one!
http://www.csabaseball.com/ |
Edited by - RBishop7 on 08/26/2010 08:21:06 |
|
|
|
bosox04
16 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2010 : 11:05:30
|
| I noticed last night that some of the kids are using -11 bats. I guess for the speed and the distance, they need it. |
|
|
|
Shut Out
512 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2010 : 12:37:43
|
quote:
Originally posted by bosox04
I noticed last night that some of the kids are using -11 bats. I guess for the speed and the distance, they need it.
how on earth could you tell what size the bats were. I wish my HD was that clear. |
|
|
|
bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2010 : 14:19:56
|
I noticed the exact same thing. They zoomed in on a kid about to step into the batters box and he had a copper colored bat and the -11 was in dark blue letters, very clear to see. I thought eh same thing, they cant get a heavy bat around from 46' when its coming 74 mph. The kid with the -11 wasn't a tiny kid either.
quote:
Originally posted by bosox04
I noticed last night that some of the kids are using -11 bats. I guess for the speed and the distance, they need it.
|
|
|
|
baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2010 : 07:24:38
|
| Papa has got to get his eye's checked. I could barely see the bat. |
|
|
|
Alter-Ego
802 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2010 : 11:14:45
|
| They can't use big barrel bats so they might as well swing the lightest 7-1/4" bat they can get. Also, the bat manurfacturers provide the bats to the boys so I am sure they want them using the most popular weight for that group of kids. We all have to remember that the majority of the kids playing in LL are not the size we are used to seeing in all the tournaments we play in. |
|
|
|
dblinkh1
39 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2010 : 18:43:24
|
| The other night the announcers were discussing how the teams are formed. They specifically mentioned that one team (from the north region?) chose their All Stars at the end of the season contrary to how all the other teams chose their All Stars. They said the rules allow for teams to be chosen at the beginning of the season and that players must play a min. 60% of the rec games but can play as a "travel" team the rest of the time. They went on to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of picking at the beginning vs. the end of the season. They discussed also that the elite teams that make repeat appearances to LLWS are grooming kids starting at 10yrs old to be the 12 yr old team. The point they were making was it was impressive that this team (north?) had managed to get this far in the tournament when they just picked a true all star team instead of playing year round travel ball to prepare. |
|
|
|
Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2010 : 22:58:33
|
| I still think the big 12 Major teams would beat the heck out of these LL teams.....I think that if there was no TV time this sanctioning body would be a thing of the past. I talked to a couple dads who were interested only so their sons could be on TV......I really really wish that ESPN would get a clue and televise the Elite 32 for several age groups. Much better tourney and it would actually resemble real baseball. |
|
|
|
Whitlow
211 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2010 : 21:31:19
|
quote:
Originally posted by Spartan4
I still think the big 12 Major teams would beat the heck out of these LL teams.....I think that if there was no TV time this sanctioning body would be a thing of the past. I talked to a couple dads who were interested only so their sons could be on TV......I really really wish that ESPN would get a clue and televise the Elite 32 for several age groups. Much better tourney and it would actually resemble real baseball.
Not to take anything away from these great little league teams, but I find it hard to watch now that my son has played 11U/12U travel ball because the 46 foot pitching mound and 60 foot base paths just seem ridiculous when we have been playing on 50/70. I would think it is also a little unsafe at this age. I think it would be more exciting with lead-off runners. I also believe caliber of play the Elite 32 would be stronger and your right it should be televised and USSSA might be able to make a lot of money off it.
|
|
|
|
10 BB
264 Posts |
Posted - 08/28/2010 : 23:08:57
|
I think the spirit of LL has been lost through the years to what has become the age of "travel ball". The concept of Little League because of it's sactionings calls for a team to be grown through it's community. Don't get me wrong as I have been guilty of allowing my son to be considered a borrowed player from time to time.
I believe LL is much harder than we will allow it to be in our own minds. We think that 12yr old (13 in some cases) kids shouldn't be pitching from 46ft but the fact of the matter is that the hitter only has about 0.21 to 0.25 of a second from a 71mph fastball to swing. The challenge is there!
No leadoffs, ok lets look at this. The bases are 60ft and I've watched all week and haven't seen anyone thrown out stealing second base.
The everybody plays rule, what in the heck is wrong with that. If a team only has a 10 or 11 man roster there is no problem. Actually most travel teams carry more players than that and make sure everybody plays.
Pitch counts, this shouldn't even be a problem because these kids arms (our children)are whats in the best interest. This rule actually make a team have depth. I know most will argue that most of these teams only had one stud pitcher but the concept is there.
The life of LL is based on smalltown values. To build a team through your community, to continue to win through the respected districts, state and region. Little League is an organization that doesn't care about race or financial status. It is built on the idea that anybody in a community can sign up, work hard and make the All-star team. It's World Series is what dreams are made of. If given the chance all kids would choose to compete in it no matter how much we laugh at it now. It's brought together with teams from all around the world with kids that have that same dream. It's changed lives and communities and I commend what they are doing and have done since 1939. What other youth organization has been around that long?
|
Edited by - 10 BB on 08/29/2010 08:23:49 |
|
|
|
Mets69
70 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2010 : 10:43:15
|
| And to add to what the previous poster just said, we just moved from an area where it's all about playing for your community. My son attended his high school team's baseball banquet, where it was noted by the head coach just how long the kids on the team have known each other and how much time they have spent in each other's company. From their days playing together on the 8YO all-star team to the time they hang up their jersey's after their last varsity high school game, the friendships that the boys have established will last a lifetime. |
|
|
|
loveforthegame25
448 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2010 : 12:58:33
|
| Tune into the MLB Network tonight at 8 for the Travel Ball National Championships. The overall difference in athletic ability is night and day vs LL. The kid from Tomateros was throwing 78 and the kid from Ocala was throwing 77. The catchers are lights out too. No comparison with travel and LL |
|
|
|
highcheese
71 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2010 : 15:44:22
|
| LL is still very much alive and has not lost its way. It provides an avenue for young people to play an awesome game in which the community rallies around. So it is not travel ball as we in a 4 million plus concrete jungle know it and profess to know it on this board. In a little town of 3000 people it sure is a big deal. The kids are learning a game and life lessons and creating freindships for life. Do not tear at the fabric of the game or the intentions of the people involved with LL. A bunch of good athletes have come from other places than concrete jungles. Keep little league as it is and try telling the 3'9", 42lb slugger the fences are too close. There is a place for 5'10" puberty ridden 12/13 old phenoms. But watch out for that little guy as he ages and gets bigger, he will be gunning for the titans of this hour when it is his hour to shine. Jumping off my soap box and up to my neck in travel ball. Have a blast and take a kid to a ball game. |
|
|
|
RBishop7
104 Posts |
Posted - 08/29/2010 : 22:33:09
|
| Very well said BB10! I just wish people would give top LL teams credit. I still believe the kids at the LLWS could compete with ANY travel team in their age group. Im aware of the talent in travel ball trust me, It just bothers me that some people don't give the elite LL teams the credit they have earned and deserve. Good job to Northern in this years LLWS! You helped further establish GA on the map for youth baseball! |
Edited by - RBishop7 on 08/29/2010 22:52:19 |
|
|
|
Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2010 : 11:22:04
|
| They are very talented for sure, but to think they could compete with the Banditos or Tomateros is absolutely crazy....Watch the NYBC to see the best 12 year old baseball, with HS rules as well..... |
|
|
|
643dad
38 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2010 : 12:20:01
|
| Saw it last night on MLB Network....OMG did you see the line shot over the 285 sign hit by the Lamorinda pitcher. Hit the scaffolding used to locate the center field camera. Well over 300 ft shot. The Lamorinda team was 0-10 vs Tomateros leading up to that game.Tomateros had 10 runned them the day before. Congrats to Lamorinda for outlasting them 2-1. Both pitchers hit 79 on radar...imagine that from 46ft....82 to 85 for sure. LLWS is AA compared to this level of play.The proof is in the pudding!! |
|
|
|
FIRE
20 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2010 : 12:38:01
|
| some of the banditos & tomateros probably did play little league just like the beyel brothers did. problem is they were all split up on different teams because of LL boundaries. all these little league kids you just watched on tv play travel ball. LL kids are grouped geographically, travel ball players arent, but we are talking about the same kids here just grouped differently. |
|
|
|
bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2010 : 15:52:52
|
I LOVED watching the LLWS! I couldn't care less who's better, LLWS or real Travel Baseball, nor could I care less about the crazy rules.
Boys from around the World competing on the big stage playing what comes close to baseball is just fine with me.
|
|
|
|
bosox04
16 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2010 : 12:53:21
|
| I watched all the videos online. I gotta say, it's a whole different level. |
|
|
|
10 BB
264 Posts |
Posted - 08/31/2010 : 13:59:10
|
I'll never understand why we have to beat any YOUTH organization down. Does it make us feel better or instill in our own minds that we have made the right decesion in playing travel ball by discrediting another organization. It is what it is, better or worse it's still a YOUTH organization. Little League laid the foundation to what we know as youth baseball. From that travelball has evolved for those of us seeking a more stringent schedule with a better MLB like game. Year after year LL is changing and some day it may be the game that all us travelballers think it should be. I appreciate what they have done for youth sports and with over 2.6 million players worldwide it can't be to wrong.
One more thing, who doesn't watch the LLWS? When I talk to people who doesn't live the travelball lifestyle or even know anything about youth baseball the first question they want to know is if I think my sons team will ever make it to the LLWS. I try to explain we don't play that that what we play is alot tougher or more like pro ball and to be honest they could care less. To them the LLWS is the pinnacle for youth baseball. I know most of you will ask are you playing for the experience or the competition and most of you know where I stand but I'm surely not going to beat down or step on LL to get my son there! |
Edited by - 10 BB on 08/31/2010 18:07:05 |
|
|
|
bosox04
16 Posts |
Posted - 09/01/2010 : 10:31:49
|
This has been a good post but I think it's time to move on. I don't think anyone had any intention of beating an organization down. Sorry it came across that way.
It was interesting to hear the different sides. Thanks. |
|
|
|
Coach Cole
102 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2010 : 11:11:43
|
| Great discussion on both sides of the fence. Some of the discussion brings back memories of the kid in my school that was the 7th grade stud player in baseball, football and basketball but by 10th grade, he was totally out of sports as he was no longer the biggest, fastest and strongest. At the end of the day, there seems only one surefire way to settle all this, keep playing on your travel team but sign up for the 25 Spring game schedule at East Marietta Little League, see if you son makes the all stars and then see how far they can go. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
