| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Taterhater
66 Posts |
 Posted - 06/05/2011 : 21:46:21
|
Astros hit it well this weekend and defeated Team Rawlings in the finals by a 14-10 score.
Oddly, we won this tournament and did not bring any new players. In fact, we were down a few players this weekend but still managed to win. Go figure. |
|
|
PASSBALL
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 00:06:27
|
| people will always have something to say! great job! |
 |
|
|
dmb350
135 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 08:43:31
|
| 14U Astros are the real deal. We've played them 4 times this year and they are always tough even when down they just keep coming. Congrats to them, they earned the win regardless of additions or shortages. Some of the 15U teams this weekend are no joke. Rawlings absolutely shut down RR blue with a 8-0 win/no hitter. Not an easy task. Looking good for GA at the Elite 32 this year. |
|
|
|
NorthGaBaseball
8 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 15:43:23
|
| this might be one of the best 14U Astros team in years |
|
|
|
sportsfamily
4 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 16:31:40
|
| Looked like the Astros are conditioning for the Elite. Congrats to them! |
|
|
|
loveforthegame25
448 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 21:36:19
|
| I have watched this years 14 U Astros several times, yes they are very good, Also spent all summer watching last years team. NO WAY is this years team better than last years. NO WAY |
Edited by - loveforthegame25 on 06/07/2011 07:45:02 |
|
|
|
oldmanmj
191 Posts |
Posted - 06/06/2011 : 21:47:15
|
| Topsy Turvy season- 15U won 16U and 14U won 15U. Both of those teams look really good. Could have been a great match up of 14U and 15U Astros. Team Rawlings looked good as well as the Titans. It seemed the 14's had more pitching to finish the tourney. Kudos for the tournament as there were some great games played. The 15U wood bat will be great this week. |
|
|
|
dmb350
135 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2011 : 14:44:12
|
| IMO, last year's 14U Astros (this year's 15U) are without a doubt the better of 2. They have been wining since 13U and continue to do so at every age level. The current 14U team didn't get past the 2nd round in last years Elite 32 but this years 15U team won it at 13 and 14. Proof is in the records. |
|
|
|
scdad
2 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2011 : 20:39:30
|
| Too bad the 13U Astro's couldn't keep the streak of Champs alive in 14U..... Team georgia beat them twice on their way to the crown |
|
|
|
loveforthegame25
448 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2011 : 20:40:12
|
| DMB your right on. 6 kids from last years team are on the 16 u astros. 6 are starters on the 15 astros. 3 are on 15 U Titans. etc. That team was special. 70-10 or something like that. only 2 or 3 losses to 14u teams. 6 were againt 16s. Not taking anything away from this years team but they have alot to accomplish to be mentioned in the same league as the 2010 team. |
|
|
|
Taterhater
66 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2011 : 21:48:45
|
This is wrong information. Last year's East Cobb Astros 13u made it into the top 6 in the Elite. I saw every game. They didn't play that well and they had a couple of good pitchers hurt, but they still managed to make the final 6.
Also, this year's team is much stronger based on some additions. It's impossible to compare the two teams...they don't have the same kids on this 14u team as they did on the 13u. They have a lot of the same ones, but there have been some major additions too. |
|
|
|
dmb350
135 Posts |
Posted - 06/07/2011 : 22:46:11
|
Tater, don't misunderstand what I'm saying. This years 14U Astros are great. Hands down the best team in 14U in the nation most likely and apparently 15U too (except the 15U Astros and maybe the 15U Titans). They are a very good team and have beaten everyone they come across when it mattered BUT last years 14U Astros were probably the best Astros team to play in many years. Their record speaks for itself and they seldom had anyone play them close. It really was just a super talented group of players.
My son's 14U team plays the 14U Astros regularly and have yet to do more than get the lead and keep it for a couple of innings before the Astros decide to take it back. Awesome team but we played up last year in 14U and watched last years 14U Astros at work, very impressive to say the least. Props to both.
|
|
|
|
Taterhater
66 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2011 : 09:11:23
|
I'm not disagreeing with you on last years 14u team and this years 14u team. Last year's group of players have all the hardware to prove their status as legit studs. No question about it. That group takes a back seat to no one. Anywhere.
My point is two-fold: 1.) you stated that last year's 13u team didn't make it past the second round in the Elite. That's not correct. We made it into the final 6. And 2.) last year's 13u team and this year's 14u team have a lot of the same players, but added some MAJOR firepower with a couple of key additions from the Roadrunners, Southside Expos, Meteors, etc. This year's 14u Astros is much better than last year's 13u Astros for those reasons. We hope to make it past the final six in the Elite. |
|
|
|
PASSBALL
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2011 : 11:53:34
|
| also last year 14u astros were made of alot of kids who are rising juniors!!! I think this year team is made of rising freshmen! That team last year all those kids were older 14 year olds. Now that is a big difference. I have heard many people say that this year team is not like last year and they are right. Most of those kids will be driving here soon! Most of them will be turning 16 this year. He had kids who were right at the cut off line as far as birthdays and that why they couldn't start until summer last year, they were all playing for their school teams. |
|
|
|
Chin Music
16 Posts |
Posted - 06/08/2011 : 13:06:51
|
Tater, I totally agree with you regarding the 14U Astros being stronger than they were at the 13U age group last year. The local players they acquired in addition to the rental players they picked up recently from Florida and North Carolina have firmly established them as one of the top 2-3 teams in the country. They, with out a doubt, have the most pitching out of any team in the country! In my opinion, this is why other elite teams will have problems beating them in big tournament formats.
With that said, to be crowned number one they will need to avenge their earlier loss to the Meteors and also beat California's best at the Elite 32. It should be really fun to watch for those of us going down to Orlando in July!
|
|
|
|
dmb350
135 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2011 : 09:45:09
|
Agreed, they are substantially better than they were at 13U thanks to some solid additions.
We seem to disagree on the Elite 32 results from 2010. USSSA has the 13U Astros in 9th place which is not in the final 6 at the Elite 32 but would indicate the quarter finals. Still a good showing, I just remember the RR's getting deeper (4th) and was surprised since they lost all their pool games. |
Edited by - dmb350 on 06/09/2011 10:29:15 |
|
|
|
kingofthehill
40 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2011 : 12:39:50
|
| okay...please dont bash me as I didnt play sports as a kid...was a little overweight...my son is a very good player on a major travel team in Orlando but he has spent most of his life in the Cincy area...we just moved to Vero a few years back. So I am trying hard to understand some things. My question is this. Why does a team from Atlanta have kids from Florida? Are there not enough kids in the Atlanta area to field a major team? Because it seems to me that the Astros would be great without kids from other states if they got the best of the best from their own back yard. I also saw a post earlier about kids coming to EC and playing from "south of the border". I have felt and seen for years that this goes on in the South with very little concern. We played in South Florida a few weeks ago as my oldest son is 12. And most of the kids on one team looked to be 15. Is this happening at EC too? Why turn a blind eye to it? |
|
|
|
Taterhater
66 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2011 : 15:08:48
|
2010 13u Astros made it to the loser's bracket final in the top half of the bracket. Lost to AZ All-Stars (for the second time in the tourney). AZ went on to play Roadrunners in winner's bracket final of that half of bracket. There were only five other teams still playing when the Astros lost. Top six. Again...I was there for every game. The bracket can be viewed here: http://www.usssa.com/sports/BracketPool.asp?Tournament=611597
About the Roadrunners making it to the finals even though they lost all of the pool games, I wasn't surprised and neither was anybody else. The Roadrunners were, and still are, one of the best teams in the country. They have also had some key additions this year. People crack me up acting like these teams should remain the same from year to year. Everybody is a free agent.
In regards to this year's Astros, one of the "rental" players to whom you refer from Florida was with the team in the fall. His high school season just ended and he has now rejoined the team. I'm not sure that qualifies as a rental. The other two were pickups who were not on other USSSA rosters and are completely legal. According to USSSA rules, you get three adds...and there is one more coming. Certainly the Astros will have to beat great teams like the Roadrunners, Meteors and California teams to win in Orlando. If they continue to play well, they have a good shot.
|
|
|
|
oldmanmj
191 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2011 : 21:51:13
|
| Guys, there are no rental players on their team. They are roster players and will be with them all summer. My understanding of a rental player is someone who will play for multiple teams during the year at different large events and not be on the same team for National events. All the players for the 14U Astros will be with them all season and at the Elite 32. A Rental player was Bryce Harper. Is the player that deserted the Astros for the Tornados a rental player for the Tornados? |
|
|
|
PASSBALL
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/09/2011 : 22:41:01
|
EC is what it is. Second of all who care what they look like. I would like to think that they are all legal. Is there a requirement that say they can't get a kid from FLA or wherever? The name is EAST COBB ASTROS NOT GA ASTROS! You right it does go on because northern teams can't play until may or june.
quote:
Originally posted by kingofthehill
okay...please dont bash me as I didnt play sports as a kid...was a little overweight...my son is a very good player on a major travel team in Orlando but he has spent most of his life in the Cincy area...we just moved to Vero a few years back. So I am trying hard to understand some things. My question is this. Why does a team from Atlanta have kids from Florida? Are there not enough kids in the Atlanta area to field a major team? Because it seems to me that the Astros would be great without kids from other states if they got the best of the best from their own back yard. I also saw a post earlier about kids coming to EC and playing from "south of the border". I have felt and seen for years that this goes on in the South with very little concern. We played in South Florida a few weeks ago as my oldest son is 12. And most of the kids on one team looked to be 15. Is this happening at EC too? Why turn a blind eye to it?
|
|
|
|
dmb350
135 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2011 : 09:06:01
|
quote:
Originally posted by Taterhater
2010 13u Astros made it to the loser's bracket final in the top half of the bracket. Lost to AZ All-Stars (for the second time in the tourney). AZ went on to play Roadrunners in winner's bracket final of that half of bracket. There were only five other teams still playing when the Astros lost. Top six. Again...I was there for every game. The bracket can be viewed here: http://www.usssa.com/sports/BracketPool.asp?Tournament=611597
About the Roadrunners making it to the finals even though they lost all of the pool games, I wasn't surprised and neither was anybody else. The Roadrunners were, and still are, one of the best teams in the country. They have also had some key additions this year. People crack me up acting like these teams should remain the same from year to year. Everybody is a free agent.
In regards to this year's Astros, one of the "rental" players to whom you refer from Florida was with the team in the fall. His high school season just ended and he has now rejoined the team. I'm not sure that qualifies as a rental. The other two were pickups who were not on other USSSA rosters and are completely legal. According to USSSA rules, you get three adds...and there is one more coming. Certainly the Astros will have to beat great teams like the Roadrunners, Meteors and California teams to win in Orlando. If they continue to play well, they have a good shot.
Saw your bracket and still disagree Tater. 8 teams still playing in bracket on Friday AFTER the Astros go out:
RR
AZ All stars
TABU
METEORS
LA Tigers
GA yard dogs
Impact BBC elite
Maryland BB acdmy
Hence the 9th place ranking by USSSA. You cant just look at one side of the bracket when youre talking placing and final 6. I'm done with it now. Great team, pointless argument. They were there and that's all that matters really. |
|
|
|
Taterhater
66 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2011 : 15:32:42
|
| dmb350, you are correct. I completely missed some of those teams. I apologize. |
|
|
|
PASSBALL
28 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2011 : 18:12:30
|
| who really cares? that was last year. Let's see how it turns out this year! there are some really good teams out there and now that the summer is here everyone will compete for that respect. |
|
|
|
Dr. Old School
314 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2011 : 21:00:43
|
kingofthehill,
You are looking at it from the wrong direction. The Astros don't go combing FL, or LA, or wherever, looking for players. Those guys show up at EC wanting to play with the Astros. The Astros will give them a look. Can you blame them?
If they are good enough, they do get a chance to play.
At 16u, you will see guys from the Northeast come down and pitch for the Astros or Titans because they know they will get all the visibility they need to get seen by scouts. |
|
|
|
dmb350
135 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2011 : 00:42:46
|
Tater, no big deal. Again, Astros are #1 in my book anyway. My son's team has played them in pool and bracket several times this season and they are a great team.
Agree with all regarding the Astros ability too draw in players. They've had players leave starting spots on RR Blue (great program) to go to the Astros. The catcher from Terror baseball (LA too) left to come to the Astros for last years 14U team. Terror baseball only lost maybe 3 or 4 games all season playing a national schedule and 2 of those loses were to the Astros. Players wanna win and be on the best teams. Period.
Besides, at 16U and up they mix and match between the top ECB teams anyway. They will just combine them all and call them whatever team they want as long as they win. It's about exposure and national recognition at that point. |
|
|
|
PUN
3 Posts |
Posted - 07/15/2011 : 21:27:38
|
| 14U Astros are making a statement in the Elite. You can only rate a team of how well they play within that age group at that moment in time. This team hasn't lost much in any age group they play. This is the deepest the pitching has been maybe ever. They have more guys throwing over 80 than the rest of the teams combined when they play 14's (seriously). There is no natural rival this year for them. They just need to finish strong down south. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
