Let's define elite...

Go44dad posted:

My sons 13U team last year played two PG 25 qualifier (crushed in finals both times) and made it to the semi's in the BCS (crushed again).  Team played great, over the head at times but gutted out wins.  Got ranked 21 by PG.  I would say the team is between 21 and 221 nationally.  I know the top three teams personally, and my sons team playing them is like men vs boys.  Other than the very top, lots of similar very solid teams.  When 13 yo's throw in the low '80's, and hit 350 ft HR's, that's super elite/powerhouse or whatever you want to call it.  It's like all the 13yo "anomalies" we talk about getting on the same team.

That's fair. In addition, as someone else mentioned, at the younger ages (12U and 13U) the PG rankings miss a lot of West Coast teams because they simply do not play PG events. Taking the 13U rankings you referenced, 3 out of the Top 40 were from California, whereas a more representative distribution would be closer to 10 of the Top 40. PG can only work with what they see, and they see more in the older age ranges.

If you have to call yourself Elite, are you? 

2017LHPscrewball posted:

Please do tell how he knocked an adult unconscious!  Any of them get an ambulance ride?  

Sounds like your rec league had already been depleted of decent players via travel ball.  As for the coaches, did all the accidents happen on Thirsty Thursdays?  Heard the CWS was going to start selling beer, but had not heard or any little league parks getting that desperate. 

The rock in franklin wisconsin...  a bar on top of the hill.  Get your beer and watch your 10 year old!  Kind of sad.  Its so much better when I sneak it in my cooler outside the outfield fence!

Could there possibly be a topic that matters less than this one?

2019Dad posted:

Go44dad posted:

My sons 13U team last year played two PG 25 qualifier (crushed in finals both times) and made it to the semi's in the BCS (crushed again).  Team played great, over the head at times but gutted out wins.  Got ranked 21 by PG.  I would say the team is between 21 and 221 nationally.  I know the top three teams personally, and my sons team playing them is like men vs boys.  Other than the very top, lots of similar very solid teams.  When 13 yo's throw in the low '80's, and hit 350 ft HR's, that's super elite/powerhouse or whatever you want to call it.  It's like all the 13yo "anomalies" we talk about getting on the same team.

That's fair. In addition, as someone else mentioned, at the younger ages (12U and 13U) the PG rankings miss a lot of West Coast teams because they simply do not play PG events. Taking the 13U rankings you referenced, 3 out of the Top 40 were from California, whereas a more representative distribution would be closer to 10 of the Top 40. PG can only work with what they see, and they see more in the older age ranges.

See this is a perfect example of why we need a definition!!  What makes you think california would have 25% of the best teams?  Seems to me on here sometimes if you combine california, texas, georgia and florida they would have about 167% of the best teams in the country!  We do play baseball elsewhere you know.  Not looking for a fight 2019 I am in agreement with things you say 99% of the time but I think we midwesterners and proba nly easteners and everywhere betweenerners (yes making uo words now) sometimes just wish there were some reluable source to guve an accurate ranking of EVERYONE!

MTH posted:

Could there possibly be a topic that matters less than this one?

No, but there are LOTS of ties!

MTH posted:

Could there possibly be a topic that matters less than this one?

Yes, I suppose it would be the topic you don't bother to post this on!  Said in good humor - I said in original post it may be stupid and may be the shortest thread I have started.  But sometimes we just want to talk about something!

2020dad posted:

MTH posted:

Could there possibly be a topic that matters less than this one?

Yes, I suppose it would be the topic you don't bother to post this on!  Said in good humor - I said in original post it may be stupid and may be the shortest thread I have started.  But sometimes we just want to talk about something!

besides, Tom Waits left us for greener pastures

2020dad posted:

2019Dad posted:

Go44dad posted:

My sons 13U team last year played two PG 25 qualifier (crushed in finals both times) and made it to the semi's in the BCS (crushed again).  Team played great, over the head at times but gutted out wins.  Got ranked 21 by PG.  I would say the team is between 21 and 221 nationally.  I know the top three teams personally, and my sons team playing them is like men vs boys.  Other than the very top, lots of similar very solid teams.  When 13 yo's throw in the low '80's, and hit 350 ft HR's, that's super elite/powerhouse or whatever you want to call it.  It's like all the 13yo "anomalies" we talk about getting on the same team.

That's fair. In addition, as someone else mentioned, at the younger ages (12U and 13U) the PG rankings miss a lot of West Coast teams because they simply do not play PG events. Taking the 13U rankings you referenced, 3 out of the Top 40 were from California, whereas a more representative distribution would be closer to 10 of the Top 40. PG can only work with what they see, and they see more in the older age ranges.

See this is a perfect example of why we need a definition!!  What makes you think california would have 25% of the best teams?  Seems to me on here sometimes if you combine california, texas, georgia and florida they would have about 167% of the best teams in the country!  We do play baseball elsewhere you know.  Not looking for a fight 2019 I am in agreement with things you say 99% of the time but I think we midwesterners and proba nly easteners and everywhere betweenerners (yes making uo words now) sometimes just wish there were some reluable source to guve an accurate ranking of EVERYONE!

LOL about your CA, TX, GA, FL comment!

But my logic is simple. About 20-25% of the drafted players and U.S. born MLBers are from California. Therefore, I would expect a similar ratio of elite younger players.

2017LHPscrewball posted:

Please do tell how he knocked an adult unconscious!  Any of them get an ambulance ride?  

Sounds like your rec league had already been depleted of decent players via travel ball.  As for the coaches, did all the accidents happen on Thirsty Thursdays?  Heard the CWS was going to start selling beer, but had not heard or any little league parks getting that desperate. 

In the batting cage, no L screen being used.  Line drive to his head, glasses went into his temple, he fell down unconscious blood pouring out of the side of his head. As if that wasn't bad enough his vision was affected and he was a pilot so he couldn't go to work for awhile. My son was horror stricken, it was right before a rec game and while in tears he repeatedly said how sorry he was and asked if he could go home.  Thankfully his coach from the previous year was there and made a joke about "well he did say to hit it RIGHT BACK AT HIM", you can only do what your told to do"...personally I was speechless, my son was able to shake it off and play but one of the reasons he asked to play travel ball was so people were less likely to get hurt.

2020dad posted:

2017LHPscrewball posted:

Please do tell how he knocked an adult unconscious!  Any of them get an ambulance ride?  

Sounds like your rec league had already been depleted of decent players via travel ball.  As for the coaches, did all the accidents happen on Thirsty Thursdays?  Heard the CWS was going to start selling beer, but had not heard or any little league parks getting that desperate. 

The rock in franklin wisconsin...  a bar on top of the hill.  Get your beer and watch your 10 year old!  Kind of sad.  Its so much better when I sneak it in my cooler outside the outfield fence!

A few of the park districts sell beer around here.   Mainly it's for softball leagues.  But occasionally, we find one that does it for youth tournaments.  Those are the ones the wife doesn't complain about getting to early.   Generates money which goes back into the park.  It's great, and I have yet to see an adult get out of hand due to drinking. 

2019Dad posted:

2020dad posted:

2019Dad posted:

Go44dad posted:

My sons 13U team last year played two PG 25 qualifier (crushed in finals both times) and made it to the semi's in the BCS (crushed again).  Team played great, over the head at times but gutted out wins.  Got ranked 21 by PG.  I would say the team is between 21 and 221 nationally.  I know the top three teams personally, and my sons team playing them is like men vs boys.  Other than the very top, lots of similar very solid teams.  When 13 yo's throw in the low '80's, and hit 350 ft HR's, that's super elite/powerhouse or whatever you want to call it.  It's like all the 13yo "anomalies" we talk about getting on the same team.

That's fair. In addition, as someone else mentioned, at the younger ages (12U and 13U) the PG rankings miss a lot of West Coast teams because they simply do not play PG events. Taking the 13U rankings you referenced, 3 out of the Top 40 were from California, whereas a more representative distribution would be closer to 10 of the Top 40. PG can only work with what they see, and they see more in the older age ranges.

See this is a perfect example of why we need a definition!!  What makes you think california would have 25% of the best teams?  Seems to me on here sometimes if you combine california, texas, georgia and florida they would have about 167% of the best teams in the country!  We do play baseball elsewhere you know.  Not looking for a fight 2019 I am in agreement with things you say 99% of the time but I think we midwesterners and proba nly easteners and everywhere betweenerners (yes making uo words now) sometimes just wish there were some reluable source to guve an accurate ranking of EVERYONE!

LOL about your CA, TX, GA, FL comment!

But my logic is simple. About 20-25% of the drafted players and U.S. born MLBers are from California. Therefore, I would expect a similar ratio of elite younger players.

Thats actually a very good answer.  I would like to disect that a bit but I am impressed with your answer.  Does that count kids drafted from california colleges?  In any event if all the 'great' teams are really from those states then so be it.  I just wish it could be proven.

There are so many teams that have the word elite after it, how much does it really mean these days, especially with young players?

2020dad posted:

2019Dad posted:

2020dad posted:

2019Dad posted:

Go44dad posted:

My sons 13U team last year played two PG 25 qualifier (crushed in finals both times) and made it to the semi's in the BCS (crushed again).  Team played great, over the head at times but gutted out wins.  Got ranked 21 by PG.  I would say the team is between 21 and 221 nationally.  I know the top three teams personally, and my sons team playing them is like men vs boys.  Other than the very top, lots of similar very solid teams.  When 13 yo's throw in the low '80's, and hit 350 ft HR's, that's super elite/powerhouse or whatever you want to call it.  It's like all the 13yo "anomalies" we talk about getting on the same team.

That's fair. In addition, as someone else mentioned, at the younger ages (12U and 13U) the PG rankings miss a lot of West Coast teams because they simply do not play PG events. Taking the 13U rankings you referenced, 3 out of the Top 40 were from California, whereas a more representative distribution would be closer to 10 of the Top 40. PG can only work with what they see, and they see more in the older age ranges.

See this is a perfect example of why we need a definition!!  What makes you think california would have 25% of the best teams?  Seems to me on here sometimes if you combine california, texas, georgia and florida they would have about 167% of the best teams in the country!  We do play baseball elsewhere you know.  Not looking for a fight 2019 I am in agreement with things you say 99% of the time but I think we midwesterners and proba nly easteners and everywhere betweenerners (yes making uo words now) sometimes just wish there were some reluable source to guve an accurate ranking of EVERYONE!

LOL about your CA, TX, GA, FL comment!

But my logic is simple. About 20-25% of the drafted players and U.S. born MLBers are from California. Therefore, I would expect a similar ratio of elite younger players.

Thats actually a very good answer.  I would like to disect that a bit but I am impressed with your answer.  Does that count kids drafted from california colleges?  In any event if all the 'great' teams are really from those states then so be it.  I just wish it could be proven.

Not to derail this thread too much, but, what the heck, here is a distribution of the 553 U.S. MLB players in 2014:

California had 22%. Wisconsin doesn't do great, but, hey, your former state of IL looks pretty good -- right up there with Georgia! (and Connecticut is damn impressive for its size and northern climate.)

Data here: www.besttickets.com/blog/mlb-players-census/

2020dad posted:

…In any event if all the 'great' teams are really from those states then so be it.  I just wish it could be proven.

It can’t be proven for a lot of reasons even for ML teams where there’s more data than anywhere else for 30 or fewer teams, let alone thousands and thousands of teams at literally dozens of levels in hundreds of different geographical locations that have no central point where performance data can be found.

Which team is over ranked? I’m looking at the list and see this after the first 1/3rd teams…

56 – 643 Cougars

57 – Baseball Northwest

58 – South Charlotte Panthers

59- NorCal

60 – San Diego Show

61- Indiana Mustangs

62 – Cincy Flames

63 – Team California

Followed by teams like Florida Burn, Langley Blaze, Chattanooga Cyclones, Upsate Mavericks, SWFL, etc. Even 100 and after are teams like Atlanta Blue Jays, All Star baseball Academy, Longshots, Arlington A’s, Lids Indiana Bulls, New England Ruffnecks, Team Demarini, Home Plate, Hoots Baseball Club, etc.

I do believe that we might miss a few real good teams that belong on the list. But if someone knows teams not listed that are better than these teams please let me know.

Maybe one of the things that confuse people is the fact that some of these organizations have several teams. Or maybe they pick up some very talented kids when they attend our events.  But these are very good teams.

Anyway, I am glad this was brought up. As I look at the list I can think of several that should be on that list, but somehow we must have missed them.  There are teams that we invite to Jupiter every year that aren’t on the list.

PGStaff posted:

Which team is over ranked? I’m looking at the list and see this after the first 1/3rd teams…

56 – 643 Cougars

57 – Baseball Northwest

58 – South Charlotte Panthers

59- NorCal

60 – San Diego Show

61- Indiana Mustangs

62 – Cincy Flames

63 – Team California

Followed by teams like Florida Burn, Langley Blaze, Chattanooga Cyclones, Upsate Mavericks, SWFL, etc. Even 100 and after are teams like Atlanta Blue Jays, All Star baseball Academy, Longshots, Arlington A’s, Lids Indiana Bulls, New England Ruffnecks, Team Demarini, Home Plate, Hoots Baseball Club, etc.

I do believe that we might miss a few real good teams that belong on the list. But if someone knows teams not listed that are better than these teams please let me know.

Maybe one of the things that confuse people is the fact that some of these organizations have several teams. Or maybe they pick up some very talented kids when they attend our events.  But these are very good teams.

Anyway, I am glad this was brought up. As I look at the list I can think of several that should be on that list, but somehow we must have missed them.  There are teams that we invite to Jupiter every year that aren’t on the list.

 How would you rank the teams you invite ? Buy current players on the rosters 

PGStaff posted:

Which team is over ranked? I’m looking at the list and see this after the first 1/3rd teams…

56 – 643 Cougars

57 – Baseball Northwest

58 – South Charlotte Panthers

59- NorCal

60 – San Diego Show

61- Indiana Mustangs

62 – Cincy Flames

63 – Team California

Followed by teams like Florida Burn, Langley Blaze, Chattanooga Cyclones, Upsate Mavericks, SWFL, etc. Even 100 and after are teams like Atlanta Blue Jays, All Star baseball Academy, Longshots, Arlington A’s, Lids Indiana Bulls, New England Ruffnecks, Team Demarini, Home Plate, Hoots Baseball Club, etc.

I do believe that we might miss a few real good teams that belong on the list. But if someone knows teams not listed that are better than these teams please let me know.

Maybe one of the things that confuse people is the fact that some of these organizations have several teams. Or maybe they pick up some very talented kids when they attend our events.  But these are very good teams.

Anyway, I am glad this was brought up. As I look at the list I can think of several that should be on that list, but somehow we must have missed them.  There are teams that we invite to Jupiter every year that aren’t on the list.

Hey my kids program is listed...

PGStaff posted:

Which team is over ranked? I’m looking at the list and see this after the first 1/3rd teams…

56 – 643 Cougars

57 – Baseball Northwest

58 – South Charlotte Panthers

59- NorCal

60 – San Diego Show

61- Indiana Mustangs

62 – Cincy Flames

63 – Team California

Followed by teams like Florida Burn, Langley Blaze, Chattanooga Cyclones, Upsate Mavericks, SWFL, etc. Even 100 and after are teams like Atlanta Blue Jays, All Star baseball Academy, Longshots, Arlington A’s, Lids Indiana Bulls, New England Ruffnecks, Team Demarini, Home Plate, Hoots Baseball Club, etc.

I do believe that we might miss a few real good teams that belong on the list. But if someone knows teams not listed that are better than these teams please let me know.

Maybe one of the things that confuse people is the fact that some of these organizations have several teams. Or maybe they pick up some very talented kids when they attend our events.  But these are very good teams.

Anyway, I am glad this was brought up. As I look at the list I can think of several that should be on that list, but somehow we must have missed them.  There are teams that we invite to Jupiter every year that aren’t on the list.

What age is that?  Home plate, 643 Cougars, ECB Astros, Demarini, and Team Elite (insert color here) tend to battle it out locally at the younger age groups.

HS travel teams.

TPM posted:

HS travel teams.

You mean HS "age" teams?  Anyway, that's what I'm thinking.

One characteristic of an elite team to me would be "from big city".     It's hard to find a large quantity of elite kids in small towns where the nearest big city (>500,000) is 3 hrs away. 

Truman posted:

TPM posted:

HS travel teams.

You mean HS "age" teams?  Anyway, that's what I'm thinking.

Yes, I meant that.

2 years ago kid tried out for xx elite academy, i had no interest of himnplaying but at the time we had down time so i figured what the heck he can get some reps and see what its all about. There was nothing elite about it. After the tryout the HC came to talk to all the parents and went over philosphy and such,  then mentioned its $1600 a year. There was some chuckles, on ride home kid asked if i thought he made it and i told him i can guarantee you made, made a joke to wife that im sure everyone made it for that price. We respectfully had to turn down the offer. 

johnnysako posted:

2 years ago kid tried out for xx elite academy, i had no interest of himnplaying but at the time we had down time so i figured what the heck he can get some reps and see what its all about. There was nothing elite about it. After the tryout the HC came to talk to all the parents and went over philosphy and such,  then mentioned its $1600 a year. There was some chuckles, on ride home kid asked if i thought he made it and i told him i can guarantee you made, made a joke to wife that im sure everyone made it for that price. We respectfully had to turn down the offer. 

Obviously I have no idea who you are talking about.  So if they were bad thats one thing but that price would be very reasonable.

2019Dad posted:

2020dad posted:

2019Dad posted:

2020dad posted:

2019Dad posted:

Go44dad posted:

My sons 13U team last year played two PG 25 qualifier (crushed in finals both times) and made it to the semi's in the BCS (crushed again).  Team played great, over the head at times but gutted out wins.  Got ranked 21 by PG.  I would say the team is between 21 and 221 nationally.  I know the top three teams personally, and my sons team playing them is like men vs boys.  Other than the very top, lots of similar very solid teams.  When 13 yo's throw in the low '80's, and hit 350 ft HR's, that's super elite/powerhouse or whatever you want to call it.  It's like all the 13yo "anomalies" we talk about getting on the same team.

That's fair. In addition, as someone else mentioned, at the younger ages (12U and 13U) the PG rankings miss a lot of West Coast teams because they simply do not play PG events. Taking the 13U rankings you referenced, 3 out of the Top 40 were from California, whereas a more representative distribution would be closer to 10 of the Top 40. PG can only work with what they see, and they see more in the older age ranges.

See this is a perfect example of why we need a definition!!  What makes you think california would have 25% of the best teams?  Seems to me on here sometimes if you combine california, texas, georgia and florida they would have about 167% of the best teams in the country!  We do play baseball elsewhere you know.  Not looking for a fight 2019 I am in agreement with things you say 99% of the time but I think we midwesterners and proba nly easteners and everywhere betweenerners (yes making uo words now) sometimes just wish there were some reluable source to guve an accurate ranking of EVERYONE!

LOL about your CA, TX, GA, FL comment!

But my logic is simple. About 20-25% of the drafted players and U.S. born MLBers are from California. Therefore, I would expect a similar ratio of elite younger players.

Thats actually a very good answer.  I would like to disect that a bit but I am impressed with your answer.  Does that count kids drafted from california colleges?  In any event if all the 'great' teams are really from those states then so be it.  I just wish it could be proven.

Not to derail this thread too much, but, what the heck, here is a distribution of the 553 U.S. MLB players in 2014:

California had 22%. Wisconsin doesn't do great, but, hey, your former state of IL looks pretty good -- right up there with Georgia! (and Connecticut is damn impressive for its size and northern climate.)

Data here: www.besttickets.com/blog/mlb-players-census/

And most of those Illinois kids are right from my area.  With the advent of a couple more good organizations in wisconsin we are going to get better!  Of course making it to mlb is a tall order but its got to start with being drafted and I believe our draft picks will be dramatically increasing.  We have several in our organization who have that chance either before or after college.  The most renowned of our three best organizatiins relies heavily on northern illinois kids.  One of those highly ranked teams on the PG list.  Ours is the newest if the three (the other also appears on PG list on a couple levels) and for some reason we have not yet gotten involved in PG stuff.  But we are very competitive with those guys.  Just not as deep right now.  We have single teams from 13u to 17u not multiples.  Our younger levels are now fielding more teams. The one by the border has many teams per age level.  Wisconsin is not exactly ready to take the baseball world by storm but we are finally taking the right steps!

A confession...

I admit that I never really look at the team rankings.  We spend most of our time on individual players.

So when someone posted that link to the 17u team rankings, it was the first time I looked closely at the list.  Just off the top of my head I could see some very high level teams that were left off the list.  Like the Dirtbags and San Gabriel Valley and there were more.

I contacted our staff to find out what happened and why.  This morning I was told there is a flaw in the system we use.  It is actually an IT issue, but we should have caught it.  It does make us/me angry and embarrassed and we will fix it. There shouldn't be any excuses. We just made some mistakes.  Once again we prove that Perfect Game is not Perfect!

Thanks to the person that linked it here.  

BTW, those rankings are based on 2015 performance.  So several of the very best organizations that would make the list most every year didn't make this list.  South Carolina Diamond Devils for one, absolute great organization, but somewhat off year for them in 2015.

Also some are considered 18u and should be on that list.

I guess I am so far removed from travel ball that reading all of this makes me kinda glad that I am! I remember hearing of parents paying THOUSANDS to have their son be on a team because of the name alone. But he rarely saw any playing time. They would have about 5-7 extra players on their team who had no business whatsoever on the team. And it was these boys fee to be on the team that would help subsidize other necessities the coaches needed! 

I was ecstatic for my 25yr old son when last summer in his 3rd year of pro ball his team won the championship. The elusive championship and earning a ring he had always hoped for had come true. Finally. Later in the week I was sharing this news with a client/good friend who's son plays travel ball at 10U now. I was a proud Dad needless to say. Upon hearing this he smiled and congratulated me and then proceeded to tell me that his son has 4 rings already and that was at 9 years old! Why do I even bring this up? After reading all this about being on elite teams, what kind of talent is on teams, etc. it just made me think that the name of the team really doesn't have much bearing or weight unless it's 16U or older. Where colleges begin to take notice. When 7, 8, & 9yr old boys are winning championship rings what exactly do they have to look forward to YEARS later when they're 16, 17, & 18urs old? I know that most teams that age _16-18) aren't REALLY interested in the Title as they are hopefully leaning more towards helping them garner college interest. But even if they are interested in winning Titles, I could see they're reaction now after winning "oh boy, (yawn)....a ring.". Just saying.

YoungGunDad posted:

I guess I am so far removed from travel ball that reading all of this makes me kinda glad that I am! I remember hearing of parents paying THOUSANDS to have their son be on a team because of the name alone. But he rarely saw any playing time. They would have about 5-7 extra players on their team who had no business whatsoever on the team. And it was these boys fee to be on the team that would help subsidize other necessities the coaches needed! 

I was ecstatic for my 25yr old son when last summer in his 3rd year of pro ball his team won the championship. The elusive championship and earning a ring he had always hoped for had come true. Finally. Later in the week I was sharing this news with a client/good friend who's son plays travel ball at 10U now. I was a proud Dad needless to say. Upon hearing this he smiled and congratulated me and then proceeded to tell me that his son has 4 rings already and that was at 9 years old! Why do I even bring this up? After reading all this about being on elite teams, what kind of talent is on teams, etc. it just made me think that the name of the team really doesn't have much bearing or weight unless it's 16U or older. Where colleges begin to take notice. When 7, 8, & 9yr old boys are winning championship rings what exactly do they have to look forward to YEARS later when they're 16, 17, & 18urs old? I know that most teams that age _16-18) aren't REALLY interested in the Title as they are hopefully leaning more towards helping them garner college interest. But even if they are interested in winning Titles, I could see they're reaction now after winning "oh boy, (yawn)....a ring.". Just saying.

 

When my now 16 year old was 8, his team won the Disney turn back the clock tournament.  It was a great week, but I remember joking at the time that it would be tough on him when his career peaked at 8.

fortunately, he is still playing and hopes to continue for a long time.  

2016 plays/played on one of the better travel teams in the area I never really considered them elite.Or for that matter some type of national type program.I will say this tho about the organazation.I am pretty sure every single kid on last years team will be playing baseball at the next level.@ 18-20 kids.There are every thing from D1 kids to Jr. college and all between......

YoungGunDad posted:

I guess I am so far removed from travel ball that reading all of this makes me kinda glad that I am! I remember hearing of parents paying THOUSANDS to have their son be on a team because of the name alone. But he rarely saw any playing time. They would have about 5-7 extra players on their team who had no business whatsoever on the team. And it was these boys fee to be on the team that would help subsidize other necessities the coaches needed! 

I was ecstatic for my 25yr old son when last summer in his 3rd year of pro ball his team won the championship. The elusive championship and earning a ring he had always hoped for had come true. Finally. Later in the week I was sharing this news with a client/good friend who's son plays travel ball at 10U now. I was a proud Dad needless to say. Upon hearing this he smiled and congratulated me and then proceeded to tell me that his son has 4 rings already and that was at 9 years old! Why do I even bring this up? After reading all this about being on elite teams, what kind of talent is on teams, etc. it just made me think that the name of the team really doesn't have much bearing or weight unless it's 16U or older. Where colleges begin to take notice. When 7, 8, & 9yr old boys are winning championship rings what exactly do they have to look forward to YEARS later when they're 16, 17, & 18urs old? I know that most teams that age _16-18) aren't REALLY interested in the Title as they are hopefully leaning more towards helping them garner college interest. But even if they are interested in winning Titles, I could see they're reaction now after winning "oh boy, (yawn)....a ring.". Just saying.

 

How delusion for that dad to inject his son into the same conversation as your son. It shows how clueless he really is. I've had those conversations where the other person's kid is on a completely different level. I end them with a smile and "uh huh."