SHOULD I JOIN BATBUSTERS OR FIRECRACKERS

[E Train Dad]

Interesting post as I think its that's one is due.......obviously, we all have opinions on every org that we may or may not belong to, I think Mike and Tony are very qualified and talented leaders within their org's, and their premiere teams are nothing to ignore, I'm guessing the respondent from Texas has the same experience in Tx. The problem is the that they stack the deck everytime the big tourneys come around to allow them to be the big name in the finals. I blame PGF and beyond to allow them to adjust their lineups to bring in ringers within their org's to play in the big games. This is why people gravitate to these teams.....my daughter does not play for either but is on an a top team! I cant remember the last time we lost to a Cracker team!

[sr_design]

Tournament's themselves are being stacked in different and creative ways. The last one we entered offered a free entry into a prestigious summer showcase to each division winner. Advertised as 3 pool games into single elimination, the pool play schedule was published and then the next day the pre-seeded bracket play schedule was posted. So pool play was really nothing but a glorified friendly. All anyone is asking for is a level playing field.

These org's had legitimate reasons for challenging ASA's monopoly and setting up alternative events but at least stuff like this didn't go on at ASA events. And notice how the Las Vegas J.O. Classic has gotten squeezed out. They ran a good event, well attended by teams and scouts with a reasonable entry fee. Now they're down to a handful of teams. Although this stuff doesn't meet the definition of antitrust law it has that feel.

[softball65]

Interesting post as I think its that's one is due.......obviously, we all have opinions on every org that we may or may not belong to, I think Mike and Tony are very qualified and talented leaders within their org's, and their premiere teams are nothing to ignore, I'm guessing the respondent from Texas has the same experience in Tx. The problem is the that they stack the deck everytime the big tourneys come around to allow them to be the big name in the finals. I blame PGF and beyond to allow them to adjust their lineups to bring in ringers within their org's to play in the big games. This is why people gravitate to these teams.....my daughter does not play for either but is on an a top team! I cant remember the last time we lost to a Cracker team!

This has been our experience too. 3 Fall's ago DD went to Sun Classic as a pickup player. Our first game we played an 18u Batbusters team (there were several in the tourney) They were good but nothing special but there were easily 35 coaches around the field watching, and I promise you it wasn't because of our team which was a mediocre 16U team.

Saw a Firecrackers team in FL 2 weekends ago out of Tampa I beleive. Also decent but basically a regional team looking to go National with a National name, but they were not a team that could measure up nationally. But the name still brings with it an expectation....and probably always will.

[softballjerk]

Mr Hate!

Very nice post!

Fastpitch softball in SoCal has become a real joke and a MONEY GRAB!.
People like Rico have cashed in on the "Stupid" softball parents out there, that want to so much believe that their DD is Firecracker caliber (speaking of Rico's team), but in reality, she is more of a Firecrackers - Frank Alvarez type!
The Dad's of these players, sidestep common sense, and reality, so they can walk around, wearing a HAT for a wining team that their daughter has NO SHOT of ever playing for. Instead, it comes down to some weird sense that by wearing the same name on their jersey as another great softball team, then miraculously they themselves will become great players - when in actuality they are not and will not, unless they have the talents, the support structure and work ethic that will bring out their best skills and athleticism.
Without that, it doesn't matter if the kid wears 50 layered Firecrackers jerseys, because talent and hard work doesn't seep from the jersey into he kid -making them better players.

Playing for a team named Firecrackers with a crappy coach, is not going to provide any benefit for these players, other than draining the wallets and purses of the stupid, ignorant parents of these players.

As for the coaches that align themselves with these organization; I understand why they do it, and it's because their insecurity and quest for relevance, outweighs their fiduciary responsibility to provide each of the families on their team, the best bang for their buck. The sell out, to hopefully get a player or two, that they feel they wouldn't have gotten without the selling their soles to the MONEY GRUBBING organizations.

This used to be about the kids, now it's about how much of the stupid players parents money we can get out hands on - and from my perspective, and theirs, it seems endless.

[genbender69]

I would say no. It is so diluted now. I was talking to a D1 College coach and it was a joke that there were so many BB and FC teams. Those D1 college coaches you see watching the top teams at HB Complex they are there watching their players that verballed already making sure they are doing and acting the way they want their players to carry themselves. They are not there to recruit. If you look at the team profiles 90% of the players are already verballed. College coaches are getting tired of the “Showcase” Tournaments that are maybe 5 innings at the most. They want to see a full 7 inning game and see the players actually play as a team and not individuals. How often do coaches show up out of the blue and verbal a kid? Not often, everyone dose there research and go to camps and unofficial visits and emailing coaches. Now with it so DILUTED the coaches don’t even know what teams to blindly watch. I really doesn’t matter what organization you play/coach for, if a player puts in the work in contacting coaches, looks at rosters ask if they even need what she has to offer. Organizations don’t get the players scholarships the player does.

[E Train Dad]

GenBen, Great response...IMHO, it's not just the work on the field it's the work off the field as well to get yourself recruited! My DD has 3 offers as a Jr currently because of her hard work, but not committed to date. She continues to call, text and email coaches to make sure her she makes the right decision and stay's engaged with all coaches she is interested in playing for! Put in the work to communicate with coaches and make sure you do it correctly! Subject line on emails, texting coaches appropriately, preparing yourself before you call the coach....ect! It's been a learning process, but I think she can teach a course at this point!

[Dwn4dCnt]

Don't be naive all ur life . Do U really think a college coach is gonna come watch ur daughter because she emailed her ? Lmfao!! A coach already knows what teams he or she is gonna come watch because the coach has already started a relationship with such organizations . And if ur daughter is on a Jenny's dad's team please believe that she will probably not get looked at .. my dd is on a firecracker team and is in the right one at her age level and the coaches come to see the brand they know what caliber teams tony or mike dish out when they call they tell em go watch this team and that girl and that's how it really works . So my advice to u is join either bb or fc they are both great organizations .. but ur daughter better have the goods to make the top team in her division

[Sam]

Don't be naive all ur life . Do U really think a college coach is gonna come watch ur daughter because she emailed her ? Lmfao!! A coach already knows what teams he or she is gonna come watch because the coach has already started a relationship with such organizations . And if ur daughter is on a Jenny's dad's team please believe that she will probably not get looked at .. my dd is on a firecracker team and is in the right one at her age level and the coaches come to see the brand they know what caliber teams tony or mike dish out when they call they tell em go watch this team and that girl and that's how it really works . So my advice to u is join either bb or fc they are both great organizations .. but ur daughter better have the goods to make the top team in her division

What a stupid comment. The work the kids do off the field is the reason 99% of the kids get recruited. Coaches want kids that want to come to their schools. Ask them.

If the kid can play they will be found, regardless of the team they play for during a particular season. The "elite" 18G coaches have created this industry. They don't find kids spots on college teams out of the kindness of their hearts. They are making oodles of money off of idiotic parents (apparently like you) who will pay their fees so that their kids can be seen by a D1 team from a big conference. OK. What is that worth? A degree from Oklahoma....or Alabama.....or Florida isnt worth any more than a degree from Cal State Northridge.

Keep us updated on what your daughter's "goods" get her.

[Dwn4dCnt]

Please elaborate on what a player has to do off the field to get recruited ?? Because my dd is 14 and only plays ball she only contacted coaches who have shown interest in her .. ur daughter can email a school 1,000 times and be descent but please believe she will be at my daughters firecracker game ! You should come watch also everyone else does

[Dwn4dCnt]

Oh and about me dishing out money to tony... hmmm tony gets 25$ every month for 8 months and in return every season he gives my kid an lxt LOUSVILLE bat, a helmet, and a bag .... seems ok to me ..