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Just a few observations from last week of watching son's team play in East Cobb Yankees Tournament in GA. and the importance of NE kids playing more games against better competition. My opinion(this is not a slam on any NE programs)is that if a player has talent they need to get on a summer travel team that plays a high profile schedule.

Summer team has played 12 games in 8 days, 15 games in 12 days. Son's NE high school schedule played 16 games in two months. Only negative is no time for practice.

Playing against a ton of future and current D1 players. One team have 21 of 25 man roster going to major D1's. Ole Miss, Alabama, ASU, Georgia, Florida, Tenn, Geog Tech, Auburn, Okalahoma, Nebraska, South Carolina - that was one team. They had their own Luxuary travel bus!!!

Most of the team rosters have 10 plus players on or going to D1 schools.

Love the wood bat game over metal. In eight games have seen only two teams get over 10 hits. Have not seen a home run all week, just one ball off the fence.

Defense has been impressive, every kid at every position can play - smooth fielding, rocket arms on left side of inf and speed in OF (did not see any great arms - Kids just don't throw enough)

Pitching has been very very good, they roll one good one out after another. Lot of painting corners, 3-1 / 3 - 2 curveballs. Pitchers not throwers. Most pitchers sitting at 87 - 91 with good off speed stuff. Haven't seen/heard anyone over 91/92 - maybe next week. We don't see this at home.

Avg temp in GA this week has been 92!!!

HS baseball fields down here are better than most college fields at home. One HS has its own Jumbo Tron.

Georgia Tech is a beautiful campus and its BB stadium has a great view of parts of Atlanta.

Doesn't matter where you play, people complain just as much about umpiring. Best of this week. Men on first and third and ump puts his back to our pitcher, bends over and cleans plate. Man on first takes off and steals second - ump said it was ok, never called time out!!

Watched Demetre Smelter play yesterday, he is going to Georgia Tech to play baseball and football. Drafted by Twins in mid rounds only because he is going to school and has Scott Boras as agent. The kid is a beast - remember this name.
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This is a travel team (not AAU) out of MA, program is called Northeast Baseball. Sons team is made up of all 2010 college players (one already in college at Auburn).

Goal this summer is to get them ready to compete in college by playing "like kind" teams (future college players). The program director knows most of the NE kids need to see better competition to get them ready for college baseball.

Last year this team's goal was to showcase these players to college's. Starting 8 all going to play in college with 7 of 8 D1, 80% of pitching staff going to D1
NE Baseball runs what they now consider to be a CDP - College Development Program where the premise is to take the best kids in the surrounding area and play against the best teams from the south in tournaments where the college and professional scouts are at in large numbers like tournaments in East cobb, Ga and Jupiter, FL in the fall. That is how a kid from NH gets on the national radar and the schools like Wake Forest and Maryland find kids from smaller programs like Portsmouth. As incredible as their undefeated streak has been it has brought little or no exposure to the players. I am sure NHMonty will not take this as a slight when I say that his son Mike was named back to back Gatorade player of the year in part to the exposure he got from playing for NE Baseball. Now to be fair some of it did come from his play in the Regional Legion tournament two years back as well.

Cote up north realized you need to play for one of these teams to get exposure so that is why he is playing for the Roughnecks out of Boston one of the other CDP's in the area. There are others like College Select out of CT among others. The only drawback is the cost to play for one of these teams and the travel costs. But land a scholarship and it will be money well invested if you have the talent to make their teams.

For the record my kid doesn't play for one but if I can somehow make the $$ work and he can continue to develop and make one of these teams, you better believe he'll be playing for one of them in a couple of years.
NE Baseball has a pitcher from Portland area playing for their 17U team this summer. That's a hike.

Travel costs will run a family $5,000 per summer, the NE program fee is $1,500. Travel costs assumes parents will attend some events. I am in Georgia for two weeks, wife arrives today. Here is a guess, sons travel cost for two weeks including plane, food, spending and hotel $1,400. Will be about $ 2,000 for wife and me. This is our major trip. Next week in Albany for 5 days, also scheduled for another NY tournament.

Side Note: We are going to Braves game tonight to see Strasburg (sp) pitch.
Last edited by nhmonty
NHMonty,

Do the players stay together as a team or with parents? Could you send a player and not attend yourself if unfortunately necessary cost wise?

I believe that the Ruffnecks actually stay as a team and take buses to and from their tournaments at least that is what I gather from their website. Parents are responsible for their own travel and meals during the trips.

Just curious. Sure would be easier if son was an only child...lmao!!
Players stay together, there are four to a room. We are at Embassy Suites at $90 per night so less than $25 per night per player. They have two beds and pull out. Also refridg, micowave etc.

There are a few parents here but not many. Last year we had more, more important as 17U because parents can talk to college coaches. Last year I met with Maryland coach for 2 hours and a few others. They can't talk to players until tournaments are over. It was funny last year, after our last game the college coaches lined up to talk to various players - I thought it was awkward.

We rented two 15 passenger vans to cart players to games, to eat, mall etc. Each player pays $100 per week for rental and gas. Very expensive due to high insurance for large passenger vans.

Nobody has stayed with parents last year or this. The kids want to be together, they have enough of us on a daily basis. To be honest I have been with my son less than an hour in the last seven days - just minor contact and that good.
Thanks for the info!! I am looking forward to following Mike at Maryland. Son has pronounced himself a Clemson fan (before their run in the CWS) so we try to watch ACC games when they are on. The more NH kids who perform well in the ACC the better it is for the others behind them! Hopefully Mike gets to make an impact as a Freshman next year!!
A few clarification points regarding what you term "CDP" teams

It is not always about a baseball scholarship--being seen by colleges on one of these teams can mean getting one leg up on the competition for admission at schools that are not baseball scholarship schools---it can get you into schools like the IVIES, the Amhersts, Wesleyans, Tufts and BATES of the world over a similar academically qualified student.

As for rooming we want the parents to be with us whenever possible---it eases our problem of watching the kids and more importantly we want the parents to see what is going on. Jupiter is a very expensive trip but when the parents see what is happening they realize that is is worth it--just to be part of the great baseball atmosphere is worth the price and then you see your son playing against this great competition
The NE Ruffnecks travel together as a team. They fly or bus from Boston, depending on where they are traveling to. The team is required to stay together and, unless in a suite, there are only 2 players to a room. All meals are together as a team. You could definitely send the player off with the team and not attend yourself. The Ruffneck's team is definitely giving him much more exposure than he ever had with Legion ball last year. Plus the Area Code tryouts helped a lot as well.
I know of 4 NH kids in NE Baseball Program, Jones and Montville played in 17U last year and 18U this year. Taylor and McCann are in 17U this year. The rest of his team is from MA, last year we had two CT players.

On the travel baseball/ college exposure question, our experience is as follows:

1) East Cobb Tournaments -son did not attend Jupiter due to football but I heard it may exceed East Cobb.

2) Area Code Tryouts (have to invited by pro scout)

3) Legion (some if you get in states more if your team makes regionals - mostly NE schools). Blip on the radar screen compared to EC, AC and Jupiter.

4) High School (not much unless colleges are looking at someone else and they see you or Coach is proactive on players behalf)

Area Code, East Cobb and Jupiter have the most colleges attending these events.

Our kid was seen by Maryland at AC tryouts and they attended everyone of his games at East Cobb last year. Jones was seen by Wake Forest at East Cobb last year.

Our son was offered by three colleges (two he had not heard from before EC) after East Cobb and received probably another 10/15 serious contacts (not standard letters/email) but his recruiting ended early July after his visit to Maryland. Does attending these events make a difference, I think they do.
Last edited by nhmonty
nhmonty - thanks for all the succinct observations. As a parent considering a travel team such as your son's (but in NY area) it is really helpful getting a full 360 pov of the experience, pros/cons etc.

Agree completely with TR and your view - this is about a leg up into the best intersection of academics and baseball, with emphasis on the former.

Just one question - what was your son's feeling about the whole experience in GA? Aside from the whole college exposure stuff - did he enjoy the games/competition and the time spent there? We parents can map this all out but it only makes sense if it's what the kids want. thanks.
Spider,

He had a great time both last year (U17) and this year (U18). Part of it is the majority of his teammates have been the same both years and for the most part they all get along. Secondly, he's been lucky with good coaches for both teams.

The U17 exposure in East Cobb was fantastic with the goal of exposure to college coaches and this was accomplished.

This year (U18) the goal of the team was to play better competiion to prepare for college. Again, goal accomplished. As a comparison, his last two years in HS he hit over .500 with power numbers using metal (our competition is not great). My best guess is he hit between .290 and .300 for the two weeks in GA without a HR (I did not see any HR's in two weeks). Good competition and wood bats make a big difference. I think he learned he has a lot of work to do as he moves to college in the fall in order to earn playing time
Last edited by nhmonty
This is some very concerning info. My family and I will be moving from North Florida to Central New York in January. We live about 3:30 hours from East-Cobb and my son (14u) has played their larger tournaments there for years. I, of course, understand that we're talking apples and oranges between 14u and 17/18u baseball but this sounds relevant to all ages. We think of EC as solid competition but more as the norm for a standard level of competition here in the southeast. Should I brace for a major baseball culture shock when I get to NY? Is the competition that bad? My son is coming off of a fairly standard 80 game season with a month to go. I know the weather isn't going to allow for an 80-100 game season but I assumed between school and travel ball that he would easily play 50-60 games with a ramped up indoor work schedule to compensate. My son has played at the USSSA Majors level for years and has aspirations of collegiate baseball. Is this move going to be a mistake in his development?
nhmonty, I will agree that NE kids need to play more games. HS season is 20 games for us, thats it. This is my sons first year of summer travel and has a 60 games in 54 days schedule, which has been a lot of traveling, but he is loving every minute. We just got back from East Cobb U18 tournament and made it to the top 32, until we pretty much beat ourselves in the 7th inning. We only gave up 5 runs in 4 games and had some great competition, all the boys had a great time. Heading down to Sandlott WS in TN next week. Also, just an FYI my son hit a 3 run HR in East Cobb and had a nice blog about him on PG website. Being from NE, I do agree, you do need to get where the scouts are to get noticed.
having climbed the parental ladder from LL to pro ball,i'll give you my take on the game.

where or who your son's play for in youth ball(16 and under) will have very little to do with where he ends up. i was once convinced more games are the way to go. not so sure any more.
one season oldest son's aau/travel team, played a double header sat and sun. but they practiced 3 days during the week with the 4th being optional. that is where they all improved. you may get a few balls hit to you in a game, or 3 AB, that won't get you on the fast track to stardom.

i know everyone say's playing better competition makes you better. true, or you reach your peak sooner. nobody cares that you faced homer bailey at 16, or you struck out prince fielder at 16. what can you do for me today. isn't that what college coaches need/want?

don't get me wrong we enjoyed the travel ball, made many friends met great people. but don't get hung up on things that in the grand skeam don't really hold water. if you can afford it, great. if you can't ,find a place to play for free.there is a very short time when you can represent your town/city as a team. i know it was big deal to me, it should still be a big deal today. but i'm old

the summer between jr sr year is the most important . that is when you need to be seen. showcases, college camp your interested in. i think granite state does a great job getting kids looked at, for not alot of money.

practice can be boring, but it is the one free thing you that will make you improve. from 4 yrs of little league to 4 yrs of high school ball it all goes by way to fast. enjoy the journey.
Just got back from the 18U and 17U WWBA in East Cobb. We have players from NY, NJ, CT and one from NH. It was a great 2 weeks of baseball and yes there are many differences in what is available to the kids in the south and those in the NE.

We are not like any of the programs mentioned here. Our players pay one price. We travel as a team, stay as a team, eat as a team and play/practice as a team. It is unreasonable for us to think that a parent can travel with their son for 17 days. Our goal is to give the kids the total pre-college experience. We did have 3 players receive offers and commit over the past 2 weeks.

I know getting back today, I'm tired and not to anxious to eat at the Golden Corral any time soon.

www.clippersbaseball.org
Love this thread. NHmonty right on. My son, now at Coastal Carolina had opportunities thrust upon him after playing for Coach Merc in the EC tourneys.
Playing "up" is a great way to find out exactly where one really fits in the scheme of talent levels.
He too played at NE BB and found it a great program and the Clippers were the icing on the cake!!
NE kids CAN play with anyone but need the opportunity to do so. I thank these programs for those opportunities.
20dad said,
the summer between jr sr year is the most important . that is when you need to be seen. showcases, college camp your interested in. i think granite state does a great job getting kids looked at, for not alot of money.

This has been our stratagy, My son is Brody Horning the Somersworth High School catcher. We would have loved to spend money traveling when he was younger and he was good enough. He had several offers to play on travel teams when he was younger.

This is the summer between Jr & Sr year, he got an invite to play for College Select a college developemant team out of CT. TRhit took a chance on an unknown New Hampshire kid which says a lot about what a great guy Tom Rizzi is.

We went up to the Connie Mack tourney in Albany, NY this weekend and Brody looked like an average player during the double header on day one and day two. On the last day, he really hit the ball hard and stood out in the croud.

Scouts were visably present, this was the first real exposure he has ever had. We are going to Maryland next weekend, and really feel as if his future is in his own hands. If he playes well he will move on to the next level.

Playing in class M in NH, he never would have been seen. He went to the NH JR showcaase and it was a joke. He was 1-2 with a walk, he said the scouts left after the third inning, of course he walked his first time up, he felt like no one got a serious look.

Thanks to all the posters on here espesially Nhnomty, TRhit, Granite State, Sman14.
From the years I have been around this game What I have seen between south and north is the more game times (experience) the kids in the south have---our northern kids are just as good talentwise but the game time is lacking---on the plus side the kids from the north are as "used up" as the southern kids thus the college is getting a player with a fresher arm and fresher legs
This is always a good question and one that comes up with players parents every year either before or after we make our southern swing. Years ago I used to tell folks that our guys were 3 years behind in terms of field time, number of swings and game experience. This was before the influx of indoor facilities, fall leagues etc. The gap has narrowed.

What I see now as the biggest difference is actual strength and game smarts. This past 2 weeks I had a player from NC and one from NH and the rest NJ, NY and CT. The boy from NC explained how as part of his phys ed curriculum, he has speed training, hitting and strength training. No badmittin, dodgeball, gymnastics etc. The school also has a strength and conditioning coach. This boy also plays another varsity sport but he knows he's a baseball player and works at that skill even during the other season. 3 days of hitting and 2 of throwing just to keep the muscles in tune.

My players from NY for the most part lack that. They go from fall baseball to basketball and put the glove and bat away except for an occasional lesson. They also don't lift during the season as almost all colleges and southern HS players do. I have 4 or 5 guys that will leave us in the next 2 weeks because football starts and those coaches don't want them on the baseball diamond on off days,

It's a tough call but can easily be seen as men vs boys at times. The kids in the NE are hungry though.

Mike- how is Chris enjoying Coastal?

We have also had Chris King (Coastal) Logan Gillis (Northeastern) and Joe Maher with us the past few years and I met all 3 right here. We have also had 2 boys from Oklahoma, 2 from GA, 2 from Fla, 2 from NC and a few from PA. Add that to NY, NJ, Ct and MA. When you only travel to tournaments, there is no residency requirement. Coordinate flights and we take care of the rest.
Last edited by Coach Merc
My observations are based on our experience with a son who played in Houston, and is now playing in Ct. I'm not trying to generalize, just giving my personal experience.

The emphasis on youth sports in Texas is incredible. Travel ball starts at an early age in Houston. My son's travel team when he was in 7th grade in Texas was coached by former MLB players, and they ran a tight ship with an emphasis on fundamentals, accountability and conditioning. The conditioning was important because of the need to play in the heat and humidity.

When we arrived in Ct, we noticed that many of the kids had not received an advanced level of instruction by the time they reached high school, but had only played rec ball. It just wasn't something that many people really considered in our area, plus some of the travel teams tended to be expensive. The good news is that we found that there are excellent resources available, including solid instruction and excellent indoor facilities for winter work. We just had to plug in to the network.

As for the number of games, our son plays spring/summer/fall, basically March-November. It is very easy to play 60-70 games. You can put together programs which will get you a 100 plus games in a year, which is more than what works for us at this time. Of course, the number of games matters more if you are getting good instruction when you are playing. If you are just repeating mistakes or have poor fundamentals, playing more isn't going to move the needle much. We are pleased with the instruction he is getting with his summer team, but will be supplementing with additional instuction once his favorite instuctor returns from coaching in the minor leagues. We are fortunate to be able to do so.

Our son is involved in an excellent conditioning program at a private facility. We do not rely on the school to provide this, which is a good thing. I believe there is variation in what the travel teams require when it comes to conditioning.

Bottom line, I agree with what has been posted.

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