CraigS

This is a brand new team, it is not the 10U of last year moving up! All decisions will be made by non-parent coaches! We will have tryouts Sunday August 1, 2:00pm at College Street Complex 3 Sunday August 8, 2:00pm at College Street Complex 3 Sunday August 15 2:00pm at West Brook HS (if necessary) during the GTS Gold tryouts Looking for '99 and '00, we will not be taking any '98's The player development will be conducted by me (Craig Soignet) and current GTS Gold players! Other parents (ex-coaches) from the GTS Gold have committed to helping develop this group as well! The current GTS Gold coaches (R. Armentrout & Jessica Lemoine) will also assist in catching lesson, pitching lessons, and hitting. We will have a single goal of qualifiying for ASA Nationals. State, Regionals, HOF Qualifiers, HOF Championship! We will play in the lower age division of the Ronald McDonald and friendlies amoung top teams in this age division! We will play other qualifiers in and around our quest for ASA! questions? you can pm me or call 409-284-6809

[quote name="white/tiger" post="821612" timestamp="1280365491"] I normally never grace my presence here because obvious reasons, but today something posted by Tiger9 was brought to my attention. Oh....Tiger9, I think you know very well at what level my little Tiger plays SB at, select and high school. She also played in showcase tournaments this summer, 2nd place in Colorado, and I'm sure You have looked at her stats! She also enjoys very much playing volleyball for the Silsbee Lady Tigers. So before you let Stupidity spew out the front of your face or fingertips, you might want to remember who you talking about! You haven't stopped whinning from All District and I can assure you degrading my daughter on here is not the best choice for you. [/quote] And I did that when? Your daughter played JV volleyball, which did not apply to the situation in which I am refering, your kid didnt even go to school here during these episodes! Second....whinning about All District.....really? please tell me when YOU heard me make a "single" comment....ah, of course....you heard it from yada yada yada!

The discussion is about the conflict of select sports with school sports, and you feel compelled to take cheap shots at coaching staff?    How about we all go down and "observe" you doing your job, shout insults at you, and then post on a public forum how WE think YOU should do it? [/quote] IQ=??? You cant even figure out who youre insulting, nothing but cheap spit spews from your mouth! I did not take a cheap shot....in fact it had nothing to do with the ability to coach!  If you care to do a fact check with me then lets do it! You call ME out, did you find anything I said to be false....would you like police reports and news paper clippings to show the records of the players in question.....would you like to have a Q&A with my daughter and the VB coaches in question....nothing to hide baby....bring it on! In fact I have commplimented the SB coach and the track coach on several occaisons! Exactly who is "my kind" and "you all" exactly....those that stand behind the backstop and support our coach 100%, show up to do field duty when it rains (because the school wont do it) so the girls can play, help build batting cages (because the school wont do it) help our kids (and any other kid) excel (when the football team isnt practicing on the SOFTBALL field) show up for fundraiser......so sure show up....we could use some help....and after all of that, if you find something to critize please lets discuss it! by the way.....Craig Soignet here......I will never hide behind a screen name......or say anything on here I would say not in public, or in front of anyone...come on out and play! And my comments have everything to do with select and HS sports.....the rules are different for girls (since it was a dad of a girl athlete that posted this) and the boys........that has alot to do with the rules they try to enforce to one side and not the other. Nevermind Mr. Franks........I better understand your closed minded one sided coaches support

Can't be talking to me...since I didn't attend one basketball game last year. 

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="821513" timestamp="1280345403"] [quote author=Tigers9 link=topic=71234.msg821488#msg821488 date=1280342083] [quote author=AggiesAreWe link=topic=71234.msg821474#msg821474 date=1280339703] I know that one of those "softball" girls that is playing volleyball at Silsbee is playing select softball at a high level. She was accomendated for her missing some time and she was allowed to get her practice pitching in during volleyball season, I know this as fact. There is no "all or nothing" rule pertaining to Silsbee volleyball. Players and coaches are and have been working things out. It is not what you are trying to make it out to be or how you are spinning it for folks here on the site. Years ago when Silsbee had another volleyball coach, that may have been the case, but it is not that way now. You might want to do some checking. [/quote] Apparently you arent up to the "facts" Mike........AND, I dont need a spin! I dealt with the current coach and assistant coach badgering my kid about playing VB just last year. I did all I could to convince her to play.......she was not willing to take the consequnces for missing, so she decided to just not play. Now if you are saying they have "changed" their policy since then.........GREAT! Still doesnt mean Ive exaggerated or added a spin! But then again when you coach the first team to NOT make the playoffs in 20 years.......maybe you should "change" something! "at a high level" well, we will just have to agree to disagree on the definition of that! I did notice you didnt even touch the other examples I stated.........cant wait to see if certain football players who were arrested for breaking into a school building OR for being arrested for drugs.....show up and participate in 2 a days! [/quote] There was no need to speak about those "other" examples. The point I was making was in regards to the volleyball/softball issue. I spoke to the volleyball coaches and they told me how it is. BTW, your other examples said nothing about football players breaking into schools and getting arrested for drugs. ;) (I know you have a personal vendetta with the football team and it's coaches, I'm cool with that) Carry on. [/quote] You may have spoke with them and it may be their new policy, however, I was speaking specifically of my kid and the situation we were in......that was the rule.....dont care about now. After that display of unprofessional actions, she would NOT play for them anyway, regardless of their "new" rules! You accused me of "spinning it" to the public.....NO, I didnt! I spoke the FACTS of OUR situation! Like I said, if you are the first staff to not make the playoffs in 20 years....id try something new also! On the other: it shouldnt have anything to do with a "personal" vendetta! The people of Silsbee should be informed of the lack of discipline from our athletic dept. and have a problem with their action (or lack of) as well! Kids playing football who serve jail time without ANY punishment from the football team. And dont get into the they havent been convicted...etc.etc. Did you or your friends find yourselves in situations to even worry about that....and if you had....do you think it would have been handled like it is here?......So NO, its NOT a presonal vendetta.....it a community PROBLEM! edited: Im sure I know your source, Id be carefull fighting battles or even questioning someone on their merit without talking to the other person....it will only bring you down, and make you look foolish! You do a great job here on SETXSports.....I would hate to see you lose credibility due to them!

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="821474" timestamp="1280339703"] I know that one of those "softball" girls that is playing volleyball at Silsbee is playing select softball at a high level. She was accomendated for her missing some time and she was allowed to get her practice pitching in during volleyball season, I know this as fact. There is no "all or nothing" rule pertaining to Silsbee volleyball. Players and coaches are and have been working things out. It is not what you are trying to make it out to be or how you are spinning it for folks here on the site. Years ago when Silsbee had another volleyball coach, that may have been the case, but it is not that way now. You might want to do some checking. [/quote] Apparently you arent up to the "facts" Mike........AND, I dont need a spin! I dealt with the current coach and assistant coach badgering my kid about playing VB just last year. I did all I could to convince her to play.......she was not willing to take the consequnces for missing, so she decided to just not play. Now if you are saying they have "changed" their policy since then.........GREAT! Still doesnt mean Ive exaggerated or added a spin! But then again when you coach the first team to NOT make the playoffs in 20 years.......maybe you should "change" something! "at a high level" well, we will just have to agree to disagree on the definition of that! I did notice you didnt even touch the other examples I stated.........cant wait to see if certain football players who were arrested for breaking into a school building OR for being arrested for drugs.....show up and participate in 2 a days!

[quote name="bleed orange" post="821432" timestamp="1280331083"] [color=red]You are correct Bleed, H-J BB does require CC, thats another reason they lost BB players that are focused on SB.....the all or none method of thinking will only cause the HS sports teams to lose players.....and who does that benefit....neither![/color] Maybe they were not BB players to begin with. Here is the deal with CC. At a small school they do not have enough coaches to assign a coach to be with the kids who are in athletics but or not playing the sport in season. What are these kids suppose to do during their atheltic period? Sit around and do nothing for an hour. At least in CC they are being active and staying in shape. Plus CC is the only other sport going on at that time. Kids that quit a sport were going to quit anyway because their heart was just not in a particular sport. If softball is your sport then fine play softball. Coaches are not losing kids because of certain policies. Kids are dropping out on their own. [/quote] Well here is the problem Bleed. These girls are admitting to being "SOFTBALL" players, that happen to also play other sports. Other sports that the AD is keeping them from playing due to the "all or none" rule. I dont not agree that they would "quit" anyway........these kids are NOT quiting (they are being told they cant play).......they are making a decision to play SOFTBALL, which will conflict with another SECONDARY sport. These kids love playing other sports and representing their school........just not at the expense of the game that they LOVE....not just "like a lot"! They are not "dropping out" .....ask them, they will tell you that they want to play, ask why arent they playing..........BECAUSE THE AD WONT LET THEM!

[quote name="AggiesAreWe" post="821424" timestamp="1280329028"] [quote author=Tigers9 link=topic=71234.msg821387#msg821387 date=1280322722] [quote author=Chill. link=topic=71234.msg821342#msg821342 date=1280291136] Bleed, what the heck are you wasting your time with that for....some people just don't get it....I bet this has kept you off of FB... ;) Lets all NOT forget, that this is happening in all sports, not just football and not just volleyball....YG from what I have heard you going to have the same problem if your kids play basketball.....I heard through the grapevine that basketball coaches don't allow their players to play on select teams during their season either, even if it doesn't interfer with games, or tournaments or practices....And if your players want to run track during softball, theres a problem there too....So, with that being said, looks like you might have a bigger fight than you thought.... [/quote] Oh we get it.....we get that our kids #1 priority is SOFTBALL and they are willing to sacrifice many other things to achieve that goal, and when the HS coaches "get it" as you put it......maybe they will start getting more of the better athletes to play multiple sports and help their programs be more successful! Again, it doesnt have to be like that. My DD doesnt play VB because of stupid "all or none" rules. However, she does do track AT THE SAME TIME AS SOFTBALL....why? because the softball coach and track coach work together. It was made clear that softball is her priorty, the track coaches work around that. She went to regionals as a freshman in the high jump and triple jump......she also placed in the district meet in long jump. You are correct Bleed, H-J BB does require CC, thats another reason they lost BB players that are focused on SB.....the all or none method of thinking will only cause the HS sports teams to lose players.....and who does that benefit....neither! [/quote] Just what do you mean by this "all or none" rules? There are softball players that are playing volleyball at Silsbee. [/quote] Yes, in the do you play softball sense, what level of "softball" do they play?  My DD doesnt" just" play softball, she plays 5 showcase tournaments this fall. Those coaches spent the majority of my DD 8th grade year tracking her down to play VB.......however would not back off "punishment" if she were to miss any part due to her softball........hence leading to the I'm not playing at all stage she is in now! All along I'm trying to talk her into playing VB......they are digging their own grave by blaming "me" for tellin her not to (which is wrong) telling her she wouldnt even get a SB scholarship due to burnout.....etc.etc..etc She was also kicked off the cheerleading squad (JV) last year for missing an event....not for missing a game in which they cheered.....for missing the pregame run through of a varsity game (yes all of what 15 min) because she had to be in Plano for a showcase.....

[quote name="Chill." post="821342" timestamp="1280291136"] Bleed, what the heck are you wasting your time with that for....some people just don't get it....I bet this has kept you off of FB... ;) Lets all NOT forget, that this is happening in all sports, not just football and not just volleyball....YG from what I have heard you going to have the same problem if your kids play basketball.....I heard through the grapevine that basketball coaches don't allow their players to play on select teams during their season either, even if it doesn't interfer with games, or tournaments or practices....And if your players want to run track during softball, theres a problem there too....So, with that being said, looks like you might have a bigger fight than you thought.... [/quote] Oh we get it.....we get that our kids #1 priority is SOFTBALL and they are willing to sacrifice many other things to achieve that goal, and when the HS coaches "get it" as you put it......maybe they will start getting more of the better athletes to play multiple sports and help their programs be more successful! Again, it doesnt have to be like that. My DD doesnt play VB because of stupid "all or none" rules. However, she does do track AT THE SAME TIME AS SOFTBALL....why? because the softball coach and track coach work together. It was made clear that softball is her priorty, the track coaches work around that. She went to regionals as a freshman in the high jump and triple jump......she also placed in the district meet in long jump. You are correct Bleed, H-J BB does require CC, thats another reason they lost BB players that are focused on SB.....the all or none method of thinking will only cause the HS sports teams to lose players.....and who does that benefit....neither!

[color=red]Comment 1:[/color] That will be awesome if she attains her goal. Yes, it does help out the family budget. I know because daddy has not paid for my daughters college so far, basketball has. The select system made my daughter better did you not read my post. Maybe you should take your DD out of High school softball because apparently it is all about the select team instead of the Silsbee Tigers. [color=red]Never said that, in fact if you have read all of my comments, I commended our coach as understanding what important to each kid. He has worked around club VB players and allows his SB players to practice and play during the season.[/color] [color=red]Comment 2: [/color] Nothing wrong with her taking care of her own future. I think that is awesome. She sounds like a great young lady. Takes the pressure off of you right. [color=red]Was not talking about my daughter here, it was in ref to your comment about parents buying to many toys, when otherwise could have paid for college[/color] [color=red]Comment 3:[/color] I agree they do take pride in earning a scholarship and should but this whole subject is really not about the kids. [color=red]Its ALL about the kids, thats why "most" are aggitated about the AD's decision to apply the death penalty[/color] [color=red]Comment 4:[/color] Are they going to tell their boss to stick it when they get a job in the real world? Good luck with that. [color=red]IF the boss is enforcing rules that are harmful to the growth of the company, creating a situation that would hender the growth of their career, I would hope so.[/color] [color=red]Comment 5:[/color] In Bidge City they have problems. A lot of talent but never goes past the first or second round. Lot of choas over there and why? Can you say "Select Ball". Maybe it has not happened in Silsbee. BC select teams have been around a lot longer. Give it time. To many coaches in the stands. [color=red]I can speak for us as fans and probably for our coach, we all know our place and or part. We let him do his job during HS season, he lets us develope during select.....heck he even comes out to watch his players when they are playing locally....[/color] [color=red]Comment 6:[/color] No closet here only the truth. Your "god"  he is everyones "god". [color=red]No, not necessarily.....other believe in "A" God, but it isnt necessarily the same one a I do[/color] Have no problem with select ball as long as it does not interfer with school activities. As far as me having problems with my daughter and select ball, I had none like I told you "She got better" I loved it. She played with girls that were older and made her better. The kids were awesome also. I hope you daughter is experiencing the samething and she stay focused. Some don't they get burned out. Mine stayed focused and her college is not being paid for by "Daddy" as you put it. Good Luck. I support the AD 100%. [color=red]HS is a very fun time, no doubt about it. You represent your school (home town) play with friends, earn letter jackets, patches, playoffs, dances....etc.etc.etc a very important time in a young persons life.... I AGREE! What I cant agree with is an adult taking that away from a kid who is not a loser, they have done everything RIGHT. [/color] [color=red]Silsbee AD supported a girls BB coach to sit a girl out for missing the practice the day before a game (team rule) then turns around and forces the boys BB coach to change a hair policy to allow a "football" player to be able to play stating "we cant allow a single coach the make rules that arent consistant with the athletic departments rules.....now all of the happened AFTER the "girl" had already served her punishment....by the way that rules wasnt consistant with the athletic depart either[/color] [color=red]Yet another, "football" player get DAEP.....skips school, to avoid DAEP.....Truancy officer sends him to judge, judges gives prob. and comm service,,,,kid doesnt do it.......he spends 3 days in jail...( all this happens at the end of year) Start next season.....(2 a days) guess who shows up....plays without consequence from AD[/color] [color=red]Do I need to continue.........because I have plenty more[/color] [color=red]Not all HS coaches are bad coaches or people........Our SB coach is a GREAT friend of mine, we dont always agree, but we do respect each others opinions and agree to disagree when necessary[/color]

[color=red]Comment 1:[/color] I do not put select ball in the same category with High School softball.  It sounds like you are putting a lot of stock in the select system or should I say counting on the system paying for her college. Hope it works out for you. It did for me but no select team helped out. [color=red]No not counting on it, it is my kids goal to play college softball, she is close with many schools interested she going to be a Soph. The scholarship part is the "trophy" so to speak, something that SHE will have earned, not something that DADDY paid for, it will be HERS![/color] [color=red]Comment 2:[/color] I agree, for some it is the only way out and for those I hope they attain it. But in some cases the parent can afford it just did not prepare for it. Too many toys. [color=red]True, so whats wrong with the kids taking care of her own future?[/color] [color=red]Comment 3:[/color] I agree, it paid for my daughter. But again some parents put to much stock in it. I figure if they can pay for select ball they can pay for college. [color=red]And "most" can or could I guess, but then again, these girls take pride in EARNING a scholarship, not just getting it paid for.[/color] [color=red]Comment 4:[/color] Life is about choices, once you make it live with it. They are incoming freshmen. Hopefully this is a life lesson they will learn from. Make them stronger. [color=red]Im sure it will be, not matter the agenda of a HS AD, stick to your priorities, do not let ANYONE discourage you, especially some overpaid PE teacher that has nothing to do with securing their future![/color] [color=red]Comment 5:[/color] Most select teams have kids from different schools on their team. So it is the best of the best. High school coaches don't have that luxury. You pretty much have a problem with the kids that are less gifted. Feel sorry for you. Recreational kids that a good one. Maybe some kids who know they are not as gifted just want to part of a team. Don't have that in Select ball right!!! Every kid is good in select ball. [color=red]There will always be some better than others, no matter the level (even pro) whats that have to do with anything that I said? Select Kids make or break a HS team......Look at BC softball, they DOMINATED district 21-3A for years, now some other schools have caught up to them in the select numbers, teams are more balanced now![/color] [color=red]Comment 6:[/color] Not talking about values in high school sports, Look how the proffesional athletes act. Better yet go to snake island on Rayburn during the holiday's or the Zoo on crystal beach you will see that this generation has lost some values. I do not not catergorize those kid with every kid Things have changed. Say what you want but back in the 70's we did not get naked in broad day light, we at least waited till it got dark.  Where no one could see us. LOL!!!!!! [color=red]So that makes it better? Id rather you shoot me while I look at you, rather than in the back! either way youre a murderer, just because you dont have witnesses doesnt make you have more character, or at least not to me!  As my God says, if you think it, youve sinned! no more no less than those who actually say it, a closet sinner or a broad daylight sinner, makes no difference![/color] You seem to not have much faith in the select system, and thats fine, it didnt work for you (or you DD) but it has been very successful for our select group. 100% of our girls have signed or committed to play college softball. I cant think of any softball players that have gone on to play college softball because of ONLY HS.....I can tell you of several that played college softball that didnt even play HS softball........just saying!

[color=red]A couple of things.  First of all about this "bad" man that is putting down this edict.  Brian Huckabay knows all about the riggers of summer ball as his son, recently graduated, played a bit of summer ball so it is not as as if he is [u]unsympathetic [/u] about these young lady's plights.  [/color] Just unrealistic [color=red]Second, I think that no one can lecture him on issue of sacrifice.  This is a man who left his coaching job so that his wife could take an administrators job in another district[/color] Some sacrifice! so his family could provide better for themselves, being administrators make about twice that of a regular teacher, now they have not one but 2 administrator salaries.....some sacrifice. Maybe had he stayed where he was becaused he loved the kids, and his job.....oh wait...my bad...how DUMB would that be, he did what was best for him and his family. But wants to PUNISH these kids for doing whats best for them! [color=red]But finally and most of all, he is an administrator that has to oversee the performance of ALL sports.  He is trying to protect the volleyball coach and her time to practice and prepare her team for the season.  [/color] really? by making a rule that eliminates some of the best athletes the school has to offer, and weakening a team in the process.......what performace does expect to achieve? Not to mention, if I heard correctly, the VB coach doesnt have a problem with them missing or at least not to the point to keep them from playing ALL season! So who is he protecting....or what? His ego! [color=red]Unlike football (and for those that believe that if a guy was missing a football two a day that he'd be allowed to slide, i can ASSURE you that football coaches would have QUITE the opposite reaction), [/color] I can show you the arrest records and the oversite by "football" coaching staffs and AD's to PROVE otherwise.......at ALL levels....Jr High, HS, College, and Pro! Dont EVEN go there!

[quote name="bleed orange" post="821225" timestamp="1280273376"] [quote author=rschuldt link=topic=71234.msg821223#msg821223 date=1280272536] We 70s and 80s are over with and gone. [b]Forget about them[/b] because they are [b]never[/b] going to come back (at least not the 1970s and 1980s). [/quote] It is sad that era is over because it was a lot simplier back then. My daughter played AAU basketball. High School basketball came first. AAU Second. Did not care about college scouts only her getting better and she did. The rest is history. I think select ball is a good thing but not at the expense of the high school programs. Your high school years are the best and should be remembered forever. You guys still did not answer my question. [color=red]Do you think it is OK for a select coach to try to convince a kid to just play one sport?[/color] [/quote] No I do not. However, I do not know of any "select softball" coaches that do this. There is a reason for these last few threads......the only coaches that do this is the HS coaches, and they do it to each other within the same school...........like I said before, H-J softball had to forfiet an early season tournament due to several SB players being on the BB team and not being allowed to play until BB was over. Note: the BB team was not practicing or playing that weekend......so they just sat at home and did NOTHING along with the rest of the SB team, becasue they couldnt play without those players.

[color=red]I like this post also, multiple high school sports are a must at a 3A school. I do not put select teams in that category. [/color] You do not put select teams in what category? a must? They are if you want even a "Chance" of playing college in that sport! [color=red]These coaches job status are based on results. It is their lively hood. [/color] These girls future status is based on results. It is THEIR lively hood! Its their love. In some cases its their only way out (or into college) which will be there for them the rest of their lives. [color=red]Softball is not the income of some of these select ball coaches. [/color] I dont care if you are a millionaire, if softball or any other sport can pay for college Id think most would welcome the savings....hence it does pay...or at least payoff in savings, not to mention, it may be the ONLY way some of these girls will even be able to go to college! [color=red]What happens when your star player on the volleyball court gets hurts during a softball game? Would'nt you say that hurt's the "TEAM". [/color] What happens when an AD uses his power irresponsibly and keeps a softball player from playing VB for the year? Wouldnt you say that hurts the "TEAM". [color=red]High school sports is the only form of "Pure Sport" left on this earth and it is slowly slipping away. [/color] What a joke, HS sports are the most over rated at any level. Most of the time (if you even have a coach that has a clue) has to spend most of their time getting the recreational players ready to compete, and allow the "select" players to just do their thing. What are you calling "pure sport" glorified rec league? [color=red]Someone said this is 2010 well 2010 pretty much sucks. blah, blah blah. The 70's and 80's was better. At least in the 70's and 80's the value's were still there[/color] So are they now, and to say anything else implies that because a kid chooses to be the best they can be and have one sport be a priority over another for the purpose of playing at the highest level they can that they are what? a kid without values........id say they have HIGHER values, knowing what they sacrifice to achieve what they do!

[quote name="bleed orange" post="821145" timestamp="1280265657"] [quote author=Mc link=topic=71234.msg821130#msg821130 date=1280263381] I'll play the devil's advocate here. Suppose the AD is attempting to protect the coaches at his schools. If retainment of coaching staffs are based on performance then why not give the coaches a tool to help them strengthen their programs? That tool could blowup in their face, but a tool nonetheless. I think that most select teams work around fall HS sports to some extent. Players might lose some softball game playing time or even have someone overtake their position due to their absence, but, as a player, they should know those consequences going into to it and accept the outcome. The same should be true if the roles were reversed. [/quote] Good post. Here is another one for you. Once he lets one then he will have to let everyone and a snowball effect begins. May start out as a few then next thing you know it is 20 (10 boys and 10 girls). At a small school your kids who play select ball are usually your better athletes. We had two of our best athlete last year specialize in one sport and it was not football. This year we have 3 maybe more. It is right for these select coach to try to convince these kids into playing one sport? And you guys know they do. Also what about these parents who schedule vacation the first week of August because they either forgot or did not know for some reason there was practice that week. Yes, it does happen. I understand these are all isolated incidents but they do happen. When is enough, Enough? I thought an AD was suppose to look after all sports not just Softball. 20 is a little overkill but if you give people an inch they will take a mile. [/quote] You miss the point...the point IS....ONLY high coaches pose consequences toward select sports or club sports......you will NEVER see a select or club coach punish a kid for playing HS sports! Truth be told, any HS sport that is competitive is so because of the number of select/club players they have...PERIOD! Then they want to punish them for it! go figure! The main reason its a problem (for Texas) is that we start school so early. Most states do not start school until after Labor Day, therefore its not an issue! and you can fool yourselves if you want...but if this were a discussion about boys (particularly football)  the "rules" would be different....that is a FACT!

[quote name="Homer" post="816959" timestamp="1278680181"] Whoa, my bad, didnt know it was going to be such a touchy subject.  Just having a little fun and messing with ya a little bit.  So that makes me ignorant ??? ???Guess i will stick to giving cheater a hard time every once in a while. [/quote] Ignorant only means uninformed, so yes, if you are uninformed of a topic, you would be ignorant of it. Not to be confused with being stupid, or an idiot, etc. I did not say that. and YES, it is a very touchy subject, due to the TRASHING we took as an organization for merely announcing the begining of a new Gold team.....it was rediculously brutal.....however, I really dont care either when a tryout takes place......it was more of a poke back at OC for allowing the very thing we we lambasted for. and yes, Cheater would be a MUCH easier target, its like fighting a one legged, one arm man, easy, but you wouldnt get much credit for it. But it's not his fault he is a product of his environment! ;D

[quote name="Homer" post="816949" timestamp="1278656880"] [quote author=Tigers9 link=topic=70684.msg816361#msg816361 date=1278421152] [quote author=lancelot link=topic=70684.msg814357#msg814357 date=1277345246] New Orange Crush 12u team forming.  [u][b]Tryouts will be held on July 17th and 18th from 2-4pm [/b] [/u] at the Orange Crush fields.  Looking for talented players with a birthday in '99.  Contact Jerry Metts at 409-499-3169 [/quote] BEFORE nationals :-\ [/quote] I think to sum this all up, when you get ready to have your tryouts for the fall, just ck with Tigers9 first to be sure it is the proper time to do so. [/quote] either ignorant, or a short selective memory, not sure which it is. Hoever, maybe it's more a matter of living by the same rules that Orange Crush has set. WE (GT Shockers) got hammered for just mentioning a new team (before Nationals), our tryout date was after Nationals.....maybe you should know a little more about what you are talking about before you call me out........I hate people who spew smart a$$ things without knowledge to back it! ::) but then again.....whats new? ROFLMAO......AT you! edited for the unimformed: by Craig Soignet PS..if anyone wants to rehatch the events im referiing to, please let me know. I'll be more than glad to catch you up. Besides, who might the unimformed OC trooper that chooses to call me out in a public forum, WITHOUT knowledge? Please dont be shy, let us all know who you are oh ignorant one!

[quote name="badndn" post="816639" timestamp="1278537324"] [quote author=Tigers9 link=topic=70684.msg816631#msg816631 date=1278535699] [quote author=badndn link=topic=70684.msg816546#msg816546 date=1278510881] If the other two local 10U teams are going to be in PCB for the WS that weekend, then none of their players will be trying out for this team. So it's a dead issue. I agree it is splitting hairs, but in the softball world PCB is not considered Nationals. Until you play against the California teams you haven't played in a National Championship. USFA is more of a Southeastern thing. [/quote] It could actually be THE issue. What if some of them would like to? "In softball world" Not sure what that means I guess. There are players in this area that would probably disagree being you just took a "National Championship" away from them. We played and beat California teams in the Colorado Fireworks 2 years in a row, in fact, we have never lost to a California team.......what does that mean? NOTHING except we played in a tournament in CO and won some games. BUT it wasnt a National Tournament........... [/quote] Would you agree that to be the best you should have to beat the best? [/quote] Yes, we can agree on that. but that wasnt the point you were making.......it would have been better said, no team from the GT is going to ASA Nationals. Thats why Houston tourn, ASA qualifiers, and OK, and CO tournaments are the best place to play in our region.........not Bmt and West Lake.......but that is a whole DIFFERENT subject.

[quote name="badndn" post="816546" timestamp="1278510881"] If the other two local 10U teams are going to be in PCB for the WS that weekend, then none of their players will be trying out for this team. So it's a dead issue. I agree it is splitting hairs, but in the softball world PCB is not considered Nationals. Until you play against the California teams you haven't played in a National Championship. USFA is more of a Southeastern thing. [/quote] It could actually be THE issue. What if some of them would like to? "In softball world" Not sure what that means I guess. There are players in this area that would probably disagree being you just took a "National Championship" away from them. We played and beat California teams in the Colorado Fireworks 2 years in a row, in fact, we have never lost to a California team.......what does that mean? NOTHING except we played in a tournament in CO and won some games. BUT it wasnt a National Tournament...........

[quote name="legend" post="816481" timestamp="1278462453"] USFA requires teams to play in a state qualifier or NIT and attend the state tournament to qualify for the national tournament in Florida. Teams may also qualify for the national tournament by winning a NIT, if a team wins one it does not have to play the state. IFA offers bids to their nationals based on the number of teams in their qualifiers. Teams can also qualify with participation points (9 are required) by simply playing in enough IFA tournaments to achieve the 9 points. There is no requirment to place in a state or regional tournament. ASA is the only organization that has a strict qualifing procedure via state or regional tournaments. I believe this creates a niche for USFA and IFA because the ASA national tournaments are so hard to qualify for. Don't take me to task, Tigers9, about the level of play. I fully understand that, but it doesn't diminish the fact that these other organizations have a lot of participation. Tryouts!!!  This issue comes up every year. I think it is a ASA thing, but I have to wonder how much it is enforced.  Eteamz is flooded with tryouts that are going on now. Also I see teams that are going to a national tournament that are advertising for players. Some of these teams are Gold teams, including one of the Houston Power teams that is looking for 2 pitchers. So what is a tryout?  Will these teams take these players across the country without taking a look at them?  Is that a tryout?  Need some clarification on this rule. [/quote] The tryout date thing is NOT a writen rule (except ASA Houston Metro) it is an ethic thing, to try to keep fairness to all teams in holding tryouts. up to 3 Pick-up players are allowed in ASA only after the following criteria have been met. 1- Both team are registered and participated in at least one ASA Quailifier 2- The team in which players are being taken from either   a) have officially stopped their efforts for a bid to Nationals (in this case a team can pick their players up at this time)   b) have completed all ASA qualifiers and did not qualify ( a team can pick their players up for nationals only) The players being picked up do not have to get released from their team, once their team fails to participate in the next round of qualifier, or completes all attempts, the players are automatically released from the ASA roster, making them eligible to become pick-up players. However, the team that is picking up players and the player being pick-up must be from the same system, State or Metro. On another note, if an affiliation has a week long championship, it is considered to be "Nationals" regardless of what they actually call it, to argue anything else would be splitting hairs. The point remains the same.......teams should wait til after "nationals" OR "World Series" OR whatever they are called to host tryouts.....however, the worst thing that can happen to a team if they choose not to honor this is.....you jump the gun to get a head start to "get the best players"....and then take in on the chin from a team that get the left overs!!!

[quote name="Raider9900" post="816438" timestamp="1278437849"] Tiger - nice points and I don't take issue with them.  I'd love to see this area keep sending some of the younger teams to Houston and do well (8U - which we need and don't have in this area, and 10U).  And Houston's 8U's and 10U's are very competitive - it's a different world compared to what a lot of our girls at the younger ages are use to.  We'll need all the talent we can get to compete at those ages (including strong young pitchers for 10U - If anyone knows of one, I need her for August).  So it was just a consideration. I moved from Houston and know that at those younger age groups it's less common in Select to see kids play up, and I think that does lend to the competitiveness of Houston (I don't know what they are feeding some of those 10 year olds, but they are huge).  Not a cookie cutter and I agree with you that there are some that are ready for the move up, it's just less common from what I've seen in Houston with the younger age groups.  A year makes a big difference in size and coordination at the younger ages (7-10).  If it were me with a 2000, I'd have to consider both options knowing there's not a lack of competitiveness and growth in 10U (we are going against Houston pitchers routinely throwing 50-56 fastballs at 35 feet with a mess of different pitches - just an example of how challenging (and fun) that age group is). Irregardless, let's just get the younger GT girls on a field playing... [/quote] Working on it! We played EVERY tournament in Houston, Oklahoma, to Colorado from 10U thru 14U we had a very high turnover due to work ethic, expectations, and cost. local (or even houston) "trophy" tournaments cost around $125.00 plus umpires.....the larger "national" type tournaments (Colorado, Hall of Fame, ASA State, ASA Regionals, etc) cost anywhere from $250 to $650, plus the extra travel. Practice 3 days a week (min) plust EVERY Sat (from 9am - 6pm) and Sun (2pm to 6pm) that we were not playing. Results: Every player made varsity at their respective schools as Freshmen, every player made all district as Freshmen, and NOW we have our first committed player as a Soph to DI McNeese..........why? Because these girls (AND PARENTS) were willing to put in the time an money to compete at the highest level posible....no exceptions. We will try it again soon with another young group...........more to come!

[quote name="tpriddy" post="816398" timestamp="1278428719"] There will be at least two teams in Panama City Beach playing in the USFA World Series that are mostly 99 birthdays at that time. [/quote] really....2.....zero.....hum....wonder which it is? ::)

[quote name="badndn" post="816368" timestamp="1278422864"] [quote author=Tigers9 link=topic=70684.msg816361#msg816361 date=1278421152] [quote author=lancelot link=topic=70684.msg814357#msg814357 date=1277345246] New Orange Crush 12u team forming.  [u][b]Tryouts will be held on July 17th and 18th from 2-4pm [/b] [/u] at the Orange Crush fields.  Looking for talented players with a birthday in '99.  Contact Jerry Metts at 409-499-3169 [/quote] BEFORE nationals :-\ [/quote] How many local 10U's are going to nationals? Zero! [/quote] Ahhhhh.....might want to "fact" check that! Besides, that's not really THE point!

[quote name="lancelot" post="814357" timestamp="1277345246"] New Orange Crush 12u team forming.  [u][b]Tryouts will be held on July 17th and 18th from 2-4pm [/b] [/u] at the Orange Crush fields.  Looking for talented players with a birthday in '99.  Contact Jerry Metts at 409-499-3169 [/quote] BEFORE nationals :-\

Not sure I agree with staying "in your age group" in a cookie cutter decision. My kid has always played up (from 8U) she now plays (starts) Gold as a player still eligible to play 14U! She does struggle at times.....but staying down IS NOT THE ANSWER! Let me spell this out! Unfortunately or Fortunately times have changed. If you want to play a college sport you MUST specialize (for the most part) AAU - Club - Select, etc! Top DI schools (SEC, Big 12, Big 10, Pac 10, etc) are verbally committing players as early as their Freshman year. It doesnt matter whether we think that is too young.....its happening! What this means to our kids: A) a decision to put the time, money and effort into softball starts around 11 years old! B) Letters of interest should be sent as early as 7th grade (8th for sure) 12 - 13 years old - AND go to camps! C) Playing and competing on a VERY solid 16U or Gold team that has RECRUITING as TOP priority, by fresh year (14-15 years old) D) Prepare to be asked for committment by Sophmore year (15-16 years old) Now all of this is stretched out somewhat of the smaller DI, DII, DIII, NAIA, and JUCO! We are signing players as late as their senior years, however, It becomes very difficult to impossible to find 4 year schools this late! Its like anything else, be prepared to get out of something, what you put into it! BLOOD, SWEAT, and TEARS! If youre of the opinion "its JUST a game" then unless God has truely blessed you with a TON of talent, dont expect to play at the next level, or at least not at the top of that level! I will have more details on this team within a week or so! This team will play out of the Golden Triangle, however, it wont consist of ONLY players from here!