Does anyone know how many teams there will be in the 15U age group? The website shows 10 last year and six 14U teams that I assume will move up. Will they add more?

I know that 3-4 of last year's 15U teams are not reforming for various reasons: head coaches who took jobs as college coaches, and coaches who no longer have the time to commit, and teams who no longer wanted to play together. Of the 14U who were together last year, I'm not sure how many are moving up to 15U, and how many new teams are forming. It's very fluid.

Thanks quillgirl! We haven't been to one of these tryouts before and I guess I'm wondering how are we supposed to know how many teams there will be and who is coaching?...My understanding is that some returning players go into it already committed to a team and that the Astros have first pick after that...then what? Can my player be selected by more than one coach? What if he's chosen by a coach we don't want him to play for? Does he go back into a "pool" or do we just start looking into a different location?

My son has been to the East Cobb Tryouts three times. All three were a very good learnin experience. How many teams they have is determined by how many players sign up. If I were in your position, I would take my son to the tryouts and see what happens. Usually within a week or so after the tryouts, you will be contacted by a coach. You can then make the decision if you want your son playing for him or not. If it doesn't work out, you can then go other places to tryout but remember, your son received two days worth of instruction by very qualified coaches.

Thier rosters are very fluid at the end of tourneys as well.

Hmmm... I wouldn't call the tryouts instructional. There are drills and lots of waiting around to make a few throws or hits. Maybe a word or two from coaches to some kids, but mostly they are chatting with each other and making notes on clipboards.I suppose there is something to be learned from the experience. It's run a bit like a pro-tryout or some college camps/showcases-- but honestly, the tryouts are a fundraiser and an opportunity for coaches to spot new talent for the few slots that haven't already been filled on rosters. And there will be some new teams formed, too. Generally, ECB coaches already know the in-park talent and a good bit of the "free-agent" out-of-park talent available for their rosters. Many have had pre-ECB tryouts, or picked up players based on referral from other players or parents. But they may not know the kids who haven't played travel recently or who have played in a different division.
Travel ball is a pretty small world, IMO.

Quillgirl - it is a tryout without much instruction. Personally, I think that it should be advertised as simply a tryout. I doubt that the numbers would be reduced as a result. People will always want to play with ECB (with good reason) and unless a kid has a rep the tryout is the best way to go.

I think ECB calls the tryouts instructional so that the $100 fee seems justifiable to the parents who might protest an application fee, or a tryout fee. I agree that the numbers really wouldn't be affected much if it were just called a tryout, and nothing more.

You're right it's just a tryout...and frankly, not much of one.

Day one: each player got 2 60 yard timed sprints, (infielders only) 4 ground balls at short and 10 throws to 3rd from a catcher, (outfielders) 10 flyballs, (pitchers only) sat in the dugout.

Day two: hitting in a cage (25 swings), pitching a bullpen (3 or 4 of each pitch) a couple more ground balls and you're done.

Reminded me more of rec ball skills evaluations 10 years ago, not what travel team tryouts are like in recent years.....so I don't think they were really even using it as a try out.

Most of the teams already had 8-10 spots on their rosters filled from returning players or earlier private try outs..Definately not a clinic!

Interesting experience....wonder why the park doesn't just charge an additional $100 fee per player to play there and not waste everyones time?

I believe each player on any active East Cobb roster pays the $100 fee whether you try out or not. These teams are heavily recruited (my son was asked to play on a 16u team 6 mos. before the first practice). All of the practice, driving, tournaments, etc. paid off. It eventually led to a College Scholarship. The East Cobb program exposes talent to all levels of College and Pro scouts and coaches. I wouldn't recommend it for the rec ball player...but if you are serious about your baseball future....it's the place to be in the SE United States IMO.