Potential Team Implosion and Next Steps

Around here, teams choose their own designation. One of DD's "A" teams really was; the other, not so much. You just have to pay attention to see who the real ones are. That said, everybody has to start somewhere. If you've got a team that can dominate B tournaments, but loses against most A teams, what do you do with that team? Are they high B or low A, and does it even matter? It doesn't really but at least for USSSA (which is the most popular org here, at least at our age level) you have to choose one. The team DD plays on chose B; they're MUCH stronger than we expected going in, but not ready to play against all A teams either. There are several who call themselves A that I think we'll compete with just fine this spring regardless of their superior letter. There are a few Bs that I think we'll struggle against. So no, it doesn't really matter much what teams call themselves. The only way to really know how teams are is to see them play, watch their record, etc.

CoogansBluff said:

What is A level? If there are 100 teams playing 12U in an area, how many are A? How many are B?

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I can only answer what I see locally and what I hear about in Southern CA. Locally: lots of teams that play PGF, USA Elite, and ASA but not the smaller organizations. Some are good enough to thrive in the more highly regarded organizations, some drop down to win the smaller tourneys to either make themselves feel better or justify their fees before returning to the bigger tourneys where they get their arses kicked. And there are some teams who legitimately try to play in the bigger organizations but don't have the talent or experience, so they bounce back and forth between divisions. These are the A organizations. The B organizations are the ones who don't really enter the PGF, ASA, USA elite but are fairly competitive at the other tourneys (USSSA, NSA, etc.) And some play in the smaller tourneys but don't win that much, while others are good enough to compete at the ASA, PGF, USSSA Elite levels but don't want to miss out on the trophies.
Southern CA: this is just what I hear from my BIL who coaches: Almost any team in any tourney can win it all, or lose it all, in any given tournament. They really don't have many teams who compete only in small tournaments, but a lot do have some who play friendlies rather than a lot of tourneys to develop their teams to where they can compete with the bigger organizations. Those are their B teams.
Looking at who plays where, I'd say 30-35 play only A level tourneys locally and 25-30 go back and forth. 35-40 only play B level (locally). In Southern CA- my guestimate is that about 60% play A level mostly.

Well, an update: Team implosion is complete. We are now officially teamless. And DD has tendinitis in her throwing shoulder, so tryouts are going to be hard. We've posted an ad on the local Bulletin Board and are reaching out both ourselves and through her hitting/catching coach. If anyone knows of a Metro Atlanta team that might be interested in an '03 lefty catcher, let me know.

CMMom1740 said:

Well, an update: Team implosion is complete. We are now officially teamless. And DD has tendinitis in her throwing shoulder, so tryouts are going to be hard. We've posted an ad on the local Bulletin Board and are reaching out both ourselves and through her hitting/catching coach. If anyone knows of a Metro Atlanta team that might be interested in an '03 lefty catcher, let me know.

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I'm sorry to hear it Let her rest a bit and recover, I doubt you'll have trouble finding a team for a catcher who's played A ball. It stinks that you have to though.

grcsftbll said:

I'm sorry to hear it Let her rest a bit and recover, I doubt you'll have trouble finding a team for a catcher who's played A ball. It stinks that you have to though.

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Thanks. We will forge ahead. More time for Physical Therapy right now!

CMMom1740 said:

Thanks. We will forge ahead. More time for Physical Therapy right now!

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1. Get healthy first! (Review Wasserman's mechanics if you think throwing is causing the problem)
2. Don't settle, find a good fit!
3. Advertise and play as a guest player until you find that good fit.
4. Have fun!

Greenmonsters said:

1. Get healthy first! (Review Wasserman's mechanics if you think throwing is causing the problem)
2. Don't settle, find a good fit!
3. Advertise and play as a guest player until you find that good fit.
4. Have fun!

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Thanks, and I'll check out Wasserman. Since I posted this AM, I've gotten a few things in the works. We *may* have a solution that would definitely be a win-win. Don't want to say more unless I know all the details.