Always the brides maid and never the bride-14U AA'sToys4Tots

[Blind Squirrel]

DenseHat,

I have some time now so ... I'll address one of the things I take issue with:

My experience has been with few exceptions that kids playing sports, particularly at the travel/club level, spend countless hours practicing, trying to improve their skills, putting everything they have into their attempts to try to please their parents and coaches. For an "adult" to start a thread on an internet board like this one to bag on a group of such kids makes me sick. Or in your words "sensitive". I can live with that characterization though my wife would take issue with you.

I sincerely hope your kid has eyes, good sense and free will. Or you at least have a spouse that counterbalances the douche baggery in you the way my way wife does me.

Second Place Squirrel

[scout team]

Scout team, I am quoting you, you said (There are perhaps a little more than a handful of truly elite organizations in travel ball). So, in your honest opinion who do you think the others are?

Talksalot, my comment referenced the entirety of the organization; not limited to a specific age division. With that understaning, IMO, which is sure to start a robust and spirited discussion, and limiting the list to five for now, I would suggest, in no particular order, that Firecrackers, Batbusters, Corona Angels, Victory and SoCal Athletics are definate name brand, nationally known organizations, that have teams in one or more divisions as serious contners for national titles, on a consistent basis. Of course, there are other excellent and very good organizations, but you asked for MY list. Let the debate begin.

[scout team]

Scout team, I am quoting you, you said (There are perhaps a little more than a handful of truly elite organizations in travel ball). So, in your honest opinion who do you think the others are?

Talksalot, my comment referenced the entirety of the organization; not limited to a specific age division. With that understaning, IMO, which is sure to start a robust and spirited discussion, and limiting the list to five for now, I would suggest, in no particular order, that Firecrackers, Batbusters, Corona Angels, Victory and SoCal Athletics are definate name brand, nationally known organizations, that have teams in one or more divisions as serious contners for national titles, on a consistent basis. Of course, there are other excellent and very good organizations, but you asked for MY list. Let the debate begin.

My apologies for the lack of spellcheck. Obviously, "seious contnrs" was meant to be "serious contenders".

[scout team]

Scout team, I am quoting you, you said (There are perhaps a little more than a handful of truly elite organizations in travel ball). So, in your honest opinion who do you think the others are?

Honestly, Talksalot, it didn't take much to compile MY list. Per Brackey's 11/29/11 12U Top Team Ranking, he listed the last five (5) 12U National Champions. They were, in reverse order, Firecrackers, Batbusters, Powersurge, Corona Angels and Victory. Powere Surge has not been able to repeat therir dominance in other divisions. Last year's Gold Premier Champions were So Cal Athletics (over Firecrackers). So Cal Athletics repeated as National Champions from the previous year. In 16U Premier, it was Firecrackers. In 14U Premier, it was Batbusters over Corona Angels (with another Batbuster, Angel and Firecracker team close behind). At ASA 12U Firecrackers beat Victory. If I am not mistaken, there were two Batbuster teams and an Angel team all still playing on the last day. Pretty quick and recent historical sampling. In 2010, Firecrackers won the ASA 10u Title. As I mentioned in my previous comment, I, of course, acknowledge that there are other excellent organizations, but IMO, these five seem to have created a degree of separation when it comes to results on the big stage.

[exD1dad]

So nice to see a blind rodent call a spade a spade, as I too am disgusted by whining clamatos boo hooing. Pleeezzz, STFU clammy in most sports they don't spit your way when you finish 2nd, softballs way different.. You're DD's lucky to be playing on a wining team but your total lack of humility is a personality defect few admire. Imagine all those hard working girls with talent that never get to a championship( & I know it may be difficult ) but try & put your kid in their shoes, would you still be acting a little bitch ?

Perseverance combined with hard work in the face of adversity (& team loss'es) builds a character in a kid that will carry her throughout her lifetime. JMO

[ontheblack]

[quote]Perseverance combined with hard work in the face of adversity (& team loss'es) builds a character in a kid that will carry her throughout her lifetime. JMO[/quote]

Amen.

A friend of mine's DD got a full ride to a top 50 D1 (frequent WCWS appearances, but not a top 10 team). Great kid and a great ball player. Thing is the kid never was on a team that went to Nationals once in her TB career.

Sad that some have to live vicariously through the successes of their teenage daughters.
Very sad.

[Fan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jJ86Odbzoo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBEOvmamo2E

...

[Clamato]

Sensitive Sick Blind Squirrel,
I must first off start by saying Thank you for your words of wisdom. You are obviously a man of great education/character and must have been raised by awesome parents. I will speak to mine as to why you are so much better than me.
I’m not so sure Victory as an organization is a top 5 club. However, the 98 team is definitely in the picture. They have some of the best athletes and one of the best coaches (Stache) in the division. You don’t win national championships by luck. Since you love to make assumptions I will clarify this right now. My DD has never won a championship nor does she play for FC 98. She is one of the other mediocrities that certain Victory parents labeled us. Victory has been ranked at the top for quite some time now and I have been asking for over a year, what have they ever won to deserve that high of a ranking? I do believe this team has been hyped for a long time but has not been able to get over the hump. I could be wrong, but I believe that Robert Young was the man in charge the day that they won the 10U national championship. So again with an excellent coach and great athletes it is troublesome at best to see them slide down the mountain before reaching the top. I have never said a negative word about any of the athletes on the team. The names given (flawless, underachieve, rec ball coach) were given to the other teams by Victory parents. If you have high expectations and boast about your team you need to be ready to take it when the expectations exceed the ability. Or at least get ready for pot stirrers.
But Squirrel, I do not want your wife to take an issue with me. I have great respect for a woman that counterbalances the douche baggery in you. And since I know how hard it is for a blind squirrel to find his nuts once they’ve been lost, I’m glad you gave them to her to hold for you. I hope this makes you feel better.
Sincerely,
DenseHat the douche bag
P.S. exD1 dad – Perseverance combined with hard work in the face of adversity (& team loss’s) builds a character in a kid that will carry her throughout her lifetime. – Good quote!
My Kids team hasn’t even took 2nd yet in TB. Since my kid can’t fit in their shoes yet I will let you know when it happens and until then FU you big bitch!

[ONE FOR THE ROAD]

P.S. exD1 dad – Perseverance combined with hard work in the face of adversity (& team loss’s) builds a character in a kid that will carry her throughout her lifetime. – Good quote!
My Kids team hasn’t even took 2nd yet in TB. Since my kid can’t fit in their shoes yet I will let you know when it happens and until then FU you big bitch!

[hotwheels]

P.S. exD1 dad – Perseverance combined with hard work in the face of adversity (& team loss’s) builds a character in a kid that will carry her throughout her lifetime. – Good quote!
My Kids team hasn’t even took 2nd yet in TB. Since my kid can’t fit in their shoes yet I will let you know when it happens and until then FU you big bitch!

Today, all of sudden is looking like a GREAT day!