Junior Olympics in Phoenix this weekend

Hey Doughnutman-My son plays for Norcal. Too bad we couldn't have met. That would have been fun.

It would of been fun. We played you guys on the 2:00 game on Friday. Excellant team but your manager is a little nuts, but then again, aren't all managers!

How did your boys end up? We didn't hear who won the JO. We had a heck of a draw. First game was you and third game was Team Anderson. Oh well. It was fun and the weather was perfect.

It was a lot of fun. We ended up winning against the Brewers from Washington in the championship game 8-2. My son got to pitch the championship. It was real exciting to see him on the mound on the big field and hear his name announced over the speaker.

We had to play the Gamers on Sunday morning. We were up by quite a few runs but in the 6th they rallied back and went ahead. Ended in 8 or 9 innings. It was really a good game but very nerve- wracking.

Did you make our game on Friday? Our manager really is a good guy, he's just looking out for the kids.

I hear they are going to a different format next year. Sounds like we will be back in June. Fortunately for my son he is a '94 birthday so he still has another opportunity. Maybe we will see you then.

BBFam,
Congrats on the victory and it is always a treat to watch your child on the mound. Especially in the championship game! I was at the game on Friday. I didn't get bothered but some of the other parents did when he accused the team and coaches of teaching "shading". I had never heard of that, so I guess I learned something new that day. He yelled it out and it was like an accusation of playing dirty. I can tell you that it never happened. The coaches at ASBA aren't even that concerned about winning. They consider their job to be preparing the kids for the next level. Sure they would like to win all of the time but they are more concerned if the kids play the game the right way and get better.
Either way it didn't bother me as much as some of the other people. Probably because we were just a rental player to fill out the roster.
My son is also a '94. He turns 13 next Friday. We may be back for the June JO but we usually take the summer off or play out of state tournaments with his regular team. You only play in June in Phoenix if you have to! If we stay to play we will look you up.
Again, congrats on the victory. You have a great team.
One more thing, was that the 8th grade team? I thought that NorCal went by grades and was just curious. And I think the going by grade thing is a great idea and I wish that all teams did it.

Our coach doesn't fret too bad when they lose either. He is definitely more focused on their future, but, it doesn't hurt the program when they win these tournaments, if you know what I mean. I saw the plays in question. The play at home I just wouldn't want to see anyone hurt and the one at third the kid kind of ran into the runner while getting back to the bag, nothing intentional.

Most of that team is 8th grade team minus 3 key players that couldn't come. Some of the kids are in 7th. The shortstop was league age 14 but is a freshman. He was one of our 93's. On Saturday and Sunday a local boy came and played with us. He is also a 93.

My son was the taller blonde that played 1st for half that game.

Since this thread has reached critical mass , I'd like to comment that the thread title is somewhat misleading. And I get confused easily....

Last weekend's tournament was part of USA Baseball's Champions Program, which identifies players of ages 14 and younger.

The Junior Olympics are also put on by USA Baseball, and take place each year during June in Phoenix and in Palm Beach County, Florida. Besides being a baseball tournament, it serves as the primary vehicle to identify players for the USA Baseball Youth team, which is made up of players 16 years and younger.

So I became confused when Doughnutman mentioned "we may be back for the June JO". It is pretty unusual for a 13 year old (Max Stassi excepted!) to play in the Junior Olympics, but on the other hand, the Champions Program National Championship will take place at the end of May in North Carolina. Or so it says at USABaseball.com.

OK, nit-picking mode off

3FingeredGlove-you are correct that this is the Champion's Program. Basically it was local sectional tournaments followed by the winners playing a regional tournament. Those winners were to play in North Carolina during Memorial Weekend 2008 but I hear that isn't happening now. My understanding is that next year the younger group (14's) will be going to the Junior Olympic format during (or around the same time) as the older boys. They will be looking for players for their 14 year old team then. Again, this is just what I hear and I usually don't know much

You knew and know more than me BBFAM. I was told it was JO and I never checked after that. I guess it is part of their program but NOT their program. I don't really care either way. It was a chance for my son to play against some great teams and that is good enough for me. My son was the kid in right who missed a line drive. He said the sun got him.
It was a great tournament. It was great playing different teams with great reps. Even though we got pounded two out of four games the kids and parents really enjoyed the experience.

BBfam,
Thanks for the info on the revised format. Actually it sounds less disruptive than present method of selection.

I am new here - is it not ok to post names? The "taller blonde" or the "kid who missed a line drive" seems kind of funny. Just curious.

Welcome to the HSBBW warningtrack. I just happened to describe my son to doughnutman because he was at that particular game. Many of us know which kids belong to which but names are not often posted. Often times players are referred as "BBfam's son" or "warningtrack jr." etc....

BBfam is correct about the format change.

Next summer, USA Baseball will be running a 14-under "Junior Olympics" during the same week as the older age tournament at the same complexes.

My understanding is that it will be 2 days shorter than the 16u JO tournament.

The Champions program will not run next fall.