I couldn't agree with you more bballdad.
Actually, I agree with you to some degree bballdad. For the most part, summer travel teams are focused on winning, winning, winning. However, I do know of a couple very solid 14U and 15U teams that are committed to teaching and developing talent first. These are the programs I recommend to my students. They may not "WIN" as much (although they do their fair share), but they end up playing against the same top level competition, and they end up developing ballplayers that go on to have very successful HS (and in many case college) careers.
K13, which 15U programs do you regard as strong in the teaching department -- as well as the winning department?
It is good to hear about the Sparks teaching the kids. Does anyone know of other programs that teach well? What about Top Tier?
Well,
I believe the Sparks have a 15Y program. We saw them two years ago, but didn't run into them this year. The WS Academy teams seem focused on teaching, and they run a couple of teams. Hopefully, my team (New Trier Thunder). We focus hard on teaching and player development, and have a facility that we use. Additionally, we try to make sure that we balance practice time and games. While Hamlin Park tends to be win/tournament orientated, I have been impressed with most of the in game info I have heard from their coaches as we have run across them at tournaments. Crystal Lake has fielded a number of teams in the past (although they were down last year) that have been impressive and seemed to concentrate on practice, team play, and skillwork. The Niles Braves have a 15U level which was probably over their head last year as far as playing in a 16U league and 16U tournaments, but they practice and their Head Coach last year (Terry Kusinski) is a solid instructor and seems able to put teaching in front of winning. I could list a few more, but these are just some.
I believe the Sparks have a 15Y program. We saw them two years ago, but didn't run into them this year. The WS Academy teams seem focused on teaching, and they run a couple of teams. Hopefully, my team (New Trier Thunder). We focus hard on teaching and player development, and have a facility that we use. Additionally, we try to make sure that we balance practice time and games. While Hamlin Park tends to be win/tournament orientated, I have been impressed with most of the in game info I have heard from their coaches as we have run across them at tournaments. Crystal Lake has fielded a number of teams in the past (although they were down last year) that have been impressive and seemed to concentrate on practice, team play, and skillwork. The Niles Braves have a 15U level which was probably over their head last year as far as playing in a 16U league and 16U tournaments, but they practice and their Head Coach last year (Terry Kusinski) is a solid instructor and seems able to put teaching in front of winning. I could list a few more, but these are just some.
My son was a member of the Top Tier U-16 team last year and I will say that the kids were given great opportunity to learn and get better throughout the off-season. They did play a lot of games, and like any other team with HS Summer League players on it didn't have tons of time during the summer to practice, but then again that is the time to be playing games, which if you have good coaches, is another way to learn as well. From my experience as a Travel Coach, there is nothing that can stop kids from improving while playing games.
That is my past experience.
Games can be an excellent developmental tool. We often practice before games and then play. However, we divide our games into tournament games (which we play with an additional eye on winning) and weekday games (which we often use to work on skills--often at the expense of our "truest" effort to win). During our weekday games, we may also give players an opportunity to do something that they may not normally get to do during a tournament game. In addition, during our weekday games one of our coaches may take a player off to the cages to work on something and then we will give him an immediate opportunity to accomplish this during a game. I think these opportunities and learning situations are often lost on players who play exclusively in tournament games. And, there are of course things you can learn in actual practice time that you would not be able to learn at the same pace in a game. I have nothing against tournament only teams--there are some that do a fantastic job. For our pruposes though, a combination of games and quality practice time works best. Learning and development can be accomplished in a number of different ways--and there is no single "right" way to do things.
Two summers ago my son played for Sam Sorce and the Prairie Gravel 15U team. I said it halfway through that season and I believe it today; my son may never play for a better teacher of the game than Sam.
Itsrosy is right. Prairie Gravel is another solid teaching program. But, I am wondering, do they always have a 15U levels itsrosy? Seems like some years we see them around at tournaments, and some years our paths never cross. That could just be because we are not in the same tournaments, but we play in most of the larger 15U tournaments in the area, so it would seem that we would at least see them listed on the roster of 15U teams even if we didn't play them. Regardless, they are not only a solid program at the 15U level, but seem to have solid coaching at all levels that I have run across.
Our teams have played against Sam's Prairie Gravel teams in the past, they were always well coached. Every player was solid, definatly one of the programs that still coaches.
Is anyone aware of who will be at the Underclassmen showcase in Schaumburg on the 9th and will any of these players mentioned here be there??
My son Jason(C) (Bubba) an Ex-Sem will be attending. I think I am more excited then he is and he is pumped up.
Bill you have PM.
Did Jason McClain leave the Seminoles or was he cut for Niko Gomez? Just curious about how the Sems work. Jason can hold his own with any 09 catcher.
I would like to start off by saying Niko is a great player.
Jason had made the decision to LEAVE the Sems. My son showed the coach respect and personally called the coach to let him know that he would not return for next year. Every year Bubba makes the decision of who he playes for, we leave it up to him. I am very proud of my son in the decision he makes he sticks with it till the end. So at the end of the season he felt it was time to move on. At this time there is no set team he has commited too but there are some he is leaning towards.
bballdad1954 - I hope this answers your question
il2008 - Thanks for the PM but I'm not sure how to reply I'm a newbee
Jason had made the decision to LEAVE the Sems. My son showed the coach respect and personally called the coach to let him know that he would not return for next year. Every year Bubba makes the decision of who he playes for, we leave it up to him. I am very proud of my son in the decision he makes he sticks with it till the end. So at the end of the season he felt it was time to move on. At this time there is no set team he has commited too but there are some he is leaning towards.
bballdad1954 - I hope this answers your question
il2008 - Thanks for the PM but I'm not sure how to reply I'm a newbee
To be honest, I am not overly aware of the current sophomore and freshmen classes like I am with the junior and senior classes. With that said, scrolling through the past postings, it appears that a large number of players mentioned on this topic will be attending the showcase. There are a good number of players who come highly recommended from their high school and travel team coaches.
The showcase has players from all over the Chicagoland area and beyond. There are 15 spots still available. Those interested, you can print the brochure at http://www.prepbaseballreport.com (Click on the Showcase button).
The showcase has players from all over the Chicagoland area and beyond. There are 15 spots still available. Those interested, you can print the brochure at http://www.prepbaseballreport.com (Click on the Showcase button).
There are many quality underclassmen showcase events. Most of the top ones are run in Fla, Az. I'm not sure how much this one costs, but if the parents are willing to open up their pocketbook, anyone can attend. Go to the perfectgame website, to see many of the top showcases held in Fla and Az. In my experience, all these exposure camps are good in giving the kids a chance to show their talents. But in some cases, the ones that are not invitation only, are a bit watered down. Most of these camps are a great money maker for those running the camps. The invitation only camps are the most productive. Most of those are held in the winter.
Thank you Mr. McClain. I appreciate your response. It is amazing all the travling parents do with teams like the Seminoles. I don't know how families can afford it! I wish your son success wherever he decides to play.
Thank you Sir
Jason is one of the most determined players that you will run into at his age. He shouldnt have had to endure some of the things he went thru this past summer, but he handled himself like a champ. Its been a lot of fun watching him play behind the dish last two years .
Bill,
I am not real clear on this particular showcase but have been associated with several others over the years. First off, my older son has been to Perfect Game as well as Team One. Both EXCELLENT Showcases with many many college as well as pro scouts in attendance. (not uncommon to see 30 or more radar guns all aimed at one pitcher)Last May my youngest son Gage received an invite from Perfect Game for the "Sunshine East" Showcase held in Ft. Myers, and even though he was one of the youngest in attendance (8th grade at the time)(playing against Juniors and Seniors) he had a pretty good outing. He even recently received another invite to the Blue Grey Classic "National Battle of The States III" to represent Illinois as a direct result of the Sunshine East Showcase. Whats good about attending these events early is that it gets you and your son acclimated to the process as a whole. You can see what your weaknesses are and work on improving them for when it really counts. Gage had a terrible pop time that we now know has to be worked on over the winter. Jason will do just fine, he is a great kid, great athlete who will rise to the top!
I am not real clear on this particular showcase but have been associated with several others over the years. First off, my older son has been to Perfect Game as well as Team One. Both EXCELLENT Showcases with many many college as well as pro scouts in attendance. (not uncommon to see 30 or more radar guns all aimed at one pitcher)Last May my youngest son Gage received an invite from Perfect Game for the "Sunshine East" Showcase held in Ft. Myers, and even though he was one of the youngest in attendance (8th grade at the time)(playing against Juniors and Seniors) he had a pretty good outing. He even recently received another invite to the Blue Grey Classic "National Battle of The States III" to represent Illinois as a direct result of the Sunshine East Showcase. Whats good about attending these events early is that it gets you and your son acclimated to the process as a whole. You can see what your weaknesses are and work on improving them for when it really counts. Gage had a terrible pop time that we now know has to be worked on over the winter. Jason will do just fine, he is a great kid, great athlete who will rise to the top!
Uppercut. Congratulations on your new job as stockbroker. Best of luck in your new career.
Thanks for the info 14.
And for all of you out there who do not know Gage, you will, he is a great player with the determintation, skill, and the attitude to match.
And for all of you out there who do not know Gage, you will, he is a great player with the determintation, skill, and the attitude to match.
Colton Tortorello is another great pitcher. He has good fielding skills and is a very good overall player. He can pitch and hit
Colton Tortorello
pro or college?
pro or college?