I wanted some input and opinions on these games. Is the talent level good or bad? What were some of your experiences? Going at the end of June to UCDavis.
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baseball....
We went to the Junior Olympics in 2001 and again in 2002, held in Tucson, Arizona. Went as 15's to get some experience and see the level of competition; and, went again as 16's to try and "dazzle 'em". Finished 12th in 2001 and 5th in 2002 (out of 72 teams).
First class everything. Waaayyyyy hot (about 109-115+ during the day).
I watched games all day and all night (til about 9-10). I loved it.
Lots of top shelf players....Bonus is many of them actually made the USA Baseball Junior Olympic team, (16's). Matt Bush (#1 overall pick and 1st round pick of the San Diego Padres in 2004, played in the USA Baseball Junior Olympics for the San Diego Gamers.
We went to the Junior Olympics in 2001 and again in 2002, held in Tucson, Arizona. Went as 15's to get some experience and see the level of competition; and, went again as 16's to try and "dazzle 'em". Finished 12th in 2001 and 5th in 2002 (out of 72 teams).
First class everything. Waaayyyyy hot (about 109-115+ during the day).
I watched games all day and all night (til about 9-10). I loved it.
Lots of top shelf players....Bonus is many of them actually made the USA Baseball Junior Olympic team, (16's). Matt Bush (#1 overall pick and 1st round pick of the San Diego Padres in 2004, played in the USA Baseball Junior Olympics for the San Diego Gamers.
We were there last year. Awesome talent, especially when you get to the winner's bracket. My son's team lost a heartbreaker in the bottom of the 7th to the #5 seeded Houston Heat.
At the JO, my son had one of his worst games ever (2 errors which forced us into extra innings -- fortunately, we won anyway) followed by one of his best games ever (5 or 6 unbelievable plays at SS plus 3 for 4 at the plate). I was sick to my stomach at the end of the first game, but the latter game sure was fun to watch!
With the heat, just walking from the parking lot to the stands is like a death march. Feels like the air has been sucked out of you. Make sure to bring lots of sunscreen and cold water!
At the JO, my son had one of his worst games ever (2 errors which forced us into extra innings -- fortunately, we won anyway) followed by one of his best games ever (5 or 6 unbelievable plays at SS plus 3 for 4 at the plate). I was sick to my stomach at the end of the first game, but the latter game sure was fun to watch!
With the heat, just walking from the parking lot to the stands is like a death march. Feels like the air has been sucked out of you. Make sure to bring lots of sunscreen and cold water!
Make sure to buy any JO souvenirs early on from the on-site store. Stuff sells out quickly.
There are two different organizations that sponsor "Junior Olympics", so please specify which one you're asking about.
One JO's I think is AAU's national tournament, which is a pretty competitive event.
The other is USA Baseball's JO's, which actually occurs in two venues simultaneously, with 72 teams in Jupiter, FL and 72 more in the Phoenix area. This one is an excellent 16u venue and plus, is a must if you want to be considered for the Youth National Team that summer. For the very best players, this is not only recommended, it is a must. If you get picked out of JO's as a YNT finalist, many doors will open and you'll be on all the lists from there on out.
One JO's I think is AAU's national tournament, which is a pretty competitive event.
The other is USA Baseball's JO's, which actually occurs in two venues simultaneously, with 72 teams in Jupiter, FL and 72 more in the Phoenix area. This one is an excellent 16u venue and plus, is a must if you want to be considered for the Youth National Team that summer. For the very best players, this is not only recommended, it is a must. If you get picked out of JO's as a YNT finalist, many doors will open and you'll be on all the lists from there on out.
I took my son and organized teams in 2003 & 2004; myson was 15&16, respectively. We were in Tucson and then Peoria.
This is a great father/son experience. From my prospective, it has three purposes.
1. Helps define your son's ability. How does he fair against some of the best kids in his age group across the country. For my son, it gave him to confidence to work hard through HS so that he could achieve a dream of playing college ball.
2. It is a great experience for a 15/16 year old to "hang out" with his teammates for a week. The desert is hot, but they created activities when not playing ball.
3. Most important to me was it was very meaningful time with my son. You get to do things with him that in a year or two won't be there.
Both years my son's team finished in the middle of the pack. However, in the end the experience was what was important.
One of the enduring memories was the level of play. For many kids this is there first "national tournament." You will come across entire teams of 16-year olds that look like and play the game like men. You and your son will know really quickly what he has to do to succeed in the game as he continues to play.
This is a great father/son experience. From my prospective, it has three purposes.
1. Helps define your son's ability. How does he fair against some of the best kids in his age group across the country. For my son, it gave him to confidence to work hard through HS so that he could achieve a dream of playing college ball.
2. It is a great experience for a 15/16 year old to "hang out" with his teammates for a week. The desert is hot, but they created activities when not playing ball.
3. Most important to me was it was very meaningful time with my son. You get to do things with him that in a year or two won't be there.
Both years my son's team finished in the middle of the pack. However, in the end the experience was what was important.
One of the enduring memories was the level of play. For many kids this is there first "national tournament." You will come across entire teams of 16-year olds that look like and play the game like men. You and your son will know really quickly what he has to do to succeed in the game as he continues to play.
Hey Guys ,
I Definitely wasn't specific. He will be attending the AAU West Coast Junior Olympics. He is a 14 yr old playing in the 16U divsion. Youngest on his team. Supposed to go to Knoxville for the Nationals but we are going to NYC for a family function. He found out this past week so we have been scrambling to figure things out. Thanks for all the experiences though.
I Definitely wasn't specific. He will be attending the AAU West Coast Junior Olympics. He is a 14 yr old playing in the 16U divsion. Youngest on his team. Supposed to go to Knoxville for the Nationals but we are going to NYC for a family function. He found out this past week so we have been scrambling to figure things out. Thanks for all the experiences though.
The West Coast AAU Jr. Olympics were played last year for the very first time. Due to it being a new event, and AAU not having heavy participation here in Northern CA, they didn't get a lot of baseball teams the first time around. One of our 16u teams played, and the boys had a great experience. We are sending a team again this year, and expect it to be larger and better than the first one.
We've played in the AAU's main jr. olympics and we go to the USA Baseball JO's every year in Arizona. This AAU tournament is smaller and different, but each has its own reasons for being a great experience for the kids. You'll enjoy it and I'm sure your son will be glad he had a chance to be a part of it.
We've played in the AAU's main jr. olympics and we go to the USA Baseball JO's every year in Arizona. This AAU tournament is smaller and different, but each has its own reasons for being a great experience for the kids. You'll enjoy it and I'm sure your son will be glad he had a chance to be a part of it.
The JO is a terrific tourney, well run and very competitive. My son went as a 15 year old last summer. The heat is tough on catchers.
One thing I don't like is that to be considered for the national team, the player can't turn 17 before December 31st. This effectively excludes a lot of kids from being considered - any kid who is 16 in June but turns 17 later in the year.
Because my son is not eligible for the national team, he's not going this summer to JO - instead we will spend the $$ on college camps and other showcase stuff.
One thing I don't like is that to be considered for the national team, the player can't turn 17 before December 31st. This effectively excludes a lot of kids from being considered - any kid who is 16 in June but turns 17 later in the year.
Because my son is not eligible for the national team, he's not going this summer to JO - instead we will spend the $$ on college camps and other showcase stuff.
My son played last year in Peoria and went 2-0 as a LHP. The heat was tremendous and oppressive as rare humidity from a thunderstorm combined with blowing dust from a nearby forest fire. It was literally hell on Earth. The competition, however, was fantastic.
The tournament is long and expensive, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The tournament is long and expensive, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Bum we probably saw each other at the hotel, since all of BBNW's Oregon and Washington team stayed at the same place.
baseballbum...
AAU Junior Olympics compared to USABaseball Junior Olympics...
Like the difference between lightning bug and lightning.
No comparison. USA Baseball all the way.
AAU Junior Olympics compared to USABaseball Junior Olympics...
Like the difference between lightning bug and lightning.
No comparison. USA Baseball all the way.