East Cobb Program

Very good article.

I like the idea of as little parent involvement as possible.

ECB is starting to have some cracks in their armour. They had a pretty disapponting year in the upper age groups and some players who would have normally played for ECB are playing on other local programs. It will be interesting to watch them the next couple of years.

Fighting Squirrel,

I have also heard that they now have a few cracks in the dam. While this is probably true they are still a great program and I feel quite confident they will repair the cracks. How much does it cost to play for ECB and how do they finance the program? I have heard that it cost $3500.00 to play on the top teams but I don't know if that figure is correct.

In the neighborhood of $1500. The cost is reasonable once you look at no. of games, free eq., competition.

All I know is the few times my son's team beat an EC team, it was a pretty special feeling. Love that baseball complex too!

Really depends what team you beat. There are usually 1-2 really good teams 14 and above and 3-4 at ages below. Most teams have good coaching though but many good teams outside ECB especially ages under 14.

I agree wholeheartedly about the great teams and great facilities. The "chinks in the armor" could probably be somewhat easily fixed if paid attention to (and desired). The following is not an indictment, only a first person account of my one (and only) experience with the program"s facilities.
I was a coach with a 12 yr-old travel squad we took there in 2002. Our manager stated that they were tough to deal with (no email returns, etc.). Our only request was, since it was Memorial Day Weekend, that we not have the opening time slot on Friday nite...this request was made for weeks. You guessed it...we had the opening game against the strong host E.C. team (which had smoked us in a championship game a year earlier in Columbus, GA). Our 5 and a half hour drive left some of the kids getting there just a few minutes before game time. I can vouch for the sweet feeling mentioned above since we used some of that frustration to promptly run rule them (just an aside...my son, smallest guy on the team hitting a "grannie" to nail the coffin ). Our team played well, losing the championship by a run to another fine E.C. bunch, which we had also beat in pool play. As we were gathering gear, an "official with the park rode up on one of the carts, chunked a box to the ground at our feet and said "here's your medals" (12 yr-olds remember). I will point out that I do not remember having any problem with "homer" umps as others have mentioned before. Another age group ahead of us from our area was treated close to the same way...championship delayed to Monday morning...light rain early...got to the park to find it shut down...later tried to give the 1st place award to an E.C. team which had worse record..."corrected" it when called out about it. (Most of the facilities in our area will "bend over backwards" in order to get games in if a team is involved from a good number of hours away).
Our coach was troubled by the experience enough to state that we would not be back. We've played a couple of hundred games since then...but not any there. I guess we showed them, huh?
My only point here is that this is a great program...started by great reputation, demographics and facilities. It will continue to be with those things going for it, along with alliances such as Perfect Game, etc. Our experience, and of some others we know of in the "fraternity", makes me think that public relations is not a strong suit!

I can relate to DaddyBo. Similiar things happened to my former club. Our home field was a stones throw away from the ECB complex. We also won a tournament and sure enough a boxful of cheap medals. A younger EC team won a the same tournament and got 3 foot trophies. Ever heard of the mysterious sprinkler problems. EC team entered late to even out the tournaments and end up with a sweet schedule (early am and late pm) on the best field during dog days of summer. We also go alot of opportunities because of the program which I appreciate. I know alot of the coaches and players that are older and they are fine people and players. They do benefit from the program as demonstrated by the article. There is no daddyball, for sure. So you got your negatives and positives. Allin all. I wouldn't trade the experiences. Its just like life, ups and downs.

Home town favoritism happens almost everywhere. We played a tournament where they changed the tiebreaker rules in mid-tournament and then managed to interpret the rules in a way to keep another team and our team out of the semifinals while putting two of their own teams in the semis. I honestly don't think they realized that they weren't doing things the right way. The other manager had a fit and swore he'd never play there again. I just figured that was the way things work. The other team and our team are both playing fall ball there this year and both our teams are entered in a tournament there on Halloween weekend.

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Originally posted by Fighting Squirrel:
ECB is starting to have some cracks in their armour. They had a pretty disapponting year in the upper age groups and some players who would have normally played for ECB are playing on other local programs.

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In the Perfect Game 17 and under tournament held in July there were over 70 teams competing and two 16 and under East Cobb teams finished in the final 4. If there's some weakness at the top it's not going to last long.

Some of the elite players may be going to other parks but it's primarily overflow that East Cobb can't handle. This includes not only players who can't make an EC team but also players who want more consistant playing time. From what I have seen, and been told by others in local youth baseball, the level of play in the Cobb County area is only getting better and better. While there are many solid 14 and under programs at surrounding parks the top players in the older age groups still look first to ECB.

By the way, there's so much talent at last year's 16 and under level that several of the top players are skipping over this year's 17 and under team and going straight to the 18 and under team.

I guess I look more for a "glad you're here, hope you had a good time and hope you come back soon" attitude...rather than a "aren't you glad you're here?, play ball! (let me make sure that check cleared first) and don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out" attitude.

Caught_Looking,

Your last point is BS. There are only a couple of younger kids movin up to 17/18 that are 16 and they won't play much. The two EC teams in 17U going to the finals was a fluke. The HS football schedule moving up 2 weeks really helped them and if they were in tougher brackets, they would have struggled to make it out. In the 16U Elite 8 tournament, how many ECB teams made it to the finals? Ans. NONE

ECB..Is one of the top programs in the whole country.Yes from year to year there will be weaknesses at certain age groups. But they are one of tbe top programs for any age group year in and year out. I look forward to the day when my summer team will play them, I consider it a honer. I remember as a player beating them and the feeling of joy I recieved. With any program you will have your ups and downs and tough periods but you can't argue what East Copp has done as a organization over time. They set a standard that most summer teams look up to and hope to one day emulate.

ECobb - a great program, from playing against them

& tho Cory (Patterson) played for them, Eric then played (against them) for Midland with Andy - - - -

wow,
ya mean to say they have all those players lined up to pay & play $$ at the 18U level??

I guess Midland then seems too good to be true -
a summer in Cinci - a job, a host family, some great baseball people and just the expectation (actually a demand!) that you respect the game -
then and after that - - - NO other INVOICE$$

EC is a very fine program but you must admit that they certainly take care of their own, with the seedings, umps, and field assignments. A bit too much for my taste. They are a good enough program to NOT need to resort to such. The best time to play there is when Perfect Game runs the tournament there. Then you know it will be a well run and equitable afair. Otherwise, based on past experiences, I truly don't care to participate in their tournaments.

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Here's you medals.

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Originally posted by Fighting Squirrel:
Caught_Looking,

Your last point is BS. There are only a couple of younger kids movin up to 17/18 that are 16 and they won't play much. The two EC teams in 17U going to the finals was a fluke. The HS football schedule moving up 2 weeks really helped them and if they were in tougher brackets, they would have struggled to make it out. In the 16U Elite 8 tournament, how many ECB teams made it to the finals? Ans. NONE

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Squirrel,
Your facts are wrong. There will be at least 6 players from last years 16 & under Astros team playing for the top 18 & under team next summer. And in all likelihood they will get most of the playing time at their respective positions. Perfect Game has referred to that Astros team as a "special" group of players.

I'm not sure what football starting two weeks early had to do with the results in the 17 & under Perfect Game tournament. There were teams entered from all around the country (and from outside the U.S.) The other E.C. team to finish in the top four was the Titans. Among other teams, they beat the NorCal 17's and the Perfect Game 17's. As far as the 16 & under elite 8 goes I know for a fact that the Titan's didn't participate in it. I'm not sure about the 16 & under Astros. The 15 & under Astros probably participated as it is not uncommon that the top teams play up in tournaments.

I was told by a father of an East Cobb player a few years back that the program doesn't allow their players to showcase. Is that true?
Fungo

East cobb players can't attend hs showcases or mlb tryout camps

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Originally posted by Dibble:
East cobb players can't attend hs showcases or mlb tryout camps

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Where did you get this information? I've heard of a problem a coach had with a player missing tournament games during the summer in order to attend a showcase but that reaction probably is not unique to East Cobb.

First off, I don't think anyone ever payed $3,500. to play at EC. I do believe in the last few years that a limit of 1,500. was set by the head of the program. The elite teams pay around 600-700! to travel around the nation, pay hotels, buy airfare when needed, and rent vans, that doesn't even comes close to paying for each player. Then add the equiptment in the mix, take care of the complex and hire people to coach, well, anyone who thinks they are not getting their monies worth need look elsewhere. Second, cracks in the dam. lol. EC will have another banner year in kids being drafted in 05, not to metion the ones that will sign with colleges. Most teams come to Cobb to BEAT the ASTROS, or Yankees. While the Cobb teams are preparing their players to the next level. I don't base ECB's record as a measuring stick, (even though my sons team won 250 games in 3 years) but how did they help the kids get ready for the next level. 2 kids became millionaires this year, another signed for $500,000, and somewhere around 30 signed with colleges because of ECB. Can any other program say the same. I don't think there is a crack. Look at PG 2005 ratings. How many kids are in the top 100 from ECB. No crack there. So while the Nay sayers base all on wins, ECB will improve players, get them to their next level, and take the wins when they come. The last comment about showcasing, that is true for the Yankees. Their coach does want his players to play with other team. But the rest of the teams don't have a problem with that. Most time we are the show case. I am proud to have had my son play in the Cobb Org.

Roll Wave!

Slim has been spoiled by his son being and playing on an exceptional Astros/Yankees team the past several years. There are indeed cracks in the dam by ECB not getting ALL the best players in the area. At one time, they would get every top player they wanted at the age of 15 or above but that is not the case now. New programs are beginning to take hold in the ATL area and some kids are taking the opportunity. Does it mean that ECB will not dominate in the next few years? No, the complex, the coaching and opportunity is very hard to pass up. As Slim truthfully stated the track history of placing players in the professional and upper/lower college is irrefutable. My comment was that I see some changes and that is not a bad thing. As far as showcases at ECB, not only do they showcase, ECB sponsors several showcase tournaments. But if you play for the Astros, Braves or Yankees, there is no need to showcase.

Do you need to give them cash money to try out?

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2 kids became millionaires this year, another signed for $500,000, and somewhere around 30 signed with colleges because of ECB.
Roll Wave!

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While this is quite an acomplishment, I would have to caution people into thinking that ECB will get your kid drafted or a college scholarship.

They just choose the kids that will.

Which, in my mind, is a huge difference than your statement.

East Cobb, Bayside, Mustangs, Warhawks, South Troy, Dulins, VBC, Youth Service...all are great programs with lots of years of tradition and success. This doesn't mean they are going to be world beaters year in and year out. Just means they have organization, name recognition, and past success to hang their hats on. None of these programs would be able to stay on top year in and year out if it weren't for a burning desire to continue to get better each year.

We have taken some thorough butt kickings by some EC teams in the past, and have even scratched out a win or two. I think the reason why the teams above are on top is partly due to forums like this and the desire of other organizations to find out the secrets to success and to copy them. Remember, the sincerest form of flattery is to copy someone!

Yes. They charge $60 for a camp. The camp is used to find players. They do give some instruction while there.

Well said LarryT. That is my point. To get better. and for the comment that KellerDad said about, "choosing the kids that will". Well if your in band or Rugby, those programs will choose the kids that will also. The difference is ECBs' program will get the max exposer for there players that other programs won't. So i don't see your point.

As much as I like our Southern Georgia Baseball. I must admit, that I would love to take advantage of the East Cobb Program.