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Newbie BB Mom
141 Posts |
 Posted - 11/13/2012 : 10:07:08
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Sorry, 14U. I realize that the OP was focusing on older teens, but I suspect this pattern holds up with the older teams as well.
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BuzzDad
5 Posts |
Posted - 11/17/2012 : 11:52:27
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quote:
Originally posted by bballman
I don't totally agree ITK. When you get to the HS years - that's what I think baseballallday is talking about - there are many of the elite teams that almost never practice. I would pretty much guarantee the 16u Astros, 17u Braves and 18u Yankees may not have a single practice all year. They are about showcasing the kids on the team. If you have a kid on one of those teams that sits the bench, they are there so they can say they are on that team. I know 643 holds very good practices for their HS level teams once or twice a week during the season, but there are others that don't practice very much. Most of the Elite level teams figure their players have already honed their skills and just want them to play.
I'm not saying all Elite level teams are like this, but more than you may think.
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HardBaller
101 Posts |
Posted - 11/18/2012 : 07:43:32
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The kid I know who plays with the 18u Yankees, both he and parents have nothing but praise for the coaching, practices, and development that occurs with that outfit.
They expressed it's not at all like the 16u Astros, who they played with previously, in that regard and while they could play with any of those teams now as a 16 yr old, deliberately choose the ECY for that reason; meaningful, head-coach involved practices.
BTW, dont think he showed up to ECB till 14u and played AA/AAA ball up to then.
Now, he'a already committed to a D-1 program.
There is definitely more than one way to skin this cat and it seems to me that more and more players and parents are aware that you can get where you want to be without being involved with any particular outfit.
I think the misunderstanding or deception occurs when particular organizations are held out as the "be-all, end-all" to getting the goal achieved.
quote:
Originally posted by bballman
I don't totally agree ITK. When you get to the HS years - that's what I think baseballallday is talking about - there are many of the elite teams that almost never practice. I would pretty much guarantee the 16u Astros, 17u Braves and 18u Yankees may not have a single practice all year. They are about showcasing the kids on the team. If you have a kid on one of those teams that sits the bench, they are there so they can say they are on that team. I know 643 holds very good practices for their HS level teams once or twice a week during the season, but there are others that don't practice very much. Most of the Elite level teams figure their players have already honed their skills and just want them to play.
I'm not saying all Elite level teams are like this, but more than you may think.
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Edited by - HardBaller on 11/18/2012 08:28:15 |
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dogatbat
45 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2012 : 07:43:10
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| Agree with Hardballer. There are many many ways to skin the cat and get to the desired goal w/o wearing a certain "jersey"! For various reasons, I suspect there are many more people waking up to that realization. My son and I have been around EC for a few years, and IMO people will do almost anything to wear that "jersey", even at very young ages! In the final analysis, each to his/her own. My son who played on one of the better 13U teams. I was told by his coach he did not have it and he would rank him at the bottom 1/3 of the roster(late bloomer). My son opted to play for reps when that season was over..where he got, and still gets, very good coaching and good practices...a few years later, and w/o that "jersey" he is looked upon very differently by coach's...hard out to get! We took the in through the back door approach and have no regrets |
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HardBaller
101 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2012 : 09:23:44
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Unfortunately, that is another common refrain I've heard repeatedly over the years where players/parents are told that a kid CANNOT play for a certain team or CANNOT play a certain position (at least not with that organization) at 13u and 14u.
And then, a few years later, because of the unwavering belief of the parent and hard work by the player, the kids is not only playing that position and sought after by many top teams and strong programs, but sought after to play that position at the next level; D-1 or drafted.
Just think how many kids may have abandon their dream because someone focused on their negatives or short comings at 13?
And I'm thinking, how does the premiere youth baseball organization operate in this manner?
For me, it's all about the upside in my son and in other players and hard work.
quote:
Originally posted by dogatbat
Agree with Hardballer. There are many many ways to skin the cat and get to the desired goal w/o wearing a certain "jersey"! For various reasons, I suspect there are many more people waking up to that realization. My son and I have been around EC for a few years, and IMO people will do almost anything to wear that "jersey", even at very young ages! In the final analysis, each to his/her own. My son who played on one of the better 13U teams. I was told by his coach he did not have it and he would rank him at the bottom 1/3 of the roster(late bloomer). My son opted to play for reps when that season was over..where he got, and still gets, very good coaching and good practices...a few years later, and w/o that "jersey" he is looked upon very differently by coach's...hard out to get! We took the in through the back door approach and have no regrets
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Edited by - HardBaller on 11/19/2012 09:26:49 |
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dogatbat
45 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2012 : 12:56:47
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| Hardballer, my son and I endured that entire 13U season, cause he is not a quitter, with one thought in mind..."It's personal commitment that separates excellence from mediocrity." This was the battle cry which I am certain many kids and parents know very well. We are hardly the exception! On the other hand, I agree there are many kids who get discouraged at what they are told by 13U14U coaches and talent walks away from the game for a while or forever. I have still got the email from the coach referencing my son's place on that team.... It is a distant laugh now...more so when we played a team this past Fall with some of my son's residual 13U coaches and it was a big night...lol! |
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 11/19/2012 : 13:48:39
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| @14 and up at EC, you'd better have some cash as they travel regionally(more than just the next state) and nationally...if your son isnt one of the best pitchers or one of the best 9, he will sit and if that investment for the jersey and his learning the game from the bench is more valuable than reps elsewhere,go for it. Otherwise, you can have the coaches say a few good words for your kid IF a college unquires about players 10-19. Factor in other younger, better athletes playing up and it can limit your investment return even more. I know plenty of 2015's playing up now etc..how do you think those 17u parents like watching their kid sit while a 16u kid gets all the reps. Enjoy. |
Edited by - Critical Mass on 11/19/2012 14:09:32 |
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Choosing higher level teams
