USSSA ELITE 24 WORLD SERIES

.... snore.....

Diablo..

why are you always so negative about many of the posts? Making it to the finals of an elite 24 world series is a great honor. Likewise, not many teams play that close of games to one of the top, if not the top orginization in the nation

the East Cobb Astros are an outstanding orginization and have teams playing and winning at the very highest level

I personally watched the 14U East Cobb Astros in Jupiter Florida while down there for a 16U tournament. Considering all the 16U kids looked like they were 22, the 14Us looked relatively young, I'd say 16 or 17... no joke.

Way to go Rookie. Is there going to be 15 year old team?

Congratulations 2010Dad & Team Kelley! Team Kelley <-- a new organization?

Congrats to Team Kelley!!!!!

Saw these guys play this year and they were a very good team. Had a pitcher from Mckinney that is going to be a stud.

Seen him throw in the Championship at a BBI tournament this summer. From 60'6" he was throwing 86mph.

And he was....14??? *cough*

10-4 PD. He is about 6'3". My son has been playing against him since they were 9. Great kid.

i was umpireing the game that Beast is talking about.
If i did not see it for myself i would be coughing to.
They also had a shortstop that was not far behind and both kids could mash

Another TEXAS team making the state look GREAT!

Thanks everyone! This is a special group of kids from the metroplex and some from Houston and Waco area.

check out http://www.usssa.com/sports/Tournament3.asp?TournamentID=290192

Kids from McKinney and Frisco are indeed great kids from great families!

SPECIAL THANKS TO COREY KELLEY for outfitting the boys with ALL NEW UNIFORM GEAR for the Elite 24 Tourney! Look out for Kelley USA's new baseball apparel.

Hey PD. The 14yr old shortstop for Team Kelley hit a homerun off of ya'll in the championship in the state tournament.

quote:

Both kids will be going to Mckinney High next year

We need to get these kids over to McKinney North. Anyone have their phone numbers?!

Just kidding!

Or Jesuit.

DTiger is right, those 14U Astro's were HUGE.. They were bigger than our 16U team and we are huge. When we saw the 14U Astro's we thought they were the 16's.

How come every 14 year old on up throws 86+ ???

We played 40 plus games this Summer against the best 16U teams Nationally and we saw two kids throwing 86+. (one on our team) HHHHMMMMM...

Congrats to team Kelly!!! I have seen them play.. This is only the beginning for them..

John G.: I've got a weird theory, but after many discussions, I think there is something to it. The thing is, it ain't that weird.

The theory: The hardest throwers when your 14 over 50% of the time will not be the hardest throwers when your 16, 17, etc. The reason behind this is the kids that usually throw hard when they are 13, 14 are more matured for one and they pitch a ton because they are the studs on their team. I've probably lost a slight bit of velocity since I was 14 (not much but I certainly haven't gained any). This was because I was throwing everytime I could, normally on 3-4 days rest. A kid on my team use to throw 84+ when he was 14, single handedly won his team Triple Crown, but now will get it up to 81, 82 normally. He always says he can throw on 3 day rest but he's hurting himself. This isn't always the case, but the message is, if your 14 and throw hard, wait a year or two to start pitching seriously.

I've never seen a 14 year old throwing 86+ -- with the possible exception of Shawn Tolleson (his freshman year at Allen & he may have been 15) -- including Colten Cain. If this young man played for the Dallas Patiots 16U at AABC state, he did not throw 86+ against us. I am not saying that it is impossible or that this kid did not touch 86 this year....but come on guys, there are so many exaggerations. I have no doubt that these two kids are studs --- no one here is arguing that point, but DBAT 16 faced 2 or 3 16 yr olds throwing 86+ this year....in addition to a handful of 17 yr olds at East Cobb.

The fact remains -- Team Kelley accomplished something great. Way to go guys!

DTiger, I agree to a certain extent. I remember when you were 12-13 you were one of the hardest throwers, and most these players have "matured" enough to catch up to you (or pass) However, I feel if these Dads,Players,and coaches could see a game scouted by a real scout, who is really scouting with a stalker gun. HHHMMMM.

Thats not to say these kids don't throw hard. I just feel velocity is is not only exagerated, but overated. Our best pitcher who went 11-1 last year and 9-0 this year throws 81 mph. (usually pitches a complete game 70-80 pitches)we have two players throwing 86+ one cant find the mitt and the other does pretty well because he can dominate the first two times thru.

John G. you have a PM, please reply.

PD, Walker kelly was throwing 86 last year as a freshman..72mph when he was 12 on a fast (TV)gun... he is the hardest thrower i have seen.

The Tigers faced a 16 year old throwing 87-88 in Florida and it didn't even seem that fast. Speed is a number, now if I could just convince all the pro scouts that. HA.

PDaddy I agree 100% with your last post. Just happen to see this with my own eyes.Dont know what kinda gun it was though.

I think ya'll are talking about my son from McKinney. We have been told he has hit all the way up to 89 on the gun. It doesn't really mean all that much at this point. In fact, it kind of bugs me that people are always whipping out the gun. He is a great kid that works hard at whatever he does (he also plays football QB and basketball). I guess time will tell what sport he focuses on and what the future holds.

We had a terrific time with Team Kelley this year! Thanks Rookie and Corey for everything.

John G. - WK hit 91 at a fall workout last year at NCTC, as a freshman...

unfort. all MLB pitchers can throw 90 and ALL MLB hitters can hit a FB that is 95... which is why the key for pitchers is to be able to change speeds well, and do it with strikes, while hitting your spots...

no one will care in the long run if you can throw 99 and not hit spots.. see Ryan Anderson.

4leaf -- welcome aboard -- we look forward to your participation here -- many of our sons play multiple sports, or have had to make difficult choices concerning one or the other. As you say, those situations usually work themselves out over time. We all wish good things for your son.

Diablo--This is what im talking about. I have known him since he was 8 Y.O. and have seen him throw many times last year and this H.S. season. he consisitantly throws 86-87 maybe touches 89-90 occasionally. Put a cheap gun on him or listen to the rumor mill and he throws 90-95... I do know his brother threw legitimate 92-93 in college, I have not seen him throw this summer (in Cincinati) I also know he is not through growing by a long shot.

All I've got to say 4leafclover, is don't overuse him.

Hey 4leafclover does he chew lots of bubble gum playing those other sports.

Well, in those sports he wears a mouthpiece and chews on that! After the jaw surgery last year he started wearing a mouthpiece for basketball. Chewing gum and blowing bubbles seems to somehow work for him.

Z.L is the real deal. My son has played with and against him in every sport since 6th grade. He can pitch.By the way he has a great Mom "Mrs 4leafclover" See you this fall JL.

John G. It was Kentucky, not Tennessee;it was Osborne, not Alvey (at least the first one). I truly hope Mikey is not bitter; there is no reason he should be. Yes, he caught 9 innings and believe me we would have loved to put in a fresh arm, but with a four man pitching staff, three of whom were ineligible, there were no other choices. Besides, Osborne hit a good pitch; sometimes the hitter wins the battle.
KellerDad. WK had 21 Ks and gave up 2 hits. AA (Aaron Alvey) had 19 Ks and gave up no hits.He was unhittable from 46 feet, especially considering we were'nt particularly good at the plate.
OBN. Nothing can compare to LL and Williamsport, not even AABC Farmington or UIL State, although the latter two are 1A and 1B in my opinion. Select cannot offer the same experience as LL or State, but one cannot argue that the talent level is better. Of course, if it were'nt there shold be an investigation since Select is not burdened with the LL and school boundaries. By the way, why does there seem to be so much comparison between LL and Select and so little comparison between HS and Select? HS and LL both have the boundary issue which dilutes the talent pool, yet I have never heard it suggested that one should opt out of the HS baseball experience.

Yes you are correct. I couldn't remember if osborne or Alvey hit the bomb. And yes the pitch was at the knees and about an inch off the outside corner. (big kid w/long arms) No arguement about the pitcher, He was the your best option even if he went out there lefthanded.

Comments moved to LL vs AABC topic.

I promised myself I would never get in this discussion but I have to agree with the new kid.
Maybe it's community involvement or school pride that makes me favor HS ball over select...maybe not...I respect select because the majority of my HS players played a high level of select ball in the summer...And maybe the posters that favor select over HS do so, because they have so much $$$$$ invested in it compared to HS. I don't know which, but it's like seeing 2 kids in the park yelling about who's big brother is bigger. Select, LL, and HS are all designed to help kids and none of the above should be run-down or talked down. Exceptions exist and some are better than others. Find a fit and let em grow up to be men.

I agree swingdoc. Even though I often sit here and tell everyone how HS just isn't as intense, it does not mean the importance of each game is less. At my school the whole community thing (local) is less because everyone if from everywhere. Just because the games might not be as intense, the importance of every baseball game is still there. Every game is a chance to learn and develop baseball skills. Whether it's the championship game at a major tournament, or a game in the neighborhood's sandlot, it's still a great opportunity.

Welcome back, swingdoc! We're always glad when you weigh in on any subject.

Friends -- let's take this to a new topic if there is enough interest. Thanks.