14U HOF Qualifier - Midland

[men talljie aunt]

Mark -

Not hiding, just back in town. Had an overseas trip the week after HOF and then graduation ceremonies and moving. Like I have said before, not with Diamonds, although I am familiar with their team from friends and having played them several times in the past. Bottom line for that team is they have lost a lot of talent to the large organizations in the area and their days are probably numbered.

My team did well though, and are looking forward to playing on the main stage in OKC. We managed to secure our berth with our team and without soliciting help from others. I have said in the past how I give you a certain degree of respect for posting your name, and I still do. But you get little respect in most other areas. How many different teams have you been a part of in the last 4 years? I honestly would like to know. I know in the past year alone, you have played for the Bandits, Phantomz and Peppers. There is something to be said about hopping from team to team. We have our fair share of athletes in this area that shop from team to team, year after year. They are usually great girls with a lot of talent, but they have parents that nobody seems to get along with.

What exactly are you teaching your DD with this latest move? Do you go to both teams' practices? Or is it OK to only practice with the team that you feel is going to be the best in the end. You want your cake and eat it too. That is a personality trait common in childish, immature members of society with little to contribute to the common good of mankind.

As far as my picks go, yes, I was off base for the most part. However, I did manage to get half of the teams right in the Top 5 (your Peppers, Fusion, and Glory Poole). No one really knew the Kruzers were going to be a no-show and I guarantee everyone from DFW had them in their Top 5. So really, I missed on DBat and Diamonds. Still believe DBat is a really strong team, with good pitching and offense. Their only issue is their girls have never had success on a big stage so maybe that caught up with them. Diamonds were a total bust and would venture to guess that most people did not have them going 0-2. They were unlucky with a tough draw and in hind sight I probably gave them too much credit based on past performances. The wild cards were Glory Adkins and Elite. The Elite team is a very good team in this area. I know they had a certain level of success last year in SA that surprised some people. In my opinion they tend to run hot and cold. When they are playing well and on a roll, they can hang with just about anybody. However, the biggest surprise was Glory Adkins. I guarantee, nobody from this area had them winning this thing. This team had been in such disarray over the past year. Leading up to the tournament, they had repeated posts looking for players. The few good players they had, left for other teams. Then all of a sudden they show up with this team in Midland that nobody really knew. They went out and basically picked up a team from older girls.

[men talljie aunt]

Men talle hoe
The houston teams finshed with 3 in top 20 last year 12's?????? The Fury / Peppers played all california /arizona teams, no sucess?I give the lite and peppers props for staying committed to ASA and compitition. And yes #10 for the Furpers no hit the fusion twice before nationals. too bad they did not get to meet in illinois.

And DFW finished with 2 in the Top 5 last year. Hmmmm...3 in the Top 20 (2 13th's and a 17th) or 2 in the Top 5 (a 3rd and 5th), I guess I would pick the Top 5 over the Top 20. Yes it was too bad about not being able to play Fusion again. Maybe next time you will have to try and stay in the tournament a little longer to get that matchup.

[Joe]

That is a personality trait common in childish, immature members of society with little to contribute to the common good of mankind.

Sooo...you DID look in the mirror this morning...

[batsnballs]

Yes, Adkins showed up with some girls that are going to be Sophomores in the fall. Entirely legal, but you can see where the experience of playing High School all year could help them compete against younger girls.

[men talljie aunt]

Never said they did anything illegal, just made the correct statement that this team showed up with a whole bunch of "new players." And your comment about High School ball is valid, which is why the Kruzers would have cleaned house. The only difference was their players were still in the playoffs and Adkins' were not.

[batsnballs]

Men-was not saying you said they did anything illegal. Just stating the facts.

[Phantomz08]

Mark -

My team did well though, and are looking forward to playing on the main stage in OKC. We managed to secure our berth with our team and without soliciting help from others. I have said in the past how I give you a certain degree of respect for posting your name, and I still do. But you get little respect in most other areas. How many different teams have you been a part of in the last 4 years? I honestly would like to know. I know in the past year alone, you have played for the Bandits, Phantomz and Peppers. There is something to be said about hopping from team to team. We have our fair share of athletes in this area that shop from team to team, year after year. They are usually great girls with a lot of talent, but they have parents that nobody seems to get along with.

What exactly are you teaching your DD with this latest move? Do you go to both teams' practices? Or is it OK to only practice with the team that you feel is going to be the best in the end. You want your cake and eat it too. That is a personality trait common in childish, immature members of society with little to contribute to the common good of mankind.

Here you go sir. I will answer all that I can.
1) Last four years:
2007/Spring - 10U Pearland Power Allstars
2007/Fall - 12U Phantomz
2008/Spring - 12U Phantomz
2008/Fall - 12U Phantomz that were moving up to 1st year 14U
2009/Spring - 12U Texas Bandits (decided to keep dd down in age eligible group instead of moving up with the Phantomz to 14U)
2009/Fall - Bandits disbanded, I tried to put together a 14U Phantomz, no luck, joined Ft. Bend Thunder. After a month or two, it was clear that me or my dd did not feel as though they were the right fit for us. I let the manager know that we were on the fence about returning for the spring of 2010. He wanted to know sooner than later and I told him we would not be playing in the spring and they elected to let us go. We joined back up with the 14U Phantomz where we have been playing since and will continue to play for the remainder of the summer.
2010/Spring - Members of 14U Phantomz who decided to go the USFA route. When word got out about that, I was asked if we would be willing to play with the Peppers who are going the ASA route. After speaking with the Phantomz manager and looking at the Peppers schedule I decided that we could make it work and my dd was willing to put in the effort that it would take to play for both.

2) Team hopping - I don't feel as though we have team hopped because all of our moves have been done between fall and spring or vice versa. One exception was with the Thunder and we would have stayed until the end of fall, but were let go by them. Your comment about players being good, but the parents don't get along is not true in our situation, or at least as far as I know. There is nobody on the Phantomz or Peppers that I have encountered a problem with and for that fact the Thunder either.

3) Latest move - I hope I am giving her the maximum amount of practice and play time without burning her out. If you knew my dd, you would know that she is extremely energetic and so far is loving it.

4) Yes, we do go to both teams practices, with the Phantomz's coming first if there is a conflict.

5) No cake for me, it is all for my dd.

Your last comment is your own opinion and everybody is entitled to one of those. I am not trying to contribute anything to mankind, just trying to give my dd her cake and have her eat it too.

I am sure there will be some haters out there that will try to contradict some of what I have said. I am only trying to explain it to you.

Mark

[Underdog]

Your turn Aunt algae . How do mature members of society who elevate the good of mankind decide where their kids play ? I want to see the difference.

[heading_home]

It's obvious Mental is all wrong about the entire situation. Maybe a bit of jealousy on his part. Or maybe he's upset cause Mark's dd's team beat his/her dd's team there in Midland.

[outofnowhere]

Mental is with the Fusion. How did the Fusion do against the Peppers Mental?

Was 08's response acceptable to you. I still think 08 is a dick, just like frito is.