Cooperstown Dreams Park

Watch out for the golf carts!   Seriously.  The staff uses them for everything - carting supplies, water, etc to all the fields.

 

As I'm sure you know, expect to the team to play 2 games a day beginning Sunday.  Pool play wraps up by Wednesday with the tournament starting that afternoon.  The tournament games go late into the evening.  And regardless of weather they will get them in.  In 2005 (80 teams) when my son's team played there, there were thunderstorms in the evening and some teams were still playing after midnight.  The higher seed the team is, the better chance they have of getting to the final rounds.  If you end up with a low seed, expect to play several games - but you have to keep winning to advance.

 

When our team was there, the team barracks were not air conditioned and it happen to be in the 90's the entire week.  The kids were roasted.

 

The big thing outside of playing is trading pins with the other teams.  Our team had special pin bags made to keep all the pins in.  I think my son got almost all of them.

 

Oh and parents are not allowed in "The Village" - players, coaches and umps only.  Have fun!

Three suggestions

 

1)Bring a couple fans for the barracks as it can get hot up there.

 

2)Get extremely organized ahead of time.  This will keep your sanity.

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2) Schedule another week of vacation if you are the head coach.   It is fun for everyone except the head coach.  The head coach gets dragged into every conceivable excuse for a meeting when you are not on the field playing baseball.   I loved my time with my sons and my team when I was there, but it did suck the life out of me because I was getting pulled in every possible direction.  I needed a vacation after my vacation. 

My son went twice; 10u and 12u.

They put on a good show but they do it the DreamsPark way.  The kids get caught up in the games, trading pins, buying bats and being kids.  You will see teams that vary in talent from local rec teams to top flight national powerhouses.  The fields are all about 200' to the fence but the fences are high surrounding the entire field and if I recall, when you are in the field, there is no breeze and it is very hot.  Take an umbrella for shade as there is no shade for spectators.  Having said that, perhaps things have changed over the years, but I'd rather you be prepared.  The trip to the HOF is good and the activities for the kids make it a fun week. My son can still remember some of the teams they faced and he got a great picture of what top players/teams look like.  I hope you enjoy and I'm sure you'll hear some good tips from others.

This was the BEST tournament in youth baseball according to my boy, who was all over. His team won it all with 104 teams, but that's NOT why! A few observations:

- beautiful setting

- barracks for coaches and boys work great. send snacks and a small FAN!

- park CLOSE when unloading. Go around to back.

- food not great but edible .. so if you have a picky eater, like some of my son's teammates, bring food

- practice hitting fly balls. almost every well-hit fly ball goes out with 200-ft fences! You don't try have to try to hit homers. They just happen.

- parents are almost ON THE FIELD the way stands are set up ... wooden fences all around so you cannot see other games from outside. great photo ops.

- these guys up there LOVE baseball

- GO TO the museum. Don't visit this historic city without doing so.

- Rent a home. Check VRBO.

- Stick around for the championship if you're not in it.

- Participate in the HR derby and other competitions. Tons of fun.

- IF your son ends up in the finals, get ready. They treat them like superstars! No carrying your own bag ... no walking ... golf cart transportation and hands-on-deck to make them feel special.

 

We went back in 2005. There were only 80 teams then I think now there are up over 100....some friends that went back then have gone in more recent years told me they think the competition has dropped off a bit, Early they were the "only game in town" now there are many other opportunities like Cal Ripken myrtle beach etc that has maybe has drawn some of the talent away.

 

With that said no matter what a great experience and a lot of fun. Your parents can a spend a fortune in their shop, they do a great job of taking action photos and you can spend a small fortune buying the pictures frame bats cups etc

 

Also we brought two sets of pins.....had the kids trade one set early in the week and then broke out the second "cooler pin" in the second part of the week which made them "hot" no one had them and kids were willing to trade to get the second pin. Also if there are younger brothers or sisters get them pins also...they can have a lot fun trading pins.

This trip was the highlight of our youth baseball experience.

Although it can get hot, it didn't our week.  Pack a fleece jacket.  And raincoat.  You really hate to spend money on stuff you have at home.

 

Label everything.  With 12-18 kids in one barrack, stuff gets misplaced.

 

We bought the team an extra pair of red and blue socks.  

 

Backsacks for the pins is a good idea.  We had ours embroidered with the team Name and player's number.  Minimal cost.  Wish we had 2-sets of pins made like the poster above.  The first two days pin trading  is hot....then dies off quickly, so a new pin on the market revives the trading.  One player I know was dared to see how many pins he could trade from one pin.  He came back with 25.  (Some pins are worth more than one pin and you have to trade 2 or 3 pins to get it).  Some pins had 3-4 parts to it to complete the entire pin (like 4 smaller different pins to make up a bigger pin).  I think you can go to the Dreamspark website and see the different pins for the different weeks.

 

If you had told me then I that I would want to spend more than 45 minutes in the HOF I wouldn't have believed you...I LOVED THAT PLACE!  I could have easily spent 2-3 hours there.

 

We had the players check out of the barracks a night early and spend the night with the parents in their lodging.  Makes for an easier "get up a leave" morning and the kids appreciated the nice bed and HOT shower.

 

There is a state park on a lake nearby and we had a team picnic there on the day of the championship game since our team wasn't in it.  One family brought their boat and took the kids out.  Fishing is popular for some as well. There are several micro-breweries around that some families enjoyed.

 

One tip we got was to view the pictures there and then order when you get home.

....and you WILL see teams that fly in pitchers at the end of the week.   

 

 

 

 

I had to laugh at label everything - doesn't matter - the kids still don't know what their own clothes look like. Pack light for the players - really.  They get uniforms and all they wear otherwise is shorts and tshirts. CDP has laundry service daily...  Washed and folded.

 

Funny to see 100's of boys in red and blue uniforms, all with high socks like the owner wants. Flip flops are a must and don't be afraid to leave them in the trash when you leave. A fan is a must.  As parents take turns providing a cooler or two with water and gatorades.  Our parents had 2 sets of rolling coolers that after each game would be rotated with the now empty ones. As coaches we kept hoping there'd be a beer at the bottom, but alas the parents didn't want us kicked out.  Don't be surprised when your child doesn't want to meet with you after the game - he wants to get back to the barracks and trade pins.  Pin trading is like drugs - kids run around like lunatics trying to trade.  Quite a few adults do it too, so just prepare them for that which to me was a bit weird.

 

It's an amazing venue to watch a game - on my last visit as a coach I just sat in a chair along the 3b side and listened to all the "action" around.  While it can be super hot during the day - nights cool down.  Some early morning games are played in the fog - kind of cool to see a ball hit off into the distance...  And yes, they do play at 2AM if they need to finish up games - the kids *don't care* - they are having a blast. The sentiment so far about it being the best experience is echoed by many players.  Before you go you cannot figure out what the big deal is, but after you get back and think about it - you want to go again (unless of course you have sleep with 12+ boys who lets face it aren't up for sleeping the first few nights...)

 

The food isn't that expensive which is nice, but EVERYONE does the math when they're there.  It's a like a money printing business.  They do put on a great show from opening ceremonies to the closing ring presentation where every players name is announced in the main stadium. On day 3 before the tourney - find out where the top 8 teams are playing and try to catch a game or two with them playing.  Games are set up in pods so it's easy to catch 8 teams playing - it's amazing to see the talent and how the better teams play the game.

 

Another thought on the pin craze....bring a hand towel so your kids can put the pins on the towel.  Many kids carry them in bags and you can't see them or organize them very easily.  If you bring a towel, the kids can pin them on the towel and see what they have/don't have.  Also, if you have a choice (and the $), I suggest getting better pins.  The first time we went, we got cheap pins and every other team knew it.  Some teams did not want to trade with us.  Next time we knew better and had great pins.  Our kids could trade one of ours for 2-3 other pins. 

 

Agree with the others it is still one of the best memories son has of youth baseball.

The above replies offer solid advice.

 

Our team was eliminated after 3 hard fought play off games in extremely hot humid weather. After an hour on the road home without a word spoken between us, my son blurted out "Dad, that was the best week of my life"... 

A lot of good suggestions so far.

 

2017 was there 3 times on a 12u team, once each in 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Mom had enough of Cooperstown after the 2nd year, but my son has a lot of great memories.  In his final year he won the HR Derby.  In 2011 and 2012 they made it to the round of 16, but a lack of pitching depth did us in.

 

Use your best pitchers early in the week as you'll need them again on Wednesday and Thursday.  

 

Shoot for no less than 4-2.  Anything worse than that and you're playing too many games on Wednesday.  However, no matter where you finish, you'll play too many games.    Best case scenario you'll play 11 games in 5 days.

 

Pitching depth is a must.  When teams are tied with wins and losses, which they will be, runs against come into play.

 

Many teams scout their upcoming opponents.  I suggest you do the same.

 

The extra hitter, if you're batting 10, must hit last in the order.

 

Work on the skills competition events at practices for about two weeks before you go.  Depending on your team, it may be the only trophy your kids leave with.

 

I still have a "Cooperstown Survival Guide" for coaches, parents and players, that is 7 pages of pretty good info.  I could email it to you if you like.

 

Above all else...  enjoy the week.  It's definitely one of the best weeks that 12 year olds will have.  They will have a lot of fun memories.

You guys will have a blast.  I got to go twice with my older son and would love to do it all over again. There are several good tips above, here are a couple more:

 

• I would recommend as many dads as possible volunteer/pay to be extra coaches and stay in the village with the team.  It helps out as the head coach is often pulled into meetings and having the extra adults to supervise, get kids to and from dinner, etc.   Plus...it is ALOT of fun to be in the dorm with the team. The kids will crack you up!
• CDP offers laundry service on a daily basis...use it for uniforms only.  The first time we went we "labeled" everything (sliding shorts, under armour, etc.) and pretty much every day had stuff get lost.  I would encourage the parents to pack several pairs of sliding shorts, under armour, etc. and have your kid bring you the previous days clothes to take back to your house and wash for them...then exchange each day.  It makes it easier on the coaches not having to track down lost stuff....and makes sure your kid has clean stuff to play in.  Uniforms usually came back without issue.
• Do label your "non-game" clothes (the stuff you aren't sending to the laundry and that your kid needs to keep track of)...it makes it easier at the end of the week after it looks like a tornado went thru the dorm to tell whose stuff is whose.
• If available, pack a small TV/Xbox (or other gaming system.)  You can get some pretty hefty rain delays up there...and having a gaming system in the dorm was a life saver for us on our second trip.  You can lock it up in your chest when not in the dorm.
• Bring a whiffle ball set.  Our guys spent hours playing whiffle ball amongst themselves and against other teams and had a blast.  The dads would also play so it was a lot of fun.
• If you have a younger sibling that you know probably won't get to go to Cooperstown with a team....pay the money and add them to the roster to serve as a batboy.  They get to stay with the team, stay with you (if you are a coach), and get that experience.  I did that with my younger son and am so glad I did.  He had a blast..the team enjoyed having him around...and he is actually added to the roster...so we got to get him an inning in the field during a game which he loved.
• Take the train from the park to Cooperstown.  The kids really enjoy it...be aware tho, the shuttle buses that pick you up at the train drop-off and take you into Cooperstown do charge.
• Make sure the coaches get the combination for each of the kid's padlocks (for their chest)...inevitably somebody will forget their combo and having that list can be a lifesaver.
• Take lots of pics and video.  Make sure to go out to the main entrance and get a team, individual, and family photos by the CDP Wall (you will see it when you come in.)

Good luck, and savor every second of it up there.  It goes by quick and you don't get many chances to get back.

Being a bit of a techie I suggest you pack a couple power strips.  With heavy use of phones, music players and fans throughout the day, power outlets are sometimes at a premium.  Also suggest you pack some headphones, they come in handy at night (especially if you are a coach dealing with a barack full of 12 YO).

 

I understand they now have free wifi throughout the park so a subscription to Netfix/Hulu may come in handy on your portable device.

 

I envy your upcoming week in Cooperstown.  We have been blessed to experience some pretty spectacular baseball events during my son's playing days, while the level of play might not have been as good, few things can rival the FUN aspect of Dreams Park week.  

 

Hope you have a blast!

Some essentials to bring:

- Rolling coolers

- Electric fans

- Laundry lines or rope (to hang wet towels, cover windows, etc.)

- Febreze (the laundry service sent our uniforms back with an overpowering chemical smell, and the boys created some other overpowering smells)

- Extra lock for the team equipment bin outside the cabin

From a coaches standpoint, please give me some helpful advice/tips.

I've coached there twice with my 2017 and 2019, and am going again with my 2022 in 2016.  

 

My 2017's team, on paper, was stronger than my 2019's team, but didn't fare as well because they got a terrible draw: 5 of the 6 teams they played ended up in the top 20 after the round robin phase.  So had to play early on Wednesday, and lost their second game on a walkoff three run dinger, with two outs and two strikes on the batter.  That hurt a lot.  The 2017 team had been together for several years and many of its players are currently on their HS teams varsities.  The 2019 team was patched together and didn't get our final player til memorial day, 6 weeks before the tournament.  Crazy, hard work to put that team together.  Hardly knew some of the parents, and a nephew and a friend of his from New York just showed up at Cooperstown the day the tournament started.  Two pitches into the first game, we were down 2-0 on back to back dingers.  I thought we  were in for a long week, but we settled down, won that game, and four of the next five.  It was a blast.

 

Make sure everyone, parents and players, is on board with how you plan to manage playing time.  It was a long, expensive trip for us and we agreed as a team each time to play everyone equally during the three doubleheader days, and play our best 9/10 during the single elim tournament.  My 2019 was in two blowouts that last day so everyone still got to play, and I batted the whole order in the third game because I thought we were playing with house money.  It was a GREAT game; we hung in there with a team that was clearly better than we were and almost pulled it out in the last inning.  Because everyone contributed throughout the whole week we had a terrific feeling of unity at the end.

 

Use your best pitchers early in the week so you have them ready to go again on Wednesday.  Keep pitch counts to 80 or below (others may have different ideas on this)

 

Make sure almost everyone you take can pitch as well as play in the field.  Can't have enough pitching there.

 

Have three kids who can catch.

 

Don't take less than 12 players. Injuries happen.

 

Scout other teams if you have a chance.  I scouted a team we played in the single elim phase and noticed they were super aggressive at the plate.  Told my pitcher, who happened to have pretty good control, to keep everything just off the plate and change speeds a lot.  Sure enough, they swung at the first pitch the vast majority of the time and he ended up throwing 27 pitches in a four inning complete game that we won 13-0.  He would have been ready to throw again the next day if we had made it that far.

 

If you have an obvious bunting situation, it might not be so obvious a choice.  As someone wrote earlier, 200 ft. fences can be game changers if the kid batting in a bunting situation has some pop.

 

As has been mentioned, bring fans.  We had a big industrial floor fan that blew air like a tornado.  Kept odors down, kept the barracks cool, and the white noise drowned out all the background noise. Febreze is a good call.

 

Try to have at least one and preferably two coaches with you who you completely trust, and leave your own ego at home.  Three heads are way better than one, and my coaches and I shared every single big decision and often deferred to each other.  It turned out to be a powerful combination as my 2019's team finished --completely unexpectedly-- in the top ten (based on run differential) the week we went in 2013.

 

I know you're asking about coaching strategy, but so much of Cooperstown is about everything but that.  Do NOT underestimate how important the pins are.  You still have time to supplement your order; I can't remember how many pins we got per kid but it was least 50, and they all ran out of them.  There will be 100 other teams there, each with as many players on each team as you have.  

 

This is for others' benefit as your plans are probably solidified, but if your team is close try to get a  big house where everyone can stay.  If they're not close, it's okay to have people stay wherever they can find a place but have a central gathering place for an occasional team meal off the grounds.

 

Have a great trip!

 

Biggest advice I can give is don't go up there expecting to win the whole thing...because you probably aren't going to.  There are tons of teams from all over the country that are loaded with talent...AND will fly talent in (i.e. fresh pitching)  just for the final rounds...it is tough to compete with that.  Set those expectations with your parents and players.  I'm not saying go up there with a loser mentality. However set the tone that we are going up there to have a great time, play some good baseball and see what happens.  

We went up our first time as 10 year olds thinking we were hot stuff and were going to do well and ended up finishing like 92 out of 104 teams...we were AWFUL up there, probably the worst I ever saw those kids play.  We, as coaches, were stressed...our parents were stressed and it conveyed down to the kids.

Our second time up, we just relaxed and realized it was really more about the experience and the guys being together for that week than winning a trophy.  We set those expectations with the kids and parents.  We were relaxed when we got there and didn't stress if a call or something didn't go our way and it translated to our players.  We ended up finishing 13 out of 100+ teams.

As another poster said, those 200 foot fences are game changers.  That is how we ended up going out at 13.  We were up on a good team 1 - 0 in the bottom of the 6th with their 6,7,8,9 hitters coming up.  Our pitcher was throwing hard and dialed in.  He made quick work of the first two.  With two outs, the wind started howling out to right field.  Number 8 hitter just literally stuck his bat out and hit a routine pop-up to right (can o' corn) that kept going, and going, and going...and now we are tied.  Number 9 hitter comes up and does the EXACT same thing and we lose 2-1....done...tournament over.  On a normal sized field, the number 9 hitter never makes it to the plate as number 8 would have flown out to right...but in Cooperstown, it made a memory for those two other players that they will have forever.  You can't plan or coach against that, so don't try.  Just try to put your guys in the best spot you can and let them play.  

Make sure you take tons of pictures.  Take video of the guys during their down time, those are the memories that you really want to keep.  Just your guys hanging out, being friends, and playing ball.  

Oh, and take a whiffle ball set or two.  When we went, whiffle ball was some of the most fun the guys had during the downtime.

If you have any parents that are "characters" and fun to be around (especially with the kids), take them as coaches.  We did that both times and had one dad that the kids (now high schoolers and some HS graduates) still talk about (how much fun they had with him.)

Finally, enjoy every second of it.  At times it may seem like the week is never going to end and then POOF, its over.  I look back now (as do my sons) at those Cooperstown weeks (especially the second time) as some of the best times ever.

We are leaving in 2 days for Cooperstown and this was posted by a coach, for coaches, on our local GA boards:

 

For Coaches
===========
* The hitting cages are on asphalt so bring baseballs you dont mind getting chewed up.
* There are no practice mounds at the fields, or anywhere else for that matter. Bring a measuring tape.
* There is a large open grassy field for practicing, but its tough to get a decent spot.
* Consider having all your parents check out their kids one night so everyone gets a good night of sleep.
* Bring a key/combination lock for the storage bin in front of your barrack.
* Bring wiffle ball and bat because there are tons of games going on at any time.
* Unless you are bringing in elite kids (pitching) from all over, this tournament is not winnable. Just have fun.
* There were NO bat rules, as in none.
* The individual skills competitions all happen simultaneously so its difficult for 1 kid to do multiple events.
* The HR contest uses a pitching machine that is around 45 mph I believe. Have your kids practice using a machine.
* The Golden Arm contest is about a 170 foot throw from CF to home plate.
* You dont have to attend closing ceremonies to get your rings. They are avaialble by the arcade on Friday.
* Double check your ring sizes. You can exchange them by the arcade on Friday if they dont fit.
* Dont forget to pickup your Grandfather Certificate before you leave.

 

I'd like to add that I heard for the kids:

1. Traditional Masterlocks are too thick, find a lock with a skinnier neck.

2. It is never dry in Cooperstown, either it just rained or is about to, it is near impossible to get towels dry, bring something to make a clothes line.

3. Shower shoes are vital, buy a <$5 pair to throw away at the end of the week.

4. Due to constant humidity, chaffing becomes a problem...bring a powder or ointment

5. You will be cold more than you are hot, you will be wet more than you are dry, bring appropriate clothing

6. The nearest Walmart is 90+ minutes away, plan accordingly.

7. When they take your laundry make sure your name or number is on every piece of clothing and tie your socks together...less chance of the dryer eating one.

8. Dress how they want you to dress, the owner WILL stop kids who are wearing their hats backwards, or pants incorrectly, and you will be suspended for two games...he suspends on average 30-40 kids PER WEEK!

Caco you just listed a whole bunch of reasons I am so glad we never did that trio.  We went to omaha last year and that also was a huge mistake.  Too costly for little return.  Could play 25 tournaments for the cost of that one - conservatively.  Its about playing more baseball not going to some 'must do destination'.  Unless of course it is a team full of people with money to burn then I guess it doesn't matter.

To each their own 2020dad...my 12u kid is sooooo excited to sleep in the barracks with his whole team, eat every meal with them, go to the baseball hall of fame with them, and play 7+ games in 1 week...I could list more but in short, he will be immersed in baseball 24/7 for an ENTIRE week...he's pretty sure it may be his version of heaven on earth and I hope he's right.

 

We have done the Panama City Beach tourneys the last two years, I judge the cost is about the same and as he pointed out with a big grin on his face...yeah the beach was cool but everyone in Cooperstown is there for baseball, so this is going to be awesome!

I was an assistant coach on my son's 12U team that went to C-town.  We put the team together the fall before and from the time I heard we were going to Cooperstown, until we showed up at the park, I was just completely dreading what I assumed would be the worst week of my life.   It was completely the opposite!!!  We had a blast, played well (24 out of 104) and I really don't have one bad thing to say about it (other than my Jet Ski sunk tied to the dock at the house my wife and friends were at...but that's another story...lol).   I have told my son (now 18) that when he's done with college, we are going to take a team of local kids....just to let them experience it....it was that much fun. Yes, it's expensive....but so if a boat...or a convertible....or a membership at some ritzy country club!  I guess everyone has their own type of "summer fun".

       
       
Caco as you know I am a live and let live guy.  I agree everything in life is a value judgement.   If its worth it to you thats all that matters   I am a volume guy.  Give me more games not more frills.  Thats just who I am.  Kind of a grunt I suppose.  I don't have to go there to know I would find it a huge waste of money.  Been alive a long time and know what I am looking for as far as bang for my buck.  Would my son enjoy it?  I am sure he would but he doesn't pay the bills!!!

 

I'd agree, a minimum of 7 games over 4 days is nothing.  Seriously?  That entire week is ALL about baseball.

 

The hook there is two things IMO...HOF and typically there are 30+ states represented each week and you won't play someone from your state unless you catch them in the bracket.  That was pretty cool.  Sitting out in a lawn chair talking baseball with guys from CA, AZ, TX and IA all at the same time was a lot of fun.  Sort of like here!

 

The cost is pretty high although not absurdly so.  The trick is not to go crazy in the souvenier store and buy 25 pictures, t-shirts, bats etc.  THAT stuff adds up fast. 

 

The real beef I had was the facility itself was crap and falling apart year over year.  So unless they've addressed that you will see some pretty choppy fields, fading, splintering fencing and crummy sheds being called barracks.  I also wonder where the Board of Heath guy will retire on the money he gets for looking the other way on the bathrooms.  Those things were something else.

 

You said you have a 7 page survival guide?

Son loved it so much when he was 12U he went back up there last summer and umpired a week (this was the summer before college).  Had a blast, made new (adult) friends, and stayed in the barracks.  

 

As for the cost....I looked at it this way:  the cost per player was about what an overnight camp would cost for 5-7 days.  Son's team parents helped run the concessions for a tournament for 3 years and saved every bit of the money which defrayed 95% of the cost to the players.  

It's been 6 years since I was there....so maybe things have deteriorated somewhat.  The fields weren't anything special....but when you figure the amount of games they have I don't think you can complain too much.  If it rains, they do whatever they can, as fast as they can to get all the games in.  Good for the teams...but horrible on the fields.  Didn't have a problem with the barracks....you know going in what you're getting....and they are called barracks....not cabins, hotels or suites....lol

The thing no one has really mentioned since reviving this old thread is the Hall itself.  For those of us who live out here in the hinterlands, getting to Cooperstown to see the HOF is difficult logistically, even if you happen to find yourself heading to the Northeast with family... Getting from NYC to Cooperstown requires a day or two to do right.  That's how we justified the expense when son and I made the trip several years ago.  We toured the HOF as a team and then, during a break in our game schedule later in the week, son and I caught the train from camp and rode in for a second, more focused trip through that cathedral.  The baseball in and of itself was nothing special, very good teams overall but nothing we couldn't have found closer to home.  Fields are rough, but they do a very good job getting the games in with all of the inevitable daily showers.  All in all a great trip and memory... They're only 12 once!

Addressing the cost issue:  We treated it as a once in  lifetime trip (which admittedly we're making three times!) because of the HOF, NYC/Boston/DC/Phil/ Mets/Yankees/Red Sox/Phillies/Orioles/Nationals all of which we will hit because we extended our trips.  Cooperstown was part of a bigger trip, which we might not have taken otherwise, given our location in the far far West.

One piece of advice.

While most of us use these out of state tournaments as part of our vacations.

This one will not be for you coaches.

Don't mean to sound negative, but be prepared to spend lots of non-game time picking up equipment, listening to talks and sitting in lines from the get go.

Coordinating laundry drop off and pickup, and in general babysitting and waiting for parents to pickup kids, in the event you leave the complex to be with families for a short bit.

Just being honest. If you know this ahead of time your experience will be much better.

Practice a lot of patience.

 

For the record, we had a great run and were ranked 14th after pool play and got knocked out by the eventual champ.

I am not looking for strategies on how to win or lose or even who to pitch when. I am more looking for advice on the barracks, food, showers/coaches showers, how many coaches meetings do I have to attend, etc. 

 

Has anyone heard of a team bringing a tv and video game system for barracks?

 

Is there only WiFi in the dining hall or can I get it from my cabin?

 

 

 

Thanks!!!!

Haven't heard about bringing a TV or video game...did hear they have wifi and that the games can be viewed online...which lends a bit of credence to the wifi rumor

 

https://secure.dreamsparktv.net//Welcome.aspx?

 

When are you going?

Next week

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Wook - The above post is on the money and I would take it to heart for sure.  If you have asst coaches and maybe even some additional dads staying in the cabin with you, put them all to work upon arrival.  The laundry is the biggest item... Have two adults on this as it is a full time job... collecting it, labeling it, delivering it, picking it up and then redistributing it.  Tell everyone who is going to mark every item of clothing with their initials in an easy to read spot.  You will get your laundry back in sacks for the whole cabin.  Have someone bring a few markers to label the uni pants and other items that people forget to label.   The HC will be busy with a lot of meetings and the asst's. will be busy trying to keep the players organized when necessary... So a few dads handling the housekeeping makes a big difference difference.  Delegate early and often and strive to keep your cabin as orderly as possible.  Be ready to deal with lots of muddy shoes and clothes that never really dry out all week.

Wow, you guys really worked.  Our coach held open a sack for 60 seconds for the kids to put their dirty clothes in, then he dropped it off at laundry and brought it back later that evening.  You snooze you lose.  It was up to the kids to figure out what was theirs.  Most kids, but not all, wrote their names on their clothes with a Sharpie.

 

Kids had to take their shoes off before they came in the barrack and wear their flip-flops, and every kid had a duty - morning sweeping, afternoon sweeping, garbage detail.  Also, no clothes allowed on the floor or they'd go in the outside storage bin.

 

Also, all cell phones and game consoles went into a box at 10pm, lights out and no talking.  Everyone got a good night sleep, including me (a couple of us dads bunked with the team because it was the cheapest accommodations around and a total blast).

 

This may sound like it took fun out of it for the boys but it was the opposite - they felt like, and acted like grown ups and had an awesome time.

Bring snacks and cases of water and Gatorade when you check in.  It's the only time you can drive your car to your barrack.  We had probably 20 cases of water we brought in.  After that you have to walk through and throw out any food.  You'll save a ton of money...

 

Also, buy a cheap sleeping bag and pillow at the local Walmart (10 minutes away) on your way over to the park and donate it on the way out.  It'll save you hassle of having to pack and carry bedding in your luggage.

It's been 5 years since 2016 NTGson's 12U team made its 2nd trek to Cooperstown. We'd gone as 10's and learned much from that experience. Some random thoughts about our return as 12's:

-Raised team money (including supplementing the families' housing) through a variety of events, including Bingo (awful but lucrative), over a 2 year period.

-Took a 3rd Catcher who hit long fly balls

-We had a total of 6 pitchers who could keep the ball low; two were very good lefties.

-Had enough pitching to make the run to the Championship but an injury to our strongest RHP kept us out of the Final Four: Both our LHPs pitched us into the Thursday games, using up their allotted pitch counts and we lost in the Quarters 25-19 (14 homers combined)!

-Runs against hurt us in our seeding and added an extra game. Out of pool play we were 40th seed and made it into Last Eight.

-Took fans and as many X-Boxes etc as the kids wanted to bring plus plenty of power strips, extra batteries and flashlights

-Barracks were manned by 3 coaches and 3 Dads (not me thankfully)

-Rented houses in the area (shared by 2 or 3 families) and rotated cookouts between them if game schedule allowed

-Our coach practiced the Round the Horn and it paid off as the team won that competition, which started the week off on a very positive note.

-We had the little baseballs and Thunderstick for them to play with on the field above the cages. Using those little baseballs helped the kids at the plate during the tournament.

-HOF was worth the trip. The team went and we as a family went 2X more. Some great restaurants in Cooperstown.

-Two other couples and my wife and I followed the Brewery tour, got our engraved glasses and enjoyed every minute.

-Pack your kid a minimum amount of personal clothing. Take the advice above and cart that stuff back to your house for washing so as not to be lost.

-Indeed, Fabreze is a must.

-Large duffel bag is best type of luggage for the kids

-Take one of those folding canvas wagons to haul your stuff from one field to the other. It's a hike to the back and far left fields.

-Order the most appealing pins you can afford. The kids will have a blast trading.

-Go for the Umpires' pins first, they are very limited in numbers and very desireable for the collections.

-Make sure each kid has two cheap, folding plastic ponchos in his bag.

-Buy your souvenir stuff early, especially if you want the shirts listing the teams on the back (they ran out on Wednesday both times we were there).

-Take a stadium seat or pad and an umbrella to the opening and closing ceremonies.

-Be ready to recover the HR balls for your team members to keep.

-And most importantly, enjoy a week dedicated to the kids and baseball with no distractions in a wonderful setting. You will be building a lifelong memory for your son, yourself and your son's team members.

-2016 NTGson to this day counts Cooperstown as one of the best, if not the very best experiences he's ever had. We played several Ripkens, huge Triple Crown events, and many others but none had the impact of that week in NY.

Additional for coaches: One kid farts and it takes an hour to settle them all down. Watch out for kids playing on their phones under the covers rather than sleeping. Don't subdue the kids away from the games. Let them have fun. Our kids swam, played whiffle ball and basketball.

 

i was curious to see how the kids would break out in clics during their free time. I had preconceived ideas of how it would break out. Thirteen moved as one the entire tournament. It made for great team bonding.