The 4 day USSSA Spring Championship Super NIT 13U Majors tournament was among the most exciting yet! The AZ T-Rex Baseball Club, a class act, took it all. Yea for Arizona! Ian's team, the East Valley Heat, played well and overachieved. The Heat went 2 and 2, placing 8th overall and were the highest ranked 13AAA team. They faced the best from all over the western USA and held their own in a rough and tumble, wild west shootout.
Club baseball is crazy rough and tumble. Some teams are brutal in how they cream the best prospects, quickly dumping players who don't perform. Some are franchises that run like slick machines. Most cost a lot of money. Some take their wins through brute strength, out slugging mere mortals and not caring too much about their lackluster defense. Some are all about defense. Most of the coaches are intense, capable, and good sports. Some are absolutely, positively the worst examples of manhood with their cheating, bullying, and disrespectful ways. It really is frustrating how often the bad guys win.
My kid is fortunate. He plays on a small team with good players who are good kids from good families, too. None are phenoms, but together they make each other better. The key is the coaching and management staff, in particular, the head coaching of Ray. He respects himself, the players, and the game. He expects a lot out of his players, and they give it to him. He sticks by his players and keeps perspective, wanting what is best for them in the long run. Rare in the wild west of club baseball.
Angie, I just saw the link to your blog on your sig on one of your comments over at 4Real. I haven't been there in AGES. Anyway, your son's team sounds like my son's summer team (15U) as far as the group of kids/parents/coaches. Together they each make one another better. I LOVE that! We're part way through the high school season (ds made JV as a freshman!) and our younger son (9U) has two tournaments under his belt. The warmer weather we've had up north has been a really nice change to the early spring season. Only one game with a blanket! :) Best of luck to your sons on their seasons this year.
ReplyDeleteHey, Val, it's just like me to miss your (and my only) comment! Sorry, friend, and it is so good to hear from you. How much ball do you still have on your (home)plate? We're done with High School, and soon to wrap up Club and Little League. I may actually have time to write about baseball soon. Hoping you all are doing well and would love to hear back from you.
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