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jakespop
19 Posts |
 Posted - 07/30/2012 : 07:38:03
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After 3 weeks of tryouts, I've come to understand whey they call it the Silly Season.
We Parents shuttle our kids from tryout to tryout to tryout (up to 3 in a day) hoping there's a team out there with at least 1 spot with needs that your kid fits.
And while there are plenty of teams out there stating, they are looking for Athletic kids, with the right attitude, the reality is most teams are looking for the elusive "Unicorn", a tall Left Handed, Hard Throwing Pitcher, who is also a #4 Power Hitter with blazing speed. Well, not all coaches but time after time I saw physical attributes trump skill and hustle and other intangibles that make these kids great.
Coaches are in recruiting mode and will tell you what you want to hear. "Yes we will be a AAA Team" -- not everyone will be and that's ok.
I saw Coaches that were extremely organized, ran efficient workouts, evaluated fairly and communicated to all.
I saw others where there was no organization and had kids standing around in 100 degree heat for hours just so they can see kids pitch.
I saw first year travel teams select mostly Dizzy Dean rec-all stars because that is all they know and overlook real talent.
I saw parents oversell their kids skill set. Buddy up to the wife or family or plead with despair and over sell their kid to play "travel ball". I even heard a parent say he would pay for uniforms.
I even saw a 12 year that should be shaving and pretty sure he drove himself to the tryout. Yes, he was that big.
So Parents: Take a step back and talk to your son. See what he wants to do. They are under a lot of pressure to perform and simply want to hear "You did Great" They all have talent.
Hopefully you find a team that fits or a Coach who is looking to develop these young men and prepare them for the future.
Remember, these are 12 yr old boys, many who have not hit puberty yet so keep focusing on the fundamentals. They will grow and by the time they are 14, the playing field will be level once again.
We met some nice families along the way and I wish everyone the best of luck.
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gafan
66 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 10:51:40
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| If this were facebook I would "like" your post. Well said. |
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4bagger
131 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 11:04:08
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So is your kid a tall left handed, hard throwing pitcher with #4 spot power and blazing speed??
I have an opening................... :) |
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BravesFan
533 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 12:47:31
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what you have is coaches being selective with offers, don't want to take on some kids while many others are out there looking around. You also have many of the stronger players out there with multi-offers waiting to decide which team fits their needs so the dominos haven't fallen quit yet. Once the dominos start falling, you will see the teams move on to the next group of players.
Parents, just need to stay patient as offers will come once the few studs decide where they want to go. |
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4bagger
131 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 17:08:21
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You're right.
The dominoes will fall fast after the ECB tryouts and all those hoping for a spot on a strong ECB team find out those teams are already full. |
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Canton Chargers
885 Posts |
Posted - 07/30/2012 : 17:23:41
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Jakespop, good stuff and very true in all respects. Yea, after ECB picks their teams, there will be plenty more talent to go around and some parents and kids with hurt feelings, but may find that the team they end up with, will be a better fit for their sons and the parents wallets:)
Like stated above, be patient, see this as a good process for your kids and enjoy it regardless!!!
Chargers... |
Edited by - Canton Chargers on 07/30/2012 19:25:20 |
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ecbpappi
244 Posts |
Posted - 07/31/2012 : 10:45:07
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| I think things will fall into place once the astros make their final roster choices, looks like they are down to the last few so the dominos will start falling after that. |
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aboutthekids
213 Posts |
Posted - 08/01/2012 : 12:04:51
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Agreed and in less than a week you will see kids and parents who were / are lost in all the shuffle, angry at their last years coach for whatever reason or those just trying to find the best suited team, come out of all of this having found the best fit for their child and move on through the fall with other sports or fall ball, then right into a great season of baseball.
quote:
Originally posted by ecbpappi
I think things will fall into place once the astros make their final roster choices, looks like they are down to the last few so the dominos will start falling after that.
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Game Time
7 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 09:41:31
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It is silly season indeed! All I can say is we go to tryouts and behave with class, dignity and honesty. Coaches be honest with families.... it's what you would want if the roles were reveresed. You either want our kid or you don't. Some orginizations behave in such a manner and then some don't.
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12uECBDodgers2013
17 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 09:59:14
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| If you can play mid field, catcher or outfield at the Major level please come introduce yourself to any of the ECB Dodgers staff this weekend at ECB tryouts. |
Edited by - 12uECBDodgers2013 on 08/02/2012 10:03:47 |
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BangTheBox
121 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 13:58:24
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quote:
Originally posted by 12uECBDodgers2013
If you can play mid field, catcher or outfield at the Major level please come introduce yourself to any of the ECB Dodgers staff this weekend at ECB tryouts.
It is a fun time to see coaches good and bad, honest and dishonest. And parents the same. But one common element exists we will all miss it one day. Enjoy this time and embrace it as lessons learned.
We know we're better than this, but we can't prove it. ~Tony Gwynn |
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neverquit
128 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 14:26:58
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| Seen it happen many times before. This is that last great baseball yr. as a child. Get on a team at your level and go have fun. The field size next year will weed them out. It is ashame that some teams will not be back due to politics or money. I hope we didnt lose an ECB 12u team. It appears that there will be half as many as last year in 12u. |
Edited by - neverquit on 08/02/2012 15:01:39 |
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stingfree
49 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 20:22:50
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| Isn't baseball all about how my kid will develop and reach true potential by the time he is attending high school? Too many kids because of their physciality are ahead of the others with lack of coaching they get surpassed by the time they are 16yr. Just like the MLB more 15-25 rounders make it to the big leagues than 1-14 rounders. Thats because those 15-25 rounded players are hungry to learn and understand what the "GRIND" means. Find a coach and/or program that develops plus allows your kid to grow, learn and have fun. |
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neverquit
128 Posts |
Posted - 08/02/2012 : 21:35:05
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For years 12u has had 11 - 14 teams. It appears 2013 will have half as of now. I have heard that Mudcats are done. I hope this is not true and some more teams will come to 12u.
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Originally posted by dirtdiamond
Why do you say that ECB 12 will only have 1/2 as many teams?
quote:
Originally posted by neverquit
Seen it happen many times before. This is that last great baseball yr. as a child. Get on a team at your level and go have fun. The field size next year will weed them out. It is ashame that some teams will not be back due to politics or money. I hope we didnt lose an ECB 12u team. It appears that there will be half as many as last year in 12u.
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12uCoach
357 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 07:25:11
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quote:
Originally posted by neverquit
For years 12u has had 11 - 14 teams. It appears 2013 will have half as of now. I have heard that Mudcats are done. I hope this is not true and some more teams will come to 12u.
It is true, due to circumstances that I could not control, I folded the Mudcats. |
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spliter
121 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 09:16:38
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100% correct. I find it interesting that each year Elite teams have a lot of turnover. How can a kid play on a elite team then get beat out by a AAA for his spot the next year? The AAA player developed over the year. The Elite just played a lot of games. Then the recruiter comes. Get with a coach that developes & forget the trophies. Lets see how many 11u Astros go on to 12u Astros. For what ever reason I'll guess four or less. I'm not knocking anything it just the nature of the beast at that level. The goal is to develope a player that is motivated for HS play.
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Originally posted by stingfree
Isn't baseball all about how my kid will develop and reach true potential by the time he is attending high school? Too many kids because of their physciality are ahead of the others with lack of coaching they get surpassed by the time they are 16yr. Just like the MLB more 15-25 rounders make it to the big leagues than 1-14 rounders. Thats because those 15-25 rounded players are hungry to learn and understand what the "GRIND" means. Find a coach and/or program that develops plus allows your kid to grow, learn and have fun.
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Edited by - spliter on 08/03/2012 09:31:07 |
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HeadFirst
203 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 10:05:42
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One of the very funny things I see over and over again during this "Silly Season" are the people you contact and tell them about your team. They say that they are very interested!
Then you call them back a few days later to give them an update, they dont pick up the phone. You leave a message and they don't call back. You hear thru the rumor mill they have committed or are considering another team. Why dont they just tell you that? Do they not want to tell someone NO? Do coaches and recruiters typically act badly when they get a NO? Or is it that people think by avoiding you they are keeping their options open? Then sometimes they will call you back 3-4 days later with some wacky reason about the phone being dropped in the toilet.... |
Edited by - HeadFirst on 08/03/2012 10:26:35 |
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throwitaround
36 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 11:05:38
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| I thought Jaime was coming over to the Mudcats. What changed? |
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Card6
152 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 11:15:18
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We just had three players that committed to our team and told us how wonderful the team was only to find out last night that they were playing on our friends team. LOL... Have yet to call us. Their new Coach is not amused. Note. Just because you play there fall doesnt mean you will be there Spring.
quote:
Originally posted by HeadFirst
One of the very funny things I see over and over again during this "Silly Season" are the people you contact and tell them about your team. They say that they are very interested!
Then you call them back a few days later to give them an update, they dont pick up the phone. You leave a message and they don't call back. You hear thru the rumor mill they have committed or are considering another team. Why dont they just tell you that? Do they not want to tell someone NO? Do coaches and recruiters typically act badly when they get a NO? Or is it that people think by avoiding you they are keeping their options open? Then sometimes they will call you back 3-4 days later with some wacky reason about the phone being dropped in the toilet....
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Crossroads
448 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 11:21:16
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Head First,
If I had a dollar everytime I heared that I would be rich. LOL
The way I see it you call them two, three times no response they are blowing you off. They are all looking for the best situation for their child. You will get the call if they don't make the team they want to be on.
Turnover will always be in the travel ball world. Loyalty, no such thing i'm finding out and that is sad.
I personally love to see teams that stick together and grow, get better each season. They are few and far between these days as it has turned out to a win at all cost.
It should be about the kids development, but each parent has the right to pick their sons faith. All we coaches ask is be honest upfront so we can give other kids and families who want to play a shot.
I would love to have all the top kids but reality tells me that will not happen anytime soon. I love what I do and also the kids and families that want to be apart what we are building. We are here to teach the kids and hopefully give them a chance to play HS ball if that's what they want to do.
Good Luck to all this season and there will be new looks I'm sure. |
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stingfree
49 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 12:44:44
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| Spliter- Glad that some of us see the real picture. The 10,000 games are great but are the kids really refining skills that baseball players need by just playing games ( IE Cuts, relays, mental approach,, base running etc....) You see it all the time, the games should be a time to manage the players, practice is for coaching the players to perform. You can get all the talent you want on a field from 10-14, then at 16yr they have to start working. Most kids enjoy video games rather than working at getting better. A majority of programs fail to stand and deliver what they say their going to do, and actually what is done. Stand and Deliver programs will surpass the reason of the bunch. |
Edited by - stingfree on 08/03/2012 14:12:46 |
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Coach Kevin
22 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 15:11:08
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| We have had 4 teams actually call us back and tell us thanks but no thanks. The rest don't call. They still show they are looking for players. We will wait. Lots of kids wanted by multiple teams. When the blue chips fall the red ones will rise. There will be spots for just about any kid who can play ball. You just may have to settle for a lower tier team. The coach is the important choice. If a coach allows bad behavior from the kids like throwing helmets or bats and allowing his players to pout, and is warned regularly about his behavior then that is a big red flag. If his parents get warnings from the umpires that too is a red flag. |
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spike
41 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 17:24:05
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| Coach Kevin I guess Bryce Harper would have never got to play on your team. I read when he was younger after a strikeout he threw bat completely over backstop... Then in Juco world Series after a questionable outside strikeout he drew a line on ground in right handed battersbox with his bat to show blue where the pitch was...He was then ejected... A friend of mine played there and said he was extremely cocky but could definetly back it up! |
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aboutthekids
213 Posts |
Posted - 08/03/2012 : 21:04:03
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LOL, I agree with Coach Kevin on this one completely but Bryce could have played, would have been benched after a warning then had to find elsewhere to play after repeated offenses.
You have to teach respect for the game and authority at some point. I would have hated to have lost a talent like that but the rest learn from the team leaders.
quote:
Originally posted by spike
Coach Kevin I guess Bryce Harper would have never got to play on your team. I read when he was younger after a strikeout he threw bat completely over backstop... Then in Juco world Series after a questionable outside strikeout he drew a line on ground in right handed battersbox with his bat to show blue where the pitch was...He was then ejected... A friend of mine played there and said he was extremely cocky but could definetly back it up!
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spike
41 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2012 : 07:14:55
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| I agree too kids need to be taught respect for the game. It seems really prevalent in college , minors, and the pros that alot of great atheletes have had attitude problems. We routinely see players in MLB ejected, charging the mound, and rampaids in dugouts. Sometimes we would do well to realize that this is highly competitive baseball with real emotions from human beings who ironically are prone to actually make mistakes. We as parents are guilty of looking for poerfect sitiation that usually does not exist as if we were selecting daycare or the perfect private school for our precious kids who we want to keep shielded from real world situations. Reminds me of quoate i heard concerning Percey Harvin when he was getting ripped for not having perfect behavior. "Really, are you really concerned about this....Percey is being cloned to play football not win the next spelling bee or glee club championship" Kinda funny, nothing wrong with rules and having kids experience dicipline. |
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Steel-Will
278 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2012 : 15:31:44
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It's interesting to hear yet again of all the turmoil and trepidations that occur during "silly season".
We got out there a little primarily because my son wanted to run around, hang with the fellas, and have fun (sometimes i wish I was in his shoes).
But all along, him knowing he had a plan that wasn't to be deviated from...he was returning to his 2012 spring team! That's what he was going to do and wasn't going to be derailed!
And when he got the call that he made the team, it was like Christmas in July for him 
The process was astonishing....this kid really enjoyed his teammates and coaches last year.... and his coaches "say" they really enjoyed him.
So we're back for another round...the kid got better over the course of last year; noticeably better. He got faster too.
I'm really hoping we play 2-4 13u tournaments this year as well...wanna get on that 54/80 field ASAP...I know he does since he's been making that throw on the 60/90 for a few years now.
The kid really showed some maturity in making this decision; maybe I'll get a bump in the "mental" game out of him this year...that'll really make me happy! 
good luck everybody. |
Edited by - Steel-Will on 08/06/2012 16:02:41 |
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