14u select,where should we go?

Just back from playing at Chino Hlls last week with my 13u team and it was an awesome experiance, for both the players and parents. Never been their for a World series but I'm sure it would be great. The Elite 24 in Orlando though Is hard to beat, went their 2 yrs ago with my 14u team, that I had then, and it was the best tournament we had ever played in. The Elite 24 would for sure be number One on my list. I have heard good and bad about Steamboat although I've never been there. Myrtle beach sounds like it would be great also.

My son is 16 and a soph. We went to Colorado Springs in 2002,Steamboat in 2003. It was ok fun places to go but a long drive from Texas lol. Next we went to the Elite 16 in 2004 as 12 yr olds and won. (Some of yall might remember the TEXAS EXPRESS) Best tournament, fields and city to play at. We went back in 05 Elite 24 and placed 2nd. My son and family have awesome memories from those tournaments that will last a life time...If I had to choose it would be Orlando. Good luck where ever you go.

Steamboat is hard to beat for the scenery and cooler weather in the summer, but the fields are suspect at best, and it is a long drive. You may also have to drive to nearby towns to play some games and the fields there were even worse. This was the way it was several years ago anyway, maybe it has changed.

JUSTJO3 HOW MANY TEAMS DO YOU COACH AND WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED? MY SON IS 10 ANYONE RECOMMEND ANY GOOD QUALITY SELECT TEAMS IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS

Go anywhere but Steamboat. Waste of money. Fields are terrible.

Fields are not great in Steamboat but it is a competitive, well attended, and well run event. It is easier to qualify for than USSSA's Elite 24. If you are lucky enough to make it to the finals in Division One then the game is televised by a regional cable company and you can get a DVD copy. It is pretty nice to watch (my son's team won the 13U event last summer) your kid play on TV any time you want to. As a back up to Orlando it is pretty hard to beat in 8U to 14U age groups and it definitely is superior to any Super Series sponsored world series.

TLB0, I coach just a 13u team right now.As far as ten yr olds, the only ones that im kinda familiar with is the Mckinney Marshalls, but Im sure there are a lot of quality out there, I just don't know them, Try the BBI web site for teams looking for players. Good Luck.

Texas--my son has played in Steamboat Springs and won there in D1 as 12yr old...it's a nice place, but the fields are HORRIBLE and the drive is worse. Not much to do unless you leave a few days early and hang out in Colorado Springs. We went to Myrtle Beach 2 years ago as 13yr olds for the AAU National Championships...the drive was nice, the fields were even nicer as we played at the Ripken Experience, we stayed at a condo right on the beach, the competition was great, but it was HOT. Last year we went to the Elite 24 as 14yr olds and placed 5th. The fields were AWESOME, but count on it raining EVERY DAY!!!!! I would definitely go back to Orlando, but it's expensive. Myrtle Beach would be my next choice.

Good Luck with whatever choice you make.

I will second Jewels on the expense of Orlando. Remember if you go there for that event you are headed into one of America's biggest tourist venues at the height of vacation season. NOTHING is found cheaply there. It sure is some good baseball though.

When in doubt, go to Florida.

why don't you play in a league where you have to win your way to a world series? where is the glory in already knowing you are going to a world series... that is a huge problem with players/parents today... everyone has to be a winner... everyone has to go to a world series...poor johnny needs that tshirt that says world series on it....

cut me a check and i will make you a world series champion of something.. maybe USSCABAAU.. jsut send me $500 and i will send you a trophy and medals...

diablo-ho. just send me a home address.$, you don't know my situation. saw your movie once, you were great. grumpy old men i think it was called.

quote:

Originally posted by Diablo con Huevos:
why don't you play in a league where you have to win your way to a world series? where is the glory in already knowing you are going to a world series...

My 12yr-old's team is this way also, but isn't everyone? I'd like to see real competition where a team has to earn their way. And if they don't win, they don't just "buy in." But aside from Little League, which it seems few play these days for good reasons, what other youth organizations offer a real competitive environment that leads to their "world series/nationals?"

The USSSA Elite 24 is one. My son plays a lot of Super Series and Triple Crown. I just checked the SS site and there are 58+ tournaments for 12yr in Texas that are "qualifiers" and the top 4 teams from each tourney qualify! They also offer "Championship" tournaments in 3 regions of the country in three different divisions in each age group.

Everyone's a winner.

My son played for justj and we went to Orlando. The fields are excellent. It didn't rain everyday, only once. It was hot, but we do live in Texas. You don't have to visit the theme parks if you don't want to (saving $$$) and some teams prohibit their players from doing so. We found rental property that was very economical. We each had full 2 bedroom 2 bath apartments rather than staying at a hotel. You pretty much have to fly to Orlando, although some in our group drove, including justj. And the competition was awesome with teams from East Cobb, NorCal and such.

AABC - Yes there are 2 qualifiers now, but for the most part you qualify all the way to the World Series. State, Regionals, etc.

You don't see many cookies in Farmington.

As an ex-SC resident, the kids would have a blast at the beach. The parents could play some golf in the golf course capital of the US and the moms could spend a small fortune at all of the shopping and shows. Never played there but spent many vacations in the Myrtle Beach area, and the seafood is great. If you go, PM me, I can tell you where to eat.

Thanks all, some good info. For the " BOO BIRDS" yes there are some that just want to go to a world series or a national championship tourney ,what is wrong with that. What a fun time, most times a team that does not earn it will not win it. All boys should experience it, any way they can. Just because you play in the same santion and get a bid to go does not mean your worthy..(on points). The original post the question was where should we go. I was looking and plans on qualifying for a few of these. Man I Love this Game. Got to Go, got a 100 inning game to go to. TWB