Georgia Travel Baseball - NWBA

213 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2012 : 08:45:50

Hoser you're right. If this was done week in and week out I could understand it as well.

On the particular tournament I was referring to and the only one I'm aware of since mid April or so, the kid came in and yes he's a very good 11U player with an awesome reputation but he was not lights out on the mound the day he pitched.

Maybe the other team had it in their mind they were facing a kid from Florida as opposed to one from Georgia. (?????)

Again I agree with you if this were done on a regular basis. The problem with the parents (because I assume the coaches know different) is they assume that "OMG, this team has kids form California or Florida on their team this weekend". Instead of assuming ask their coach and I'm only referring to the coaches from the same area as the other team because teams outside may not know in the first place as was the case with the east coast team this past weekend.

Once in a while if a kid wants the experience of playing for an organization or team from a certain area I have no problem with it as a dad, coach or other.

Finances aside I'm sure if I ask my son if he wanted to play for a top team out of Texas or California at their home field one weekend I'm sure he'd jump at the chance and it would be a great experience for him and something to talk to his friends about for sure.

quote:
Originally posted by hoser

Cali, I don't have a problem with teams who fly kids in or pick up kids to help out but I certainly am not impressed when those teams win. Why wouldn't they? Anyone can get a team full of fantastic baseball players and win baseball games! Then it makes me laugh when they think its crazy for parents to talk about it. When a team that plays together as a team and has the same kids day in and day out working hard together win tournaments then I am impressed. It doesn't take a coach to put together a team of elite athletes from all across the country! Just my opinion.

quote:
Originally posted by Calif_Baseball

The point I was trying to make is that it shouldn't matter if a team has players from Fla,TN,TX or NY for that matter. Obviously they are there to play baseball and to have a great experience. I have said it in prior posts that we travel to all parts of the country on occassion to play with friends that we have met through baseball. It is more about my son having a good time than winning for us. I just think some Adults get to wrapped up into who's playing for who and where they are from. They are just kids playing a kids game. Let's try not to lose sight of that.

Well for those of you that were looking forward to us coming to GA your will have to wait. We will not be coming to TBS as planned. The Nomads will be making the trip but my son and I will not. I was really looking forward to having a few cold refreshments and debating CA vs GA baseball with a few of you Knuckleheads...LOL

292 Posts

Posted - 06/07/2012 : 14:32:01

I agree with all of you. Some teams Stack up on Studs just to win, But most don't and I can respect that. I can only comment on our situations and why we sometimes travel and play. We "Were" on one of the top teams around and play top compitition every week, So there is no need for us to travel and play for other teams based on Compitition. My son has played on 3 other teams that were not ours. Since leaving the Nomads the phone has not stopped ringing and the only team we have committed to playing with is the one we went to Cooperstown with. The SD Stars, WHY? Because he loves all the boys on that team and they are all his friends. We leave next week to go to Omaha and the CWS. Which should be a great experience for us. After that I do not know if or where we will play again.

Might just take the whole summer off. Might go to the Elites, Might go to Triple Crown WS, Might go to CABA WS in GA...Just don't know. But I will tell you this, If we decide to play with a team it won't be because we are chasing a Championship. Nope just looking to have a great experience and have some fun.

A good example of this is the TC World Series. My son has been invited to play with a few of the Top teams from Ca and TX that are going. But we are probably going with a team from UTAH that we are friends with and have known since 8U. Are they a Top team NO, Will they win the tournament. Who knows its baseball. But if we go to Colorado it will be with them and not a top 10 Team that my son knows nobody or is just not a good fit for us.

I believe every team has their own way of doing things. To each his own.

Edited by - Calif_Baseball on 06/07/2012 15:13:09

spliter

121 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 09:08:21

One day your son will look back and it will honestly sink in how lucky he was to have a Dad like you...Happy Fathers Day to you and all the Fathers that scarifice for travel sports to see their kids have fun. To see the highs and low, push the limits to stick to code and honor. God Bless the USA.

quote:
Originally posted by Calif_Baseball

I agree with all of you. Some teams Stack up on Studs just to win, But most don't and I can respect that. I can only comment on our situations and why we sometimes travel and play. We "Were" on one of the top teams around and play top compitition every week, So there is no need for us to travel and play for other teams based on Compitition. My son has played on 3 other teams that were not ours. Since leaving the Nomads the phone has not stopped ringing and the only team we have committed to playing with is the one we went to Cooperstown with. The SD Stars, WHY? Because he loves all the boys on that team and they are all his friends. We leave next week to go to Omaha and the CWS. Which should be a great experience for us. After that I do not know if or where we will play again.

Might just take the whole summer off. Might go to the Elites, Might go to Triple Crown WS, Might go to CABA WS in GA...Just don't know. But I will tell you this, If we decide to play with a team it won't be because we are chasing a Championship. Nope just looking to have a great experience and have some fun.

A good example of this is the TC World Series. My son has been invited to play with a few of the Top teams from Ca and TX that are going. But we are probably going with a team from UTAH that we are friends with and have known since 8U. Are they a Top team NO, Will they win the tournament. Who knows its baseball. But if we go to Colorado it will be with them and not a top 10 Team that my son knows nobody or is just not a good fit for us.

I believe every team has their own way of doing things. To each his own.

ramman999

241 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 11:04:54

quote:
Originally posted by Calif_Baseball

I agree with all of you. Some teams Stack up on Studs just to win, But most don't and I can respect that. I can only comment on our situations and why we sometimes travel and play. We "Were" on one of the top teams around and play top compitition every week, So there is no need for us to travel and play for other teams based on Compitition. My son has played on 3 other teams that were not ours. Since leaving the Nomads the phone has not stopped ringing and the only team we have committed to playing with is the one we went to Cooperstown with. The SD Stars, WHY? Because he loves all the boys on that team and they are all his friends. We leave next week to go to Omaha and the CWS. Which should be a great experience for us. After that I do not know if or where we will play again.

Might just take the whole summer off. Might go to the Elites, Might go to Triple Crown WS, Might go to CABA WS in GA...Just don't know. But I will tell you this, If we decide to play with a team it won't be because we are chasing a Championship. Nope just looking to have a great experience and have some fun.

A good example of this is the TC World Series. My son has been invited to play with a few of the Top teams from Ca and TX that are going. But we are probably going with a team from UTAH that we are friends with and have known since 8U. Are they a Top team NO, Will they win the tournament. Who knows its baseball. But if we go to Colorado it will be with them and not a top 10 Team that my son knows nobody or is just not a good fit for us.

I believe every team has their own way of doing things. To each his own.

C_B - best thing I did for A-Ram was taking this season off, letting him try lacrosse, go swimming, just be a kid. After back to back years of Disney, Cooperstown, 60+ games a season, it was a welcome break for all of us..

Of course, he is itching to jump right back into it again come August, but that's besides the point

427 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 12:19:20

There are still top teams in GA that do not recruit at all and will NEVER call a kid/family. They schedule a tryout and pick the ballplayers that will be on the team for that season and don't play the drop/add game. They coach up the group they picked for that season and will not make changes until the next tryout.

292 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 12:58:27

Ramman we are leaning towards shutting down all summer and waiting until the fall. He doesn't want a break but I think it is best. We leave for Omaha next Thurs. with the SD Stars. I am hoping a few Pac-12 teams make it because I know multiple kids that play for all of them. UCLA, AZ and Oregon. Even though I am a USC alum, My neighbors are the Amaral Family, Rich his dad played 10 years in the Majors and Beau plays in CF for UCLA. Would love to see them make it and go to a couple of games. I heard the tournament in Omaha is a great expereince for the boys but the Compitition is not all that. Oh well it should be fun.

ramman999

241 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 16:47:27

We looked at Omaha for the summer when we were putting together the schedule for this spring, but it wasn't in the cards, plus the whole relocation thing sort of took me out of the picture anyway!I was pushing for there and steamboat, but I think they are leaning towards AAU in Disney..

Hate to hear about the Nomads, but I know G seemed to be having a blast with the Stars when I saw you guys in NY, so good move for you - enjoy the fun and good luck in Omaha!! We are getting ready to start "spring training" mode ourselves, getting ready for the fall, but A filled in a few weeks back with a team here and he did quite well, considering he didn't even pick up a glove since last Nov.

Edited by - ramman999 on 06/08/2012 16:57:30

baseballRus

126 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 17:06:41

quote:
Originally posted by baseballnutz

There are still top teams in GA that do not recruit at all and will NEVER call a kid/family. They schedule a tryout and pick the ballplayers that will be on the team for that season and don't play the drop/add game. They coach up the group they picked for that season and will not make changes until the next tryout.

In my mind, that's the way it should be!!! That's called committing to your decision and I commend coaches/teams that stick to their decisions. Too often we forget that just like a player commits to a team, a coach commits to a family.

292 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 17:48:37

Stars are great families and we love playing with them. It sort of worked out for us. I reached out to them about playing memorial day weekend and they happen to be short that weekend. Then they told us they would love for G to go with them to Omaha. After we get back the Stars are going to break up. Not in a bad way, Just decided to go their different ways. So we will be looking for good situation for him. We have lots of Options, Really thinking about putting him on the Big field next year at 12. played some 13's this year and he did well.

So did you get settled in yet? Must be a Culture shock for A-Ram and the Fam.LOL NY >NC >GA...WOW is Fla or Cuba next. The one thing I will say about Georgia is they are very Sports and Family oriented down there. Wish it was a lot like that here in Calif. Very Fake out here.

213 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 21:06:19

If you guys have injurys that could cause you to miss games do you just wait till the other players heal or in that case would you pick up players to fill those spots and compete.

A team has 11 then one of the familys move and you have one or two out with broken bones in their hands an elbow or quad injury etc. what should they do in your opinion?

quote:
Originally posted by baseballRus

quote:
Originally posted by baseballnutz

There are still top teams in GA that do not recruit at all and will NEVER call a kid/family. They schedule a tryout and pick the ballplayers that will be on the team for that season and don't play the drop/add game. They coach up the group they picked for that season and will not make changes until the next tryout.

In my mind, that's the way it should be!!! That's called committing to your decision and I commend coaches/teams that stick to their decisions. Too often we forget that just like a player commits to a team, a coach commits to a family.

baseballRus

126 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 21:38:04

quote:
Originally posted by aboutthekids

If you guys have injurys that could cause you to miss games do you just wait till the other players heal or in that case would you pick up players to fill those spots and compete.

A team has 11 then one of the familys move and you have one or two out with broken bones in their hands an elbow or quad injury etc. what should they do in your opinion?

quote:
Originally posted by baseballRus

[quote]Originally posted by baseballnutz

There are still top teams in GA that do not recruit at all and will NEVER call a kid/family. They schedule a tryout and pick the ballplayers that will be on the team for that season and don't play the drop/add game. They coach up the group they picked for that season and will not make changes until the next tryout.

In my mind, that's the way it should be!!! That's called committing to your decision and I commend coaches/teams that stick to their decisions. Too often we forget that just like a player commits to a team, a coach commits to a family.

Can't wait on any one kid to heal....its not fair to the others. If injuries occur or players leave the team, you obviously have to make adjustments. This is quite different than looking for the next big thing after not winning a tourney or losing to a rival.

427 Posts

Posted - 06/08/2012 : 21:48:38

Carry 12 on your roster and if you have an injury or if someone is out of town you go play with 11 or 10 for the weekend or until they come back.

Bigwhitevan

67 Posts

Posted - 06/09/2012 : 06:44:49

quote:
Originally posted by baseballnutz

Carry 12 on your roster and if you have an injury or if someone is out of town you go play with 11 or 10 for the weekend or until they come back.

REALLY??? This is the perfect storm. It is hardly that easy. Kids leave, go on vacation, have family obligations. Parents are always looking for the best for their kids. This is not a bad thing. When kids don't play it gives valuable experience to other kids who are free to help out. Sometimes you can have a kid that is way ahead of your kids, that can give an example of where they need to progress their game. I see this as a positive of travel ball. Besides when you carry 12 three kids sit every inning. Most parents at the younger ages don't want to see their kid sit any innings. This always seems to be a problem every year. Good for one or two jumps a season, not to mention strife between parents and coach.

ramman999

241 Posts

Posted - 06/09/2012 : 09:29:23

quote:
Originally posted by Calif_Baseball

So did you get settled in yet? Must be a Culture shock for A-Ram and the Fam.LOL NY >NC >GA...WOW is Fla or Cuba next. The one thing I will say about Georgia is they are very Sports and Family oriented down there. Wish it was a lot like that here in Calif. Very Fake out here.

LOL - funny you mention that - FLA was before NC!

Still unpacking but starting to get out there some - A is just doing some local clinics (Lacrosse, Basketball, Baseball) to keep busy and meet kids he will be going to school with in the fall, so we are keeping it real stress free right now - next time you make it this way let me know, we'll have to grab an adult beverage or 3.

427 Posts

Posted - 06/09/2012 : 09:40:53

Teams do it every year without a problem. Set clear expectations up front and stick to them, sitting the bench some times is not a bad thing. Plus you have more available kids to pitch on long weekends.

The big advantage if done right is parents and kids won't be looking for the next best thing.

292 Posts

Posted - 06/09/2012 : 11:45:58

quote:
Originally posted by ramman999

quote:
Originally posted by Calif_Baseball

So did you get settled in yet? Must be a Culture shock for A-Ram and the Fam.LOL NY >NC >GA...WOW is Fla or Cuba next. The one thing I will say about Georgia is they are very Sports and Family oriented down there. Wish it was a lot like that here in Calif. Very Fake out here.

LOL - funny you mention that - FLA was before NC!

Still unpacking but starting to get out there some - A is just doing some local clinics (Lacrosse, Basketball, Baseball) to keep busy and meet kids he will be going to school with in the fall, so we are keeping it real stress free right now - next time you make it this way let me know, we'll have to grab an adult beverage or 3.

Defenitly will do. Hoping to make it out this summer sometime (CABA) but we shall see. Glad to hear A-Ram is adjusting well. Have you talked to our Bandit friend JC? Really wanted to hang out with everybody in GA. But obviously it was not meant to be.

Looking forward to Omaha. Might even stay a few extra days if Arkansas makes it. My buddy helps recruit in Ca for Arkansas. One of Arks best players is from Cali and I know the family well. Thats when you realize baseball is a very small fraternity.

Edited by - Calif_Baseball on 06/09/2012 13:20:08

213 Posts

Posted - 06/14/2012 : 23:45:15

BWV, you're dead on here brother.

What is you have two kids leave (one due to a family move, one due to wanting to play with their close friends again, two broken thumbs, one able to play but in pain when hitting but toughing it out in the field, another one with a ucl injury that prevent him from throwing? Are you or any team or head coach prepared for that?

I don't think so. When you're dealing with the kids that throw harder due to hitting puberty earlier or a huge growth spurt etc. or just play the game as it's meant to be played all the time, you're bound to have injuries that will sideline more than one kid.

So you carried 12 and now you're down four what do you do? Okay, guys we're going to back out of the next four tournaments in a row to let everyone heal up. This may be okay for those teams that play 30 - 45 games a year and they've sold their kids and parents on this type of schedule but for the top elite major teams this isn't going to sit well at all. They dig in the trenches to play ball at the start of the spring and summer seaosn and they want to do just that.

These guys although loving other sports don't want to start football practice and play baseball "whenever". They want to finish their baseball season.

So you can't automatically say "start with 12 and finish with the same 12" or in this particular example you surely can't do so.

quote:
Originally posted by Bigwhitevan

quote:
Originally posted by baseballnutz

Carry 12 on your roster and if you have an injury or if someone is out of town you go play with 11 or 10 for the weekend or until they come back.

REALLY??? This is the perfect storm. It is hardly that easy. Kids leave, go on vacation, have family obligations. Parents are always looking for the best for their kids. This is not a bad thing. When kids don't play it gives valuable experience to other kids who are free to help out. Sometimes you can have a kid that is way ahead of your kids, that can give an example of where they need to progress their game. I see this as a positive of travel ball. Besides when you carry 12 three kids sit every inning. Most parents at the younger ages don't want to see their kid sit any innings. This always seems to be a problem every year. Good for one or two jumps a season, not to mention strife between parents and coach.

427 Posts

Posted - 06/15/2012 : 11:00:49

We've played 65+ games the last 3 yrs with 12, the same 12 we started each season with and it has not been a problem up to this point. As they get older they will need to expand the roster has injuries become more of an issue as the mature.