I have read many posts on these boards in the past few weeks and months about the DBAT organization and its teams. So, as the summer comes to a close I thought I would share my experience from being a DBAT parent. Not being from the Dallas area we can only comment on DBAT and what we have seen and heard from our experience with the organization.

First, my son was selected to attend Area Code, the AFLAC event in Minneapolis, the tournament of stars in North Carolina, then made the 32 cut to go to Phoenix with the 18u Team USA and missed quite a few games with DBAT.
The DBAT response? Good for the player and keep it up! They encouraged him to keep on going and do his best and were never looked down on because he was missing tournaments with DBAT.

Second, The coaches of the 17U team: Rusty Greer, Allan McDougal and the other coaches were awesome and supportive and I am glad my son got to be under their influence.

Lastly, I would like to say that CADE GRIFFS, KERMIT DOW, RUSTY GREER, ALAN McDOUGAL, JOHN SMRCINA and all the other men that we have come in contact with DBAT have had the best interest in mind for our son and the other kids on their team. They all were open, honest and caring about our family and our son.
Conclusion? I am so thankful that my son spent the summer wearing a DBAT uniform and know that many, many doors that are now open to him are because of DBAT and their staff. If any of you have a chance to have a son play for the DBAT organization; you will be glad you did.

Just my two cents……
A Dad from Texarkana

When the game ended tonight I saw a wonderful thing. Rusty and Alan walked up to every kid and gave them a firm hand shack and said “it was a pleasure to coach you”. WOW, it was a pleasure to coach you? How about I just spent the last two months being coach by Rusty Greer. The man that played the game harder then any Ranger we have ever had. As I left the stadium today every dad on the team came up to me and thanked me for giving their kid a chance to play for D-BAT. I even got a hand shake for Mr. New Jersey. I would like to say to every D-BAT parent that this team was the lowest maintenance team I have ever had in 10 years of doing this. Our kids decided to play the worst game of the year tonight and after the game it seemed like it was a family reunion. Thanks to all the parents and players for making my job so easy this year. It was a great ride and what did we get out of it?

1. Rusty mentoring your child.
2. 8 players offered D1 scholarships.
3. Meeting the greatest group of D-BAT parents in a long time.
4. 3 Area Code players.
5. 1 Aflac All-American.
6. After 3 years seeing Bobby Bundy hit a double for the last time in a D-BAT uniform.
7. Watching 65 Home runs leave the park.
8. Watching Turley and Peterson throw gem after gem.
9. Seeing Alan become a daddy for the first time.
10. Seeing 2 kids hurt show up to every game in uniform to root on their buddies.


Last but not least Kermit, Kyle, Kirk and John thank you for all you do……..
Now D-BAT 16’s go win the Mickey Mantle World Series.

I will leave you message board lovers with a hint of big news to come ahead. Big things in the works for D-BAT. Big news coming Soon….. Ken don’t say a word……

Cade I want to say its been a great ride for DBAT the past 3 years. I've now been with you since 1998 and what a friendship we have developed between Kyle, Kirk, and you. I'm looking forward to many more years with the organization. This years 17 year old bunch, what a fun group to watch. I must say without reservation this is the best offensive team we have ever had within the organization. And to Coach Greer and Coach McDougal thanks for all you did this summer. You made Stienbrother's job real easy. I never had to leave the press box and come down on the field. To the players, I want to congratulate all the players that had made their college commitment and wish you the best of luck in the future. We have one more chance next summer for Farmington. And lastly to the parents, one of the best groups I have ever been associated with and very low maintenance. You made the summer very enjoyable.

Hopefully we can continue the journey with our 16 year old bunch that is playing in the MM Regional. However its gets no easier year after year.

If you have a son interested in playing for DBAT, please go to www.dallasbat.net and click on the link, "Interested in Playing" and complete the Player profile.

Lets get prepared for the MSL.

quote:

Originally posted by KCR:
Big news coming Soon….. Ken don’t say a word……

I already contacted ESPN and it will air tonight with Peter Gammons.

With all these parting shots I guess I'll take mine.

I had a great summer as well. I didn't get to watch a game until my three league games all in one day last Thursday. Sam tried to get me on his roster with my qualification but something about I pitched 3 games in a row.

It was like a reunion for me as well. I got to see the Rusty Greer Extravaganza, The Super Scout Rusty Gerhart, My boss for three years Larry Hardy, Mr. Velo Mc, Slow Talkin' Tadlock, and Horse Kicked Kaiser.

Kirk, hang in there man. I was right there with you a few years ago. You want so much what you think is right but for whatever reason baseball throws you monkey wrenches all the time.

And last but not least...my ole' buddy Cade. Just when I thought you couldn't get any cooler you go out and get a passion blue Navigator. Oh how the ladies must love the pizza wheels rollin' down Midway on a cool spring night.

DBAT nation is alive and well. I must admit I miss the game a bit when I get to see all my buddies and the wide eyed kids.

One more thing, there was one important piece of the puzzle I missed this week. The guy who holds this thing together. The brains behind the whole thing..........

Just where was Kyle?

A day with DBAT just isn't the same without seeing that boys smile.

I love you guys.

You are my BFF's....

Gut

P.S. I predict a GM is on the "hot seat".

Deleted by Bighit15.

BM,
The kid mentioned in #6 has been on the team all year, I have watched him, might want to check your facts b4 posting.

Baseballmax. This is your last warning. Stop the personal agenda or you will be banned from the site.

bm,
u need to read what is said in #6

quote:

bm

Letot.....now that's funny!!

Go DBAT....

This has nothing to do with Baseball Max's opinion, but more to do with how I felt when I woke up this morning. Tough game last night, but I began looking at the bigger picture of what we - my kid and our family - experienced since late May.

WHAT I LEARNED IN MY DBAT-17 SUMMER:

I learned that my son is not perfect, but I never saw him quit, cry, ***** or lay blame. I saw him take a giant leap into being a man.

I learned that Rusty Greer was better than advertised, and left a hugely positive influence on my kid and many others.

I learned that Alan McDougal didn’t get as much credit for the DBAT 17-year-old success as he should have.

I learned that 17-year-old baseball is one of the most wildly intense, frustratingly wonderful experiences for any player and parent

I learned that not everybody feels the same way I do, and I learned to try and show a little compassion in understanding everyone’s immediate situation.

I learned that – although I hate dropping names, I need to in this case – Bobby Doe is one of the most knowledgeable and nicest “coach-turned-dads for the summer” that I’ve met in quite some time.

I learned that my son has room to improve his game, but I learned he’s not afraid of failing

I also learned that when he squares up on the ball, he can hit it a long, long way. I could never do that.

I learned that as a father, sometimes the best philosophy is to say nothing after a tough game or at-bat rather than say something that isn’t exactly positive or encouraging.

Unfortunately, I learned that I have a lot of work to do in perfecting the above philosophy

I learned that Cade Griffis’ phone never stops ringing. . .and I’ve heard him talking up MANY players on the team.

I learned that through those conversations Cade has with coaches and scouts, every kid on the team “is playing well” and each and every hitter is “hitting around .420.”

I learned to watch each player on the field, how they approached the game, and learned to appreciate every one of them for something they brought to the team.

And finally, I learned early that this team was something special. I know the experience was different for different people – it always will be. But I’m happy that I was able to understand the opportunity we had when we had it.

quote:

I learned that as a father, sometimes the best philosophy is to say nothing after a tough game or at-bat rather than say something that isn’t exactly positive or encouraging.

Unfortunately, I learned that I have a lot of work to do in perfecting the above philosophy

You are not alone

Great lessons Hawkman

Hawkman - not being from Texas, I don't post in this forum all that much. Wanted to let you know that your post was excellent however

quote:

Originally posted by Hawkman:
And finally, I learned early that this team was something special.

Hawkman I agree with you this team was very special and played well as a team finishing with a record of 40-8-1 including 65 HRs; we get one last chance at Farmington next summer.

Hawk,

I learned that you still have a great sense of humor...and that RP is becoming a very good man. And he does hit the ball a long way...further than I can hit it if I hit it twice.

Hey guys its great reading all this about DBat.

Not sure who could help me with this but Im trying to help out a friend and his son. His son is another 09 and wanted to know if there would be any tryouts for the DBAT 18u team for next summer. Son played on a very good summer team this year. any info would help

quote:

Originally posted by DallasDad09:
Hey guys its great reading all this about DBat.

Not sure who could help me with this but Im trying to help out a friend and his son. His son is another 09 and wanted to know if there would be any tryouts for the DBAT 18u team for next summer. Son played on a very good summer team this year. any info would help

Sent you a PM

Same to you

Anybody that gets the chance to play for any DBAT team better run and sign the team papers. Ryan had the opportunity back in 2006 when he was a mamber of the Mickey Mantle Championship team.

Set up his Jr and SR senior year in high school. It was an awesome experience that he will never forget.

How young do the DBAT teams go? I have a 15 year old D1/Majors player.

Where are they located out of and who is the contact for the team if a player is interested?

quote:

Originally posted by JoeDi:
How young do the DBAT teams go? I have a 15 year old D1/Majors player.

Where are they located out of and who is the contact for the team if a player is interested?

Joe - Addison, Texas and they have one 16yr old, one 17yr old and one 18yr old team only. Check out this web site page:
http://dallasbat.net/join.php