What about the Sheriff's Patrol and their safety checkpoint? Do you have any pull with them? 
woodly...sounds like you are doing one heck of a job...keep up the good work.
my3sons,
All my 17's beleive in their heart that they are D1 when they start their Jr yr, when I say they fall, I mean simply they do not go where they thought they would. I make it a point to work as hard for them as the D1 guys. As far as teams leaving , I am not in argument with you. As far as comparing the talent in PG tourny and what you are talking about, no comparing.
As far as me mentioning the teams we are beating Maybe I am proud for the boys who have worked so hard at their games, its important to me as a coach to represent our area,as much as it is important for me as coach to teach my players the right way to play the game.
You have seemed to call me out so now you have my attention.
I have stated in past posts, I think the HS program is the players top priority in sports, we the so called "travel guys", are second, (at least my team)
Please don't stereotype all travel programs, they all are not alike. Most of my guys are heading places but I have some who arent. In fact I have a kid who was cut by his HS team. He threw an inning of releif yesterday in East Cobb. And honestly, his success made my trip to Ga worth going. He is with us because he wants to get better, and he will. That simple..
And by the way I hope we beat a team from WV tonight!
All my 17's beleive in their heart that they are D1 when they start their Jr yr, when I say they fall, I mean simply they do not go where they thought they would. I make it a point to work as hard for them as the D1 guys. As far as teams leaving , I am not in argument with you. As far as comparing the talent in PG tourny and what you are talking about, no comparing.
As far as me mentioning the teams we are beating Maybe I am proud for the boys who have worked so hard at their games, its important to me as a coach to represent our area,as much as it is important for me as coach to teach my players the right way to play the game.
You have seemed to call me out so now you have my attention.
I have stated in past posts, I think the HS program is the players top priority in sports, we the so called "travel guys", are second, (at least my team)
Please don't stereotype all travel programs, they all are not alike. Most of my guys are heading places but I have some who arent. In fact I have a kid who was cut by his HS team. He threw an inning of releif yesterday in East Cobb. And honestly, his success made my trip to Ga worth going. He is with us because he wants to get better, and he will. That simple..
And by the way I hope we beat a team from WV tonight!
NO Comparing, what does that say about your kids....not good? please, you have assembled one of the best teams in the area and you know. if we put together one team to travel around the country and play those teams, we would win 99.9% of those games.
Well, hopefully you can see why I took exception to your choice of phrase in describing what happens when players end up in DII or DIII as a "fall". It makes me so sad to hear parents or players apologizing for "only" playing DII or III - if you're still playing you're in a very select group! The purpose of this whole endeavor, as I'm sure we can agree, is to get an education first and hopefully be able to continue to play ball at the same time, at whatever level you find the best fit. I've even overheard parents lying to other parents about their son getting a scholarship to play ball at a DIII school - apparently there's some shame in getting academic money! Sad...
My middle son will attend a DIII in the fall - he wants to study engineering and DI schools either weren't interested as a result or suggested he plan to be there 5 or 6 years because of the tough course load and lab requirements. He had excellent grades/scores, so academically he could go almost anywhere he wanted. In fact he turned down a full ride (academic)to a top school because the baseball coach shied away from him after he learned his planned major. So he found a spot at a great engineering school. All the players will be like him, the coach knows he has to work with the players and their schedules - it's a great fit.
As for the "top teams" concept, obviously there are teams that attract many talented players - success breeds success. However, it's the attitude that the "top teams" make the baseball world go 'round that gets under my skin... I don't think there are that many teams that worry about who else is showing up for a tournament before they go - in fact, some teams may prefer to avoid teams like yours just because of the advantage they may feel you have. Playing a "stacked" team isn't always all that much fun if you're more of a local travel team. Sounds like the plans are already being made for next year to accomodate those who will be around and those who need to be elsewhere - sounds like a good solution for everybody.
I know that all travel teams are not alike - been around the world of baseball too long to believe that. But I also know there's enough self promotion and puffed up chests to give travel ball in general a bad name. I always tell my boys "if you're really that good you won't have to tell anybody. They'll notice". It's too bad that more teams don't teach players that there's a lot of responsibility that goes with being the best - all eyes are on you, hoping to see you slip.
I was looking at your website - are you guys strictly a 17U team? It sounds like a great program - how do you find players for your team?
Hope you guys win tonight and hope the boys all have a great time - all the best.
My middle son will attend a DIII in the fall - he wants to study engineering and DI schools either weren't interested as a result or suggested he plan to be there 5 or 6 years because of the tough course load and lab requirements. He had excellent grades/scores, so academically he could go almost anywhere he wanted. In fact he turned down a full ride (academic)to a top school because the baseball coach shied away from him after he learned his planned major. So he found a spot at a great engineering school. All the players will be like him, the coach knows he has to work with the players and their schedules - it's a great fit.
As for the "top teams" concept, obviously there are teams that attract many talented players - success breeds success. However, it's the attitude that the "top teams" make the baseball world go 'round that gets under my skin... I don't think there are that many teams that worry about who else is showing up for a tournament before they go - in fact, some teams may prefer to avoid teams like yours just because of the advantage they may feel you have. Playing a "stacked" team isn't always all that much fun if you're more of a local travel team. Sounds like the plans are already being made for next year to accomodate those who will be around and those who need to be elsewhere - sounds like a good solution for everybody.
I know that all travel teams are not alike - been around the world of baseball too long to believe that. But I also know there's enough self promotion and puffed up chests to give travel ball in general a bad name. I always tell my boys "if you're really that good you won't have to tell anybody. They'll notice". It's too bad that more teams don't teach players that there's a lot of responsibility that goes with being the best - all eyes are on you, hoping to see you slip.
I was looking at your website - are you guys strictly a 17U team? It sounds like a great program - how do you find players for your team?
Hope you guys win tonight and hope the boys all have a great time - all the best.
Sweaty,
just saying that the overall atmosphere is no comparison, I beleive the right kids from our area can play with anyone. No disagreeing here.
Awesome fields, umps and comp.
just saying that the overall atmosphere is no comparison, I beleive the right kids from our area can play with anyone. No disagreeing here.
Awesome fields, umps and comp.
My threesons,
Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way, I dont think your thinking and mine are to very far off.
About the only thing puffed up on me is my belly...
We did win tonight and beat one of the top 07 pitchers in the Country, if anything, I am proud of our guys. And they are having a blast..
Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way, I dont think your thinking and mine are to very far off.
About the only thing puffed up on me is my belly...
We did win tonight and beat one of the top 07 pitchers in the Country, if anything, I am proud of our guys. And they are having a blast..
woodly, Great job getting the summer travel juices flowing. GREAT STUFF!
soxnole, Spot On! PG East Cobb & Jupiter is as good as it gets. If not there already, these are the dogs you want to be runnin’ with, if you think you can keep up. Not just opinion, reality.
mythreesons, Not slagin’ any program or anyone but with regards to your statement “wouldn't it be great if we really had a playoff system to determine which teams really WERE the top teams”… There is… East Cobb!!
Deuce, It’s been a while since eating diamond dust with you and the Orioles. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to be part of the legacy and tradition. Don’t have much to say these days… who listens anyway. You’re a class act. The Orioles have come a long way thanks to you. Hangin’ in East Cobb ain’t bad company. Wish I was down there with ya, talkin’ a little treason.
Ran into Dennis last week in Lisle at a Rifles/Dragons game. He told me all about Brandon. You should all be proud. Great to see one of your finest protégés having such brilliant success. I know where he gets it…. I’ve said it all along and will say it again, you’re doing great things and for the right reasons. You can tell the tree by its fruit. BTW, Nice web site…
sweaty, I just love ya man… keep it comin’!
Go Os!
Go Rifles!
GO SOX!
Keep It Teal!!!! Go Chants!
soxnole, Spot On! PG East Cobb & Jupiter is as good as it gets. If not there already, these are the dogs you want to be runnin’ with, if you think you can keep up. Not just opinion, reality.
mythreesons, Not slagin’ any program or anyone but with regards to your statement “wouldn't it be great if we really had a playoff system to determine which teams really WERE the top teams”… There is… East Cobb!!
Deuce, It’s been a while since eating diamond dust with you and the Orioles. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to be part of the legacy and tradition. Don’t have much to say these days… who listens anyway. You’re a class act. The Orioles have come a long way thanks to you. Hangin’ in East Cobb ain’t bad company. Wish I was down there with ya, talkin’ a little treason.
Ran into Dennis last week in Lisle at a Rifles/Dragons game. He told me all about Brandon. You should all be proud. Great to see one of your finest protégés having such brilliant success. I know where he gets it…. I’ve said it all along and will say it again, you’re doing great things and for the right reasons. You can tell the tree by its fruit. BTW, Nice web site…sweaty, I just love ya man… keep it comin’!
Go Os!
Go Rifles!
GO SOX!
Keep It Teal!!!! Go Chants!
what i am saying is that those teams and tournaments weren't built overnight and Van Horn is making some noise and shortly IMO those boys will travel to the great midwest and let some midwestern boys show them we can play this game. eat all the peach cobbler you want but, i think the midwest is the best and we have proved it over and over by going there and beating up those guys....but like i always say,...anyday anyone can't beat anyone...if a three game series, we might be talking different. i'll take our chances against any team anytime in a 1 game match. heck 50/50 odds ain't too bad. Van Horn, you should have done this 5 yrs ago. I love it. Leaving in an hour for my new home away from home, god help my son......see ya!!
Big time congrats to the Illinois Orioles who are 4-0 in pool play down at East Cobb - good luck in the championship bracket.
I for one am pulling for an Illinois team to show well on the national stage.
I for one am pulling for an Illinois team to show well on the national stage.
That is great news regarding the Illinois Orioles!
I'll second the motion to build up our tournament reputation here in the Midwest. I'm always concerned about the players/families who can't afford the cost of a week in GA or FL or wherever... let's not let baseball become a sport where only the rich can prevail.