Gees...Buffalo Grove and Hoffman Estates are not "out of town".

Which powerhouses did you play in Rock Island and Rockford?

soxnole.....

By-and-large, Beenthere, TARatko, talent, myself, and others agree with what you are saying. BUT, your not going to have more "quality" programs like Lombard, Norwood, UDC, Wisconsin Blazers, Racine Hitters, Indiana Bulldogs, and some others, until someone person, or organization, commits to bringing the necessary facilities to this area in-order for us to compete nationally.

Yes, we have the WSA, Strikes, The Ball Yard, CF Swingtown, the place in Mokena (I can't keep-up with the ownership and name changes), and many others, but that is indoors. Someone needs to step-up and create playing facilities (maybe like Bourbonnais or Crystal Lake) and conduct high quality tournaments. Have Perfect Game, Team One, Midwest Prospects, College Select, organizers of showcases, participate in collecting player information from the Midwest, here locally, during events similar to the Area Code Tryouts at North Central College, or the Evaluation Combines put-on by the White Sox. Our "top talent" always has to go to warmer climate events just to see if, and where, we can have our kids play at the next level.

Now, take the "projectable" player, pro projectable player. Joe Dunnigan, possibly even your son from what I hear, except for a few, most kids in high school baseball don't know about the names of the showcase providers that I mentioned above. So, knowing that you have to play games to get better, and become more aware of your instincts (feel the force Luke), you have found the path to future opportunities at the next level for your son. Most kids haven't and probably won't find that path, and even if they did, most still won't get the opportunities because of "stereotypical" standards.

Talk to Beenthere some time about his ideas for better teams in this area. He can fill you in on the deatils. And, please be happy that you are lucky enough to be where you're at. Oh, and don't belittle anyone else, or be condecending, it's not nice. Remember, "what goes around, comes around."

I wish your son nothing but the best, and I hope that OPRF lives up to the high expectations that have been put on them for this coming baseball season.

"You observe a lot by watching."

thanks BoomerII, only got uptight w/Mr peabody 1 time. Other than that i have only responded in kind....and in good fun. i do believe that we are about the players and their families and civility is the core from which we proceed. if my freind is unkind i still must remind him of the core from which he has deterred.By the way don't forget the LOMBARD LIGHTNING!! great program across the age groups!!

soxnole.....

I did mention the Lightning! I put them in front of Norwood on my list of clubs. That is who my son plays for, and he played against Norwood during 'fall ball.'

"You observe a lot by watching."

Sorry I missed that Boomer, its important that Bill OBrien's hard work gets its due. This will be the program of the future for boys who are top notch and want to play a big schedule from 13 up.

Does the Lombard Lightning have a web site? What age groups do they have?

Its good to be back !!!! .. Boomer, my computer went down last week, and I went through HSBaseball withdrawel. All is well with me, and the family. I hope your holidays went well, Ill see you and Andy at Strikes soon. Ill be making my Weds trips there again.

As far as OPRF,they have the talent, with many great kids, Im looking forward to a LT, OPRF game. 2 great teams going at it, and both coaches know the game. WAIT ..lol .. didnt Downers South beat OPRF AND LT last year ??

I just threw that in, its the only thing we could hang our hat on !!!
Anyway, I look forward to a great HS season. Play nice all.

Mustang Dad 23, Norwood Blues Dad 9

pitchdoc24....

To my knowledge, they don't.

They start at 13, and have teams up to 18U.

"You observe a lot by watching."

Do the Lightning have players just from the Western Burbs or from all over? Who are some of the top players in the area that play on the Lightning. I have been seeing the Lightning mentioned quite a bit on some of these boards but do not know too much about them.

The Lombard Lightning has teams from 13 thru 18 . As of now there is no web site . The players are primarily from the western suburbs . As for their history 31 players have " graduated " and 26 of the 31 have continued their playing careers at the next level .

Boomer, I need Bill O' Brian's phone number PM me with it if you can.

Thanks

hitNrun - How is college search going??

Tar,

O'Brian is a quaily man, as well as a coach. You and your son will like him. We had a opportunity to play with LL this past year and didnt. Played with Norwood in the fall. Pildes is another good man for the game. With LL, you cant go wrong. We are blessed with some pretty good 18u teams here in chicagoland. Norwood, LL, Top Tier, Indiana Bulldogs, Wisconson Blazers.

Good luck

Mustang 23 dad ( Laidlaw )

Agree 100% with hitNrun, can't go wrong with either team as far as quality kids/coaches.

Dennis, doing well, We are going to go the junior college route. We signed a letter of intent to go to Olney Central College in southern Il. Jon will start and lead off and they gave a us a great package. room, board, tuition, books and fees.

We are going out to see Monmouth, Il. D 3 and Bemidji State U, in Minn. D 2

For those who dont know junior colleges do give scholarships, and you can sign a letter of intent with a JC, and continue looking at NCAA, and NAIA schools, and sign a letter of intent with them also. I always keep something in my back pocket

Dennis, hopefully all is well with you.

hitNrun, Bill OBrien's # is 630-327-7251.

Sox, thanks.

George, congratulations - sounds like things worked out well. By the way, I have a few friends who played at Bemidji and had a good experience athletically and academically.

hitNrun.....

I left a few other posts today, one of them for you, but for some reason, they didn't show-up on this 'topic'?????

Glad to hear about your son, quality young man!!! Must get that from mom, right!!!

One of these days we will 'hook-up'. I'm also glad you got Bill's phone number.

"You observe a lot by watching."