Keith Hagan Tournament - Memphis

I took a peek at the teams entered in this tournament and all I can say is that the Tigers picked the absolute worse week of the year to hold a 18-U tournament.

All the real teams are at East Cobb in the Perfect Game WWBA 18U Championships. Close to 100 teams.

Never heard of any of the teams in the Hagan tournament.

Sorry, but it is what it is.

Our club played in the WWBA 18U Championships last season. Played extremely well. About 1/2 the teams were quality, the other 1/2 were not. With over 20 years of experience, some coveted AAU, Dizzy Dean and NABF titles to our name, we know what quality is. While the WWBA was a great experience, it is not something we want to be involved with every year. Our players and parents like variety.

We went to Memphis this year because two years ago East Cobb and GameDay Baseball teamed up to put on the best tournament we have ever played in (save AABC and NABF World Series back in the 90's and early 2000's). Two years ago the teams in the tournament were East Cobb Yankees, Bayside Yankees, Dulins Dodgers, Virginia Barnstormers, us, etc... We went 4-2 and were far better off for the experience.

I have heard of 1/2 the teams in the Memphis tournament this week. We won tonight against the Arkansas Lasers 2-0. I know that the APAK team is very good as well.

By the way, and I'm saying this with a smile of course. Ask many of the "real teams" at East Cobb what they think of the Columbia Reds from Maryland. We have been there, done that...for lots and lots of years.

Actually, there are 186 teams this year in WWBA 18U at East Cobb. We talked to 9 college and pro scouts at our first game. If only 1/2 the teams are quality then that still leaves about 90 good teams in one tournament.

BTW, I looked up Columbia Reds from MD in the 2007 WWBA 18U. Shows they finished 1-1-1 in pool play and 1-1 in other play. We probably won't do even as well as you but can't deny the exposure and competition.

I was trying to look up the record from last year. I stopped managing 5 years ago when my dad died. I do the business stuff for the org, but don't follow the team to tourneys.

I hope your team does better than us last year. We considered it a productive tourney, but didn't see the scouts out as much as you say your first game. We had Stephen Lombardozzi (son of former major leaguer and 19th round draft pick on our team), among other terrific players. We played on many peripheral fields and were told that most college and pro scouts were hanging near the bigger complex. No doubt it is a great tournament. We are fortunate in that we have lots of college coaches come watch our games during the regular season, so it was more about competition for us last year, then exposure.

I wish everyone the best of luck this week in East Cobb. Love the complex and the folks involved for sure!

Unfortunately, we are now 0-2. 6 games guaranteed but gotta finish in the top 2 of the pool to advance. Only 3 scouts today. I'm sure you're right about most scouts being around the EC complex. I figure the big scout turnout yesterday was because of the team we were playing. Anyway, still looking for a win and a scout or two Get to play at the complex tomorrow so hope our luck changes.

Keep your chin up. Has the team been competitive? Look for little positives to take away each day. And tomorrow is another day. Enough for the cliches. Good luck the rest of the way, and keep me posted.

The Dulins Dodgers 18U team is 3-0 as of today. We are headed to Atlanta next week for the 17U Dulins Dodgers WWBA tournament. Anyone else headed to Atlanta next week?

quote:

The Dulins Dodgers 18U team is 3-0 as of today

I thought you meant they were 3-0 in the Hagan tournament. I didn't think the Dulin's Dodgers would play in a tournament associated with Mr. Hagan and after looking at the Dulins 18u schedule I see they are in Atlanta. Best of luck to the 18 and 17 Dodgers .
Fungo

thanks Fungo!! I should have been more clear.

Columbia Reds are 4-0 in the Hagan tournament. Coach says that competition is soso. Two good teams, two very average teams.

Speaking of Dulins...we first faced them in 1998 at an AAU event in Orlando, FL. Very classy organization (players, coaches, fans). We finished 4th in the NABF World Series that year, and Dulins beat us in Orlando 2-1 late in the tournament. We had a great team and they sure had a great team.

Why wouldn't they play in a Hagan associated tournament? Is it the Tigers vs. Dodgers down there competing for the same interests?

Good question. Dulins seem to travel from tournament to tournament out of town at different colleges. We haven't played the Tigers, APAX, etc. It would have been nice to play them during dead week just so our boys weren't sitting around as much. I do have to say they are a good team and it is not easy to make the team. My son is on the 17U team and you can see the potential in his team and what a year can do when they are on the 18U team. Most of these boys want to play at the next level after high school. They definetely get exposure playing for Dulins. Great coaches help to.

quote:

Is it the Tigers vs. Dodgers down there competing for the same interests?

That's about it in a nutshell. The "Memphis Tigers" was without a doubt the cornerstone for youth baseball in the Memphis area for many years. They began playing in the 60's and many Tiger teams dominated the national competion. But as we all know things are constantly changing in youth baseball.

Former professional baseball player Tim Dulin "came back" to the Memphis baseball scene in the early 90's. He was already well known in the Memphis area not only because of his professional career but also as a former University of Memphis baseball player garnering All American honors while playing there. He started everything in motion by giving private baseball lessons. His reputation and his baseball business flourished and in the late 90's he formed (and coached) an 18u team comprised mostly of those players he had worked with (one being my son). Of course most of these players had played for the Memphis Tigers (including my son) and this formation of a new team didn't bode well with the Memphis Tiger organization. Competition for the players became fierce and most in the baseball community would say that Dulin's Dodgers came out the big winner ---- but that's not all good/bad news for either team because the players around Memphis are the big winners. Now there are more choices ----- AND more roster spots available.
Fungo

That is interesting history Fungo.

Why did your son make the change from Memphis to Dulins? Memphis Tigers have had a reputation that stretched across the nation. Was a gut instinct call by your son?

Why Dulins?
Coaches played a big part.
Charlie Lea --- former MLB pitcher
Johnny Beard --- Former legendary Memphis Tiger Coach
Tim Dulin -- (See earlier post)
Manager Joe Platt --- former D-1 coach.
These were great game coaches and gave great one on one instructions. Not only did they know their baseball they also knew every college coach and pro scout around.

Quality Teammates: 13 player from one team either went pro or went on to D-1 ball. Many are currently in professional baseball. All involved were serious about their baseball.

Facilities: Home field was former home of the AAA Memphis Chicks and the following year our home field was USA stadium ----- not to mention the Dulin's 45,000 square foot indoor training facility.

Sponsors: High caliber sponsors that provided top quality equipment.

Organization: Very well run and kept the parent well informed of what was happening.

Schedule: Just looking at the schedule one soon realized the exposure and the competition were the very best.

When my son made the move to Dulins Dodgers the Memphis Tigers had the best reputation and history. Dulins had none --- it was their first year. I think that has since changed. I am not anti Memphis Tigers ---- just pro Dulin's. My son and I looked at the choices at that time and it was a no-brainer.
Fungo

Dulins Dodgers have always been a high class organization in our experience and among the most talented and organized teams in the country.

BTW, they went undefeated in pool play 5-0 in the 18U this week. They have a chance to win this 186 team tournament!

Completely agree with Fungo about Dulin's. First class all the way and it is not for everyone. My son has friends that play for the Tigers and Apax and they love it and are happy. I guess that is all that matters-that your son is happy with the team he is playing for. My son plays high school ball with a group from all the traveling teams and they all come together as one in the Spring for school. That would be great if the 18U team won it all in Atlanta this week. They have a great team again this year-as usual-and we wouldn't expect anything less from Tim Dulin.
PG-thanks for the update-we will be there next week for the 17U tournament

Dulins just lost a heart breaker in the playoffs (2-1) to the Chain in an 8 inning tie breaker.

Seems like everyone, players, coaches, and fans have a lot of class. These tie breakers stink at times, but are very necessary in these tournaments.

We didn't hear a single complaint. Of course there might have been some we didn't hear.

PG-I just saw the score-what a heartbreaker. Do you know who was pitching for us? Dulins? Does that mean they are finished in the tournament?