New Firecracker Teams

[Iluvblue]

Hi Coach, my name is Susie, Im '99 57 mph Pitcher. I wear #99 for the "Hometown Heroes", im playing in a pgf regional qualifier in Salinas on Jun XX, would really like you to come see me play. Hope to see you there.

Hi Coach, my name is Sheila, I'm a pitcher for the Nor Cal Firecrackers and im playing in a pgf national qualifier in Huntington Beach on Jun XX, would really like you to come see me play. hope to see you there.

Hi Susie, sorry I can't make it, I will be in Huntington beach that weekend. Sorry.

Hi Sheila, Thanks for the note, I will plan on being there that weekend, I look forward to seeing you. Thanks for the invite.

Get it yet? On a PERSONAL LEVEL this has nothing to do with fielding good teams, this has everything to do with getting exposure for your DD. Either you grasp that thinking and go grab it, or you will bash that thinking and stick to your shiny new org uniforms, hope you like em.

On a NOR CAL LEVEL...hope they get good coaching so they can fit in with breeze, rr, team cali, aasa and grapettes (yes the list stops there)

hhahhahahahah, that is funny. You think coach xyz is going to come running because some team in norcal is paying to wear a uniform???

[onlooker]

hhahhahahahah, that is funny. You think coach xyz is going to come running because some team in norcal is paying to wear a uniform???

No, not because some team in nocal is paying to wear a uniform...
Yes they will consider running because the uniform says "Firecrackers", they wont consider it for ANY other name in nor cal. (maybe AASA)

sorry, I had to spell that out. it DOES carry weight.

[Iluvblue]

not sure why you have to be such a prick, we can actually discuss this without being an ass....is that possible?? Im not looking to get into a pissing contest, I am asking legitimate questions that I am curious as to your opinion.

We all know that the single team as of today is very good, but do you think that automatically translates to a team from xxxx organization leaving and putting on the Firecrackers logo?

AASA has an outstanding 18g coach and team, but does that automatically help the other teams below them? If so, why are those teams out in the boonies like others in the area at the "Big Exposure" tourneys.... which is a stretch IMO because so many tourneys are "Exposure tourneys."


Do you agree that the only 14u teams/players that are really on a coaches radar are on that radar because they are truly exceptional? if yes, then that name wont help any of their teams, but only going out and kicking ass will help them. The fact Smash had many college coaches watching them as Smash backs that up. Becoming Firecrakers didnt really help them IMO, it only helped TR and his pocketbook... bless him for being damn smart.


is a coach from team xyz going to all of the sudden going ot be a better coach by wearing a team name?

Do you think a 12u or 14u parent is going to get more bang for that extra money they will be paying to wear that logo? and if so, how?

You can put a Porsche logo on a Datsun, but it is still a Datsun, No?



I dont like name dropping on this board because, well it just kind of sucks. I have nothing against any teams out there, but I am very curious as to why you put Team Cali on such a list? What have they done to warrant you putting them up there with AASA and Grapettes? I had to actually look them up to know exactly who you were discussing...more my ignorance than a slight on them. Ijust was knowing them by another name.

[onlooker]

sorry blue, I was actually trying my best to keep it comical with my reply.... no prickness intended by any stretch. I see you havent posted in a couple months and I was actually doing what you suggested, trying to just have a conversation. I mean that. i was really clarifying that the name itself is the reason for scouts to come in strict comparison to other names in northern cal. thats it....

your first question: We all know that the single team as of today is very good, but do you think that automatically translates to a team from xxxx organization leaving and putting on the Firecrackers logo?

No. The only reason I say no is because you are using the nor cal firecracker team (smash 98) as the example in your question. My answer is always no based on that.

If it were re-phrased to go with the current softball times to this: We all know that the org as a whole is at the top of the sport when it comes to notariety on a national level, but do you think that automatically translates to a team from xxxx organization leaving and putting on the Firecrackers logo?

Yes (honestly)

Your 2nd question: AASA has an outstanding 18g coach and team, but does that automatically help the other teams below them? If so, why are those teams out in the boonies like others in the area at the "Big Exposure" tourneys.... which is a stretch IMO because so many tourneys are "Exposure tourneys."

I am going to assume when you say "help the other teams below them" you are referring to exposure not talent. If that is the case, having one or more scouts in Tracy this weekend in itself would lead me to think that YES is the answer. p.s. ive yet to see an actual exposure tourney in nor cal in the last 5 years for 14U. Tracy or Sac or Stockton. I hear pretty good things about Harrison and Norwood.

your 3rd question: Do you agree that the only 14u teams/players that are really on a coaches radar are on that radar because they are truly exceptional? if yes, then that name wont help any of their teams, but only going out and kicking ass will help them. The fact Smash had many college coaches watching them as Smash backs that up. Becoming Firecrakers didnt really help them IMO, it only helped TR and his pocketbook... bless him for being damn smart.



Agreed all the way down to how smart TR is by maximizing his earnings.

your 4th question: is a coach from team xyz going to all of the sudden going ot be a better coach by wearing a team name?

2 answers....common sense says heck no, you are what you are...however, I give you this to chew on.... If I am coaching at Illinois Weslyan in 2012 and next year I am coaching at Missouri. I won 15 more games at Missouri, and since as a coach I am judged on wins and losses, then YES, it made me a better coach. ( i hope you see my humor there)


question 5: Do you think a 12u or 14u parent is going to get more bang for that extra money they will be paying to wear that logo? and if so, how

Exposure = Yes, Coaching = unknown til named, Ego = yes (most dads I meet around the parks it seems ego is a driving force in how well there kid is playing), kid get better beacuse of jersey = no. tuff question to answer, im at a little loss.

question 6: You can put a Porsche logo on a Datsun, but it is still a Datsun, No?

No, Acura I believe it is called now (again, humor!)


question 7: have nothing against any teams out there, but I am very curious as to why you put Team Cali on such a list? What have they done to warrant you putting them up there with AASA and Grapettes? I had to actually look them up to know exactly who you were discussing...more my ignorance than a slight on them. Ijust was knowing them by another name.

simply put this is JUST like TC smash 98...for years Team Cali (aka All American Mizuno garcia) have been representing Nor Cal well in Nor Cal and So Cal. The play of the 14U team in itself (just like smash) is the reason. not the 16U team, nor the 12's or 10's....simply the 14U. If I ranked the 5 org's I mentioned, Team Cali would be at the bottom of that list.

Hoep that got the discussion going all good blue, I'm not aiming at you.

[Iluvblue]

i was really clarifying that the name itself is the reason for scouts to come in strict comparison to other names in northern cal. thats it....


We will disagree here. there are many quality organizations in Norcal with multiple 18u/gold teams. BUT, both the college coaches and the people in the area know who THE TEAM in the organization is. All the other teams are, well... just the other team.



I am going to assume when you say "help the other teams below them" you are referring to exposure not talent. If that is the case, having one or more scouts in Tracy this weekend in itself would lead me to think that YES is the answer. p.s. ive yet to see an actual exposure tourney in nor cal in the last 5 years for 14U. Tracy or Sac or Stockton. I hear pretty good things about Harrison and Norwood.


Nope, I was speaking about when those "Other" teams head out to socal or Colorado for the exposure tournaments. Only the top dog team gets the benefit of the name, all others are treated like any other team. So if you are the 2nd or 3rd team down the line, you are out in the boonies, not playing on the best fields against the best teams. That name doesnt do it for you..... unless your team kicks arse for more than a year and builds a rep in the softball community, ala RR Paulie of 2 years ago.

your 3rd question: Do you agree that the only 14u teams/players that are really on a coaches radar are on that radar because they are truly exceptional? [b] edited for brevity
Agreed all the way down to how smart TR is by maximizing his earnings.[/b]

so doesnt this make the point that if you are really good, you dont need that name? I dont mean you dont need ANY name, but im talking about latching on to an org 500 or more miles away, so really, you are no more a part of the organization, then other team wearing a different uniform. There is No TR sitting in that dugout:)



Exposure = Yes, Coaching = unknown til named, Ego = yes (most dads I meet around the parks it seems ego is a driving force in how well there kid is playing), kid get better beacuse of jersey = no. tuff question to answer, im at a little loss.

I would argue that "Exposure" at 12u and 1st year 14u should be a non issue, as there is hardly ANY except for the truly ELITE top 5 or so teams in the NATION. so IMO, parents are foolish to do anything other than find the very best coaching and teams they can to help their kid get better at this age.


simply put this is JUST like TC smash 98...for years Team Cali (aka All American Mizuno garcia) have been representing Nor Cal well in Nor Cal and So Cal. The play of the 14U team in itself (just like smash) is the reason. not the 16U team, nor the 12's or 10's....simply the 14U. If I ranked the 5 org's I mentioned, Team Cali would be at the bottom of that list.

Im not familiar with the team, they are now team cali Garcia??? at which age? Id like to watch them play. BUt no matter how good they are, you give an org that much credit for one team in a VERY short time frame?

[onlooker]

We do agree it appears that THE TEAM of the org is known by those who need to know.

Ahhh, I get that, and yes. It is about what team you are on there, not what org. And the team could either be A. THE TEAM as discussed above, or B. THE CONTACT, meaning the coach, liaison, or someone/thing has an attachment to that coach.

I agree if you are that good, you are making your own name. However, if you are that good, you must ensure you are getting yourself in front of who you want to get in front of with the org you are with, whether you are in Idaho or Nor Cal.

agreed that 2nd year of 14's the playing field changes. nothing matters before that on a exposure front. we are on same page I think.

They are Team California (coach name is Garcia is all) played 16's at MDC in Sac. Most say the best 99 P is on their team with the 2nd best on Miller's. I would also add that the org itself is nowhere on the map. It will take several years and granger staying involved (but I digress). but in the 14U landscape which was part of the topic, they would be a team of firecracker age.

[GameTime23]

WOOOOOW….thread high jacket….I love it!!!

FYI: Only TRUE Nor Cal FC will be those 98 girls and coach that won and earned the right to have the opportunity to start a team in Nor Cal as Firecrackers98.

They also deserve the benefits that will come with recruiting and tournament fields. Team is legit and have the FC Juice to get kids recruited.


Any other Nor Cal FC teams will be just riding on the coattails of FC98 or they need to come up with top coaching….Good Luck!!!!

[onlooker]

Any other Nor Cal FC teams will be just riding on the coattails of FC98 UNTIL they come up with top coaching AND assemble the right talent….Good Luck!!!!

fixed (i think)

While I agree on the suraface with all you wrote, being the next Nor Cal Firecrackers, or the 14th Nor Cal Firecrackers, doesn't limit any of the teams opportunity for success. In fact, at some point one of them will/might eclipse the smash 98 girls. I wouldnt handicap them because they weren't first, but must be grateful/thankful/whatever we want to call it to the one's who got FC and TR up here.

[GameTime23]

Looker....Fair enough!!!

Will need the right coaching to get talent in the door tho....Not sure FC name alone will do that....

Good Luck!!!

[JimineyCricket]

...Will need the right coaching to get talent in the door tho....

So who is "the right coaching" for the job? I asked for positive comments on 12u coaches in NorCal months ago, and got zero response...