Seminoles Thanks!!

I'm sorry Baseball...it's just that for a while we heard an awful lot about the Seminoles.

Tony, I wish I was there to see some of those big games in California. I heard it was a great time. I was very impressed to hear how well we played. It's only January and we're already so far ahead of most teams. A special congrats to Joe Lovecchio and Brandon Duplessis for pitching so well in California. I heard they threw like they were in mid season form. The future is bright. Fastball, the Sems deserve all the recognition they get. I've always said that, even when we were in the opposing dugout.

Like I stated in my "deleted" post, we are having a great time playing for the Seminoles. Most importantly though, my son is having the time of his life! This in itself is the best compliment you can give a coach or organization!..... Are there unhappy ex- Sems on here? Absolutely, that is the unfortunate part of Travel baseball. I can attest to having those same type of feelings with our last team, BUT, I am not "airing" it out on a public forum! Not blaming anybody, as I know and have seen that it has been "two sided" I just think it needs to remain off the board. I have been coming here for years as I stated above and I clearly cannot remember seeing anything like this..... My family is looking for the best baseball we can find, and nobody can deny that this team supplies that. Do they get in the best tournaments? Absolutely! Do they "recruit" players from out of state? Absolutely! Until there is a rule enforced that states you cannot do this, why not? This is what needs to be done to compete Nationally. All the Big teams are doing it. Does everybody agree on this? Absolutely NOT! We are headed to Florida in February for a AAU 16U Tournament, I am sure we will get "bashed" for using there own players (we have two Florida guys) against them. But the bottom line is there are no boundaries anymore. Players will play for the best program that is a "fit" for them regardless of state boundaries.

Baseball14, first of all congratulations on your son's teams success in California. I think everyone from Illinois can agree that it's very satisfying hearing an Illinois team traveled to California and won the tournament. I agree with alot of what you said. I was on the Georgia site and was reading a few unhappy ex East Cobb parents. They were taking some shots at the East Cobb program. East Cobb is one of the top programs in the country. The point being every team and program has ex parents that are no longer in the program that are unhappy. It's just the top teams and programs that get the recognition that get talked about more frequently. The East Cobb program is known world wide, and they have players from seven to eight different states on their teams. The top teams at the national level have many top players from different states on their roster. The Seminoles have been the top team in Illinois at their age level for many years with all Illinois players. Now it looks like they have been able to add a few out of state players to go along with already having many of the top Illinois players on their roster. I think that's the ultimate compliment when teams can add top players from around the country to their program. It looks like the Seminoles are putting together a complete program that will be high caliber for years to come. Anyways, good luck in Florida next month. Also, a question for Grandslam. How could you miss out on going to California in January? Good luck in 06.

I think people don't like the Seminoles for number of reasons. For example, why talk about the California tournament here? There are sites for travel ball. This is a high school baseball web site.
Also, I am not sure the objective og the organization. If you just recruit and cut, recruit and cut till you get better, who is the organization designed for? The kids or the coach. While your kid is on the roster, it is great. But beware if they find a better kid from Florida, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin etc. Then you immediately become an unhappy parent.
At least in the majors you get a contract.
With the Sems, you have very little job security.

bballdad,

I agree completely.

Such is life gentlemen.

The Seminole program seems to be the pinnacle around Chicagoland. That program watched Tom Matsie and learned from him. I can remember Tom's teams drubbing, then beating, then squeaking some out and...in the end losing important games to them.

My hat's off to a program that every player should aspire to play for. With regard to cutting and recruiting....it will go on until your son either reaches his own personal nirvana or his career is over. At 14 a family needs to discuss the possibility that the season (or at least playing time) could be shortened when tournament time rolls around. If this possibility exists, a decision must be made. Based on my knowledge of the program (which is a few years removed) I'd be shocked if families were not well aware of the program trying to get stronger by addition at tournament time. I would be very surprised to hear that the Seminole program didn't discuss this very issue during recruitment.

It happens at virtually every competitive level.

Btw, people don't like any type of dynasty, it's human nature. Can you say NY Yankees!

I wonder how many people watch baseball just to see the Yankees get theirs?

Hopefully everyone is fully aware of the Team's M.O. before they sign on. It is tough....do you want to be a big fish in a smaller pond or a little fish in the big pond? I say that if you aren't playing there isn't much sense in being on the team. Your team may get exposure but you may not.

But I agree with Soxnole, these families surely know the score.

Soxnole They probabably do discuss adding kids at tournament time with parents during the recruitment process, but the egos of most "Elite' travel parents won't let them believe it's their kid whose going to shafted. Hence the bruised feelings.

Tryouts, and adding players to the team every year in part of athletics. For example; the Georgia Roadrunners were the so called top team in the country last year at the 14u level. This team according to their website has added eleven new players from five different states to their team this year. Many players must have been cut, and a few probably left. It's the nature of "elite" travel baseball. Like I mentioned earlier East Cobb has players from many different states on their rosters. Why, because of a good reputation nationally. The Seminoles are setting the standard in the Midwest and I appauld them. Most of their players are from Illinois, and I think that really shows what a good program they have to be able to add a top player or two from a baseball factory state such as Florida. To be able to play in tournaments in California and Florida in the winter is very impressive.

Of course you gentleman are correct. Cutting and recruiting is part of the deal. Buyer beware. The dynasty thing is a good point. But, Soxnole my good buddy, I'm not sure that they are told they may be cut at tournament time. Recruiting is selling, and many salesman don't emphasise the downside of their product. They MAY be telling the kids and parents that the kid is the next A-Rod.
I guess the defense of the Sems makes some sense. If htat is what you want in a program, go for it. It is expensive and time consuming, but offers some great experiences.
If you are looking to have your kid coached and improved as a player, they may not be the best choice.
I guess part of my reservations is the age of the kids. 12,13 14 and even 15 year olds may need more nuturing than older kids when it comes to "the facts of life".

BBalldad, I think everyone knows where they stand when they join an elite program. I know my son has to work even harder now, if that's possible because of the talent now around him. The coaching staff is top notch, and my son has improved his game already so much this year. The main reasons being because of good coaching, better talent around him, and now playing the best competition. The Seminoles play the best competition everyday. That was one of the biggest reasons why we joined the team.

Grandslam1, who is doing the coaching? Is it Russ? Where are the indoor workouts and how often. Just curious as to how it works. Thanks.

BBalldad, Russ is a very good coach, and he's an even better manager. The one run victories we had in Las Vegas had alot to do with Russ and his coaching staff. Russ, Jorge, and the rest of the coaches do a very good job. Everyone knows that. We practice twice a week, and it's tough for some because of their winter basketball committment. I think alot of the hard work this winter showed already with a successful trip to California. I must say the pitching lessons that Russ has set up at Fox Valley Academy has really helped as well. I can't wait to see the team play on a consistent bases throughout the summer. Rebel, to answer your question. I would've loved to been able to make the trip to California, but I had to work on Friday. Hopefully everyone will be able to make it to Florida in Febuary.

Even one of our top pitchers who's from Michigan travels in for practice on some weekends. That's a team committment.

bballdad1954...just to clarify...if the team...Seminoles, East Cobb or any other, actually cuts players at tournament time without having discussed the possibility with the family previously......that is wrong. losing

I'd be awfully surprised if that was the case.

The problem occurs when some outstanding players become available at the end of the year and almost all tournaments have roster limits. At the very least a player should be able to remain with the team if he desires to do so. Losing a starting position is one thing, getting cut out right is wrong.

Soxnole, that's a terrific point. What's great about our teams situation is the new players that have made the Seminoles team this year are full time players. They will be on the team full time for all games. That's not the case for certain teams such as the Georgia Roadrunners and some of Florida's top teams. That's what makes a great team and program, and I think we have that here. A full committment from all players and families.

Soxnole, I don't often hear of kids being cut in the middle of the season. Perhaps a pickup or two, but not kids being dropped. The Seminoles do not have a rap of dropping kids from the roster. As a matter of fact, there are a few that have been with the team for a long time, like 4 or 5 years. That being said, you have to earn your spot every year. And your playing time. Better to learn this early on IMO.

Behind the plate, whether kids leave because they are cut or no longer getting playing time so they leave, I can name several top area kids that left during each of the last few seasons.
I am not goping to name names because these kids are teenagers and I don't know each circumstance, but kids leave. You know if you are not getting a playing time, the writings on the wall.
I am not saying it is right or wrong, but it is fact.

The Seminoles have a first class team. Their success in California doesn't surprise me. They really impressed me in Las Vegas this Fall against our top Arizona teams in that tournament. Continued success this season, and we'll see their team at the Junior Olympics this June.

Mr. Arizona, thanks for the kind words.

BBallDad. Like I said. Playing time is earned. Sometimes kids outgrow teams or teams outgrow kids. Either way, keep it positive and find the situation that best suits your child.

The Roadrunners are a perfect example of that as well. It seems they cut some players this year, and some players just left. It's part of travel baseball. It looks like the Roadrunners will be even tougher this year from what I'm reading.

The Seminoles have a nationally competitive team with reional and beyond regional additions throughout the season. If, as a parent, that is what your looking for, then you better beware of the potential of your son's PT diminishing rapidly during the year when the newest "flavor" of the season joins the squad. If your up for it and aware--good for you and best of luck. It is the right choice for some. However, I am not sure I really understand the concept of a continually revolving team--especially when you tend to "add" players just to be more competitive in major tourneys. Personally, I'll always favor teams which stick with those that got them to the "dance." JMHO...to each...HIS OWN. But, as with everything...let the buyer beware!

Besides, it just makes it all that much "sweeter" when one of the "big boys" gets dumped by a team that has stayed true to their roster.

K13, the Seminoles don't add players throughout the year nearly as much as other top national teams do. The Roadrunners and North Florida Hurricanes were in the championship in Disney last August with more than 50% of their roster added with new players, just for the World Series. The Seminoles only added a few players last year to go to the World Series, while bringing their original 11 players on their roster also. Adding a player or two at the end of the season is very common for national teams that don't stay in their backyard like most local teams do. Besides Dupage last year, there wasn't a team in Illinois that could beat the Seminoles. I know that, because my son's old team could never beat the Seminoles. They have dominated in Illinois for years. Hopefully the success will continue this year consistently on the national level. We're off to a great start. I really think there's alot of good baseball teams in Illinois, and that makes the Seminoles success through the years even more impressive. Also, I disagree with the person who said that the McHenry Hurricanes were a weak team. The Hurricanes have been a pretty decent team in Illinois throughout the years.

GS,

I am familiar with the Sems, and I have no problems with them adding as many players as they want. That is the way they do things, and that is probably what it takes to compete at the truly "elite" level. (BTW--the word "elite" is probably the most overused word on this site). I wish them the best. They can do their thing their way. I will restate though that any parent/player who hooks up with a national program of that type should be well aware of the risks. You may not get cut for someone else, but seeing your playing time reduced significantly when someone "better" hitches on is all part of the package you buy into.

49/12=4. 49/18= 2.7 That math is good for my kid and your kid and any other kid that isn't a super-duperstar. The trouble starts when everyone thinks their kid is a super-duperstar.
Or if they think the math doesn't appy to them.

quote:

They have dominated in Illinois for years.

I don't think so.

I was involved with the Upper Deck Cougars in 2001 and 2002 and they would NEVER play us.

Beenthere...I coached 13's at that time as well and I don't remember anything remarkable about them either.

I think this is a new regime with the Seminoles since that time.

Upper Deck Cougars? Didn't they fold a few years ago. I somewhat agree with Grandslam's post. The Seminoles have dominated especially over the last two years. I think they have been is existence since 2001, and really started getting really good in 2003. At 13u level two years ago that team beat everyone. I have to give credit where credits do. Grandslam your right, but the dominance didn't begin until a couple of years ago. Last year they beat everyone consistently in Illinois. I definetely agree with that statement. They travel and play a big time schedule.

The Schaumburg Seminoles have around a lot longer than that. A while back they were pretty good, then had down times and now are obviously very good now. I would agree with beenthere though because two years is not "for years." I would also suppose that they have different levels of success at different age levels....I doubt they have the same kind of coaches at all age levels that they do at the 15 level.

The best u14 team in our area last year was the Dupage Diamondbacks not the Seminoles that team only dominated as 13s.

Playdog, the Diamondbacks were good last year, but looking at both teams schedule the Seminoles were the stronger team. The Diamondbacks beat the Seminoles in the State Championship, and then the Seminoles beat the Diamondbacks in the Elite World Series to qualify for Disney. Anybody can beat a certain team once or twice. It's what a team does all season long. Playdog, if your a player on the Daimondbacks have a good 2006 season. In my opinion the Seminoles were still a better team than the D'backs last year. Although being 1 or 2 in Illinois. Either way that's something to be proud of.

Traveling around the country does not make you the best team in Ilinois only have the harder schedule. Dont foget the Hurricane tournament so thats 2 of 3 for the Dupage Diamondbacks good luck to you to.

Playdog, I really don't care who #1 is. Just giving my opinion. The Seminoles won the biggest games of the year in Illinois by defeating the Sparks in the semis and the Diamondbacks in the championship to win the North Region World Series to qualify for Orlando. They also have many more impressive wins throughout the season then the D'backs. Enough said on this topic.

I actually think the Sparks may possibly be #2 this year behind the Seminoles. It looks like the Sparks pitching will be better, and that could put them ahead of the Diamondbacks. I think the Berwyn Bulldogs could make some noise this year also.

Who would win in a fight: A tornado or the Seminoles?