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Katya_27
28 Posts |
 Posted - 04/29/2014 : 18:36:37
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Any opinions?
We are new to travel and going to tryout for the first time this summer. I'm sure all the leagues (incl Titans, 9th Inning, etc) are all good in their own ways, just not sure what those ways are. Would really appreciate some advice.
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
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Critical Mass
277 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2014 : 08:09:54
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| It's simple, it's the uni's! :) |
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ivpartner
80 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2014 : 10:39:06
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"In The Know" made some good points but some things have changed a bit I think. As others have stated, both have good models but they are different. Also think it depends on what age your son is as far as East Cobb and 643. We started in travel ball at age 9 and what we have seen would make a good reality TV show. In fact, I understand that a reality show is following the owner of the Houston Banditos organization in Texas around this year so stay tuned. Regardless of what you hear, a quick review below is what we have learned.
Your son can prosper in BOTH models but it depends a bit on his age and talent level as to what experience he will get from each organization.
EAST COBB - They have huge support for their top team - Astros. That team gets preference at EVERY age level. Every team, except the Astros, at East Cobb is basically in control of its own destiny for the most part in selecting coaches, players and other facets of their practices, budgets, and tournaments. Consistency among teams can vary widely in the coaching. Usually they have Dad coaches up until the age of say 13-14 and then the Astros have paid coaches from their going forward. You will get a wide array of opinions from parents who have played at East Cobb due to that fact. Some love it and wouldn't play anywhere else and others hate it for whatever reasons. At the older ages, most of the Astros players end up with scholarships to some really great schools. Check their website. They are very proud of that fact. They are the first, oldest and largest travel organization in the state. Notice I didn't say the best. That really depends on your son and where he falls etc. If you are a top player, playing for the Astros, you would probably love East Cobb. Again the quality and preparation of players and coaches can vary a great deal here because of their model. They have had as many as 12-14 teams in some age groups in the past which covers a large range of experiences.
643 - Danny Pralgo founded 643 and was a top caliber player on the Astros teams for many years and then after college he coached at East Cobb before forming 643. His philosophy and coaches all follow the same model as far as rules for teams and development. Most of his parents would speak very highly of the experience because 643 tells you exactly what their philosophy is at tryout and they are very honest about their rules and generally stick to them. They have a maximum of three teams in any age group and usually limit that to two teams beginning at 15U. They also have a reputation of high caliber parents and coaches on the field and during tournaments. The teams are usually very well coached and prepared. Don't trust me on this one. Find almost ANY experienced umpire at large tournaments and ask them what they think of 643 teams and coaches.
There are a number of other large organizations available as well such as Team Georgia, Team Elite, SEB, Team DeMarini, Hobgood, Wills Park, that offer additional experiences depending ont he age of your son.
Good luck with whatever choice you make and enjoy every moment! |
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in_the_know
985 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2014 : 12:45:33
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ivpartner summed it up perfectly and is a great update from the original thread I linked. One piece of info that may be in that thread (I didn't re-read it) is that the Titans Baseball Academy, who were originally associated with East Cobb, have since left ECB and are now an independent group. I believe that the Titan organization, when they did operate under the ECB umbrella as a franchise, ran the ECB Academy for East Cobb. Not sure how that's being run today.
It's also worth pointing out, that at the older age groups, both 643 and ECB promote their players for recruitment to the next level, and both do so very successfully. The focus on the older ages at ECB is to recruit top players from around the country and field the most competitive teams to compete for national championships. That is first and foremost for them. 643's model is no different at the older ages than at all other ages. Select the best from the tryouts and develop and prepare them for the next level. If that produces teams that compete for national championships, so be it, but winning championships isn't first and foremost of their approach, but rather a byproduct of preparation and development. |
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Katya_27
28 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2014 : 19:26:34
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Thank you so much! My son is 12 and did NYO rec ball from T to 3rd grade. We moved to Japan for 2 years and he did Japanese Little League for that time and worked his ass off. After all that, we returned to what we knew, but it didn't seem like enough and from what everyone said, travel sounded like the way to go. I am excited by what you all have posted and it sounds like you can't go wrong. Thank you for the words about 6-4-3 because I was kind of on the fence. I hope we can make tryouts.
Thanks again for all your support. |
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Tribe
82 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2014 : 20:51:37
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This isn't meant to spark controversy or to tick anybody off, but here's the difference as I see it, specifically at the older ages:
ECB (Astros) exist to promote the ECB brand.
6-4-3 (Cougars) exist to promote their players.
Both models work.
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2014 : 21:31:22
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| Too bad they are both in East Cobb. That drive is just too much... |
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743
215 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2014 : 14:02:06
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Both are good programs, I think 643 does more to work on the overall fundamentals of the game. I think East Cobb attracts the best players in and around Georgia so their Astros brand it usually the best. I think there are more dad coaches at East Cobb and you never know what you might get unless you are on the #1 team for your age group usually the Astros or the #2 team. I think East Cobb has produced some MLB players and 643 to my knowledge has not produced that one super star that could put them closer or over the top.
I believe Team Elite, Team Georgia, Nelson, Demarini, Jackets etc. and a few others I am forgetting about also have great programs, but these are the two kings at the moment because of the number of good teams and depth of talent in multiple age groups.
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bballman
1432 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2014 : 15:48:47
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quote:
Originally posted by 743
I think East Cobb has produced some MLB players and 643 to my knowledge has not produced that one super star that could put them closer or over the top.
A big part of this is because ECB has been around MUCH longer. It wouldn't surprise me to see some MLB guys coming out of 643 over the next several years.
ECB used to be the big dog. They are definitely being challenged by other programs and other models of the baseball academy model. ECB didn't have to change the way they did things for a long time because they were the biggest show in town, perhaps the country. I think times have changed and they are going to have to step it back up.
They used to not have to worry about the trash at the park, the scoreboards not working, their teams getting the best fields, etc... All the things everyone talks about for the last 10+ years. With the upcoming of 643, Team Georgia, Team Elite, Nelson, Home Plate, Big Stix and all the other programs out there, not to mention LakePoint, they may need to start worrying about it. Keep the place clean and get the stinking scoreboards to work guys. It's been driving families NUTS for as long as I've been around - and I heard it from the generation before me as well. |
Edited by - bballman on 05/08/2014 16:28:24 |
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teamgamark
163 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2014 : 09:04:30
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| Amen bballman, well said |
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Shorty15
34 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2014 : 00:43:47
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| Bottom line... If your son has talent he will excel on any team. East Cobb and 643 do not produce the players. Parents think that paying that amount of money will make their kid better. The cream always rises to the top no matter what team your on or what high school you go to. |
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turntwo
955 Posts |
Posted - 05/18/2014 : 11:03:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Shorty15
Bottom line... If your son has talent he will excel on any team. East Cobb and 643 do not produce the players. Parents think that paying that amount of money will make their kid better. The cream always rises to the top no matter what team your on or what high school you go to.
True, but even the creme da la creme is molded. Someone, somewhere has instilled strong fundamentals in the "best of the best". Whether that's dad, mom, coach, private (or academy) instructor... Some of us dads do not have the ability or knowledge to teach our boys, so we seek the best (and most times the most financially feasible) option. Whether that's rec ball + private instruction, travel ball with great coaches, or travel ball + private instruction. Every team, every boy, every family are different. What works for one may not work for the other. |
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Shut Out
512 Posts |
Posted - 05/19/2014 : 21:35:28
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| Your son is 12 and has wants to play travel ball. That is awesome. No matter if it is 643, ECB or any of the others mentioned here it doesn't matter. Find him a team where his personality and ability fit the team. A team where he will have fun, be a kid and get to play a game at the best of his abilities. With that said please listen closely No matter what team or program you pick for your son at 12 and assuming it is a match and the team/program ask your son to join the team don't think you have found him a home and he will be with that team until he goes off to college. No matter what they tell you its a one year commitment for them and for you. Your son will have to earn his spot each and every year. No matter how much fun he has or how much the coaches like him they all want to win and continue to bring new players each year to their organization. There is only so many spots and there is more than enough talented kids and parents with checkbooks to fill each and every roster. I suggest at his age try and find a team that he may have a couple of friends on so he will not only have a great baseball experience but he will also still have that thrill of going to the park with his buds to play ball. |
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AllStar
762 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2014 : 11:10:41
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quote:
Originally posted by Shut Out
Your son is 12 and has wants to play travel ball. That is awesome. No matter if it is 643, ECB or any of the others mentioned here it doesn't matter. Find him a team where his personality and ability fit the team. A team where he will have fun, be a kid and get to play a game at the best of his abilities. With that said please listen closely No matter what team or program you pick for your son at 12 and assuming it is a match and the team/program ask your son to join the team don't think you have found him a home and he will be with that team until he goes off to college. No matter what they tell you its a one year commitment for them and for you. Your son will have to earn his spot each and every year. No matter how much fun he has or how much the coaches like him they all want to win and continue to bring new players each year to their organization. There is only so many spots and there is more than enough talented kids and parents with checkbooks to fill each and every roster. I suggest at his age try and find a team that he may have a couple of friends on so he will not only have a great baseball experience but he will also still have that thrill of going to the park with his buds to play ball.
Amen, brother. |
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DecaturDad
619 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2014 : 11:31:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Shut Out
Your son is 12 and has wants to play travel ball. That is awesome. No matter if it is 643, ECB or any of the others mentioned here it doesn't matter. Find him a team where his personality and ability fit the team. A team where he will have fun, be a kid and get to play a game at the best of his abilities. With that said please listen closely No matter what team or program you pick for your son at 12 and assuming it is a match and the team/program ask your son to join the team don't think you have found him a home and he will be with that team until he goes off to college. No matter what they tell you its a one year commitment for them and for you. Your son will have to earn his spot each and every year. No matter how much fun he has or how much the coaches like him they all want to win and continue to bring new players each year to their organization. There is only so many spots and there is more than enough talented kids and parents with checkbooks to fill each and every roster. I suggest at his age try and find a team that he may have a couple of friends on so he will not only have a great baseball experience but he will also still have that thrill of going to the park with his buds to play ball.
Best advice I have seen in a long time :-) |
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ECB Academy v/s 6-4-3?
