Who are the big tough teams at 10u level A?? are there any?

[backstop13]

Xtreme 00 played up a few weeks ago in a Hope tournament I believe.

Our team did not play up as 10s at all. I guess it is up to the coach as to whether or not they think it is a good idea or not, but to use the rationale of "getting ready for next year" seems a little moot. To me that is what fall/winter is all about. We didn't want to have our pitchers throwing from 5 more feet and a bigger ball. Whatever the coaches feel is good for their teams.

[gunshy]

POP, being in the "older crowd", it seems to me that there is always too much "next year" concerns going on before "this year" is complete. Focus now should be on qualifying, then preparing for Nationals....THIS YEAR'S Nationals. I am not a fan of playing up at 10u because of the ball/distance differences AND the fact that you get your team thinking too far ahead too early. Playing up a time or two would be beneficial at 12's or 14's AFTER you are qualified and only if there were no good competitive tournaments in your own age group to push your team. I always thought we gained more out of playing top competition in our own age bracket, versus playing mediocre teams a year older. I would never play up in June at any age group "to prepare for next year". I have seen many a good team fall apart in late June or July because too many people were concerned about what they were doing NEXT YEAR; they let next year's worries screw up all they had worked for in THIS year.

[slapperdad]

I think Gunshy hit the nail on the head. I wouldn't really have a problem playing up at older age groups, but at 10's moving up offers too many changes in my opinion. I would also point out that when Xtreme 00 played up, if I'm not mistaken they "borrowed" a 12U pitcher that wasn't playing that weekend.

I also agree, by late June/early July, there's a lot of talk about next year, and I have seen a lot of good teams fall apart. I COMPLETELY get being a on team that doesn't end up being what you thought it was going to be, but be a person of your word, live up to your commitment, and finish the year strong. From rec league all-stars to ASA A, we've found the need to change teams twice, but we were NEVER a distraction, nor did we attempt to put stuff together for next year, prior to finishing this year.

[crazy8]

[quote="slapperdad"]I think Gunshy hit the nail on the head. I wouldn't really have a problem playing up at older age groups, but at 10's moving up offers too many changes in my opinion. I would also point out that when Xtreme 00 played up, if I'm not mistaken they "borrowed" a 12U pitcher that wasn't playing that weekend.

Just to shed some light about the 10u Xtreme playing up~yes a 12u player/pitcher was used BUT it was ONLY on Sunday. She pitched a total of 3 innings and hit last. She was not there to take anything away from the girls who are on the team. She was more of a mentor. The coaches decided there were not any good tournaments Memorial Day weekend with any decent competition so had them play up so they could get more practice on defense. The girls had a BLAST and it was a real confidence booster. Not that anything needs to be explained, but there are always people thinking they know everything about the 10U team but never seem to ask anyone that is directly involved! By the way, this team came out and played incredible ball this past weekend in Columbus OH going undefeated! They also beat 2 out of the top 3 teams from OH(Number 1 didn't play).

Number 8's Mom...If you know the team then you know who I am

[capnwillie]

They also beat 2 out of the top 3 teams from OH(Number 1 didn't play).

They rank 10U teams in Ohio too?
Why haven't I been advised of that post?

All the breakrooms in Wal Marts across the midwest must now have internet access. This has somehow spilled across state lines and infected our neighbors.

The apocalypse begins.

On a little more serious note - can't agree with slapper more. I've always thought we must be the only ones that play our nationals, take a couple of weeks off, and start practice about the time kids go to school. We've been blessed with low turnover amongt our core group of kids, and usually the softball gods make sure the right fit is there if we have a roster spot open. How can you prepare for the competitive tournaments over the next 6-8 weeks while keeping the eteamz ad re-posted every five minutes.

If you have an eteamz post before nationals begging for players (some of those wahoos start in April) you should be relegated to softball purgatory (ie play all games in Terre Haute)

Gotta go check out the posts - 8U tryouts will be coming up soon and I need to bump my ad to make sure I get maximum exposure.

[slapperdad]

Just to shed some light about the 10u Xtreme playing up~yes a 12u player/pitcher was used BUT it was ONLY on Sunday. She pitched a total of 3 innings and hit last. She was not there to take anything away from the girls who are on the team. She was more of a mentor. The coaches decided there were not any good tournaments Memorial Day weekend with any decent competition so had them play up so they could get more practice on defense. The girls had a BLAST and it was a real confidence booster. Not that anything needs to be explained, but there are always people thinking they know everything about the 10U team but never seem to ask anyone that is directly involved! By the way, this team came out and played incredible ball this past weekend in Columbus OH going undefeated! They also beat 2 out of the top 3 teams from OH(Number 1 didn't play).

Number 8's Mom...If you know the team then you know who I am

I stated:

I would also point out that when Xtreme 00 played up, if I'm not mistaken they "borrowed" a 12U pitcher that wasn't playing that weekend.

Am I wrong?

I know a couple of kids on the team, I don't have any idea who you are...sorry.

[slapperdad]

Here's a couple of threads you might be interested in Capn':

http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=36789
http://www.game-ex.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=36797 (actually this guy gets it, we'll let him come to the parking lot with us.

[prdpop]

Thx for the opinions! I see both sides of the discussion. Ii think both Xtreme 00 and Gators 01 will be better in the end for playing up rather than local nothing tournaments. I hope to see these two teams stay together and grow together. Far too many teams falling apart these days!

[Workhorse's Mom]

My daughter has definetely benefited from pitching up in 12u. It also benefited the rest of the Xtreme 00 team, creating a lot more defensive situations for them. Seeing them play this past weekend in Columbus, OH, it didn't seem to hurt their offense either.

[gunshy]

Oh my, lady, you need a new screen name. Any 10u pitcher's parent that goes by a name like that will get eaten alive by the sharks on this board!