Just got a letter from "People to People Sports Ambassador Programs" inviting LHP2012 to be part of this team, which apparently is traveling to Holland in July. Anyone ever heard of this event or organization?
LHPMom
Posts: 217 | Location: Maryland | Registered: November 12, 2008
Originally posted by LHPMom2012: Just got a letter from "People to People Sports Ambassador Programs" inviting LHP2012 to be part of this team, which apparently is traveling to Holland in July. Anyone ever heard of this event or organization?
My son went to Holland with the PTP program in 2007. I suppose it was a great experience for traveling and world citizenship. However, the level of baseball played was at best recreational level. They pitched flat on a softball field (not even a portable mound), the pitchers were over used (no ice) and every player had to wear rubber cleats if they were not on the 18u team. My son was grossly disappointed in the experience. I wrote the company and have never heard a peep from the customer service department. I highly suggest saving the thousands of dollars that they ask for on a family vacation or college tuition. Sorry to be so blunt but we bit hard and were very sorry for the financial investment.
Posts: 10 | Location: Southern California | Registered: September 12, 2008
Sorry to say, but they don't send the letter based on skills. They got a hold of Little League, AAU, or USSSA mailing lists and just send them. They know someone will sign up.
Posts: 29 | Location: Alexandria VA | Registered: December 03, 2008
We got our first of these letters in 05 and get them yearly. We also heard the baseball competition was not good at all, so the letters go into the recycling. This year we also got an invite to some sort of tournament in Hawaii. Now that one was tempting.
There's nothing elite about P2P. They invite players from every mailing list they can get their hands on. My son has been asked to play. I've been asked to coach. I priced it out. I decided we could do a better European vacation without baseball getting in the way (some day when we're not busy with baseball). A friend's son went to Sydney and Amsterdam to play tennis with P2P. He had a good time. It was expensive.
* Everyone prefers to win. Do you have the passion and work ethic to do what it takes to win? *
Posts: 3720 | Location: Mid-Atlantic | Registered: October 29, 2007
I thought P2P meant (Pay to Play) and I was going to point out that MOST self proclaimed "elite" organizations and events have become pay to play (P2P). I then realized the acronym P2P was being used for "People to People". These acronyms can get confusing! Fungo
Posts: 5234 | Location: Spring Creek (Jackson),Tennessee | Registered: December 26, 2002
My 2016 son got one as well. Not only is it expensive, but he would miss the end of our summer teams season. And from the sound of it the competition is lacking so NO THANKS!
Posts: 141 | Location: College Park, GA | Registered: February 03, 2006
My son got their letter 4-5 years ago. We went to their meeting and WOW what a slick sales pitch. A very beautiful, well-spoken lady explaining the aspects of friendship, youth ambassadorship, prestige, blah blah blah.
I'm naturally skeptical of a sales pitch, so when she worked the crowd into a frenzy ala Adolf Hitler and asked all the kids "Now! Who wants to go to Holland? Look at your parents and tell them you want to go to Holland!" I was shocked and felt pretty stupid being there.
A few minutes later, she finally revealed the true asking price of SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. It was at that point I realized we were severly duped and my wife and I walked out of the meeting. Everyone stared as we exited but I didn't care. I did the right thing.
My only regret is I didn't RUN out of there.
"Thanks for the memories"-- The Carol Burnett Show
Posts: 1861 | Location: Las Vegas | Registered: July 11, 2005
My 2012 son received his invite for the third straight year and we recycled it as usual. However, after hearing Bum's description of the sales woman, I might have to go to the meeting and check it out myself.
Posts: 12 | Location: Georgia | Registered: October 08, 2008
While there are many opportunities to travel whether in the USA or Internationally, it is important to evaluate the objectives of the trip.
In 25 years, Goodwill Series has always placed intense competition first and second. We play the National or State Teams. Only the China trip, we allow the tours of the Great Wall. On the China trip we will schedule games in Japan for training.
Our players are recommended by pro scouts.
On the 2 January 2009, we returned from 2 weeks with 28 players age 14-18, played 23 games against the best players in Australia and South Africa.
Our coaches Charles Aliano and Jake Wilson, pro scouts expended their time with seminars and education for the player's future.
Erin White, our conditioning coach was the only injury [broken nose] has the following daily pre-game and post game "warm up" for all players.
CORE EXERCISES: DYNAMIC WARM-UP: STRETCHES:
This was 1/2 hour before and 1/2 hour after all 23 games.
Bob Williams PS: the players did enjoy a few tours of the wild life parks with their host family.
Posts: 290 | Location: Santa Rosa, California | Registered: January 04, 2003
