| Author |
 Topic  |
|
baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
 Posted - 12/15/2011 : 10:56:55
|
Papa is tired of the boredom that has been on this site during the baseball lull as I call it. Most of the football is over and many teams have already begun in our baseball facility working hard and long. I have tried to pick the most controversial topic that I could pick to get you guys fired up. Some have of you have said that Papa wrote the book called "Youth Baseball for Dummies" and somtimes I even believe that I could write such a book and could assure that if I do that Bmoser would be in foreword and that many of you would be included as examples in the book.
So here goes: It has been rumored that the 13U East Cobb Astros have assembled quite a team and I personally know several of their acquisitions and do not disagree at all with this assessment. It has also been said that this is the age that the Astros get serious and I mean real serious. To keep you all in the loop so you can make an educated decision or "guess" as I call it. From what I hear the 13U Astros has finally acquired what is widely considered the best talent in the Metro Atlanta area and it was rumored that even some of the Bandits might end up on their roster but "read my lips" and know that that so far they have not gotten one Bandit and that might be because they don't want any.
Some of you know the players on the 13U Astros roster and I have heard the rumor that some out of town additions might have been added and I expect them to be a typical East Cobb Astro team at this age and that is loaded with talent and very well coached and that my friend is an explosive combination at this age group. And because I know this I expect the Astros to be at top of any 13U team mentioned.
Now for the Bandits: The Bandits lost 3 great kids that have been a part of the heart and soul of this team for a long while. At this point we have only two new players and most of you already know that both of them come from "Team Florida" although one of them hails from the great state of Alabama. I have watched both of these kids play for several years and can promise you that both of them are real "players" and should add a lot to an already great team.
Most of you know that I hate to predict but I love picking your predictions apart and the controversial question is who do you feel will emerge as the "Team to Beat" in the upcoming season. And let's not forget that we all know that that there are several other teams out there capable of beating both the Astros and Bandits. Who are they. Give me the teams you expect to surprise us all. Let's get this thing started. |
|
|
BBallManGA
48 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2011 : 15:39:04
|
Well Papa, I guess I will chime in here. I have been more than a little bored since the end of last season and so I too am ready to get things going!
I am guessing we are sticking to GA based teams for now since this site is followed primarily by GA folks. If we want to expand the discussion a little that may get a few "out-of-towners" involved which is always entertaining.
My top 10 for 2012:
1.) Bandits (until someone can beat them more than once in a season they are still the team with the target on their back; two big pickups for them this year as Papa has already mentioned; just not sure how the team will gel with the roster changes, but I am sure they will adapt quickly)
2.) ECB Astros (based on their pedigree and roster that has been posted on their website; several former Sandtown kids are moving north it seems)
3.) 643 Cougars (not sure who they have this year but my guess is they have picked up a few new additions and still have a core of kids that have been together for 4 seasons now)
4.) ECB Pride (seems to have a good coach that excited several people last year; my guess is their tryouts were well attended and they were able to cherry pick a little bit)
5.) GA Jackets National (another solid program that appears to have picked up some studs from what I have heard in the Fall)
6.) Elite Gamers Red (several returning players from last year's team; they were pretty scrappy and could play with the best of them at times)
7.) GA Stars (this is a new team put together this fall that had a good bit of success; they have some very athletic/disciplined kids and some solid coaching)
8.) Homeplate ?? (not sure what the top team will be this year, but they always have at least one team that competes well at the major level)
9.) Chain Dirtdogs-Savannah (this group has been together for a little while and had a pretty good fall; just don't get to see them in many tournaments going head-to-head with the big boys on this list)
10.) Stixx Baseball (team and coach have been around a while; have had success in prior years; I look for them to be solid again this year)
Others to watch:
643 Jags/Tigers
North GA Lightning (assuming they have the majority of the same kids from last season)
ECB Titans
Gwinnett Elite (this team had a pretty good fall season; could surprise a team that might be overlooking them in a tourney)
|
 |
|
|
bball2008
100 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2011 : 19:23:40
|
| Speed and athleticsm become king at this age. Based on the Astros roster they have selected a lot of kids with those traits. Will be hard to pick against them but the Bandits are still at the top until knocked off. This is the age where the kids who have been overpitched since 8 or 9 start suffering the consequences. When they can no longer blow it by everyone like they did on the short mounds they begin trying to overthrow or rely on breaking balls too often. The team with the least arm injuries wins. |
|
|
|
BBall123
395 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2011 : 07:41:28
|
My top 10 for 2012:
1.) Bandits
2.) ECB Astros
3.)GA Jackets National
4.) ECB Pride
5.)643 Tigers
6.)643 Cougars
7.) GA Stars
8.)Elite Gamers Red
9.) Chain Dirtdogs-Savannah
10.) Homeplate |
|
|
|
bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2011 : 11:05:01
|
BBall2008 said...
"This is the age where the kids who have been overpitched since 8 or 9 start suffering the consequences. When they can no longer blow it by everyone like they did on the short mounds they begin trying to overthrow or rely on breaking balls too often. The team with the least arm injuries wins".
Advantage Bandits!
First, the Bandits play more games/yr than most, but if we could look at the total innings pitched, it would be comparable to most of the teams that play schedules of ~60 games because the Bandits run-rule so many teams in 3,4 or 5 innings. I'd estimate the Bandits average 1 inning less pitched per game than the rest of the Major teams, so in a 60 game schedule, that's 60 less innings pitched. If an average Bandits game lasts 4 innings, that equates to 15 more games the Bandits can play, and still have the same # of innings pitched as a team who plays 15 less games/season.
Secondly, the number of pitches thrown per inning for the Bandits have been less than the rest since age 7 because of their defense.
Third, the Bandits have always had the deepest pitching. That means less innings thrown by each pitcher per season.
Fourth, according to the leading sports medicine doctors, the danger of throwing curve balls is most likely due to overuse, and not the throwing motion. Due to the aforementioned, overuse is less of an issue for the Bandits than the rest of the teams who lean heavily on 1 or 2 aces, cant spread the workload like the Bandits have, often play 5 and 6 innings, and throw 20 pitches in an inning due to errors.
Lastly, how many 13U Bandits pitched for the Bandits in 8U? 2 or 3?
Sure, the Bandits have had their share of arm injury's, but because they have been #1 for so long, and because their pitchers stand out so much, and because they are mentioned so much on this forum, the Bandit injury's are magnified. I know of several pitchers who have had arm injury's that never got a mention on this forum.
I think the Bandits will be #1 again this year. They'll lose a few games, maybe more than in the past, but in the end, they'll be #1. Even if they did drop to #2 behind the Astro's, the Astro's would have to maintain the #1 position for the next 6 years to match the Bandit legacy, and with High School and College just over the horizon, there's just not enough time left.
We need someone to push the Bandits harder than even Sandtown and 6-4-3 has in the past, so I hope the Astro's are up to the task.
|
Edited by - bmoser on 12/16/2011 11:31:41 |
|
|
|
Shut Out
512 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2011 : 12:32:22
|
| Baseball talk! Music to my ears!! |
|
|
|
dragbunt
3 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2011 : 14:50:57
|
1) ECB Astros
2) Bandits
3) 643 Cougars
4) 643 Tigers
5) ECB Pride
6) GA Jackets National
7) ECB Titans |
|
|
|
bestcut
4 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2011 : 18:33:51
|
Wow dragbunt, no mention of the GA Stars here. Funny how they split with the ECB Pride and swept the ECB Titans(17-3 and 8-5). Coach Ed Waters is building a powerhouse that has been together for a few months and is just scratching the surface with all the talent they have acquired. This team went out in the Fall and won 30+ games. All they kept hearing up in East Cobb was wait for the Spring and they have a bunch of pickup players. This is one Gwinnett team with players from Athens, Stone Mountain, Henry County and so on that will show up for all the BIG BOY tournaments. The Stars was one of the few teams that didn't use 4 or 5 pickup players in the Fall. From what I hear these guys have bonded and love each other like brothers. The Stars 1-5 batters can hit with anybody and they have kids that are just getting their feet wet at the major level. A true #1 pitcher is what they maybe missing for the up coming season, but believe me before they turn 14 Coach Waters will have at least 2 #1s. They are athletic and play a disciplined brand of ball. I hearing their work ethic at practice is paying off and as good as they were in the Fall they are even more focused to prove it was no fluke. The Stars may not be at the same level as the Bandits and Astros but give them a season together.
Can't wait
quote:
Originally posted by dragbunt
1) ECB Astros
2) Bandits
3) 643 Cougars
4) 643 Tigers
5) ECB Pride
6) GA Jackets National
7) ECB Titans
|
|
|
|
dragbunt
3 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2011 : 22:10:40
|
| Bestcut, you're right that the Georgia Stars proved themselves to be one of the top teams in the fall. I saw several of their games and they have some outstanding players and good coaching. They beat some quality teams, but also had a couple of losses to weaker teams. The same could be said of the ECB Titans. Are all of the Stars players sticking with the team in the spring? I heard that a couple of the stronger players were playing with the team in the fall but had committed to other teams for the spring. |
|
|
|
Peanutsr
171 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2011 : 00:30:05
|
| The Stars were strong in the fall and I have no reason to believe they wont continue that in the spring. But, in the tournaments I saw them play in this fall they had pick up players just like every one else. |
|
|
|
bestcut
4 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2011 : 13:17:09
|
I have done some research...the Stars had maybe 1 player per tournament as a pick up and two of them committed to play with them in the spring fulltime. One Astros did play with them for the first half of the Fall season. 1-4 batters have been with Waters since day one. 1,2 and 4 played in the Gwinnett league last year while Waters found the 3 hole hitter playing single A ball to start last season. From what I hear the kid battered Sandtown pitching all over Memphis last summer. Don't let me discount the rest of the team they have two lefty pitchers and are as athletic as any team that I have seen. They did lose 3 players all of which were backups, although one was an excellent location pitcher with a great hook. Two of the kids that left have reaappeared on the Gwinnett Elite, but I'm not sure where the other kid ended up. The message that I kept getting is that this group loves to play together and as long as know egos erupt the Stars will have a high ceiling.
Can't wait
|
|
|
|
in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2011 : 16:26:59
|
All good and well. Let's see who they do in the spring. They have the potential to be very good, but spring is when it counts. The road is paved with many teams that have felt slighted to not see their name mentioned as a top 10 for an upcoming year, and when spring rolls around, they see why. Likewise, many prove and earn their way into the rankings. For the most part, fall records and performance aren't taken too seriously due to the lack of depth of many teams playing and the lack of depth of quality teams in the tournaments.
You guys repeat your fall success come spring and you'll find your team near the top of the heap. Till then, you probably won't crack too many lists.
quote:
Originally posted by bestcut
I have done some research...the Stars had maybe 1 player per tournament as a pick up and two of them committed to play with them in the spring fulltime. One Astros did play with them for the first half of the Fall season. 1-4 batters have been with Waters since day one. 1,2 and 4 played in the Gwinnett league last year while Waters found the 3 hole hitter playing single A ball to start last season. From what I hear the kid battered Sandtown pitching all over Memphis last summer. Don't let me discount the rest of the team they have two lefty pitchers and are as athletic as any team that I have seen. They did lose 3 players all of which were backups, although one was an excellent location pitcher with a great hook. Two of the kids that left have reaappeared on the Gwinnett Elite, but I'm not sure where the other kid ended up. The message that I kept getting is that this group loves to play together and as long as know egos erupt the Stars will have a high ceiling.
Can't wait
|
|
|
|
neverquit
128 Posts |
Posted - 12/19/2011 : 20:58:09
|
| Cant wait to see the Bandits vs ECB Teams. Your going to have to bring your A pitching to win. |
|
|
|
Astros13U
3 Posts |
Posted - 12/20/2011 : 13:21:18
|
The EC Astros 13U will be playing and hosting 4 tournaments at East Cobb and would love to see all teams listed and others play in these tournaments. Go to eastcobbbaseball.com and register. Looking forward to a great season and Happy Holidays to all.
3/23/2012 Georgia Florida Qualifier (hosted by Bubba Smith USSSA)
4/27/2012 Astro Invotational (hosted by Bubba Smith USSSA)
5/18/2012 13U Battle at East Cobb (Champion wears the rings)
5/31/2012 13U Tournament Of Champions (great tournament every year) |
|
|
|
mlbscout
77 Posts |
Posted - 12/22/2011 : 16:04:51
|
Fourth, according to the leading sports medicine doctors, the danger of throwing curve balls is most likely due to overuse, and not the throwing motion.
When you mention "overuse" I suppose you mean overuse of all types of pitches. It is not overuse of the curveball but overuse of pitching.
See abstract of article by Dr. Andrews:
Am J Sports Med. 2011 Feb;39(2):253-7.
Risk of serious injury for young baseball pitchers: a 10-year prospective study.
Fleisig GS, Andrews JR, Cutter GR, Weber A, Loftice J, McMichael C, Hassell N,
Lyman S.
American Sports Medicine Institute, 833 St Vincent's Drive, Suite 100,
Birmingham, AL 35205, USA. glennf@asmi.org
BACKGROUND: The risk of elbow or shoulder injury for young baseball pitchers is unknown.
PURPOSE/ HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to quantify the
cumulative incidence of throwing injuries in young baseball pitchers who were followed for 10 years. Three hypotheses were tested: Increased amount of pitching, throwing curveballs at a young age, and concomitantly playing catcher increase a young pitcher's risk of injury.
STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
METHODS: In sum, 481 youth pitchers (aged 9 to 14 years) were enrolled in a
10-year follow-up study. Participants were interviewed annually. Injury was
defined as elbow surgery, shoulder surgery, or retirement due to throwing injury.
Fisher exact test compared the risk of injury between participants who pitched at
least 4 years during the study and those who pitched less. Fisher exact tests
were used to investigate risks of injury for pitching more than 100 innings in at
least 1 calendar year, starting curveballs before age 13 years, and playing
catcher for at least 3 years.
RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of injury was 5.0%. Participants who pitched more than 100 innings in a year were 3.5 times more likely to be injured (95% confidence interval = 1.16 to 10.44). Pitchers who concomitantly played catcher
seemed to be injured more frequently, but this trend was not significant with the
study sample size.
CONCLUSION: Pitching more than 100 innings in a year significantly increases risk of injury. Playing catcher appears to increase a pitcher's risk of injury, although this trend is not significant. The study was unable to demonstrate that curveballs before age 13 years increase risk of injury.CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The risk of a youth pitcher sustaining a serious throwing
injury within 10 years is 5%. Limiting the number of innings pitched per year may reduce the risk of injury. Young baseball pitchers are encouraged to play other positions as well but might avoid playing catcher.
|
|
|
|
sharkball
25 Posts |
Posted - 12/22/2011 : 19:45:18
|
I hope the 13U Astros can add the USSSA Southeastern Elite in Florence/Muscle Shoals, AL March 30 - April 1.
Currently registered:
Memphis Tigers
Dulins Dodgers (Memphis Outlaws)
Cincy Flames
Cullman Cats (TPSA)
Germantown Giants
Arkansas Rawlings Prospects
We may have one of the new New Orleans Banditos teams as well.
I also hope to see those Georgia Bandits signed up soon. I will only be taking 12 Teams max. The 8s, 10s and 12s only have a couple spots left. In ages 8-13, we will have 80+ teams from at least 8 states. |
|
|
|
baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 12/22/2011 : 21:01:15
|
| When we were playing with the 12U Chiefs the Tournament of Champions at East Cobb was my most favorite tournament ever with the best teams from across the nation attending. There were teams from Texas, California, Arizona and of course all of the great Southeastern teams were there. Some of the best competition and the most fun that I can remember. I hope that this tournament is advertised and promoted and fills up like some of the past tournament of Champions. Let's get this date out there early so the best teams can commit early. |
|
|
|
dmettetal
4 Posts |
Posted - 01/03/2012 : 15:09:33
|
| How about that Upper Deck team from IL? They won the CABA World Series last summer and finished as the Travelballselect #1 team for 13U this fall? |
|
|
|
Arnie66
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 12:10:56
|
| Wow, the drama continues! Has everyone forgotten about the GA Academy team that dominated the majority of all the teams listed above with the exception of a few? As informed, they have opened a new facility in Peachtree City and changed their name to The Pure Hitting Diamond Kings. As understood, the core remains and they have added to the mix some high level pitching and utility players, so added with their existing players, will be a force throughout the season continuing to dominate the lessers. |
|
|
|
Coach D
167 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 15:51:36
|
| HEY ARNIE , WHY IS IT THAT IN THE FORSYTH COUNTY SLUGFEST THEY ARE LISTED IN THE DIVISION 2 TEAMS ? IS THIS A MISPRINT OR ARE THEY THERE SO THEY CAN AS YOU SAY "DOMINATE THE LESSERS"? |
|
|
|
in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 17:37:13
|
They were 13-11 in USSSA vs. Majors last season. Dominate? There were a couple of nice wins in there but hard to say it was dominating.
quote:
Originally posted by Arnie66
Wow, the drama continues! Has everyone forgotten about the GA Academy team that dominated the majority of all the teams listed above with the exception of a few? As informed, they have opened a new facility in Peachtree City and changed their name to The Pure Hitting Diamond Kings. As understood, the core remains and they have added to the mix some high level pitching and utility players, so added with their existing players, will be a force throughout the season continuing to dominate the lessers.
|
Edited by - in_the_know on 01/05/2012 17:50:28 |
|
|
|
barsred98
116 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2012 : 20:55:37
|
quote:
Originally posted by Arnie66
Wow, the drama continues! Has everyone forgotten about the GA Academy team that dominated the majority of all the teams listed above with the exception of a few? As informed, they have opened a new facility in Peachtree City and changed their name to The Pure Hitting Diamond Kings. As understood, the core remains and they have added to the mix some high level pitching and utility players, so added with their existing players, will be a force throughout the season continuing to dominate the lessers.
And why registered 2012 as AAA team for USSSA if had winning season vs major in 2011 and planning on "dominating"? |
|
|
|
Arnie66
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2012 : 17:28:55
|
| As informed the majority fo the losses were to Team FL, Bandits and the Astros, so eliminating those losses, the rest in comparison are a joke. Also, they dealt with numerous injury and continued delisional parents that caused turmoil. Again, as informed those problems are no longer part of the program. I was told that they registered as AAA for the fall to have the opportunity to have access to more fall events, so as to not run teams off. They have been re-classified as Major and expect to again make a run at the Elite 32 based on the retention of the core players and the addition of multiple hihg level players/athletes. |
|
|
|
Arnie66
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2012 : 19:49:42
|
Coach D,
No idea what you are talking about as the PH DiamondKings as understood have not in the past, nor are not playing in the Slugfest. Not interested as informed. Most likely a waste of time and too cold.
|
|
|
|
Coach D
167 Posts |
Posted - 01/13/2012 : 21:59:23
|
| Huh ? OK ? what ? |
|
|
|
BBall123
395 Posts |
Posted - 01/14/2012 : 09:43:54
|
LOL!  was that english 
"Dominate the lessers" ? "Everyone but the bandits,astros and team Fla are a joke" ? Do you really believe this stuff you are attempting to write?
on another note;
Never heard of them. |
Edited by - BBall123 on 01/14/2012 11:49:19 |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Topic Locked
