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21s Dad
35 Posts |
 Posted - 05/24/2012 : 22:27:41
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| Top 10 AAA Teams and the next team(S) move to Maj |
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baldy87
118 Posts |
Posted - 05/25/2012 : 07:38:20
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| Seems like this year, there's a lot of parity at the AAA level and it's a big step up in level of competition from AAA to Majors. Just looking at USSSA results, there are a lot of AAA teams with good records against AAA teams, with zero or one win against major teams. The most impressive AAA team that I've seen so far this year is the HomePlate Chilidogs. They have 4 or 5 absolutely gigantic 10 year olds on their team and can smash the baseball. |
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20hits
52 Posts |
Posted - 05/25/2012 : 17:02:22
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| I don't think the gap is as big from the top AAA teams and the mid-low MAJOR teams. The difference I see is depth at pitching. Most Major teams I've seen have at least 6-7 legit starters while the AAA teams may have 3-4. |
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baldy87
118 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2012 : 08:39:52
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I agree with your comments about pitching depth. When you can plug in a kid who's throwing just as hard, or harder than the kid that just got pulled, it must be nice. :) I'm just speaking on behalf of my son's team and the experiences we've had this year. We have a decent record against AAA teams, and have gone 0-for against every Major team we've played - top-tier or middle-tier. It just seems like a noticeable jump in the level of play. As you say, it's most noticeable in pitching depth and also with the good hitters deep in the lineups.
Honestly, the level of ball being played at the highest 10U level is stunning to watch. It's a testament to these kids and the work that they put in. |
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hshuler
1074 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2012 : 12:17:15
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| Here’s my opinion - I think that the difference between AAA and Major teams is the amount of "major players" that you carry. My definition of a major player is a kid who is not one dimensional. Will I take a one-dimensional player and try to develop him in other areas? Absolutely, if he does one thing exceptionally well. But you can’t hide their deficiencies at the higher levels because it's about interchangeable parts. If you have too many one dimensional players then you're probably in trouble and it's usually defensively where you suffer. How many teams suffer when their shortstop or catcher has to pitch because they don't have a viable replacement? Again, just my opinion... |
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BenJ
71 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2012 : 15:01:57
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@hshuler -- Great comment, I totally agree. A lot of teams fail at this when they are evaluating players. I’ll take a player who can play multiple positions well over one that can play one exceptionally well any day. When the weekend gets long the multiple position player is considerably more valuable and if he can pitch, “it’s all gravy”.
I'm impressed with all these kids on every level. |
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hshuler
1074 Posts |
Posted - 05/30/2012 : 16:27:06
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Thanks, BenJ!
You can get away with the "Beer League Softball" approach and just hammer people until about 9/10 because that's when kids start learning how to pitch (i.e. changing speed/hitting location) versus just throwing strikes. All those big boppers don't hit as well when kids aren't just laying it in there...and you couple that with several defensive liabilities and you don't have a chance against good/well coached teams who will expose what you can't do in a hurry.
HS |
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Hobnailboot
143 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2012 : 16:10:49
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My question is this. Of the AAA/Major teams that are out there, how often are you working on pitching with your kids? Are you working with them at practice, and if so, how often? Do you have one coach dedicated to the pitchers or do all the coaches pitch in when they can? My thought is you need to work out pitchers at least once, if not twice during the week to keep them sharp. And preferably with a pitching coach that has lived it.
HS...agree with you also. Give me a kid that is a utility player so he can be used at multiple positions any day.
Thoughts?
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hshuler
1074 Posts |
Posted - 05/31/2012 : 16:34:05
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What's up Hobby? I was expecting to see you guys this weekend...what about next weekend?
We had a pitching coach work with our kids until late Feb/Mar until he moved on to his real job with the Braves...lol! We definitely try to get all of our guys work at least once a week to reinforce what he taught...and I think that it has paid off for us. Pitching has rarely been an issue for us this year.
Utility players are very important at this level. Most kids can play the outfield effectively but it's hard to find outfielders who can come in and play catcher, 2nd, SS or 3rd at a high level.
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Hobnailboot
143 Posts |
Posted - 06/01/2012 : 09:09:46
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I can tell you that working with your pitchers has definitely paid off and it shows and couldn't agree more about the utility player.
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Edited by - Hobnailboot on 06/01/2012 09:16:50 |
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BDADDY
22 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2012 : 22:08:57
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| Dallas Tigers won another 10UAAA tourny in McDonough today. USSSA "Clash at the Craig". Solid win. |
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Mad1
252 Posts |
Posted - 06/03/2012 : 23:26:57
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| Dallas Tigers played well on Sunday. Real class act- Players, coaches and parents. Couldn't hang with em in the finals, they hit well and were deep in pitching. Congrats Dallas...great ball today. |
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Coach17
271 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2012 : 10:13:17
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| GREAT JOB TIGERS. THE DIAMOND KINGS LOOKED GOOD THIS WEEKEND ALSO AND WAS HOPING TO SEE DALLAS AND THEM IN CHAMPIONSHIP. LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY FOR WATCHING SCOREBOARD FOR INNING AND NOT CHECKING BOOK. A VERY TOUGH WAY TO LOSE BUT KINGS PLAYED WELL ALL WEEKEND. |
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hshuler
1074 Posts |
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