How did everyone look at RR?

[beentheredonethat]

Humm...as I recall the 16u NATIONAL CHAMPIONS were from NorCal just a year ago....how'd that happen? Is it they played together as a team, played up in 18G not for the exposure but the competition and the experience? Maybe they figured if you win enough games, enough BIG games, the exposure will come?

Naw, otherwise that team would all be fully recruited before they ever got to Gold. I like Bluey's plan better. It's not about winning or losing, it's about how many games (no matter the level of competition) that I can get for my $450. Yep, that's a winner.

[Iluvblue]

It's not about winning or losing, it's about how many games (no matter the level of competition) that I can get for my $450. Yep, that's a winner.


I will not attack you, but I will show you the errors in your argument.

Our team is brand new. We have a new SS, new 2nd baseman, new 3rd baseman, 2 new catchers, 3 new pitchers, and 3 new kids playing first base. Half of them are coming from crappy teams and have major work to do.

It is important for those kids to get as many innings as possible at those new positions. It is important for them to get some experience in game situations doing the things I want them to do.

They also need to be running bases the way we teach, which is very unlike most teams in this area. So how do you get all that experience running bases if you are searching out the best possible teams to play? The best teams are going to have very good pitchers limiting their base running opportunities. The more they run bases, the more they learn to do things our way. The better baserunners they are, the more able to compete against top teams come next summer they will be.

The Magic and other teams that have stayed together for many years,(Magic started out at least in 12u, maybe before) those players already had learned exactly what their coaches wanted by the time they were in 16u. At that point, they were looking to play the very best teams possible.

A brand new team in the Fall that has had 2 practices with a new group should be looking to play up? yeah sure, and you are probably the coach of a 14 team playing 16u and getting their arses kicked each week and at the same time teaching those kids nothing.


I am very comfortable doing what we do. It works, period. And by the way, winning and losing takes care of itself. If the kids learn and do what they are taught, they will win plenty of games. Teams that lose all the time should figure out what the heck they are doing as coaches, because these kids will do what you teach them........ if you make them.

And by the way, NO 14u team in these parts will come close to that Magic team. They had a little something in the circle that comes around only every so often. And no coach can create that kind of talent.




And by the way, I am assuming that your comment above (No matter the level of competition) is an attack on my team for winning their first 2 tournaments playing 14u??? Are you saying that all of those teams (Lady Sharks, Breeze, UC Dynasty, Rebels, Grapettes, and some others) all suck so bad that we should play up??

[454Malibu]

Short and sweet for me is that teams should play in their age group. That way when we go to play 16u, we are truly playing 16U players. Now, our team does have one 8th grader and the rest are 2012 and one 2011. Don't know how to work that out! I think if you have a player that good, then have that one player or two move up and play 18's. I just don't know how to make it work!

Ok, now I sound totally dumb, but I'm sure nobody will shoot me any bad comments back!

[Iluvblue]

Malibu,

You are truly a 16u team. Not many 2011 graduates would be playing 16u for the most part. I think your team is the exception. And nothing wrong with an 8th grader playing with you. Is she one of the best players??

[Intel]

454Malibu:

Short Sweet and Simple. Norcal has to keep teams playing their age group or loose teams to other area tournaments. If you want to play 18s, then play on an 18 team. That is why our Gold team is playing nothing but SoCal tournaments, if we wanted to play 16s in friendlies.

[454Malibu]

I agree with Intel. Yes Iluvblu, I would say our 8th grader is about middle of the pack skill wise, so belongs with our group. Our best outfielder and decent hitter!

[dittoz]

No arguments here - I always have to chuckle when a team is "playing up this weekend" and they wind up playing the same teams from their own division that are also playing up.

I wish there was a better way to keep teams playing in their own divisions - I think it would make for a better situation in many ways. Maybe allow each team to play "up" a level 2x a season? Dunno, but it's getting out of control and is going to start making a mockery of things soon...

[Iluvblue]

INtel,

I dont see that happening. Most tournament directors wont know and wont ask if a team is actually a specific age group.

Look at the fall tournaments. You could have 50-60 teams playing in the "Gold" division of a showcase tournament. Yet we all know that the Grapettes only have 1 true Gold team. Same with Rebels. So out of the 60 teams signed up to play Gold, only 15 or so will actually try to qualify for Gold.

The tourney directors wont ask and wont care.

[Iluvblue]

No arguments here - I always have to chuckle when a team is "playing up this weekend" and they wind up playing the same teams from their own division that are also playing up.

I wish there was a better way to keep teams playing in their own divisions - I think it would make for a better situation in many ways. Maybe allow each team to play "up" a level 2x a season? Dunno, but it's getting out of control and is going to start making a mockery of things soon...

Example: Last year AASA 14u got knocked out of a 14u tourney in the semis. next weekend they played up in 16u and won the tournament. Playing up isnt always playing against better teams.

[Norcal33]

True ILB. I have seen some really bad 16U teams. Seems to be a greater spectrum of level of play at that age group.