8u tournament team for baseball (1 Viewer)

[swirvenirvin]

last tournament of the year next weekend 14 teams which is a #### ton with some very local and small cities entering.  Hopefully that is to our advantage

One different rule which I like is infield can call time instead of having to get into the pitcher to call time.  

Some cool competition things too fastest around the bases, and fastest relay thing with 4 kids starting at homes and going around the bases, and a HR derby.

Kind of dumb on HR derby though pitch machine set to 41 and hit from pitcher mound which will be 110 feet away from fence.  Think that is too far still for most kids when using pitching machine.

 

[swirvenirvin]

any last practice of the season cool things to do with the kids suggestions

 

[Cowboysfan8]

any last practice of the season cool things to do with the kids suggestions

Practice as usual for a half hour then have your wife or someone show up with pizzas and let em have fun

 

[swirvenirvin]

Practice as usual for a half hour then have your wife or someone show up with pizzas and let em have fun

This may be best idea since have left over money too.

Was trying to figure out what to do with the $200 we have left.  Was thinking a dinner lunch after games Saturday/Sunday but we don't know what time we are playing.  Football starts up full tilt on Monday so would be hard to get anyone together after this.  Will just get pizza and drinks for the boys and give parents remainder of the money after that.

Was thinking hour of practice and then a coach/little siblings vs the team scrimmage.

 

[belljr]

Play the oppo game.    

If you don't know what the oppo game it is this.

2 teams.   1 Team is batting the other team is at 3rd.    Since the kids are young, instead of soft toss you could do it off a tee.

First person on the team by third stands on third base like they are running to second base.

The first batter hits the ball towards right field, the closer down the line the better.

As soon as the batter hits the ball they start running the bases.

As soon as the ball is hit the runner on third has to run and go get the ball.

1 point for each base touched before the "team at third player" touches the ball.

Total the points for all the batters.

Then switch batters/chasers   and totla the points for team 2.

 

[dino259]

This may be best idea since have left over money too.

Was trying to figure out what to do with the $200 we have left.  Was thinking a dinner lunch after games Saturday/Sunday but we don't know what time we are playing.  Football starts up full tilt on Monday so would be hard to get anyone together after this.  Will just get pizza and drinks for the boys and give parents remainder of the money after that.

Was thinking hour of practice and then a coach/little siblings vs the team scrimmage.

I am a big fan of the team vs parents/coaches/siblings idea.  I have done it for both basketball and baseball.  I was worried about hitting off the machine as I had not hit since intramural softball in college.  I was able to hit each time but we did have other coaches or dads strike out.  Kids absolutely love it each time.  Couldn't talk the 10U head coach into it.  He was too worried about line driving the pitcher.  Thinks highly of himself.  I would have loved to try and hit off the kids.

 

[belljr]

I am a big fan of the team vs parents/coaches/siblings idea.  I have done it for both basketball and baseball.  I was worried about hitting off the machine as I had not hit since intramural softball in college.  I was able to hit each time but we did have other coaches or dads strike out.  Kids absolutely love it each time.  Couldn't talk the 10U head coach into it.  He was too worried about line driving the pitcher.  Thinks highly of himself.  I would have loved to try and hit off the kids.

We do this but we bat with a 26 inch bat opposite handed

 

[swirvenirvin]

We do this but we bat with a 26 inch bat opposite handed

was thinking after the first go around we would do this also.

Most of the siblings are 5 and 6 yrs old so they will weigh us down

 

[Gally]

putting together player commitment form.  We have will have winter practices.  Want to make them mandatory, but what about the kids who are playing basketball how do you handle the wording on that? 

Something like in season sports games (basketball) may take priority over baseball winter practices but every effort should be made to make winter practice and balanced with other sports practices.

Do not do this.  It is the off season.  Kids need to play other sports and have time off from throwing.  If you want to "practice" once a month make it a fun practice to just remind them about baseball.  But don't make it mandatory in any way.  Create your in season schedule.  We go from February (practice start - with games starting in March) to August.  The kids get from August until February off to do other sports or activities and give their arms a break.   We may have a fun get together periodically or I might open up my batting cage for anyone that wants to come over for some swings but nothing is mandatory. 

They are kids....let them be kids. 

 

[Gally]

any last practice of the season cool things to do with the kids suggestions

We play a game called "total bases".   Divide the team up into two teams and have a coach pitch.  Each kid gets two pitches.  The object is to get to as many bases as possible before the other team forces you out.  One batter at a time and you never stay on the bases.  Force outs only.  Caught fly balls are usually outs.   You go through the entire batting order then switch.  Count the total bases for the score.  The defense can arrange themselves any way they like.

You can make each round a little different.  For instance:

• Opposite hit - have to hit LH if you are normally RH
  
• Opposite run - must run to 3rd-2nd-1st.
  
• Fly balls are live - still must get a force out and all bases count
  
• Foul balls are live
  
• Can keep circling the bases as long as you aren't forced out (go past home and can score more than 4 bases)
  
•  
  

 

[belljr]

Do not do this.  It is the off season.  Kids need to play other sports and have time off from throwing.  If you want to "practice" once a month make it a fun practice to just remind them about baseball.  But don't make it mandatory in any way.  Create your in season schedule.  We go from February (practice start - with games starting in March) to August.  The kids get from August until February off to do other sports or activities and give their arms a break.   We may have a fun get together periodically or I might open up my batting cage for anyone that wants to come over for some swings but nothing is mandatory. 

They are kids....let them be kids. 

um starting in February IS winter practice

 

[belljr]

Thought of another fun thing to do at practice.

Two teams one starts at home one starts at 2nd and you have relay races around all the bases.  

Then really make it interesting you sprint to the first base carioca to the second base Sprint to the third base and then Shuffle to the 4th base

 

[Gally]

um starting in February IS winter practice

Not in California.  Winter in our area is for about a week in December....hahahah

We start about 4 weeks before our 1st game.  The kids get a full 5 months off of no baseball to give them time to other sports or activities.

 

[belljr]

Lol.  Yeah nj schedule is Abit different

 

[swirvenirvin]

Thought of another fun thing to do at practice.

Two teams one starts at home one starts at 2nd and you have relay races around all the bases.  

Then really make it interesting you sprint to the first base carioca to the second base Sprint to the third base and then Shuffle to the 4th base

already do this one

also yesterday did fastest around the bases which the kids dug.   7 yr old flew got around in 14.25

 

[swirvenirvin]

Not in California.  Winter in our area is for about a week in December....hahahah

We start about 4 weeks before our 1st game.  The kids get a full 5 months off of no baseball to give them time to other sports or activities.

so will ours starting in late decemeber

 

[swirvenirvin]

We play a game called "total bases".   Divide the team up into two teams and have a coach pitch.  Each kid gets two pitches.  The object is to get to as many bases as possible before the other team forces you out.  One batter at a time and you never stay on the bases.  Force outs only.  Caught fly balls are usually outs.   You go through the entire batting order then switch.  Count the total bases for the score.  The defense can arrange themselves any way they like.

You can make each round a little different.  For instance:

• Opposite hit - have to hit LH if you are normally RH
  
• Opposite run - must run to 3rd-2nd-1st.
  
• Fly balls are live - still must get a force out and all bases count
  
• Foul balls are live
  
• Can keep circling the bases as long as you aren't forced out (go past home and can score more than 4 bases)
  
•  
  

I dont quite get this but appreciate the suggestion

 

[Gally]

I dont quite get this but appreciate the suggestion

What part?

 

[belljr]

Yeah our typical year

Tryouts late July early August.

Practice mid late August.

Fall ball from September to last week October/first week November

Shut it down until mid January. 

Winter workouts once or twice a week mid January till February.

2//3 weeks off.  Start practicing mid late March.  Play until early too late July

 

[swirvenirvin]

What part?

the only get force out part.   So are they supposed to run until they are out I don't get how they can only get force outs I guess

 

[Gally]

the only get force out part.   So are they supposed to run until they are out I don't get how they can only get force outs I guess

There are no tag plays.  Batter keeps running until the defense gets the ball to a base for a "force out"  prior to the batter getting the base.  If the batter beats the ball to the bag then the defense must throw the ball to the next base to get the out to stop the points from continuing.  For example, you hit the ball into the left center field gap.  You head for a double (you get 1 pt once you touch first base).  If you touch second before the defense can get the ball to second for a force out (touch the base with the ball in hand) you get another point and continue towards third base.  The defense then has to throw to third base and if the ball beats you to 3rd the play is over.  You accumulated 2 pts for your team because you touched first and second base before they were able to get the ball to the base ahead of you.  It just makes it easier so you aren't needing to slide and rewards the defense for making good throws and playing catch.  Any overthrow is a huge detriment and usually adds one or two points to the score because the runner keeps going. 

Once the "out" is recorded the next batter comes up and you do it again.  The inning is over once everyone on the team gets 1 AB.

 

[swirvenirvin]

have practiced for almost 3 months and never a rainout.  Last practice and party and get rained out.. Went to a restaurant but only have kids show,  still had fun but disappointing we couldnt get our game in.

Think we should fair well in this tournament this weekend with 14 teams, but also think we are in a bit of checkout/dog days mode.  Lots of vacations the past few weeks, My kids has basically practiced once in last 2+ weeks other are similar. 

We'll see

 

[Don't Noonan]

We just had our tryouts for the 12u team I coach here in Arizona.   It is interesting how different parts of the country play at different times of the year.

 

[belljr]

We just had our tryouts for the 12u team I coach here in Arizona.   It is interesting how different parts of the country play at different times of the year.

our team is formed but some tryouts are going on and starting practice next week - then getting taking a couple weeks off

I do think it also varies pending on if you are playing Club, Town travel, rec

I know out town travel is not starting up for a little while longer

 

[belljr]

I need to have the talk with my daughter about giving up pitching.   She says she loves it and still see her coach once every couple weeks and throws with me 3-4 times a week.

Its just not clicking.   She is not going to be pitching at this level a lot anyway.  She has only been pitching for almost 2 years.  I'll have to see how she develops over the winter.

For how athletic she is - this is just something that has never clicked with her.  I keep telling her we should focus all on catching but she still wants to do both.

Shes not terrible but she is not a Club B level pitcher....

 

[Bull Dozier]

We just had our tryouts for the 12u team I coach here in Arizona.   It is interesting how different parts of the country play at different times of the year.

Ya, here in MN, the baseball season is pretty short.  There are club teams that practice through the winter, but for the most part, teams try to get some practices in during March and April and indoor complexes, get outside in April or May (usually the latter) when the fields dry out and can be played on, get games started then you're done by the end of July.  The Babe Ruth league my kids play at have sent their all star team to the Babe Ruth 14s world series next week.  I'm proud of them for making it that far, but assume they will be beat by the southern teams that play year round.  They're talented, but most of them are "hockey players" by trade, so I don't think they'll beat the best of the best but it will be interesting to see.

 

[Don't Noonan]

Ya, here in MN, the baseball season is pretty short.  There are club teams that practice through the winter, but for the most part, teams try to get some practices in during March and April and indoor complexes, get outside in April or May (usually the latter) when the fields dry out and can be played on, get games started then you're done by the end of July.  The Babe Ruth league my kids play at have sent their all star team to the Babe Ruth 14s world series next week.  I'm proud of them for making it that far, but assume they will be beat by the southern teams that play year round.  They're talented, but most of them are "hockey players" by trade, so I don't think they'll beat the best of the best but it will be interesting to see.

I have a kid who I saw play in Little League this spring who is a good player and I sent an email to his Dad inviting him to tryouts.   His Dad responded that they were in MN and his son has been playing with his old travel team all summer and would like to take a break from baseball.   I didn't realize they were from MN but they must go back there every summer.

 

[Gally]

I need to have the talk with my daughter about giving up pitching.   She says she loves it and still see her coach once every couple weeks and throws with me 3-4 times a week.

Its just not clicking.   She is not going to be pitching at this level a lot anyway.  She has only been pitching for almost 2 years.  I'll have to see how she develops over the winter.

For how athletic she is - this is just something that has never clicked with her.  I keep telling her we should focus all on catching but she still wants to do both.

Shes not terrible but she is not a Club B level pitcher....

My daughter started trying to pitch when she was 8.  She always had a more seasoned pitcher on every team so never got a lot of game action.  She continued working on her own (never had a pitching coach) in the backyard each season.  She has never been overpowering or had a lot of pitches.  She just liked to keep trying.  She also doesn't have the greatest work ethic so never went all in. 

Last year as a junior she was the high school teams #2 pitcher and pitched in a few games.  The #1 was a senior and is gone now.  She pitches some for her travel ball team but not a lot.  However, unless something drastic happens she will be the defacto #1 pitcher for her high school team next year.  She has never really had a pitching coach or been a primary pitcher so she has taught herself what she knows.  She can throw strikes and is hittable but should get a good chance to pitch a lot next year. 

The point I am making is you never know what will happen so if your daughter likes to pitch let her keep working at it.  You never know how things will turn out.  Things may click eventually.

 

[Bull Dozier]

My daughter started trying to pitch when she was 8.  She always had a more seasoned pitcher on every team so never got a lot of game action.  She continued working on her own (never had a pitching coach) in the backyard each season.  She has never been overpowering or had a lot of pitches.  She just liked to keep trying.  She also doesn't have the greatest work ethic so never went all in. 

Last year as a junior she was the high school teams #2 pitcher and pitched in a few games.  The #1 was a senior and is gone now.  She pitches some for her travel ball team but not a lot.  However, unless something drastic happens she will be the defacto #1 pitcher for her high school team next year.  She has never really had a pitching coach or been a primary pitcher so she has taught herself what she knows.  She can throw strikes and is hittable but should get a good chance to pitch a lot next year. 

The point I am making is you never know what will happen so if your daughter likes to pitch let her keep working at it.  You never know how things will turn out.  Things may click eventually.

Have to agree with this. My oldest son played baseball since little league.  He was always one of the more "heady" players, but not physically talents.  Can hit the ball, but not big enough or strong enough to drive it.  Good fielder, but not a very strong arm.  He pitched some early in travel ball, when pretty much everyone got a chance since they needed so many.  But, with his weak arm, it came in like a slow pitch softball and was only effective occasionally because he was such a change from most of the other pitchers at his level.  Even last year, he pitched one inning in an emergency, and as an 8th grader was probably throwing it 45 mph just to get it over.  Fast forward to this season, and the high school coaches look at his size (5'11" as a freshman) and decide his future is as a pitcher.  They teach him proper mechanics and a curve ball, and he is one of the better pitchers on his team.  Now, he is probably the best defensive 2nd baseman in the program, so that experiment may be over already, but I'm sure if he kept working at it he'd be a pretty good pitcher.  You just never know how kids will develop long term.

I coached a group of boys in traveling basketball in 4th and 5th grade.  They will be sophmores in the fall.  I still have my rankings of those kids from the mid point of that first year.  The top two or three kids are still in the top half of that group.  The 4th and 5th best kids from that group don't play anymore.  The worst kid, who was so quiet and new to basketball I couldn't tell if he shot right or left handed all season, is now the best player out of the bunch.  You never know.

 

[belljr]

While I agree with you guys in general.

She has started pitcing at 10 and was the 3rd pitcher for 10u and did really well

Playing Club level B she got knocked around a lot.  Throws strikes but thats about it.

My point is after next year - she will be going into 8th grade and moving up to 14U B - level ball.

I guess my point is this - Unless things change in the next year or so, I doubt she'll be a GOLD level pitcher at 18U ball. (15-18 year olds)

I definitely understand where you guys are coming from - but I feel like if I invested half the time I did with pitching - she would be a all world catcher and hitter (and shes pretty good now  )

I didn't say we were giving up but she defintiely needs to improve into next summer to even consider it at the level we are playing - imo.

Around here High School ball is a "step down" from True club teams. But thats still a few years off

I guess as Bull pointed out she's always been a Top3 player on the team wherever she plays (Except for pitcher)  so I know she can really excel at those other spots

 

[Bull Dozier]

While I agree with you guys in general.

She has started pitcing at 10 and was the 3rd pitcher for 10u and did really well

Playing Club level B she got knocked around a lot.  Throws strikes but thats about it.

My point is after next year - she will be going into 8th grade and moving up to 14U B - level ball.

I guess my point is this - Unless things change in the next year or so, I doubt she'll be a GOLD level pitcher at 18U ball. (15-18 year olds)

I definitely understand where you guys are coming from - but I feel like if I invested half the time I did with pitching - she would be a all world catcher and hitter (and shes pretty good now  )

I didn't say we were giving up but she defintiely needs to improve into next summer to even consider it at the level we are playing - imo.

Around here High School ball is a "step down" from True club teams. But thats still a few years off

I guess as Bull pointed out she's always been a Top3 player on the team wherever she plays (Except for pitcher)  so I know she can really excel at those other spots

I know nothing about softball, but assume it is the same as just about every sport, where the more different things you can do, the more valuable you are.  Sure, she might be the best catcher today.  But, if you put all the eggs in that basket, then some amazing catcher moves into the area/team, what are you going to do then?  Well rounded athletes are the best athletes.

 

[belljr]

Totally agree - thats why we work on outfield/infield hitting catching and pitching.

So I guess what I'm saying is this since pitching and catching are 2 specialty positions we eliminate one specialty but still focus on center field/ss/catching and hitting she'll be just a valuable as she is now.

And again - This decision is not going to happen until next July at the earliest.       I just need to talk with her about how much she wants to work at it thats all. We haven't quit it yet

 

[swirvenirvin]

Long post warning...

Tourny started on Friday.  We have always had a hard time in the first games of tournaments just from rush and usually 3 weeks off between real live game.

14 teams in the tournament and 2 games of pool play then 1 and done starts with seeding based on 2 games.

Bottom line we get mercied 14-4 after 4 innings.   So they had a chick on the team.  I actually spotted the very second I pull into the parking lot, tell my wife and say wow she looks like a player.   She was the teams #3 hitter and hit a HR not over the fence (playing on softball field so I think fence is around 200-225) but it rolled to the fence.   Only hit I saw this weekend in 3 games that did this.  Next time up smacks a double.  When I see her on 2nd base I look at her and just see how developed she way and how much bigger legs, arms height than any other kid on the field.   Next time up hard hit single.   Her name was "Charley".  SO we driver 45 minutes out here and lose in 4 innings not fun.  Im thinking to myself no way this girl is 8U she is so thick and developed and smooth.  They say bring your birth certs to the games but no one checked them in.  Anyways I get home and text the director about her asking if we can check her birth cert.  He ignores my my text which was sent around 830.  I texted him again this morning at 8:00 and just replies back "she's fine".  First I doubt he checked and if he did, Im sure Charley girl just used her younger brothers birth cert.  I mean I could be wrong but liek I said I saw this girl when I pulled in and just said wow.  You can tell 7 and 8 yr olds from 9 and 10 yrs old.  Her dad was all of 5"10, and his 8 yr old duaghter is gonna be 4'7 and 75-80 pounds.

Ok so moving on 2nd game which was this morning.  We smoke the #### out of the ball and win 18-2 and mercy them after 4 innings.  Good game by all obviously.  1st base got a unassisted triple play.

We 2nd up being the 8th seed and are facing off vs the 9th seed.

In between the games from this morning and 1 and done in the afternoon they had a skills competition.    Now mind you my team is 7U and playing in 8U tournament. 

There was homerun derby, fastest kid, and 4 man relay around the horn.  Catcher to 3rd to 2nd to 1st to catch to 1st to 2nd to 3rd to catch.  Tuesday practice I tested for the fastest kid and put the fastest kid in there.  He ran a 14.25 around the bases, and some other very close times most were in the mid 15 seconds.   Was going to do around the horn on Thursday but that is when we got rained out so never had a chance to practice.  Homerun derby was off pitching machine and just didnt think my 7 yr olds had a chance so wasnt going to enter anyone.

Results were 1st place in fastest kid and he ran a 13.4

2nd place in around the horn (we practiced for 10 minutes before) with a time of 26 seconds (had 1 mis-throw)

HR derby kid hit as hard as he could but didnt get any out (some kid hit 8 in 90 seconds in the 1st round)

On to the win or go home game in 8-9 matchup.  We start off hot get up 10-4 going into the bottom of the 4th (we were away)  2nd string defense has an awful inning and we let in 6 runs.  Boom tied 10-10.  We sneak in 1 run in the top of the 5th and they score 3 in the bottom for a 11-13 game going into the 6th.

We score 2 runs to tie it up and have the bases loaded with 1 out.  Line drive to 2B kids make diving catch and doubles us up.  Ugh  Im thinking maybe 5% chance we hold them in the bottom of the 6th.  Get a strikeout to start, then they get a double and I pretty much think its over.   Pop-up and nice catch, and then ground out to 2nd and we get out of the inning.  Extra innings!

We smack the #### out the ball and put up 6 runs, my boy get a bases clearing triple

pop-up out, single single, guys crushes the ball and LCF makes a great catch and look what I found play, and then ground out to second and force out.

Last tournament of the season and felt like championship game for us in 8 v 9 match-up.    We get to play the 1 seed tomorrow morning who has only let us 3 runs in 2 games so far.  They beat the team we just beat in single elimination 14-3 so we have our work cut out for us. 

Was gone from 10:00 until 8:30 today but had a blast!

 

[swirvenirvin]

Oh yeah playing all the good kids in the infield tomorrow no rotating except SS and 3rd where 4 kids somewhat rotate.

Oh yeha we scored 37 runs in 2 games..  BOOOOM

 

[Cowboysfan8]

I need to have the talk with my daughter about giving up pitching.   She says she loves it and still see her coach once every couple weeks and throws with me 3-4 times a week.

Its just not clicking.   She is not going to be pitching at this level a lot anyway.  She has only been pitching for almost 2 years.  I'll have to see how she develops over the winter.

For how athletic she is - this is just something that has never clicked with her.  I keep telling her we should focus all on catching but she still wants to do both.

Shes not terrible but she is not a Club B level pitcher....

I'm....let her do what makes her happy. It'll be over before you know it

 

[Angry Beavers]

Awesome update Swrive! Sounds like your team has a ton of potential for next year! Enjoy the day regardless of outcome!

 

[Gally]

On to the win or go home game in 8-9 matchup.  We start off hot get up 10-4 going into the bottom of the 4th (we were away)  

Every tournament we have ever been in gives the higher seed home.  I am surprised you were visitors when you were the 8th seed.  Seems strange to me.

 

[swirvenirvin]

Every tournament we have ever been in gives the higher seed home.  I am surprised you were visitors when you were the 8th seed.  Seems strange to me.

coinflip.. I went 0-4 this tournament on the flip.

All teams picked the hammer but the good team, which sucked cause I definitely wanted to bat first vs them to ease the nerves.

 

[Gally]

coinflip.. I went 0-4 this tournament on the flip.

All teams picked the hammer but the good team, which sucked cause I definitely wanted to bat first vs them to ease the nerves.

Strange.  All our tournaments flip coins for pool play but the elimination day goes based on seeding.  Higher seed is always home. 

I agree that at these younger ages our team usually plays better if we can jump out in the top of the first to settle the nerves.  Easier to go on the offensive early. 

 

[Don't Noonan]

Two years ago I started a new 10u club baseball team.  We really struggled the first few tournaments and I don't think we won a game until the 3rd tournament.   It is a steep learning curve for kids and coaches transitioning from rec ball.  We won the 4th tournament and finished the year under .500.  Last year, we went 19-5 and finished the season as the # 1 ranked AA team in state.  Our plan is to jump up to 12u AAA this year.  Our first practice is tonight.

 

[belljr]

Strange.  All our tournaments flip coins for pool play but the elimination day goes based on seeding.  Higher seed is always home. 

I agree that at these younger ages our team usually plays better if we can jump out in the top of the first to settle the nerves.  Easier to go on the offensive early. 

Our tournaments are all over the map but USSSA usually gives the higher seed home.

I've also played where if you beat the higher seed you "inherit" the seed. So for example if you are say the 8 vs 1 and the 8 wins you are now the 1.

Also have played coin flip for all games

 

[belljr]

Two years ago I started a new 10u club baseball team.  We really struggled the first few tournaments and I don't think we won a game until the 3rd tournament.   It is a steep learning curve for kids and coaches transitioning from rec ball.  We won the 4th tournament and finished the year under .500.  Last year, we went 19-5 and finished the season as the # 1 ranked AA team in state.  Our plan is to jump up to 12u AAA this year.  Our first practice is tonight.

Our first practice as a club team is Wednesday. Pretty excited

 

[belljr]

Hijack!!!

So we had our first tournament this weekend as a club team.   We are registered as a B team.   A is the top level.

I thought we would be a good team but not great.    This tournament said it's for all "B" level teams.

The first day we played 3 games.   We didn't make it past 3 inning any of the games.  We mercy ruled every team. 

13-0

12-0

14-1

Surely Sunday when bracket play starts the games will be better.

12-0

12-0 played 2.5 innings.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.

A team equal to us.   

We scored in the bottom of the 4th to go up 1-0.

We scored 2 more in the 5th to go up 3-0.

Top of the 6th.  I yell out the wrong base on a ground ball ( why I have no idea) girl throws it and we end up giving up 2 extra runs because of it.

We are down 4-3.

Blanked in the 6th

Bottom of the 7th - down 4-3.  1 out.

Single.  Stolen base overthrow.   Tries for 3rd.  Overthrow SCORES  TIED 4-4

Next batter grounds out - but made a great swing on a changeup.

2 outs.

6 hole - singles up the gut.

Next batter smacks a double

Next batter dribbler up the middle.

Safe at first

SHE SCORES!!!!!!!!

I felt like crap all game after my blunder!!!! So glad they pulled it out

Afterwards we heard parents complaining for us to "register for 14U"  (we are a legit 12U team, this year and next)

Shouldn't have been there etc.      We didn't know most teams were that bad

 

[Charlie Steiner]

So, your 12u team won the B bracket of a 14u tournament? You have nothing to apologize for. 

Also, hijacking your hijack; my son's college team starts Fall ball in a couple weeks. It's just 1 or 2 local games and intrasquad games, but it's something. He did well in Summer ball playing with and against local kids already in college,  including some low D1 and D2 schools, so hopefully it comes back to him quickly and he can compete to start as a freshman.

 

[belljr]

So, your 12u team won the B bracket of a 14u tournament? You have nothing to apologize for. 

Also, hijacking your hijack; my son's college team starts Fall ball in a couple weeks. It's just 1 or 2 local games and intrasquad games, but it's something. He did well in Summer ball playing with and against local kids already in college,  including some low D1 and D2 schools, so hopefully it comes back to him quickly and he can compete to start as a freshman.

No 12u tournament.   We won 12U.    They "accused" us of being a Spring 14U team playing Fall 12U since technically you can but we are not

 

[Charlie Steiner]

No 12u tournament.   We won 12U.    They "accused" us of being a Spring 14U team playing Fall 12U since technically you can but we are not

Sorry I misunderstood.  Still, it's Fall ball.

 

[belljr]

Sorry I misunderstood.  Still, it's Fall ball.

Exactly

 

[belljr]

So one more update.

We have our final tournament of the season this weekend.  The girls have come together pretty well.

We're still not as good as I feel we should be but we are  24-2 on the season

We have a couple of holes in the lineup - my daughter is not hitting the ball like she used.  But overall the kids are having fun and winning.

Most of the runs we have given up this year have been on errors.  We had some close calls but managed to pull out most games. We won 3 tournaments this year. 

This weekend will be a much tougher match as the teams are better.

We may get moved up to "A" level

Overall its been great.  We were even ranked in uSSSA as 5th in the country at one point.  We are 6th now based on power ranking but all that will change once Spring comes. And we don't care really but it's neat

And just a small update.  My daughter has turned a corner pitching   She still has a ways to go to become a real solid pitcher but she's been our #3 this year and has pitched pretty well overall.   She even had a 3 inning No Hitter

Now we just hope we don't get screwed by our town for field time in the Spring.......   (long story)

 

[Bull Dozier]

So one more update.

We have our final tournament of the season this weekend.  The girls have come together pretty well.

We're still not as good as I feel we should be but we are  24-2 on the season

We have a couple of holes in the lineup - my daughter is not hitting the ball like she used.  But overall the kids are having fun and winning.

Most of the runs we have given up this year have been on errors.  We had some close calls but managed to pull out most games. We won 3 tournaments this year. 

This weekend will be a much tougher match as the teams are better.

We may get moved up to "A" level

Overall its been great.  We were even ranked in uSSSA as 5th in the country at one point.  We are 6th now based on power ranking but all that will change once Spring comes.

And just a small update.  My daughter has turned a corner pitching   She still has a ways to go to become a real solid pitcher but she's been our #3 this year and has pitched pretty well overall.   She even had a 3 inning No Hitter

Now we just hope we don't get screwed by our town for field time in the Spring.......   (long story)

Um, you're 24-2.  Is there a reason you don't think you should be moved up?

 

[Don't Noonan]

We're still not as good as I feel we should be but we are  24-2 on the season

We may get moved up to "A" level

First off, congrats on the great season.  If you have won three tournaments and are 24-2 that is a little confusing to me.  It seems like you would have won 4 or 5 with that record.  Also, what levels are there in softball?  I coach my son in Arizona USSSA 12u AAA baseball.  We won our last tournament and at 10-2 were ranked as # 1 AAA in power ranking and very close to be moved up to Majors.  We have AA, AAA, and Majors.  Is A equivalent to Majors?