| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
bball2008
100 Posts |
 Posted - 09/14/2009 : 16:13:30
|
| Does the increase in dimensions(field size, mound and basepaths) create more parity when moving from 10u to 11u? Do the teams that remained consistently at the top in 10u do the same at 11u historically? Do coaches start to shy away from those bigger/heavier-set kids(trying to stay politically correct) that you see on the younger-aged teams excelling because of their sheer Babe-Ruthian size advantage on the smaller fields but struggle to cover ground on the bigger fields? |
|
|
Rocky
290 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 14:26:45
|
From what I have gathered the elite teams from last year remain at the top and it's easier for them to pickup a few more good players to make them better. Good teams that combine will have advantages too and should move up toward the top. What I saw most at 11 was the better coaches had the better teams, unless they just had a team of horses. Pitching is still huge, teams with the deepest pitching will win most of the tournaments, and around spring break there will be guys blowing it by hitters. As fields get bigger kids that can't run will be left as roster fillers unless they can hit a homerun about every 4 at bats or stand on the hill and pitch. This will be more evident at 60/90 though than 50/70.
|
 |
|
|
baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 14:49:56
|
What is parity? Papa thought parity meant 2 teams were playing (pair of teams) but someone told me that it meant more teams being equal than at 10U. I thought that we had a lot of parity at 10U. There were many teams capable of winning every tournament they entered. How have the new teams been built. What did the Coach emphasize in picking his players. Did he go for pitching, Did he go for speed, Did he pick up the big sticks, or did he just choose the best athletes at the tryouts and decide to teach them the game of baseball. The biggest does not always win the baseball game, The fastest does not always win the baseball game, The pitcher does not always win the baseball game. You should build a team that gives you the opportunity to play whatever type game the other team is playing in order to maximize your chances to win the game. The best teams have at least a couple of pitchers that can take over a game, The best teams can score runs playing small ball or power ball. The best teams are patient at the plate, agressive on the bases, and smart baseball players. The best teams are well coached and fundamentally sound. And if the above is true and what I have heard about many of the new teams then my answer is a resounding "YES" that more Parity has been created.
|
|
|
|
bmoser
1633 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 19:14:27
|
I'm not sure about team parity, but I see larger fields impacting individual players. The two types of players who will struggle on the larger fields are slower boys, and boys with below average arm strength. Tall boys to a lesser extent.
I've attended several tryouts and have seen Coaches pass on boys with these characteristics. Hiding these weaknesses are becoming increasingly difficult. If a boy's a slow runner, chances are his pop time as a catcher will also be slow. If a team has a heavy set catcher, pitcher, 1st baseman, or 3rd baseman, you can expect them to be tested with bunts. Tall hitters are more vulnerable to the dreaded hook or slurve because they have a larger strike zone.
In the past, teams could have several large players to pound the ball, but now the rules are working against them. The game is moving towards the all around player. I still like slightly above average size, but too much weight and height seems to be more of a liability now. |
|
|
|
baseballpapa
1520 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2009 : 09:06:04
|
| I saw a game this weekend with 2 13U teams. One of the teams seemed to be picking the all around athlete. By that I mean good speed, good arm, good bat, and good fundamentals. Not studs but kids with that thing we love called potential. With the great coaching I have seen this type team shold prosper and get better but the jury is still out so we shall see. The other team seemed to have brought a box to tryouts that was almost 6' high, broad at the shoulders and narrow at the hips and if there players didn't fit in this box they went somewhere else. Great looking team with some skills in certain areas. 2 good teams here with 2 complete different teams. It should be fun to watch how all of these teams with their different builds and style of play finish the year. It should give us all some insight as to what works as we move forward. |
|
|
|
12uCoach
357 Posts |
Posted - 09/16/2009 : 09:11:31
|
Look at birthdates of the players, those with more May-September should start to pull ahead little by little as those kids get closer and closer to being 12, testosterone is pumping and athleticism is no longer all there is.
The speedy 10U who could count on getting to first with a slow roller to 3B, will be out more and more as the season progresses. The hard hitting ground ball player will watch in dismay as the SS backhands more balls to get him out at first.
To those watching 11U fall ball, you won't recognize some of these teams next July. Make sure those who are getting by on their athleticism actually have a skill set... |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
