Keller Dad -you have a PM
quote:My son played for the Marshals this fall and if he makes the team will play for them this coming summer (he missed the tryout this weekend due to work (yes, he has a JOB!!!))
Let me answer the question by telling you a story. For the last few years, my son played for the Arlington Heat. Last year, as 16 YO's, they played up to 18U in a lot of tournaments. Thier first tournament up in OKC where they faced the Marshals 18 twice. They thumped them twice. Neither game was even close. My son gave up 2 home runs to one player in the course of one game.
While these older "men" were whoppin' up on the 16 year olds, I did not hear one laugh from the dugout. Not one boisterous comment. Not one guy rubbing it in. Class act.
The boys faced the Marshals later in the summer and lost to them in a pitching dual, 13-12. They learned to bring their A game every day.
When the Heat broke up at the end of the season, our coach highly recommended Shayne and the Marshals. Our old coach was Lance Alford's college roomate, and he's known both Shayne Currin and Rene Asprion for years. I've known Rene also since when he was with the Mustangs organization.
Lance was our coach this fall, and I tell ya, you haven't met a nicer guy. He has two twin toddlers at home and a new born baby, yet his wife lets him coach our boys, something that you can see he loves to do.
Will they be the best 17 YO team in the metroplex? Probably not, as I'm sure that DBat and Ingram's Tigers will be fighting for that title (neither of those teams are knocking on the door asking my son to play for them).
But if you are looking for a 1a type team, with quality coaching, great facilities, reasonable price, bad uniforms and a system that will get your son seen, then I highly recommend them.
OK, I'll ask the obvious question.
Why in the world did an 18 year old team play a 16 year old team so many times?
How is that at all productive for the 18s?
Because the 16 year team entered the same tournaments. Was it productive for the 18 year old team, probably not but they don't have a cjoice who they play in a tournament.
Guys who run 18u tournaments around here know the top level 16u teams as they equate to a good 17-18u team. Last years Heat could run with the 17-18's all day long...I would take my chances on inviting a top level 16 group than a 17-18u that I have never heard of....I think that is the case here....
quote:Originally posted by Txdad07:
OK, I'll ask the obvious question.
Why in the world did an 18 year old team play a 16 year old team so many times?
How is that at all productive for the 18s?
The Heat got thumped by exactly one team last summer....the Marshals. The reason we played them twice in OKC, was the original tournament director ran off with all the funds and there wasn't an official tournament. Our coach worked with the other coaches that were already in OKC to put on a quasi-tournament to at least get in some games.
The 16yo Heat team beat more 18U teams last summer than they lost.
Good answer to the obvious question.
KD - Don't forget about the in the TC WS Championship - that was no fluke. And yes, I have a vested interest in the Texas Forum - I'm from the great state, and my kid will be playing down there next summer '06.
I do agree w/catcher there are a few top tier 16U teams out there that can compete w/18U teams; however, top tier 18U teams may be wasting their time against 16U teams in tournaments. From a player's perspective, motivation levels don't get that high competing against players two years your junior.
I do agree w/catcher there are a few top tier 16U teams out there that can compete w/18U teams; however, top tier 18U teams may be wasting their time against 16U teams in tournaments. From a player's perspective, motivation levels don't get that high competing against players two years your junior.
Happy to report my son will be part of the 17U team this summer!
Keller Dad, do you have any dates or contacts on the tournaments you guys attended last summer?
GREAT NEWS, OBN!!! I'm thinking your involvement with the HSBW didn't hurt. 
quote:Originally posted by indugu:
Keller Dad, do you have any dates or contacts on the tournaments you guys attended last summer?
I don't indugu...but you can give Lynn a shout and I'm sure he can help you out.
quote:Originally posted by oldbat-never:
Happy to report my son will be part of the 17U team this summer!
Congrats to your son!!! Too bad he has to wear those ugly uniforms.
KD: As long as he can wear his pant legs up (traditionalist) he is happy.
PD: Actually, was more afraid that my involvement w/ HSBB would hurt him more than help him........
guess they looked beyond that...........
PD: Actually, was more afraid that my involvement w/ HSBB would hurt him more than help him........
guess they looked beyond that...........