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itsaboutbb
164 Posts |
 Posted - 08/21/2009 : 08:27:48
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| Heard the Astros signed 28 kids...can't be true |
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LeftyBat
160 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2009 : 15:17:53
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OK,
Here is the real skinny. The Astros took 16-17 hand picked kids (rising 12U boys) from a variety of teams to two try out tournaments in Macon and Dalton at the end of the 11U season. It is my understanding that the EC program is taking the Astros showcase team to the next level, and the coach had his pick of who to invite, both from within EC and anywhere else in the state. I know at least 4 came from outside EC and all made the team. Not all kids were at each tourney and not all kids we there each day. (good strategy, much better than a try out as you get to see kids in tournament form under pressure, get to see how parents react, get to see how the boys mesh as a group, etc...) These were 12U tournaments, meaning these boys were playing up against rising 13U players. Because the goal was to see players and not to win, they did not always have their best team on the field. They did compress some in championship games. The first team had 20 teams in it. They came from behind twice in elimination bracket (once from way down...) and won this tournament. Some good teams, big boys, but not the top level of 12 (rising 13U) competition. Second weekend was smaller tourney and they again made the championship, but lost to Mill Creek in the final game. This was a wood bat tourney.
They made some commitments based on boys performances at this tourney and then went to tryout, with most slots filled but you never know... I think they are taking one kid from tryout. My understanding is 15 kids in fall, maybe dropping to 14 in spring.
No where near 28. The 14-15 they have are a pretty darn good group of boys. They have speed, power, catching and pitching. And big shoes to fill since they are the Astros. |
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AA17Dad
211 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2009 : 17:14:19
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quote:
Originally posted by itsaboutbb
Heard the Astros signed 28 kids...can't be true
Anyone that knows this coach knows that you rarely see the same team twice.
Constant recruiting and a revolving door. Lots of turn over.
Tons of talent and good coaching but we'll have to see if they can jell and get in a groove.
Either way they will be one of the teams to beat all year. |
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sirlurker
187 Posts |
Posted - 08/21/2009 : 18:00:50
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The Macon tournament and Dalton tournament were against 12U when most of the Astro players were still 11U....
Most of the kids that played in those two tournaments are the ones that are going to be on the Spring team... |
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SpeedKills
106 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 08:38:57
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quote:
Originally posted by sirlurker
The Macon tournament and Dalton tournament were against 12U when most of the Astro players were still 11U....
Most of the kids that played in those two tournaments are the ones that are going to be on the Spring team...
That is ture also. The 12's were not the best that 12 had to offer. And I thought the Hawks team was 11's also that won in Dalton.. Either way its a talented team of players.. |
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LeftyBat
160 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 10:58:52
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| No the Mill Creek Hawks team that won at Dalton was definately their 12U, rising 13 team. |
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Learnpatience
69 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 13:34:10
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Both tournaments were 12 year olds tournaments. The Mill Creek Hawks (12U) beat the 11U Astros in the final championship game in Dalton. The Astros (11U) beat the Legends 12U (the team that finished 2nd at Cooperstown for 12U) in the semi-final game prior to the championship game.
I think the championship game they won in Macon was against a team called the Blue Whales. The Blue Whales were the team that lost to Warner Robbins to go to the LL world series.
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Mike Corbin
523 Posts |
Posted - 08/22/2009 : 18:45:47
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ECBlefty,
You keep saying the 12u Astros "Showcase team". Exactly what does that mean? Just curious about who and what would you be showcasing for??? |
Edited by - Mike Corbin on 08/23/2009 19:13:47 |
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Marinersfan
57 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2009 : 10:08:40
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First, I can't believe we are having this discussing seven months before the season starts. Second, ECB Lefty, "hand picked??" Your're serious? Every coach hand picks the kids he wants on his team. How else do they end up there? This team is no different, except that ECB gave the team a great recuiting tool, the Astros name and their coach is using that tool to the best of his ability to try to get players. There was a 12U Astros team last year. They were very good too. But so were the Longhorns and Shamrocks. In fact, many people say those two teams were as good or better. There was a 12U Astros team the year before that. But the Stallions were thought to be just as good or better.
Truth is, there are major teams and their are non-major teams at this level. This is a major team just like a number of other teams. But I can name a number of the top players at ECB (and beyond) who this team did not get, including some of the top players at skill positions who likely will be on the top ECB teams when it matters in the future. That said, as I mentioned in a prior post, this is a very good major team with some very good players especially at the pitching and outfield spots. They are below the competition at other spots. I think their pitching should carry them through, and they should in the running in a lot of tournaments as will a number of other teams.
It will be really interesting in a few years if they do take the top kids off this team and mesh them with the top kids off of other local teams to create a real national powerhouse. When it starts to matter. |
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Goin Deep
140 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2009 : 20:11:20
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Corbin,
I said the same thing on page one....Showcase or select??? Come on. Should we all just bow down and go home? That situation will absolutly implode with loss #1.
Anyone who knows the situation knows that is true. |
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lal
4 Posts |
Posted - 08/23/2009 : 20:25:49
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| Marinersfan and others - I'm curious - when does it matter? We are new to this travel ball arena - having played rec ball for quite a few years. In picking a travel team, we picked one where our son would get playing time as well as instruction. We feel we are getting what we were looking for. Our son is 12. Baseball should not be a full time job for our son in addition to maintaining grades and participating in other fulfilling activities. I don't want to diminish other teams or coaches - however - I do get a chuckle out of some of the posts here - and how serious it is when these are kids that are 12. Is it seriously going to effect a high school or college - or perhaps for those lucky few - a major career - where they play NOW? If the instruction is there - on a new team - does it really matter if it is not a showcase or major team? I can see it in a few years unless the 14 year olds are so burned out or have no arm left. Thoughts? |
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ecbstix
115 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2009 : 07:04:23
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| The difference between former 12u Astros and the 2010 team is that this is the first time there has been a select team at 12u (what ECB refers to as their "showcase" team). Just like the older Astros, the team gets first pick in the draft. They can take any kid whether another team has them locked or not.This is the first year ECB has had a select team at this age. I guess this is because of the seemingly improving competition in the younger age groups which is a testament to the caliber of ball played in Georgia. I hope this helps clear up some confusion. |
Edited by - ecbstix on 08/24/2009 09:06:07 |
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Marinersfan
57 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2009 : 10:34:46
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Stix, what are you talking about? There is no draft at ECB at 12U. Everyone knows that. With respect to the top teams that play out of ECB their rosters were 95 percent full before the tryout even happened. Heck, many of the teams had even posted their 2010 roster before the tryout. The only player discussion that takes place is regarding the few non-committed players who come to the tryout, almost all of whom commit to AAA teams at ECB. The notion that the 12U Astros can unilaterally take any kid who has committed to another team is flat wrong. If what you mean is that a team can steal players off another team by convincing the parents to come join them after they have committed or (as in years past) during the middle of the season, well certainly we all know this is going to happen all over the place. If that's the definition of select, then I would not want to have that title.
Don't worry folks, everyone's 12U kid is the best player in the country, was "hand picked" this year and will the hitting third for the New York Yankees in just a few years. Its gonna happen.
quote:
Originally posted by ecbstix
The difference between former 12u Astros and the 2010 team is that this is the first time there has been a select team at 12u (what ECB refers to as their "showcase" team). Just like the older Astros, the team gets first pick in the draft. They can take any kid whether another team has them locked or not.This is the first year ECB has had a select team at this age. I guess this is because of the seemingly improving competition in the younger age groups which is a testament to the caliber of ball played in Georgia. I hope this helps clear up some confusion.
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SpeedKills
106 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2009 : 11:06:47
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| lal all ages are serious..When you are PAYING to PLAY who wants to waste money LOSING every weekend, no one. And just cause one is receving instruction doesn't mean they are playing teams that will make them better in the LONG run. Most coaches that just want to have fun stay in the rec programs. This travel baseball is a serious sport and with all the time and effort that parents, players, and coaches put into it they don't want to lose. Does it matter where kids play now, to some it does to others it doesn't. But kids that play at the higest level to some will be ready for the ECB tournament and college show cases when they are at the high school level. Every year teams are looking for that diamond in the rough or that hiddene talent so the nest year they can be the best they can be. Thsi is almost a business..You won't find a scout at any of your local tournaments around the state, but let it be a tournament where the MAJORS are playing with a large number of teams and they will be there. whtch this board or any baseball board and see if they are talking about the AA or AAA or REC teams...NEVER now matter how good some may thing they are..The players will not get know UNTIL they play on a MAJORS team!!!!!! :) |
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ItsjustLLBBall
119 Posts |
Posted - 08/24/2009 : 13:02:32
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| Talent is found not matter where they play. More exposure is of course where you have more talent, but if a kid has it, the scouts "know" it no matter where he is. |
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Learnpatience
69 Posts |
Posted - 08/27/2009 : 16:38:39
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"Hand selected" is a tough one to swallow. What does that mean? The "selection" process is a 2 way street. The coach has to select the player and the player/parents have to select the team. All travel teams are hand selected. Otherwise you would just have rec. ball on steroids.
I am sure there were a couple of kids (probably more) that were asked to play on the 12U Astros, but decided against it for one reason or another. Undoubtedly they were the best players at their normal positions in the field. The BEST players don't necessarily play for the ECB Astros AT ANY AGE. However, the Astros coaches are usually the best ECB has to offer at each age group..............that is why they win consistently.
To say that the BEST players were hand selected for the 12U Astros is ludicrous. The 12U Astros will be very competitive because they are coached very well. |
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baseballboy10
17 Posts |
Posted - 08/30/2009 : 14:44:11
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This year about every team from North Georgia is going to Cooperstown no matter if they're able to win or not. They go for the kids not to forget the experience. They could lose every game by 20 runs and still have fun doing it.
But look for the Astros, Jaguars, Road Runners, and the Braves to do good in Cooperstown. And all four teams will at least win 2 tournaments.
It's just who will win in Cooperstown? |
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Learnpatience
69 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 13:36:13
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| Anyone see the Triple Crown tournament at East Cobb this weekend? I heard that the new Hobgood team put it to the Astros 12U for the championship. Not sure if the Astros had their best on the field since they were looking at all 16 or so players? What about the Holly Springs Express (10U going to 11U), I heard they almost beat the Astros as well? Trion had a team, not sure how well they did. |
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bigfan
105 Posts |
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SpeedKills
106 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 19:20:16
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| That is them....Someone can have all the talent in the world but if the team doesn't believe they have what it takes it doesn't matter. Maybe they will get it together and win one for the Gipper... |
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lottapop
257 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2009 : 07:58:45
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| Not good news for a select team. :) |
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caughtstealing
20 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2009 : 22:19:15
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| One guy at EC told me that the Hobgood Pride are a 12u team moving up to 13u for 2010. I think they had 3 players that will play 12u next spring. The Hobgood team was very solid everywhere (pitching, hitting, catching, running and coaching). Even thought they (the Astros) lost, they are still the team to beat. They're big, fast, have solid pitching and can really run the bases. It was good baseball. Hobgood had a shortstop that was incredible! Not sure where these kids came from but they are going to be a very formatible team at 13u. Who coaches them? This isn't Ron Icard's team is it? I thought they were the Extreme? |
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Hanging Curve
64 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 11:25:24
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I caught a few innings of the championship game in that tournament. I'm not sure how many of their players played in that tournament with the pride, but I saw at least 1 player from the Hobgood Extreme playing with that Pride team. I recognized that small shortstop from the Extreme and saw him make a few plays for the Pride as a 2nd baseman. So I know at least some of the players playing against the Astros will be kids they have to face this year.
I'm pretty sure I also saw the head coach from the Hobgood Extreme standing behind the backstop talking to Coach Ocain from last year's EC Stars. Maybe the Extreme had some of their players playing with the Pride this weekend.
I know for certain that the pitcher I saw pitching at the end was a kid from last year's Cherokee Reds. He was even wearing a Reds helment when he batted.
From what I saw, I think this year's Astros team has pretty solid pitching but don't appear to be as solid hitting as last year's Stars team or last year's Roadrunners team.
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ronicard
117 Posts |
Posted - 09/11/2009 : 21:20:30
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No, that was not my team (12U Hobgood Extreme). The Pride is a team that will play 13U but was able to play in this tournament as a last chance qualifier. However, 2 of my players did play with them in that tournament.
And, yes, that was me talking with Rusty O'Cain. HangingCurve, next time come say hello.  |
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bbtb
4 Posts |
Posted - 09/14/2009 : 17:56:19
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| Hey did anyone get a chance to check out that new team that was formed at East Cobb, the White Sox? I understand a few of their players came from the Braves. I know they had a game against the Powder Springs Sand Gnats and won 13-1 this weekend. And they also played the Braves with a 12-8 win. I guess it's just another one of those teams we may have to keep an eye open for coming out of East Cobb. I do understand the White Sox are playing at a major level. |
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