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Game Time
7 Posts |
 Posted - 06/26/2011 : 18:20:36
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Okay seasoned parents and coaches here's one for you. As a parent of 10u summer Allstars player who is loving it and wants to tryout for 2012 11u travel ball.... where do you suggest trying out in Marietta, Roswell and Alpharetta area? Also any pros or cons in starting at 11u? Is it too young? Should we wait another year?
Just wanna give it our best effort!
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BHC3
21 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2011 : 21:31:02
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| Speaking for my self and probably for parents on my team, 8yr old was perfect for us to start and this is our 3rd yr. We are south of Atlanta and may not have the same pressure to win that many teams in Atlanta or north might have, but our 8yr season was definitely perfect for us. I would say to immediately start looking. You really only have about 3 to 4 yrs left before high school ball takes over. Many kids going out for the team will have played travel ball since they were 8 yrs old or sooner. BUT, it is important to keep it fun for the player to keep him interested. Lots of hard work ahead to possibly get up to speed with 11U travel players compared to Rec and All-stars. Good luck, we are having a blast. |
Edited by - BHC3 on 06/26/2011 22:20:03 |
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Game Time
7 Posts |
Posted - 06/26/2011 : 23:40:24
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Thanks for advice BCH3. I'm emailing coaches and organizing tryout dates already. I agree that now is the time to go for it!
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touchemall
145 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2011 : 08:40:21
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| Be sure and speak with parents from a team who offers your son a spot. Coaches are in super-selling mode right now trying to secure talent for next year and will say anything and promise anything. Ask the parents how the previous season went before locking in. You have plenty of time so don't jump the gun just yet on picking a team. |
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Game Time
7 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2011 : 10:07:06
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| Great point touchemall! I will take your advice and follow up with that as we make decisions. |
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ramman999
241 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2011 : 14:35:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Game Time
Also any pros or cons in starting at 11u? Is it too young? Should we wait another year?
Just wanna give it our best effort!
Start now, and just understand it will probably take some time to adjust to the speed of the game - that seems to be the hardest transition for rec ball players.
We started at 7, and went exclusive travel at 8 - 11's are nice because you move to 70' bases and a 50' mound so it starts to get closer to real baseball. To wait any longer and you jump into 80'/54' which is pretty drastic compared to 65'/45'.. |
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mstimpson
57 Posts |
Posted - 06/27/2011 : 20:23:21
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| Hello Gametime! ramamm999 and touchemall bring up very solid points! Starting travel ball at 11 is not too early. However, I would second what touchemall mentioned. Do your research! If there is a team that is interested in your son, also check the past roster of the team to get a sense of turnover and the size of the roster. There is no true formula for success, as I have seen teams be successful with revolving rosters and teams be successful with a set roster in which they may have kept a core 6-7 players for years. It comes down to what experience you want to provide for your child. The areas (of Georgia) in which you are looking to try out has several well coached teams at all levels, which can provide you and your child with great instruction and a great experience. Good luck and welcome to the world of Georgia travel baseball! |
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PerfectGame
55 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2011 : 00:33:48
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11U is a pretty good age to start travel baseball. When evaluating teams I agree to definitely talk to parents who have been with the team in the past. Take everything with a grain of salt though ;)
Also, know before committing to any team of the pace of that team matches the pace you are ready to commit to as a family. Some teams play EVERY weekend and travel quite far for some tournaments. Some teams play every other weekend and stay as local as possible. Some go to Cooperstown, some go to Florida - some don't go anywhere - at the end of the season.
So just evaluate what you are looking for and try to find the best fit for your son and your family.
I agree... great area to be in. Lots of well coached teams. Good luck! |
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ecbh25
9 Posts |
Posted - 06/28/2011 : 12:58:13
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| Talk to the parents, meet with the coaches, find out the goals of the team? is it equal play? do you bat every one? will you add players during the season?what is the budget and what does it consist of? do you demand fund raising? .....so many more but in the right setting the kids will get the most from playing travel ball and will learn more than any rec league all star....just my opinion |
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cubs12
14 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2011 : 19:58:32
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| If anything you are starting late, most start a seven, dive in. |
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itsbaseballtime
348 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2011 : 22:08:58
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Just my thoughts....
Travel ball is not about equal playing time. It is about getting your kid with a team that matches his/her talent level to help develop them if baseball is their passion..
Bat everyone, how could a coach answer that before the season starts?
The best coaches and teams are upfront. No position is guaranteed, it is earned. Batting orders change from game to game, kids playing poorly should be corrected, what is plan for pool play vs bracket play. Yes, there is a difference!!!!
Stop thinking every kid and family have a USSSA Major team(definition) thought process, no matter what age. For some it starts at 9, some it starts at 13, some it starts at 16.
Dont bash those that want to measure success in Major Tournament wins and don't bash those that want to measure their success in their own teams deffinition.
They are both OK.
If the talent matches the passion, GOD has blessed your family....
Choose your path and stick with it until the team is done for the season. If good, stick with it, if not, do something different.
No harm no foul...
Just Keep Playing!!!!!
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jessjosh12
3 Posts |
Posted - 07/13/2011 : 22:49:18
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| You maybe starting a little late, but if you do go through with this you will see your child's athletic abily advance quick. In my experence travel is far superior to rec ball. Make sure you find the right coach. Don't just settle you owe that much to your child. |
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