Wow. There is a alot of interesting comments here with some of the comments identifying at what level Mom or Dad's experience is with this game. I'm not knocking anything here, but as you continue forward in this game, you'll post some of what I'm saying for the next generation....
I thought this thread was to identify the best 10U NTX teams with a vote, not to bash other teams for the development program their coach has chosen for their team. What we have here is a failure to communicate/stay focused on the topic in the process of inserting vested interests into the poll. I'm glad the host of the post added other for consideration. My vote would got for the 99 Kruzers.
Development can come in all forms and be delivered differently across the board. Some of the teams in the poll chose to remain at their age level, gain confidence, fine tune their game, and achieve dominance within their age class...and that's just fine. Believe in your coaches and obtain the comfort required for your players need but what is the team's goal?
- Be the best team?
- Increase player fundamentals?
- Win tournaments?
- Qualify for Pony Nationals?
- Qualify for ASA Southern Nationals?
- Qualify for ASA "A" Nationals?
- Hand out snacks after the game?
....this list could go on forever but when you think about your DD and the team they are on, understand the goals of the team will formulate the team's development plan.
A 99 team is a 10U team, no matter if they are playing 18U in the Fall. I will put all my money on the team that plays 5 close games at an older age bracket than a 99 that has never ventured out of their comfort zone. The 99 team at the Arlington tournament didn't lose a game on Saturday, run ruled at true 97 team, and later lost back to back on Sunday. When you analyze the losses, they were a few runs difference in the score and died hard at the end. Impressive for a 10U playing some better 12U teams...back to the development plan.
Who will be better prepared to deal with adversity next year when it counts? It will be the team that has been the underdog before vice the team that has never been in the dog fight. Everyone talks about preparation but nothing can simulate the speed of the game when it's on your a**.
Advice, make sure your team is in the 2 10U tournaments the Kruzers are in and try to play up a couple to understand you will run into those types of teams on a national run. BTW, there's a tournament in Houston next spring that all the top 10U are pulling together around March 2010...go play the best to become better if your team is ready for that challenge.


























