12U team survives 16U

Thanks for all of the opinions earlier. That was some interesting reading.

We survived the weekend and actually did pretty well considering the competition. None of our pitchers were hurt and that was my main concern.

Game 1 we defeated Worth Cobras
Game 2 we lost a close one to Georgia Extreme we were #2 seed coming out of pool play.
Game 3 lost to East Cobb Mad Dogs (Best defensive game I have seen in travel ball by one team) Girls were making diving catches all over!
Game 4 we defeated Georgia Rockers
Game 5 lost to Worth Cobras

Met Change-Up2 and we had some good conversation during the tournament.

Change-Up2 how did your team end up?

I know you had the #1 seed going into bracket play.
I never saw the board updated with your bracket results.

 

Sounds like a solid perfomance in the face of stiff competition. Still not sure I agree with the challenge, but you obviously have a talented and special group of young ladies.

 

We were lucky

We didn't face any 2nd year 16U teams. We did face some very good teams. I saw a few teams that weren't very good at all but we weren't fortunate enough to play them.

I am with you on playing that far up at this age. Not trying to take anything away from our team but our youth showed in two of the games we lost. Throwing the ball around etc...

Congrats to Smokey Mountain Sting taking home first place!

 

Not just Luck

Never underestimate the hunger of a young team. Congrats on what sounded like a very good showing.

 

I've Seen This Team !!

Smokey Mt Sting is a very talented ball team that could probably beat most 18 & Under teams in our surrounding areas, I think we need to be careful, you can be young and talented, age only plays a small part of being successful....IE...the Carolina Curve Team, young ball team but can compete with 18U's..and don't forget about Charlies Cobra Team, I would put them up against anybody 18U when they were only 14U, they were so aggressive,and dominant....the Dominators...SW Storm ( No Longer )....Cape Fear Storm's young team...the Diamond Fever...all these teams were awesome in their younger years...you get enough talent on a ball team you can beat older kids,and don't even need a coach..LOL j/K..We were very successful as an early team (5) State Championships and (1) World, only telling you this to make a point,not bragging...we probably had the best 1st baseman in the S.E. ,they called her "Big Dawg", I saw her snag a ball over an 8 foot fence for an out one time,and nothing got by her at first ,nothing....We had talent like Allie Cashion, Amanda McArthur, Jazz Robbins,Stacey Gamble, Holly Berry, Cynthia Hayes, Rebekah Reaves, Lindsy Wright,Jackie Marz, even Anna Maness played a year with us just to mention a few. The Smokey Mountain Sting will be a very successful team and really do well as they are approaching the Showcase Realm in the years to come !!! Congrats for a job well done !!


Guru

 

TD4SC -- nice to meet you and DD

Your daughter is a good pitcher and it was nice meeting her. I wish you and her the very BEST! I have some video clips I can send you of her pitching----- PM me











I am glad your DD was not hurt -- however I saw several pitchers GO DOWN -- and some almost did. Here is gut wrenching pictures I took this weekend -- thank goddness this pitcher was alright after taking a LINE DRIVE back at her ..











Here is a picture of a pitcher --- looking a HARD HIT ball going by...@ the RIP-IT.

 

Congratulations to the Smokey Mountain Sting and a special kudos to Ms Ruppe!

 

Good points

I don't want to take anything away from our girls. Within our age group we are pretty good. We did good to not embarrass ourselves or get anyone hurt this past weekend. We will have to move up to 14U in January. I know we will still play up in the 16U brackets some next season. When that happens the girls that have to play 18U will be playing 18U.
I know there are plenty of 14/16U players that are very strong players but at least in January there are a few less to worry about when we play up.

Thanks for the kind words. You are right about being hungry. Our girls have that and have a VERY competitive attitude about themselves. I thought for the most part they accepted the challenge the best they could. I really thought there would be a bunch of intimidated 12/13 year olds.