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Outlaw 425
26 Posts |
 Posted - 01/22/2011 : 19:57:07
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| I am on the outside looking in but IMHO there are a number of good teams in 11u. My youngest son will come back and play in this age group later in the season so I have a little different perspective than most of you. The bottom line is that we will get a very good idea where everyone stands after the first Triple Crown tourney. The top 2 10u teams from last year(Braves & Stealth) got better and a couple of the East Cobb teams are very much improved. We have been playing at 50/70 for the last couple of years and I noticed that the change in field size will be tougher for the teams with smaller players. Just because a team was good last year does not mean they will be good on this field. It is shaping up to be a great season. Good luck to all! |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2011 : 21:28:22
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| I for one would like to know who all these people are......We should ask Stan if we can start a thread named "Roll Call" for all the dads/parents/uncles who aren't afraid to give away their name even if it is top secret....It won't happen, but for the people who do have an opinion and don't feel the need to hide behind a screen name I wish we could....A few of the dads from the 12U board told me they check this board every day to see what new name has been made(I guess they should stay anonymous.....everybody is doing it!)....I'll bet a few people have 3-4 screen names!!! |
Edited by - Spartan4 on 01/22/2011 22:15:48 |
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2011 : 11:53:44
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| I chuckle as much at the people who worry who is posting what as the people who make big claims anonymously. Nobody's reputation is made or lost on a message board. But the drama sure is fun. |
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Gwinnett
791 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2011 : 19:22:52
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| SS, you gotta love it! I know I do....lol |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2011 : 19:34:08
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| It isn't the claims people are making Buckeye it is the same 1-2 people having MULTIPLE screen names to say the same things over and over....With posters such as yourself we know who is saying something, that isn't the case with half of these people. It would be nice to know the people who say hey, pat you on the back, and shake your hand aren't the same people who talk about you/ your team/ your son/nephew/brother on a message board. Message boards are mainly for opinion and more than one of us thinks it is childish to have an alias to give a negative opinion or hype your own situation up. |
Edited by - Spartan4 on 01/23/2011 21:26:12 |
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prestont
197 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 06:10:00
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Hi All - does anyone know what fields we're scheduled to play on? I haven't reached out to Tony or Donny, and thought I'd ask the group.
Last year we caught some of my neighbors 11U games, and they played their games at Sharon Springs. |
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ecball
72 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 10:11:16
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It sounds like everyone is fired up again. The Rays do have a great catcher as he's one of the best I've seen. I had him for 4 seasons so I think I can say that. I don't know who they picked up to play middle IF that will dominate major competition.
The Longhorns could be great this season. I think their entire team played majors last year so they are use to seeing the kind of pitching they will face. I heard that after fall ball, they picked up the huge kid from Gwinnett that is a game changer offensively and another kid that is a big pitcher with a ton of potential. They could be the team to beat if they put it all together.
IMO - There aren't any dominate players in the state at this age group like the Bandits. When I think of dominate players, I'm talking about kids that can basically win a game by themsleves or with one other "stud". We don't have kids in this age group that can hit it 275 every other game and also throw a shut out every time out. The 12U Bandits had 4 such kids last year. I've been approached for the last two years about putting together a Team GA but it would be impossible to pick the best 12 players from East Cobb let alone the state. I would guess there are about 40 to 50 parents who think their kid is a top 10 player at ECB and they might be right depending on the weekend you see the kid play. There are a lot of very good players.
I have no idea who the best player on my team is let alone the entire state. This year there is very little difference between the kid hitting 3rd and 10th on my team....Very good players with tons of athletic ability and potential. We will start out slow just like last year as I have a bunch playing basketball and some that are raw when it comes to baseball. Sounds like it will be a fun season if we can every have a practice outdoors. I hate spotting the FL teams two months of outside practices....
MKirksey |
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solid baseball
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 10:15:09
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To outlaw425: I think the bigger fields require better athletes (size, strength, quickness, speed) not neccessarily just bigger kids. They need the size and strenght to hit to 250 feet and threw it further across the diamond and the speed to cover the bigger outfields and the 70 foot bases will be bigger factirs this year.
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tae281
447 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 10:41:29
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quote:
Originally posted by ecball
The Longhorns could be great this season. I think their entire team played majors last year so they are use to seeing the kind of pitching they will face. I heard that after fall ball, they picked up the huge kid from Gwinnett that is a game changer offensively and another kid that is a big pitcher with a ton of potential. They could be the team to beat if they put it all together.
MKirksey
Mike,
Not quite true, the Gwinnett kid will be a fill in if we need but he is not practicing with us or are there any plans to have him join us soon. Pretty nice ace in the hole should we need it though.
Also, half our roster is made up of kids who were playing AAA ball last season and the other half came from major teams so it'll be an adjustment for some kids.
Bottom line, we're all really looking forward to playing some ball.
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SSBuckeye
575 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 11:01:59
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I hear ya, Spartan! My only point is that when you add up all the folks involved with travel baseball here in Georgia in the 11u age group, you probably have much, much less than a fraction of a percent represented on this particular forum. So, nobody is truly harmed by anything that is said. The forum is well moderated and kids are never called out, so if someone wants to stand behind a moniker and tell everyone that their team is the greatest of all time, then so be it. That's part of the fun of these boards to begin with, I think. Now, I don't do that, because I come here for different reasons, but any board on which I am a participant has people like the ones you're calling out. At the end of the day, if someone says something foolish, someone will call them out when what they say proves to be rubbish......and then the offender will change their handle!!!
I suppose I used to get irritated when that happened, but once I realized it doesn't really matter, I focus on the good conversations and get more enjoyment out of the experience. Just my $0.02. |
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Outlaw 425
26 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 18:11:01
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Solid baseball, I was simply giving you my take on the 50/70 game. As I said, we have been playing on that size field for a number of years. It is hard to find kids that are big and really fast at the 11u age group(before puberty). We played on the same fields at East Cobb last year at 11u as we did at 10u. Speed is a huge advantage in the outfield but nothing like it is at 13u,14u,and beyond. It is a simple fact that the bigger kids normally(not all the time)throw and hit the ball harder. That was the only point I was making. The smaller skilled players will still do VERY well in 11u and 12u. In fact a couple of the better players I have seen in this age group are not what you would call "big kids".
The bigger fields at 13u and 14u is when the size and speed advantage really makes the biggest difference. Of course most of those kids are in the change already. I can give you this perspective because both my boys are currently playing in 14u and I see it every day.
Tae is correct we will not be playing full time for him in the early part of the season. We are very much looking forward to playing with him later in the season and in some of the big out of state tournaments. Tae is a great guy and I believe the Longhorns,with their new additions, are going to be a VERY competitive team.
I would respecfully disagree with Coach Mike on one point. I DO believe you can pick 12 of the best players in this age group. It happens every year on the 13u and above ECB Astros. I respect Mike alot and think he is a very good coach, his record alone over the past few years have shown that.
If they ever do put 12 of the best players in this state on one team to compete on the national level then I can promise you that I would stop playing my son up in other age groups. I can also promise that team would be VERY SCARY to any team in Florida,Texas, or any other state. It may just be wishful thinking but I really hope someone at ECB gives it a try next season. |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 18:31:27
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| I can't agree with Coach Kirksey anymore about the talent differences between 11U and 12U. We played our first 3 years of travel ball playing up and I tend to think there is just more dominant talent (less great teams) in the 12U age group..The Bandits have done a ridiculous job building a great team and they are as cohesive a team as I have ever seen(it CAN be done both ways)......But having said that I do think you can make a super team in this age group. The top 5-6 kids are clearly out there IMO but as you said the bottom 5-6-7 will be interchangable. It just is what it is, EcBall obviously has a TON more coaching experience than me but that is my opinion on a "super team". I told Coach Tae this afternoon that I have decided I HATE JANUARY....IMO it is a pointless month and we need some GAMES!!! |
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BravesFan
533 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 21:31:52
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quote:
Originally posted by solid baseball
To reply to Prestont. It's not that some posters are proud of there team and others can't say the same things. Everyone should be excited about there team. It's different because some teams outspoken posters try to do it without admitting who they are with. It's a little obvious and the dog or cat or whatever the phrase is out of the bag. Ive heard braves fan or should we say rays fan and 11u fan are the same person.
Solid,
I can tell you that 11ufan and I are not the same person nor do I feel that I'm an outspoken poster. Each individual is entitled to their opinion and in most cases it can't be quantified or proven wrong. If I say this team has the best catcher out there, how can anyone prove this is untrue because it's all a matter of prospective.
Personally, I think there are 5-6 teams that on any given day can win a big tournament and the best part is it's all good. No need to hate, just appreciate. |
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moccs
349 Posts |
Posted - 01/24/2011 : 22:53:58
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Just Shut up and play ball !!! LOL
Cant wait to get started .. We are playing a few warmups in February and will look forward to the competition in the slugfest .. We are just hoping to improve our team and start to get a little recognition for the boys from Middle Georgia.
Like most teams we are capable of sneaking up on few teams. We will know where we stand in a few weeks. Good Luck to all.... |
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center field
1 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 10:32:37
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| This season seems to be one that everyone is looking forward to. I have not posted before but do enjoy reading it. This is a great thing these kids get to enjoy playing baseball at this level with there friends. I think this will be a much better year these teams seem like there getting closer on the majors level. (talent wise) We will all find out in a couple of months. |
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ecball
72 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 10:54:35
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I need to clarify what I was trying to say. First of all, I believe this age group is stronger overall than the 12U group but doesn't have the truely dominate players. As a previous poster mentioned, some of the best kids are playing up so it's hard to know everyone out there. I explained what I view as a dominate player above. The kid from NC is dominate....He can throw 70+ and he can rake. We play up in about 5 tournaments each year so I have seen the next age group and this age can hold it's own. I only have 3 kids that have played with me since 8U so I can attest that there are a lot of talented interchangable kids. I wish I could take and keep 20 kids happy each year but that's not realistic.
Picking the top 12 kids is much easier at 13U than 11 or 12 because as stated by Outlaw most kids hit puberity at 13 and the talent really seperates as some kids are just huge (6 foot+) and fast. Plus there isn't really a need right now as top GA teams can hang with any teams from CA or FL. In addition, it doesn't make any sense for 3 kids to sit out when they can be developing more on other teams. If they aren't playing, they aren't developing. In addition, if you did find a way to figure out who the best 12 kids are then they wouldn't get any competition in GA and would have to travel a long ways each weekend and spend a ton of money. This year figures to be very competitive thus making for some great games with the Longhorns, Rays and Stars just to name a few. FWIW - There were only two teams at the Elite 32 last year from GA and they finished 3rd and 5th respectively, which isn't bad considering FL had 10+ teams there and they had kids from CA on their rosters.
I would give you two examples for why picking a "dream team" is difficult at this age. First, I have some great players but anyone that follows us has no idea who our best player or players are because I couldn't tell you - there is very little gap. Second example is that Stealth has 3 kids that play SS, 2nd and CF that are all top athletes and any one of them could make the argument that they are the best on that team....and they aren't even the best hitters on that team. I have not seen any kids take over and dominate this age group and I've been doing this for 4 years so any talk of best player is just silly IMO. If you notice, the top Astros teams really start at 14U and it's because things have seperated due to field size and puberty. |
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ecbinsider
318 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 11:17:56
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All interesting to read but getting back to the topic at hand, here is an updated list. To me, there are 6 teams who can win this and all of these teams cannot take pool games lightly or else they'll end up the "other" bracket.
11 AND UNDER (DIVISION 1) (WILL SPLIT INTO SILVER AND GOLD BRACKETS AFTER POOL PLAY WITH 16 PAID TEAMS):
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1. WILLS PARK TITANS--ALPHARETTA, GA
2. SFCB BARRETT BASEBALL--CUMMING, GA
3. EAST COBB TITANS--MARIETTA, GA
4. EAST COBB LONGHORNS--MARIETTA, GA
5. NORTH GWINNETT BULLDOGS--SUWANEE, GA
6. MILTON NATIONALS--MILTON, GA
7. MIDWAY MAVERICKS--CUMMING, GA
8. WEST FORSYTH DIAMOND DAWGS--CUMMING, GA
9. GEORGIA SELECT RED--GRAYSON, GA
10. SHARON SPRINGS SPARTANS BLACK--CUMMING, GA
11. EAST COBB YANKEES--MARIETTA, GA
12. MIDDLE GA. MOCCASINS--MACON, GA
13. WILLS PARK WARRIORS--ALPHARETTA, GA
14. PATRIOT BASEBALL ACADEMY--JOHNS CREEK, GA
15. PARKVIEW PANTHERS--LILBURN, GA
16. EAST COBB RAPTORS--MARIETTA, GA
17. SFCB RANGERS--CUMMING, GA
18. FORSYTH OUTLAWS--CUMMING, GA
19. SHILOH TITANS--SNELLVILLE, GA
20. roswell hornets--roswell, ga
21. hobgood thrashers--woodstock, ga
22. east cobb rays--marietta, ga
23. sandy plains wildcats--marietta, ga
24. east cobb nationals--marietta, ga
25. 6-4-3 cougars-- marietta, ga
26. east cobb diamondbacks--marietta, ga
27. east cobb stars--marietta, ga |
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ecball
72 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 11:29:04
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| Tae - can you please put together a scrimmage game with the Rays? I think there are a lot of folks that would attend for a variety of reasons. The message boards would be really quit that day unless Moccs and Buckeye were available. We would love to work the gate.... |
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tae281
447 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 12:02:15
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quote:
Originally posted by ecball
Tae - can you please put together a scrimmage game with the Rays? I think there are a lot of folks that would attend for a variety of reasons. The message boards would be really quit that day unless Moccs and Buckeye were available. We would love to work the gate....
We could, would you charge based on screen names or actual people? |
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moccs
349 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 13:39:52
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ecbinsider---- And the 6 teams that can win are?
Tae-- screen names would make the most money$ |
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ecball
72 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 13:54:39
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We would make a lot more money by charging for screen names. There might only be a handful of people there but it would make for some great entertainment. We might be able to slide them in for free with proper screen name and blog password identification. This may help with Spartans "roll call" request. LOL
Let the blog know when and where for the big game....Where is DuckTape when we need him most? |
Edited by - ecball on 01/25/2011 19:10:53 |
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Spartan4
913 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 14:37:00
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| LOL, Tae......I think you might have found another fund raising opportunity.... |
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Glenn Newton
57 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 16:39:08
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quote:
Originally posted by ecball
I need to clarify what I was trying to say. First of all, I believe this age group is stronger overall than the 12U group but doesn't have the truely dominate players. As a previous poster mentioned, some of the best kids are playing up so it's hard to know everyone out there. I explained what I view as a dominate player above. The kid from NC is dominate....He can throw 70+ and he can rake. We play up in about 5 tournaments each year so I have seen the next age group and this age can hold it's own. I only have 3 kids that have played with me since 8U so I can attest that there are a lot of talented interchangable kids. I wish I could take and keep 20 kids happy each year but that's not realistic.
Picking the top 12 kids is much easier at 13U than 11 or 12 because as stated by Outlaw most kids hit puberity at 13 and the talent really seperates as some kids are just huge (6 foot+) and fast. Plus there isn't really a need right now as top GA teams can hang with any teams from CA or FL. In addition, it doesn't make any sense for 3 kids to sit out when they can be developing more on other teams. If they aren't playing, they aren't developing. In addition, if you did find a way to figure out who the best 12 kids are then they wouldn't get any competition in GA and would have to travel a long ways each weekend and spend a ton of money. This year figures to be very competitive thus making for some great games with the Longhorns, Rays and Stars just to name a few. FWIW - There were only two teams at the Elite 32 last year from GA and they finished 3rd and 5th respectively, which isn't bad considering FL had 10+ teams there and they had kids from CA on their rosters.
I would give you two examples for why picking a "dream team" is difficult at this age. First, I have some great players but anyone that follows us has no idea who our best player or players are because I couldn't tell you - there is very little gap. Second example is that Stealth has 3 kids that play SS, 2nd and CF that are all top athletes and any one of them could make the argument that they are the best on that team....and they aren't even the best hitters on that team. I have not seen any kids take over and dominate this age group and I've been doing this for 4 years so any talk of best player is just silly IMO. If you notice, the top Astros teams really start at 14U and it's because things have seperated due to field size and puberty.
Mr. Kirksey,
Id have to beg to differ on a few topics.
One is we all know who is really the best player at certain positions, some just dont want to admit that their son isnt or a player on their team isnt, but they think so because they are their's.
Second of all, if you were to do some sort of contract with the parents then it would be easy to take the top 12 kids in the age group and go play. The parents would just know up front of the cost and travel, contracts are the way to go. Unfortunately I dont have a son in this age group to comment on who is actually good and who is good in only some eyes.
And finally, I think we have a few players in our age group that dominate on the mound, up the middle and in the batter's box, we'll see in a month.
Insider, there's only 2 teams that can win the slugfest |
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biggin
174 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 17:03:21
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| As a parent of a 11yr old. I agree that would be nearly impossable to pick top 12. I think you could prob pick your 5 or 6 arms. Or top 3 or 4 catchers simpy because those can be specialty positions. I think its clear the talent pool in 11yr old is real deep in talent who knows what will happen as they mature. I for 1 believe we should enoy the fact we r lucky to have such talented kids. Its the ones that are willing to put all the work in over next couple yrs that will succed at the older age groups. I for 1 can't wait to get it all started. Good luck to all teams. |
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ONE WAY
48 Posts |
Posted - 01/25/2011 : 19:53:01
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| Mr Newton now that you have said that only 2 team can win the Slugfest step up and name them? |
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