We have gone to USSSA and IBC. I prefer IBC for price, location, and what the players and teams get out of it. Give your ideas.
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We went to USSSA AAA 13U in Tulsa last year. I didn't care much for it. About 100 teams, 1/2 sandbaggers (I admit we were one of them), 7 days of mostly one game per day on poor fields with non-existent facilities. Dragged boat for some fun on large reservoir nearby. It was filthy. Beaches strewn with litter, beer empties, broken glass and fish hooks.
Opening ceremony was interesting coming from a northern state. All you have to see is the high school football stadium to realize the importance of that sport down there.
This year we voted as a team to forgo USSSA. Too much of a headache.
9U - loved CABA
10U - CABA OK
11U - CABA sucked - USSSA majors great
12U - CABA sucked - USSSA majors great
13U - USSSA AAA sucked
This year going to Steamboat - vacation spots attributes came first for once. (Disney World? Been there done that. again and again and again!!!)
Opening ceremony was interesting coming from a northern state. All you have to see is the high school football stadium to realize the importance of that sport down there.
This year we voted as a team to forgo USSSA. Too much of a headache.
9U - loved CABA
10U - CABA OK
11U - CABA sucked - USSSA majors great
12U - CABA sucked - USSSA majors great
13U - USSSA AAA sucked
This year going to Steamboat - vacation spots attributes came first for once. (Disney World? Been there done that. again and again and again!!!)
Wheelhouse- We're coming to Omaha for the CWS to play in 2 Superseries tourneys. Any insite to how that is run would be appreciated. Also, where's the best eats in Omaha?
il2008
I have always heard good things about the 'Road to Omaha' Tournament (Triple Crown). We are playing in it for the first time. We playaed in one of the Super Series tournaments 4 years ago and thought the competition was less then we were used to. That's the only one that we have played in mostly choosing to focus on USSSA instead. The SS Tournaments have gotten very popular though and are probably pretty good. There are so many tounaments going on here just before during and after the CWS that I don't have a good feel for all of them. If you are going to the CWS you'll have a great time regardless. It's awsome. Generally, you can count on good teams from far away places drawn by the CWS. We are playing the 'Road to Omaha' and need it as a quailifier. We expect this one to be tough given the sign-ups so far.
Good eats. WOW. Where do I start. I suggest that you plan some time to go to the Henry Doorley Zoo (World Class) and or a visit to the SAC Aerospace Musuem which is West on I80 bewteen Omaha and Lincoln. The zoo is right next to Rosenblatt Stadium. From there you are very close to the Old Market in downtown where there are many fine eateries. If you are staying out west, depending on what you like and where you are staying there is:
Zio's Pizza on about 80th and West Dodge Road (Beverly Hills Plaza) (really, really good crust)
Many of the common Franchise resterants along the 72 to 156th street West Dodge corridore or out around 144 and Center Street as well.
Chinese, just about everywhere. If you like Indian, either Indian Oven in the Old Market or Jaipur in Rockbrook Village just south of 108th and Center. The Strikezone indoor baseball training facility is in the shopping center as well fi you want batting cages. www.strikezoneomaha.com
I also know some really good, out of the way, Itallian steak houses as well. Both in the downtown and West Omaha areas.
I have always heard good things about the 'Road to Omaha' Tournament (Triple Crown). We are playing in it for the first time. We playaed in one of the Super Series tournaments 4 years ago and thought the competition was less then we were used to. That's the only one that we have played in mostly choosing to focus on USSSA instead. The SS Tournaments have gotten very popular though and are probably pretty good. There are so many tounaments going on here just before during and after the CWS that I don't have a good feel for all of them. If you are going to the CWS you'll have a great time regardless. It's awsome. Generally, you can count on good teams from far away places drawn by the CWS. We are playing the 'Road to Omaha' and need it as a quailifier. We expect this one to be tough given the sign-ups so far.
Good eats. WOW. Where do I start. I suggest that you plan some time to go to the Henry Doorley Zoo (World Class) and or a visit to the SAC Aerospace Musuem which is West on I80 bewteen Omaha and Lincoln. The zoo is right next to Rosenblatt Stadium. From there you are very close to the Old Market in downtown where there are many fine eateries. If you are staying out west, depending on what you like and where you are staying there is:
Zio's Pizza on about 80th and West Dodge Road (Beverly Hills Plaza) (really, really good crust)
Many of the common Franchise resterants along the 72 to 156th street West Dodge corridore or out around 144 and Center Street as well.
Chinese, just about everywhere. If you like Indian, either Indian Oven in the Old Market or Jaipur in Rockbrook Village just south of 108th and Center. The Strikezone indoor baseball training facility is in the shopping center as well fi you want batting cages. www.strikezoneomaha.com
I also know some really good, out of the way, Itallian steak houses as well. Both in the downtown and West Omaha areas.
Thanks for the info Wheelhouse. As a Dad I'm probably as excited about the college games as my own son's games. I know of a couple of other Chicago area teams that are going, one is very strong and the others are pretty good. We have a strong team also (13 year olds).
Good idea with the zoo. This is also a family vacation and I bet my 6 year old would like to visit the zoo.
Good idea with the zoo. This is also a family vacation and I bet my 6 year old would like to visit the zoo.
First year we went to USSSA in Nevada, MO. It seemed to me just like another tournament.
Then we went to USSSA at Baseball USA in Houston. Great Facility!!! Good Tournment.
Then Super Series in Arkansas. Tournament was okay but location location location. Nothing to do.
Last year we went to St. Louis with Super Series. I didn't think it was organized very good at all. But in all of the I think the competition is going to be about the same. Always heard CABA has really good competition but we haven't ever qualified.
We are also going to Omaha this year and can't wait. Our coach goes every year they say it's an excellant tournament.
Then we went to USSSA at Baseball USA in Houston. Great Facility!!! Good Tournment.
Then Super Series in Arkansas. Tournament was okay but location location location. Nothing to do.
Last year we went to St. Louis with Super Series. I didn't think it was organized very good at all. But in all of the I think the competition is going to be about the same. Always heard CABA has really good competition but we haven't ever qualified.
We are also going to Omaha this year and can't wait. Our coach goes every year they say it's an excellant tournament.
For those coming to Omaha, Ishould have included these URLs for cool family things to do.
www.strategicairandspace.com
www.henrydoorlyzoo.com
www.strategicairandspace.com
www.henrydoorlyzoo.com
Now that you have spoken, let me throw in my 2cents about IBC. It is in Clearwater Fl. OPening ceremonies at Clearwater Phillies game. Skills competition at Devil rays stadium fields are good and beach is right there well set up and good competition
Wheelhouse:
Steamboat is great for the Rocky Mountains, not so wonderful for the baseball. The facilities are second-rate, they are very, very far apart and the competition inconsistent and not all that frequent. Again, go for the mountains -- but nothing else.
In fact, none of these events are top-notch like the LL World Series competiton, which lacks in the talent department, perhaps, but is unparalelled for the pageantry and facilities and spotlight.
Steamboat is great for the Rocky Mountains, not so wonderful for the baseball. The facilities are second-rate, they are very, very far apart and the competition inconsistent and not all that frequent. Again, go for the mountains -- but nothing else.
In fact, none of these events are top-notch like the LL World Series competiton, which lacks in the talent department, perhaps, but is unparalelled for the pageantry and facilities and spotlight.
Just my opinion but here goes:
9- CABA or AAU
10 AABC
11 CABA
12 NATC Week at Cooperstown Dreams Park
CABA may be the most difficult to win because teams do not have to have their roster set until they register at the National Tournament. None of the LL World Series teams would make the final 8 for the NATC week at Cooperstown Dreams Park. These are truly most of the top 12 & unders in the USA.
13- Any tournament that allows you to play 60/90 and not 54/80
14-Sandlott World Series (this is a new tournament held in Nashville, TN. and the teams are good along with the facilities. They also play 60/90 and use local college fields.
I do not like USSSA because most of the fields that they use are bad.
9- CABA or AAU
10 AABC
11 CABA
12 NATC Week at Cooperstown Dreams Park
CABA may be the most difficult to win because teams do not have to have their roster set until they register at the National Tournament. None of the LL World Series teams would make the final 8 for the NATC week at Cooperstown Dreams Park. These are truly most of the top 12 & unders in the USA.
13- Any tournament that allows you to play 60/90 and not 54/80
14-Sandlott World Series (this is a new tournament held in Nashville, TN. and the teams are good along with the facilities. They also play 60/90 and use local college fields.
I do not like USSSA because most of the fields that they use are bad.
cbg:
You have not seen enough LL teams, especially in Southern California. Many of them might surprise you.
Plus, remember at Coopstown, they are using a ball that is juiced and big barrel bats of fields that are slightly too small.
Cooperstown is great, but probably the greatest marketing achievment in baseball history. Very, very overrated (and I have had a team that has qualified for the week to which you refer. That team, by the way, would have lost decisively to our LL All Star team the same season).
I also must add that 60-90 baseball for nearly every 13 year old I have seen is simply bad baseball. The only reason to do it is if appropriate-sized fields are not available.
You have not seen enough LL teams, especially in Southern California. Many of them might surprise you.
Plus, remember at Coopstown, they are using a ball that is juiced and big barrel bats of fields that are slightly too small.
Cooperstown is great, but probably the greatest marketing achievment in baseball history. Very, very overrated (and I have had a team that has qualified for the week to which you refer. That team, by the way, would have lost decisively to our LL All Star team the same season).
I also must add that 60-90 baseball for nearly every 13 year old I have seen is simply bad baseball. The only reason to do it is if appropriate-sized fields are not available.
Jemaz,
Cooperstown NATC week is the best. I have lived in Southern California and LL is good in your area but what if you took the best players from a 200 mile radius and put them on 1 team. That is what you get during the NATC week. Due to the restrictions that LL places on where you get players, there is no way that 1 league should be able to compete during the National American Tournament of Champions week.
At Cooperstown the fences are 200ft but are 8ft high and at Williamsport I think you have a 205ft fence that is 4ft high. IMO 12yr olds should have a fence that is 220ft down the lines and 250ft in center field.
Juiced Ball: where did you get that idea? I remember using a high school approved Rawlings or Wilson ball when we were there a few years ago.
Yes, when 13yr olds play 60/90 the play is a little sloppy the first 1/2 of the season. After about 25 games the players arms get stronger and they adapt to the larger field. By the end of the season the play is pretty good. I just feel that if you challenge the players to play on the larger field they will step up and do well. At least that is they way that is happened with my son and his team.
Cooperstown NATC week is the best. I have lived in Southern California and LL is good in your area but what if you took the best players from a 200 mile radius and put them on 1 team. That is what you get during the NATC week. Due to the restrictions that LL places on where you get players, there is no way that 1 league should be able to compete during the National American Tournament of Champions week.
At Cooperstown the fences are 200ft but are 8ft high and at Williamsport I think you have a 205ft fence that is 4ft high. IMO 12yr olds should have a fence that is 220ft down the lines and 250ft in center field.
Juiced Ball: where did you get that idea? I remember using a high school approved Rawlings or Wilson ball when we were there a few years ago.
Yes, when 13yr olds play 60/90 the play is a little sloppy the first 1/2 of the season. After about 25 games the players arms get stronger and they adapt to the larger field. By the end of the season the play is pretty good. I just feel that if you challenge the players to play on the larger field they will step up and do well. At least that is they way that is happened with my son and his team.
13 is an ackward age. The good hitters are far ahead of the good pitchers overall. Many times I have been frightened for the pitcher on line drives hit back up through the middle. The extra 6' 6" makes a huge difference in the safety of the pitcher.
Even 12 year old USSSA World Series in Omaha 2 years ago I saw many kids well over 200 lbs. crushing balls over 220 and 250 fences. One pitcher, I think on the Florida Diamond Kings looked about 5'11" 210 lbs and was throwing in the upper 70s. 54' or even 60' would give these kids an extra fraction of a second to react.
I think that 12s, 13s and, 14s on 54' mounds is hazardous to the pitchers. We are going to Steamboat Springs, I can't believe that they have 14 year olds pitching from 54'.
Even 12 year old USSSA World Series in Omaha 2 years ago I saw many kids well over 200 lbs. crushing balls over 220 and 250 fences. One pitcher, I think on the Florida Diamond Kings looked about 5'11" 210 lbs and was throwing in the upper 70s. 54' or even 60' would give these kids an extra fraction of a second to react.
I think that 12s, 13s and, 14s on 54' mounds is hazardous to the pitchers. We are going to Steamboat Springs, I can't believe that they have 14 year olds pitching from 54'.
I believe a team from our area made it to the semifinals of that tournament and they were only drawing from about a 30 mile radius with most of the kids coming from one town. Our 11u LL team did play their 12u team in a tournament. They mercied us gently. We have very good LL teams in this area and one in our district has as good a chance as anybody to make it to regionals and beyond. They won the President's day tournament in this area against travel teams and can be competitive with good travel teams. Even so, they aren't as good as the top travel/select teams from this area.
We went to CABA 9U Ultimate last year in Charles City, IA. Highly recommend it. The whole town goes out of the way to cater to the teams, including block parties and a parade. For a fun afternoon trip, it's within driving distance of Field of Dreams.
CBG in my opinion it is a joke to have 13u play 60/90. The game goes way to show and drags on. Why not let them get a solid yr of the big field and let them play 54/80. The game goes a lot quicker and makes the players play better. Pitchers need to work slide step and have a quick delivery so that runners don't run on them all day. In the infield you can't make a mistake or the guy will be safe. Runners need to work on there reads off the bat so that they can score or advance. Then with pitchers throwing at 54 feet the ball will come a little fast and this makes batters generate more bat speed. Therefore after a solid 6 months - 1 year of playing and making this adjustment, they can then go and make the small adjustment to 6 feet pitching and 10 feet bases. I think that you should have one of your teams come dowm to s. california for a tournament and play against some of our teams. We can take the best players out of 5/10 mile radius and beat teams that put together an all star team out of a 200 mile radius elsewhere. S. California has the best baseball around. Only comparable to Texas and Florida.
We are going back to AAYBA in St. Louis. It is an "open" tournament and you "find" your level during pool play.
Liked it better than USSSA because you play all week no matter what, and down to the last day you are playing for something, whether its 1st place platinum or 6th place of the plywood division.
Liked it better than USSSA because you play all week no matter what, and down to the last day you are playing for something, whether its 1st place platinum or 6th place of the plywood division.
I believe for the 14U it's gotta be the Pony World Series in Washington, Pa. Some real stiff competition and hey guess what "all the teams are not from the U.S. like many other World Series". Also at 14U there is the USSSA which will be very tough. However this will be made up of teams from the States. I believe with the Regionals, Zones and eventual World Series, it is very difficult to get there.
svd16u,
I'd have to agree with your assessment. The teams up where I am are pretty strong and can compete with the Orange County teams but generally speaking the strongest teams come from Orange County and the surrounding areas.
I'd have to agree with your assessment. The teams up where I am are pretty strong and can compete with the Orange County teams but generally speaking the strongest teams come from Orange County and the surrounding areas.
The Fort Worth LL Team that went to the finals a couple of years ago got a RUDE awakening the next year when they started playing "real" baseball.
I think they finished the season under .500.
LL to me is not real baseball.
And to the point of the topic....CABA is great.
Super Series is more a regional than a national tourney.
Triple Crown....go for the vacation, not the baseball. Hated the fields the kids played on, and besides, it was HOT during the day.
I think they finished the season under .500.
LL to me is not real baseball.
And to the point of the topic....CABA is great.
Super Series is more a regional than a national tourney.
Triple Crown....go for the vacation, not the baseball. Hated the fields the kids played on, and besides, it was HOT during the day.
I would also recomend the USYBA World series right there in Knoxville, TN. Well orgainized, great facilities and strong competition.
CADad - Excuss me. I wasn't trying to make it sound like we have the best baseball players around. We are just lucking enough here in s. cali to have good weather and be able to play year around. The only problem I see in Orange County and surround counties is that there are too many teams. Everyone and there mom has a team. I delutes the talent of the teams. We I played there were a hand full of teams in the county. Only the best guys were picked up on this teams. Now there are a hand full of teams in each city. where a team would have 18 solid players now only has 6-10 w/ 9 so so guys on the roster.