Metro Atlanta Coaches/Parents: Question for you

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Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
I've introduced myself in the Parent Sub, but quickly wanted to ask people's opinion regarding the premiere Travel teams in the Atlanta area? It seems like there's a pretty good GA contingent on this board. This is our first year doing travel (12U) and I'm trying to familiarize myself with the lay of the land re: upcoming opponents at tournaments and (perhaps) future teams to aspire toward.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
It wouldn't be that hard to identify the organizations with the most tradition/history of getting players into college programs. The Atlanta Vipers, the Georgia Impact, the East Cobb Bullets, Georgia Power, and there are others. I haven't lived there in 3 years, and some of those may have risen or fallen in prestige more recently.

However, those aren't necessarily the best programs for a 12U player who is new to travel ball. Or, for that matter, not necessarily the best program for a 12U player of any level. Every player is different. What I'd look for is a team that meet's your DD's specific needs. That might be a big name like the ATL Vipers (if she's that advanced), or it might be an independent team that isn't well known but has the coaches and playing opportunities that are a perfect fit for a particular player at this moment in time.

As far as the lay of the land in 12U, I'm far removed from the 12U ATL scene, so you might ask those who are there which tournaments associations tend to attract the better teams - USSSA, USFA, etc. One big tournament is the Carrollton Classic. See who plays in the A division, who plays in the B. There used to be tournaments there called King of the Mountain and the USSSA Children's Healthcare that attacted scores of teams. Who plays A, who plays B, how do they do.
 
Aug 19, 2015
1,118
113
Atlanta, GA
Yes, I'm familiar with the Vipers and Bullets, and DD actually did try out for the Bullets just for the heck of it. She landed where she needs to be this year (high B/Low A). I don't think I would want her on an all A team for her first year of TB even if she was physically ready for it. We need to get our feet wet. Next year will be 14U, so we'll reassess things then.
 
Oct 13, 2014
291
0
Metro ATL
It wouldn't be that hard to identify the organizations with the most tradition/history of getting players into college programs. The Atlanta Vipers, the Georgia Impact, the East Cobb Bullets, Georgia Power, and there are others. I haven't lived there in 3 years, and some of those may have risen or fallen in prestige more recently.

However, those aren't necessarily the best programs for a 12U player who is new to travel ball. Or, for that matter, not necessarily the best program for a 12U player of any level. Every player is different. What I'd look for is a team that meet's your DD's specific needs. That might be a big name like the ATL Vipers (if she's that advanced), or it might be an independent team that isn't well known but has the coaches and playing opportunities that are a perfect fit for a particular player at this moment in time.

As far as the lay of the land in 12U, I'm far removed from the 12U ATL scene, so you might ask those who are there which tournaments associations tend to attract the better teams - USSSA, USFA, etc. One big tournament is the Carrollton Classic. See who plays in the A division, who plays in the B. There used to be tournaments there called King of the Mountain and the USSSA Children's Healthcare that attacted scores of teams. Who plays A, who plays B, how do they do.

Great recommendations - and yes, King of the Mountain still happens every year!
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I've spent the last year figuring some of this stuff out, but for 10U. It's interesting to me how much more popular softball seems to be than baseball here. I wonder if that's just my impression because my baseball player plays rec. Anyway.

Where did you end up going for this year? I can't remember if you said on the other thread.
 
Jun 27, 2011
5,089
0
North Carolina
It's interesting to me how much more popular softball seems to be than baseball here. I wonder if that's just my impression because my baseball player plays rec.

Are you talking metro ATL?

Softball is big there, but baseball is HUGE. You can see it in high school sports. There are some really good softball teams, but some really bad ones too. In baseball, almost everybody has a very respectable team. Google East Cobb baseball and the new facility recently built in Emerson, Ga. It's a baseball hotbed.
 

JAD

Feb 20, 2012
8,231
38
Georgia
Marquee organizations are Impact, Vipers and Bullets in that order. Good teams to be on at 16U for recruiting. Lots of tier 2 organizations for low A/high B.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
Are you talking metro ATL?

Softball is big there, but baseball is HUGE. You can see it in high school sports. There are some really good softball teams, but some really bad ones too. In baseball, almost everybody has a very respectable team. Google East Cobb baseball and the new facility recently built in Emerson, Ga. It's a baseball hotbed.
Yep. I guess it's where I live specifically. The park we started softball with has this huge softball presence, but only this tiny little summer baseball league. With my older daughter's fall baseball team (12U rec) we're going to have to travel a bit just to find teams to play. There just aren't enough of them out of our local parks.
 

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