Best 12U North Texas Undecided

[WWFLnTF4EVR]

"It is easier to win with class than lose with dignity"
"A champion is not always defined by the result of a scoreboard"

These type of quotes usually come from someone or some team without a long history of winning or excellence. The fact of the matter is that most teams/coaches/parents/fans do not realize the amount of incredible pressure that is on our young girls who might be fortunate enough to be on an "elite team." If you have never walked in their cleats, there is no way you could imagine the burden that is placed on them as well as the coaches and parents. You will always have a bullseye on your back and can always expect to get the other teams best effort. One victory over one of these "elite teams" can provide a year's worth of satisfaction. However, along with this burden comes some incredible perks as well. The truth of the matter is that by simply stepping on to the field, you can be assured of a certain number of victories simply due to the mystique or intimidation factor. Obviously, there is also a confidence factor that these teams possess that others do not because they have been in the heat of battle many times and have come out on top. All elite teams do have one thing in common, and that is an obligation to the softball community to act as role models. Unfortunately because of our materialistic, instant gratification, what can you do for me now society that we all live in, very few athletic role models come from average or unsuccesful athletes or teams. Those elite teams and coaches have a responsibility as ambassadors for their sport, team, families and community. This Glory team that I keep reading so much about on this discussion board obviously has failed in one aspect of this sport. In no way shape or form am I even suggesting that any blame should lay at the feet of those wonderfully gifted amazing young women on that team. In my own personal opinion, the blame is with the role models for those young women on that team....their parents, guardians, coaches, grandparents, aunts, uncles whatever the relationship might be. The pressures of winning and trying to secure a better future for your child through athletic achievements might be noble causes, but they are no excuse for lack of respect or the non-existence of simple social skills. What life lessons are being taught? It is possible to be an elite team on and off the field, to be the best team in terms of the results on a scoreboard, but also to be the best team in terms of respect and dignity. A few teams come to mind. First is the 95 Sneaky Cleats, they are a very solid team and the times I have been around this team, they have been first class. I dont know if they still do this, but i know in the past they have been one of the largest contributors to those annual Toys for Tots tournaments. Obviously, they are trying to give back to others, teach life lessons to their daughters and win softball games all at the same time. Another is the 96 Diamonds. They are a very successful program in the same vein as the Travelers and Glory. However, I am either always hearing at local tournaments or reading on the VTD about how great that team and their coaching staff is. 97 Texas Elite and Jenine Kuss also fall into this category, they are a great team and win and lose with class.

For those of you who are still reading this and have not fallen asleep, I want to close with the best thing that came out of this weekend and a new role model for my daughter. First and foremost, I am my daughter's role model as a parent. Next are her teachers, coaches and Sunday School teachers, not in that order. However, the acts of one player in particular gained my respect as a parent and role model. Her name is Krista and she had the courage and moral fortitude to say enough is enough, and I believe without prompting from her parents, took it upon herself to make a stand and say winning at all costs is not the only way to be a champion. My compliments to her parents for raising such a responsible young lady.

[Luv-the-Game]

WWFLNTF4EVR................

"DIDDO"
Well said!!!!

[95mom]

'96 Diamonds were added today to the team listing for the HOF qualifier in Ft. Worth

[luvthegame81]

There are a couple of Traveler's players that have played for Glory (I think they even won 10U Nationals) with them too and a player from Travelers that is now with Glory. I didn't see any of the girls on the Travelers upset because the Glory coach did not acknowldedge them after the game. Not reallly sure what happened with that situation but a couple of the Glory moms were going crazy in the stands. It was an awful scene for these girls to witness. I do not understand what yelling and screaming on the other side of the fence was going to help. How in the world is that teaching good sportsmanship. I am sure there were alot of emotions flying around the field and to put on a display like that was inexcusable. I have seen what the Glory coaches have done to many girls. They have had so many girls parade in and out of their uniforms. There have been a few that have left the game completely.
What excuse is there for a grandfather to come in the opposing teams dugout and make a scene with the opposing coach in front of the girls? What in the world is going on? When and how did this become ok for this to happen? I give the pick up player the highest praise for walking out as she did. I admire her morals!!!!!!!!!!! As a parent on that team I would be horrified! These are 12 and 13 year old girls that are very emotional and setting the right example for them is what is most important. Is winning the game at all costs what is most important? Aren't we out there to get our daughter's ready for high school and college. Those college coaches wil watch the parents as well as the girls on and off the field. Those college coaches don't really care who won a 12U tournament in Southlake and how many trophies you have piled up in your room. It comes down to academics, attitude and abitlity. Our goal as parents should be to develp of daughters to the best of their abitlities - not only athletically but academically and most important is to have a good attitude -- win or loose. Winning is not the most important thing. It is just a game after all. We will all wake up the next morning and go on with our lives. We all need to take a step back and look at the big picture!

[pink_panther]

[quote][/quote]As for the UIC.... I was watching a little bit of the Sneaky Cleats/Glory game behind the plate before I left and the UIC game out speaking to his umps that after several calls he relized they made a mistake in ITB and the play that was questioned was not appealable and Glory should have kept their runs and not had an out which would have possibly given Glory the win if Travelers had not scored since they were home. I think every coach out there that knows the game knows that you can't appeal a girl leaving the base early. Either the ump sees it or he doesn't

i was watching that game and it seems to me that there was one out before the runner on third got called out for leaving early. and even if that girl would have scored there would then be two outs because the girl had just laid down a bunt and any good team is going to get the out if someone bunts. and as i recall the last hit of the game where travelers scored they got two runs. while the ball was being fumbled over and over again at second base the travelers were scoring. so either way travelers won that game FAIR.
and by watching the game it seemed like the umps did fine. so stop making excuses!

[shutup&playball]

Well thier are some bad teams that needs a lot of work!
Fusion Elite game was bad whats going on with this fusion team and whats going on kuss team they are better then this? Glory looking pretty good to me you and your "fans fun" i am just glad my dd doesnt play for u guys but great team.

[Skarp]

In no way shape or form am I even suggesting that any blame should lay at the feet of those wonderfully gifted amazing young women on that team. In my own personal opinion, the blame is with the role models for those young women on that team...

Young women--even poorly raised young women--know right from wrong. Their parents, etc., may not model it for them, and may not expect or demand it of them, but they know.

I say blame away.

[play4fun]

You people need to take a step back and chill. I have met almost all of the Glory girls one time or another and they are all good kids!!!!

I have seen them lose in 14U and they acted just fine with those loses. There was obiously more to this than we all know so let it go for now.

Leave these players alone and let them deal with the situatuation. They are not the only team in softball that I have ever seen get upset about something but you people act as though they are the first of their kind. I have seen numerous coaches and parents get ejected from games this year!!!!

Take a step back a realize that you are now taking this whole thing a step further and directing your negative comments towards the players.

If you continue to bash them on here then you are making yourself out to be no better than anyone else.

Why am I defending them? Because the same people are bashing not just Glory but the players now and they are great kids and need defending.

Do you all really want to see this team fail that badly? Or is it that you want to do everything you possibly can to try to break apart this team so that you could snatch up their players?

I would love for my daughter to play for Glory or the Travelers one day and we will keeping working until she is able to reach the best.!!

[play4fun]

Also,
Pink_Panther,

If a runner is called out for leaving early then it is a dead ball and the batter gets to hit again. You can't have double out for this situation. So out number 2 would be given to the runner and the batter gets to bat again.'

I can understand why the coach would have the batter bunt with only one out, any good coach would do this to score a run in ITB.

[crazy4ball]

I am going to put my two cents into this conversation. First of all, I think it is very interesting when anyone gets on this board and defends teams that have never been on and really know nothing about. Yes, players leave teams regularly; with the 95 Glory, it is NOT that players leave, but HOW they leave. Ask (almost) anyone who has played for them and left, and I'm sure the story that you get will not be "nice." The problem with the 95 Glory is that no one respects anyone else on that team, coaches, players or parents. It is every girl for herself; what can this team do for MY daughter? As far as Kevin Shelton NOT knowing what happens with the Glory organization in general, he knows. As many antics as this team has pulled, he knows; he doesn't have to come on this board to read about it. The incident in Keller involving the police...Dan Adkins knew about. Did he do anything about it? No. Is anything going to be done about this incident? No. Should it? Sure. The problem is that the Glory organization, and the 95 Glory team in particular, have a reputation on the field. It shouldn't ONLY be about winning and losing, but it is. For alot of parents, just saying you play or have played for the Glory means EVERYTHING, even turning your head by the poor behavior. That IS a shame.