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ecbinsider
318 Posts |
 Posted - 09/17/2010 : 09:25:18
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I was recently talking to a head coach friend of mine and he was telling me about all of the teams still looking for players this late in the season, several still needing 1,2,3 or even more next spring. He is concerned like I'm sure many others are regarding some of his kids getting calls from some of these teams.
This brings to me to my question, are teams trying too hard to find the perfect fit rather then taking the best available player? If you find a good athlete with a decent arm, what positions can you not develop him for? I heard one team needs a 1B and I was like what??? If you don't have a kid that can catch a ball then what are doing??
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2010 : 11:31:42
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| We have 10 and would ideally have 11. But I'm not going to add an 11th unless it's a good fit for all involved. Don't think that's too unreasonable an approach. Oh yeah, I'm not calling anyone. Interested parents need to reach out to me. Wouldn't do that to another team. |
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tae281
447 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2010 : 11:52:48
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There are many more teams looking for players due to the increasing number of 11U teams, this has spread the talent out and there is only so many available players to go around. Many rec parks are fielding 2nd teams, EC has 2 additional teams so demand is high and supply is low.
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2010 : 17:57:45
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This is a great topic!
I personally think coaches should be extremely selective in what players they take. Having a kid that can catch is simply not going to be good enough to play first at the upper levels. Most coaches would want a kid that can not only catch but also hit I'll say better than average. I know if I am starting a team I want to be competitive the corner spots would have to have some power, usually less lateral movement is required and a bigger/stronger kid can handle that position. But then again I have seen teams with tiny first basemen (12U Texas Nationals) and they seem to compete with anybody. |
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mwk2814
19 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2010 : 20:04:22
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| What is the current going rate for a major level player?? I could use a new car........ |
Edited by - mwk2814 on 09/17/2010 20:39:39 |
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ecbinsider
318 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2010 : 22:16:25
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quote:
Originally posted by mwk2814
What is the current going rate for a major level player?? I could use a new car........
Be careful what you ask, there might be someone out there willing to give what you ask for! 
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firstandthird
2 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2010 : 09:42:17
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| You may not get a car but I hear you can get an all inclusive Disney package for your family. |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2010 : 12:42:38
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LOL........what position does he play???
HAHA JK |
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jojo
2 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2010 : 14:18:04
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What is the policy for changing teams at ECB after attending a few fall practices when you find out there are some parents that will cause drama on the team that you want to avoid and that the team is not heading in the direction you thought.
I hope to work these out with the coach, but if not we will request a move (hopefully peacefully) and go to another team. The only issue is that there are only a few strong teams (major level) that we can transfer to, so I am not sure if that will be limiting.
Any thoughts....I do not want to create tension or burn a bridge, but I cannot go throught another entire season like last year with these same issues
Thanks for your feedback. |
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PumknHead
81 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2010 : 17:15:45
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quote:
Originally posted by mwk2814
What is the current going rate for a major level player?? I could use a new car........
What kind of car? |
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Jacked-up
59 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2010 : 18:12:14
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There is no policy. Better hope that one of the major teams has a slot open. You can leave any time you want. I would suggest finding a team to go to first...And don't expect any refund...If you get one, bonus.
quote:
Originally posted by jojo
What is the policy for changing teams at ECB after attending a few fall practices when you find out there are some parents that will cause drama on the team that you want to avoid and that the team is not heading in the direction you thought.
I hope to work these out with the coach, but if not we will request a move (hopefully peacefully) and go to another team. The only issue is that there are only a few strong teams (major level) that we can transfer to, so I am not sure if that will be limiting.
Any thoughts....I do not want to create tension or burn a bridge, but I cannot go throught another entire season like last year with these same issues
Thanks for your feedback.
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ecbinsider
318 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2010 : 18:50:23
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quote:
Originally posted by jojo
What is the policy for changing teams at ECB after attending a few fall practices when you find out there are some parents that will cause drama on the team that you want to avoid and that the team is not heading in the direction you thought.
I hope to work these out with the coach, but if not we will request a move (hopefully peacefully) and go to another team. The only issue is that there are only a few strong teams (major level) that we can transfer to, so I am not sure if that will be limiting.
Any thoughts....I do not want to create tension or burn a bridge, but I cannot go throught another entire season like last year with these same issues
Thanks for your feedback.
I'm no expert in the "in house rules" at EC but to me it seems early enough in the season to make a move. I do find it hard to believe that you would have an option to move to another major team at EC since they all seem full at this point.
Also, it's been my personal experience that all teams have some level of parents/coach drama on them, just depends on how much everyone will tolerate. |
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ecbpappi
244 Posts |
Posted - 09/18/2010 : 21:36:06
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quote:
Originally posted by jojo
What is the policy for changing teams at ECB after attending a few fall practices when you find out there are some parents that will cause drama on the team that you want to avoid and that the team is not heading in the direction you thought.
I hope to work these out with the coach, but if not we will request a move (hopefully peacefully) and go to another team. The only issue is that there are only a few strong teams (major level) that we can transfer to, so I am not sure if that will be limiting.
Any thoughts....I do not want to create tension or burn a bridge, but I cannot go throught another entire season like last year with these same issues
Thanks for your feedback.
What kind of issues are we talking about? Playing time/positions or the team playing AAA tournaments when they said they would play majors?
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jojo
2 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2010 : 11:25:48
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This team seems to be playing more AAA tournaments then Major and the talent is not as strong with a few players (filler players taken that are lower level talent) that will make it hard to compete with the top teams who have 9+ solid players. The issues are not playing time or positions as he is a strong pitcher and catcher with a good bat, so he gets noticed, we just want to play with the best and spend the season playing in lower level tournaments.
We have not paid any money yet, but we really like the coach...we just need to add a few good players versus these lower level kids. |
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ERROR ON 6
47 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2010 : 12:30:22
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quote:
Originally posted by jojo
What is the policy for changing teams at ECB after attending a few fall practices when you find out there are some parents that will cause drama on the team that you want to avoid and that the team is not heading in the direction you thought.
I hope to work these out with the coach, but if not we will request a move (hopefully peacefully) and go to another team. The only issue is that there are only a few strong teams (major level) that we can transfer to, so I am not sure if that will be limiting.
Any thoughts....I do not want to create tension or burn a bridge, but I cannot go throught another entire season like last year with these same issues
Thanks for your feedback.
You must be on either the Rays, Raptors or Outlaws, I believe they are the only ones thus far playing fall. I can see why you may be in this predicament on 2 of these 3.
I wouldn't rule out the rumor of the couple major teams being "full", some friends of ours last year were having a similar undesirable baseball experience with a Cobb travel team and were picked up by the East Cobb Stars even though they were full and it turned out to be a good fit and he is back with them this year. Cant hurt to ask, but remember the old saying, its always best to have a job lined up before you tell your current boss, CYA! |
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ecbpappi
244 Posts |
Posted - 09/19/2010 : 18:38:25
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quote:
Originally posted by ERROR ON 6
quote:
Originally posted by jojo
What is the policy for changing teams at ECB after attending a few fall practices when you find out there are some parents that will cause drama on the team that you want to avoid and that the team is not heading in the direction you thought.
I hope to work these out with the coach, but if not we will request a move (hopefully peacefully) and go to another team. The only issue is that there are only a few strong teams (major level) that we can transfer to, so I am not sure if that will be limiting.
Any thoughts....I do not want to create tension or burn a bridge, but I cannot go throught another entire season like last year with these same issues
Thanks for your feedback.
You must be on either the Rays, Raptors or Outlaws, I believe they are the only ones thus far playing fall. I can see why you may be in this predicament on 2 of these 3.
I wouldn't rule out the rumor of the couple major teams being "full", some friends of ours last year were having a similar undesirable baseball experience with a Cobb travel team and were picked up by the East Cobb Stars even though they were full and it turned out to be a good fit and he is back with them this year. Cant hurt to ask, but remember the old saying, its always best to have a job lined up before you tell your current boss, CYA!
The Rays and Outlaws are the only teams to have played fall tournaments so far but the Raptors, Titans, Spartans, Yankees and Diamondbacks will play some fall tournaments. Now, it's my understanding that the Rays, Titans, Stars, Braves & Outlaws are the ones playing majors next spring.
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tae281
447 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2010 : 09:14:16
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quote:
You must be on either the Rays, Raptors or Outlaws, I believe they are the only ones thus far playing fall. I can see why you may be in this predicament on 2 of these 3.
I wouldn't rule out the rumor of the couple major teams being "full", some friends of ours last year were having a similar undesirable baseball experience with a Cobb travel team and were picked up by the East Cobb Stars even though they were full and it turned out to be a good fit and he is back with them this year. Cant hurt to ask, but remember the old saying, its always best to have a job lined up before you tell your current boss, CYA!
The Outlaws/Longhorns roster is full so we are not pursuing additional players at this time. BTW, we will be the Longhorns going forward so the Outlaws went out with guns a blazin!
Only the Rays and Longhorns have played any fall tournaments to date but like someone else pointed out many of the other EC teams will be playing tournaments in the coming weeks. Both of us entered the most competitive tournaments available this fall so this player in question is not a member on either of these teams, at least imho.
Also, in reference to the recruiting of players, half of my current roster still gets phone calls asking them to change teams or to come out to another teams practice. To me, this tells me I've made some good decisions on players and having kids other teams want means we are on the right path to building a solid team.
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2010 : 12:15:47
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quote:
Originally posted by tae281
The Outlaws/Longhorns roster is full so we are not pursuing additional players at this time. BTW, we will be the Longhorns going forward so the Outlaws went out with guns a blazin!
Only the Rays and Longhorns have played any fall tournaments to date but like someone else pointed out many of the other EC teams will be playing tournaments in the coming weeks. Both of us entered the most competitive tournaments available this fall so this player in question is not a member on either of these teams, at least imho.
Also, in reference to the recruiting of players, half of my current roster still gets phone calls asking them to change teams or to come out to another teams practice. To me, this tells me I've made some good decisions on players and having kids other teams want means we are on the right path to building a solid team.
And, this means we should have scrimmaged you last year when we had a chance. Now that you've gone major, we'll need to be spotted a good half dozen runs or more if you want to hook up in the spring!!! |
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moccs
349 Posts |
Posted - 09/20/2010 : 13:33:56
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Yeah one of my players was approached after a scrimmage in East Cobb on yesterday.
I would hope that he would stick with our team and be competitive. Even though it is a 2 hour drive from Middle Georgia I did see at least 3-4 players from our area practicing with EC teams.Our roster is not complete yet and could still use a few players before Spring. After reading comments about EC talent getting a little stretched this year because of new teams... You couldn't tell it watching the Outlaws/Longhorns--Rays- Titans. |
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ecbinsider
318 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2010 : 09:13:01
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quote:
Originally posted by moccs
Yeah one of my players was approached after a scrimmage in East Cobb on yesterday.
I would hope that he would stick with our team and be competitive. Even though it is a 2 hour drive from Middle Georgia I did see at least 3-4 players from our area practicing with EC teams.Our roster is not complete yet and could still use a few players before Spring. After reading comments about EC talent getting a little stretched this year because of new teams... You couldn't tell it watching the Outlaws/Longhorns--Rays- Titans.
Really? I would hope it wasn't by the team you were invited to play, that to me just doesn't seem right. Traveling from Macon at 11yrs old also doesn't make sense, that's like what 2 hours each way?? |
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ecbinsider
318 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2010 : 11:43:47
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quote:
Originally posted by jojo
This team seems to be playing more AAA tournaments then Major and the talent is not as strong with a few players (filler players taken that are lower level talent) that will make it hard to compete with the top teams who have 9+ solid players. The issues are not playing time or positions as he is a strong pitcher and catcher with a good bat, so he gets noticed, we just want to play with the best and spend the season playing in lower level tournaments.
We have not paid any money yet, but we really like the coach...we just need to add a few good players versus these lower level kids.
JoJo, Insider is here for you. If your coach was claiming his team was going to be majors and ended up with a mid level AAA team then you my friend were sold a bill of goods. The first thing any team wanting to make the move to majors needs to do is to let go of the weaker talent, let those players find teams where they can lead and not hinder the team. If he or she hasn't done that by now then it's way too late, 97% of the major players out there are on teams and a couple that are still out there are damaged goods that wouldn't come to your team regardless.
So, where does that leave you and your situation?? Sounds to me your only choice right now is to facilitate a move to another team and quickly before your window of opportunity gets shut out. Usually, a persons first impression is right and it sounds like your getting ready for a long mediocre season of watching several pet projects try and play travel ball. Is that what you signed up for? If so, bite your tongue and crack a smile because all you have is your sense of humor left and many more gray hairs by the time it's all over.
Truely,
ECBinsider aka Ann Landers! |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2010 : 12:24:09
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| A lot of the kids traveling also don't practice with their teams, they practice with a local team and take lessons. I know a lot of people don't like that idea but I know of one ECB 10U team that has or had an out of state player on it, and we have been a guest player for out of state/south Georgia teams that we didn't practice with a couple times for big tournaments. It is kinda young to be doing this full time at 11 tho as most of the boys this age need reps and then some more reps. I haven't experienced this but I have heard many times that the parents don't usually accept the kids as quickly who don't practice with the team full time, don't think its right but I have heard that from a lot of different people. Right or wrong I think this happens quite a bit more than we all realize. |
Edited by - Spartan4 on 09/21/2010 15:07:26 |
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wareagle
324 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2010 : 16:53:07
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Spartan4
Dont agree completely with what you said. We travel to play with a team and make practice when we can but it is not possible to make alot of weekday practice due to school etc. I would like to see a group of major kids at this age from different teams come together to play a few tourneys a year. Some of these kids are limited to aa teams due to geography. I think you could put together a group of kids that could compete with ECB and other organizations. which raises the question again "Do the big guys do a good job teaching or recruiting?" The answer is probably both, but I personally think raw talent beats good coaching most of the time.So its a matter of first finding the talent then giving them good coaching. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2010 : 21:41:01
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| Personally, I prefer my son plays with a team where he can make the practices and enjoy all of the aspects of the team. If a player can't make a team's practice, is that coach really helping him? He will have plenty of time to be a "hired gun" when he gets older. |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 09/21/2010 : 22:08:01
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Wareagle,
You might have disagreed with me but I couldn't agree with you more, I am all about a super major team with kids from different states even. We have played on and few and seen many many win at all cost teams with kids from upu to 4 or 5 states. I love watching teams like this play, you rarely see a "little johnny" on these teams. And to me that is what elite travel ball is about, it's not about mediocrity or moving the kids to new positions every inning. Not saying that some really good teams can't do that just about every game(Bandits) but those teams have superior talent than 99% of the other teams as well. I'm not slamming the teams that do things this way, I'm just saying that regardless of any other opinions that is what I like to see and many many others like to see as well. That is why I am really glad there are different classifications so the kids that play AA or AAA aren't constantly getting beaten down by major teams in the AAA clothing(and there are plenty of them). so the Also, I agree 1000% about raw talent beating coaching, especially at this age group the bigger and stronger kids tend to thrive both offensively and defensively. We loved our time playing with a team from far away, and if a big super team came calling we would probably play on it even if we couldn't practice every week. You can go back thru some posts, I have even gone so far as to say I think we should have some more tourneys or a sanctioning body that doesn't freeze roster(only to get blasted) and I still would like to see that. No team I have seen was as good as Mizuno or San Diego Stars two years ago and I think they flew 4 kids on one team and I think 6 on the other, they were flat out the BEST 10U team we saw two years ago. Sure they recruited the best available players, they didn't "develop" talent year to year but they were able to put the best teams together and compete for a national championship. |
Edited by - Spartan4 on 09/21/2010 23:06:34 |
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bankerheel
34 Posts |
Posted - 09/22/2010 : 10:17:29
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I have been following this board for the past 2 years and have finally got to post.
By background, I am a current coach of an 11u team in Georgia, and have been for the past 3 years. We are low AAA team that really is nothing more than a feeder program for our local high school. Having been around baseball for 30+ years, I jumped at the chance to coach my 2 sons (11u and 9u) around the game I love. I played major Division I baseball in the ACC as a 4 year starting pitcher/3rd base and was drafted out of high school and college to play minor league ball with the Reds. I never signed in order to pursue a banking career. (What was I thinking :)
Having said this, reading the posts around recruiting and major vs. AAA and travel ball, it cracks me up to see how serious everyone takes themselves and or their teams. I have watched my 2 nephews play EC Baseball for the past 7 years, 1 is a freshman playing college ball, and the other, an 11th grader is being actively recruited. The oldest one won National Championships while playing with the 15u,16u,17u Astros, so I get what EC travel ball is all about and am fully supportive.
However, at 11u, I don't see what the big deal is in "winning a national championship." Who cares? I am more interested in developing my sons into the best baseball players they can be. They both have god given talent, but in reality results for our players don't matter until recruiting starts, and realistically this begins at the earliest at 14u. At this time, I will take my son to tryout to East Cobb to play, but until then, I'm happy playing locally with kids from our school district.
Are we a great team, no, but I also don't spend a great deal of time on the road playing 70+ games per year. Both my sons play football in the fall, basketball in winter, and spring baseball starting around Feb thru June.I know I will probably get blasted on this forum, but I think travel ball at this age has gotten way out of hand. Come talk to to me when your child is playing in showcase events in high school. Until then its about having fun, developing talent, being competitive, all while keeping things in perspective.
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