Sunbelt Classic

Mainly players from the Houston or Austin area. What gives? Who's picking these players?

Pro Source Dad,

I've tried to nominate players in the past and to a man they all say the same thing...they can leave their summer team for a week. Sunbelt is a great deal but I understand about not wanting to break a commitment to their team.

funneldrill - Did you intend to say that the nominated players can't leave their summer teams?

The THSBCA coaches that coordinate the team select players from information they gather from their own sources. High School coaches also nominate players.

The compition here is excellent. The other States, particularly Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia put together top notch teams.

The tournament is well scouted. There have been 15 or more scouts at each of the Texas games. We've seen scouts from:

Baylor        TCU
OU            Kansas
LSU           Penn State
UAB           Southern Miss
Georgia       Kansas State
Texas State   Memphis
Temple        Louisville
Howard        Sanford
Belmont       Lipscomb
W. Kentucy    Crowder
Panola        Eastern Oklahoma
Missouri
Texas Tech

This tournament is unique in that all the players stay with local host families for the duration of the tournament. Groups of boys (3-4 up to 7-8) will stay with a family in McAlester. The host helps coordinate transportation, food, laundry, team get togethers, etc. Many of the host families have been hosting boys for 10 or more years. The families for Texas have been the same group for many years. Imagine being a parent and watching your son play in 10 games in 6 days and never having to wash one pair of baseball pants!

Yes sir, I meant to say they "can't" leave their teams.

Select organization in North Texas actually ban (or effectively ban) their players from playing in the Sunbelt Classic? Is it that way for the entire region or just a few organizations?

The players I've talked with here are missing one key tournament with their select teams this weekend. They will make next weekend's tournament.

IMO, the Sunbelt offers a unique experience for my son. He faces great compitition and has good opportunities to be scouted. That would occur with his select team as well. The Sunbelt offers more. Pride in representing Texas is number one. I love hearing the pride in the boys voices when they tell people they play for "TEXAS". Developing friendships with other boys that share his passion for baseball is number 2. The boys spend 7 days together battling opponents during the day and hanging out and being boys during the evenings. For whatever reason, that is a great recipe for boys making friends.

So not one player from the metroplex is good enough or can get away for one week?

I'm not speaking for everyone, just the kids I've nominated in the past.

There are plenty of players from North Texas that are worthy. In fact you could make an entire team with North Texas kids and win the whole thing. But the key is could you put the very best team out there?

quote:

Originally posted by JunkBall2:

IMO, the Sunbelt offers a unique experience for my son. He faces great compitition and has good opportunities to be scouted. That would occur with his select team as well. The Sunbelt offers more. Pride in representing Texas is number one. I love hearing the pride in the boys voices when they tell people they play for "TEXAS". Developing friendships with other boys that share his passion for baseball is number 2. The boys spend 7 days together battling opponents during the day and hanging out and being
boys during the evenings. For whatever reason, that is a great recipe for boys making friends.

Sounds great!

Can't speak for other teams or their players, but teams I've been a part of in the past offer a unique experience as well. Working towards a common goal, learning and understanding loyalty for their teammates, learning and understanding commitment, hanging out with friends and playing with a very level of talent, and most importantly playing for a chance at Farmington...ther greatest show on earth.

I'm sure the Sunbelt is a great deal for some, but I know a few that have done really well for themselves and did not go.

Ken,
You are missing the whole point! It is an opportunity to represent your whole state against teams from all over the country. It makes me sick when a select coach won't let the players go to the Sunbelt when they are chosen! Does it hurt to miss one week? I have had many kids go experience the Sunbelt and they are still in contact with their host family over the years. The friendships they make last a lifetime. I don't think anybody said that the kids who play select aren't a part of teamwork, friendships, etc. But to not let a kid go participate for his state in order to keep him with his select team for a tournament is wrong! Yes it happens!

quote:

Originally posted by humbabe:
Ken,
You are missing the whole point! It is an opportunity to represent your whole state against teams from all over the country. It makes me sick when a select coach won't let the players go to the Sunbelt when they are chosen! Does it hurt to miss one week? I have had many kids go experience the Sunbelt and they are still in contact with their host family over the years. The friendships they make last a lifetime. I don't think anybody said that the kids who play select aren't a part of
teamwork, friendships, etc. But to not let a kid go participate for his state in order to keep him with his select team for a tournament is wrong! Yes it happens!

I completely disagree with you.

I believe in commitment.

Ask Bundy or Bradley if they regret not playing for Team USA. Or any player on our squad last summer if
they regret not being 100% committed to what they signed up for.

I don't buy the "playing for your state" BS.

The game is meant to be played for your teammates that you start and finish with.

Just my opinion and how I do things.

Players and families can chose to buy in or not.

So far, I think it's worked pretty darn good for a bunch of players one way versus the other.

Have to side with Ken on this one. You commit to a team as early as the fall of the previous year. That commitment is not meant to be set aside while serving one's own selfish agenda.

Regrettably we had to leave early and return to work. Son stayed and continued playing. We had a great time in McAlester. The people are fantastic. They opened their homes to us and made us feel part of their family. The area is the western edge of the Ouchita range that stretches across Oklahoma and Arkansas. It consists of beautiful rolling hills covered in trees, lots of lakes and a few nice looking sandstone outcrops. My son is staying with 6 other boys in a wonderful waterfront lake house on Lake Eufaula. The boys can cool off in the lake after a hot day of baseball, fish or cruise the lake with the host family who has a boat. The coach banned them from wake boarding and the jet ski. The boys were disappointed but everyone understood the reason. Lucky for me though. We visited one afternoon and my daughter and I used the jet ski for hours.

The North Texas boys and their families are missing out on a tremendous experience.

Ok I can't believe it but I am on Ken's side for the second time in as many months.

I am sure its a great experience but so is AZ, Co, Ga, and NM with the kids summer teams. Also I heard Mickey Owens was a good experience. Nothing takes the place of teaching your kid what a commitment is. I am sure you can find a team full of guns for hire. But that is not what you should be teaching your kid. Nothing against the Sunbelt games but a deal is a deal.

Never thought it would freeze over

The Sunbelt and TEAM TEXAS is an honor for your hard work and career in high school. It is a reward to be selected and participate. So, if a kid is selected and wants to go, but his select coach says no, then there is something wrong with that! You are very defensive! I'm not talking about a lack of committment,loyalty or anything else! I'm talking about some select coaches not letting a young man go participate, because they feel he is breaking his committment to his team. The player doesn't know he is going to be selected by the THSBCA to play in the Sunbelt when he signs the dotted line for his select team!!! He's not breaking his committment, just taking a break from his team to honor his selection! It is the same with the THSBCA All-Star game in Round Rock! Are you not going to let him play in that as well?

quote:

Originally posted by humbabe:
The Sunbelt and TEAM TEXAS is an honor for your hard work and career in high school. It is a reward to be selected and participate. So, if a kid is selected and wants to go, but his select coach says no, then there is something wrong with that! You are very defensive! I'm not talking about a lack of committment,loyalty or anything else! I'm talking about some select coaches not letting a young man go participate, because they feel he is breaking his
committment to his team. The player doesn't know he is going to be selected by the THSBCA to play in the
Sunbelt when he signs the dotted line for his select team!!! He's not breaking his committment, just taking a break from his team to honor his selection! It is the same with the THSBCA All-Star game in Round Rock! Are you not going to let him play in that as well?

I will make this real simple for you...

If a player commits to a team I coach, I consider all other conflicting events a "no go".

That includes Belt Buster tournaments, Zip Code
games, Super Duper Nationals, BBQ's and Chuckie Cheese parties, etc.

If a player or family doesn't like that, they have 100's of other summer teams they can play for.

Again, I know plenty of families and players that approach has worked for.

In specific, the #4 and the #7 pick in this years MLB amateur draft.

That's funny, in specific, the #4 and the #7 pick in this years MLB amateur draft weren't there when my son's team played your team last summer.

Ken, are you coaching a HS age team this summer? If yes, what organization and HS age group?

quote:

Originally posted by stanwood:
That's funny, in specific, the #4 and the #7 pick in this years MLB amateur draft weren't there when my son's team played your team last summer.

Pitchers that are in between starts, or preparing for the next, are often given the opportunity to stay away from the ballpark.

That can happen for any pitcher on the staff.

quote:

Originally posted by cheapseats:
Ken, are you coaching a HS age team this summer? If yes, what organization and HS age group?

Although the opportunities were there, I could not commit to coaching this summer due to conflicts.

I have a 5 year old son that somewhat likes his daddy and I hope to keep it that way. We are on our way home from Disney World right now while most summer schedules are hot and heavy.

Some things you just have to stay committed to.

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:

quote:

Originally posted by stanwood:
That's funny, in specific, the #4 and the #7 pick in this years MLB amateur draft weren't there when my son's team played your team last summer.

Pitchers that are in between starts, or preparing for the next, are often given the opportunity to stay away from the ballpark.

That can happen for any pitcher on the staff.

So pitchers that are in between starts aren't required to show up and support their teammates and perhaps still learn something from the game? I usually agree with most things you say, but isn't this a bit contradictory(sp?) to your point of commitment and loyalty?

Well put Nuffsaid! If I got an honor from the THSBCA to play on an all star team for one week or weekend and you told me I couldn't go, I would tell you your head is in the sand to put it bluntly!!! Let the kids enjoy their high school career and all the honors they may get! It's called flexibility! You would be a better man for it! They will be back to play on your team, but according to your rules they can't!

quote:

Originally posted by NuffSaid:

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:

quote:

Originally posted by stanwood:
That's funny, in specific, the #4 and the #7 pick in this years MLB amateur draft weren't there when my son's team played your team last summer.

Pitchers that are in between starts, or preparing for the next, are often given the opportunity to stay away from the ballpark.

That can happen for any pitcher on the staff.

So pitchers that are in between starts aren't required to show up and support their teammates and perhaps still learn something from the game? I usually agree with most things you say, but isn't
this a bit contradictory(sp?) to your point of commitment and loyalty?

Ok, I will try to make this easy for you guys again...

If Dylan Bundy, Kindle Ladd, or Joe Blow is starting the next game...

Then, AT TIMES, I actually tell the pitcher to stay away from the yard and out of the heat.

Often, for pitchers that live out of town...I will tell them to go home in between outings to be with family.

Some things, mainly for pitchers, actually are more supportive for a team and teammates versus actual moral support.

Where is Michael Buffer?

Okay, so pitchers are more equal than position players? I think I understand now.

quote:

Originally posted by stanwood:
Okay, so pitchers are more equal than position players? I think I understand now.

More equal = jumbo shrimp???

I'm glad someone understands.

It's a reference to George Orwell's Animal Farm: "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." But you knew that.

Your position is still contradictory. If a pitcher wanted to schedule an All Star game he could schedule his starts around your schedule but if a position player wanted to schedule an All Star game, under your rules, he couldn't.

quote:

Originally posted by stanwood:
It's a reference to George Orwell's Animal Farm: "All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others." But you knew that.

Your position is still contradictory. If a pitcher wanted to schedule an All Star game he could schedule his starts around your schedule but if a position player wanted to schedule an All Star game, under your rules, he couldn't.

The problem with your theory is...you assume the pitcher schedules his starts. I can promise you that is not the case.

Like I said...our system has worked pretty good for many. Just ask 600 scouts or so.

Yeah, our players do not attend many Super Heavy Weight Belt Classics, but we generally put out a nice little schedule for our players.

Bottom line is this - why not let your players go play for one week or weekend? It is an honor they received and you are not letting them participate! It's not about how many scouts have seen your kids! It's not about pitchers going home or not!

Team Texas completed the 9 game round robin play with a record of 7-2. They are the second seed and will play Tennessee in the Championship game on Wednesday evening.

quote:

Originally posted by humbabe:
Bottom line is this - why not let your players go play for one week or weekend? It is an honor they received and you are not letting them participate! It's not about how many scouts have seen your kids! It's not about pitchers going home or not!

I've already mentioned several reasons, if you dont get it by now... you most likely never will.

But your not the only one. Society as a whole has lost the concept of what the game is all about.

And that's why we are up front in January. You either accept it or you don't. If you do, when it's all done...most understand.

I'm confident there are 19 families that would give you the positives on the way we did it last summer.

Team Texas finished the 9 game round robin 7-2 and faced Tennessee in the championship game.

Texas 1
Tennessee 6

This thread just won first place in the I don't give a S*** contest.

This may have been covered earlier, by why are there no North Texas kids on this team?

quote:

Originally posted by Newscout:
This thread just won first place in the I don't give a S*** contest.

I have to disagree. I think it's 2nd place. First place would go to the "How many scouts have been at your games??" thread!

quote:

Originally posted by NuffSaid:

quote:

Originally posted by Newscout:
This thread just won first place in the I don't give a S*** contest.

I have to disagree. I think it's 2nd place. First place would go to the "How many scouts have been at your games??" thread!

Newscout, Nuffsaid and doubleday,

Are you objecting to the discussion about the Texas players and the Sunbelt tournament or the discussion about exclusive play with a summer team?