quote:

Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
The BB doesn't compare to over here in the US and Canada. We all know this.

Do we? Somebody better let Soxnole then. He's ready to spot somebody 5 runs. LOL!

Bollate! You want a latte with your bollate?

I've been away for a few days watching my kid play. (Truth) She played in front of scores of college coaches and...(Yawn)... Anyway, I come back and the more things change the more things stay the same. I can't use the "ignore" feature. Some of you need to learn how to use it. This thread has merit in that it involves baseball overseas as a cultual experience. I see good in that and would hope that all of us can see the potential positive impact of such an experience. I coached baseball overseas. The quality was terrible. The rewards great. Of course I didn't do it in Italy and so am ignorant on that country's level of ability. Boorish behavior is often a two way street. The casual observer notices it for what it is and doesn't do any individual good. JMHO! You should see my Russian Baseball Glove. You wouldn't believe it!

I can't afford to go to Italy to play baseball and I, too have heard that foreign baseball (Europe and Australia) is weaker competition...our HS kids playing against adults there)

However, if you had the money, how cool would it be to play there and sightsee in some pretty historic places.

I'm learning baseball is a lot more fun if I don't take myself too seriously.

I have several friends who have played in europe. It was interesting but the BB was not very good.
One friend was sent by the Jays to Austria to develop some talent for them. He set up a league and a few guys were sent to my son's midget team a few years ago. They couldn't compete.
2 came here last year to play for my son's senior elite team. The one was Canadian and the other was Austrian. The Austrian hardly got off the bench. The gap was huge. The Canadian is still playing. He was a super star over there. They played all over Europe and he said it was very interesting but once was enough. The guy the Jays sent is now a school teacher in Austria and married to a local girl.

None of my friends paid a nickle to playe over there. The guy in Italy is being paid.
One friend played in Japan and got a million for 2 years plus everything paid for and no tax. Thats a cultural experience.

The first two games had some older players in the mix. USA team won easily. I am not there, but that is what I have learned via text messages.

The next two games that are to be played are against the 17-U Italian Junior National Team, which presumably are the best players in Italy at that age.

The USA Athletes International Organization attempted to form a team to go to Australia, but there was not enough interest. My son was one of the last to sign on for the Italy trip. It seemed to be a good opportunity and blend of experiences.

Curious how much that little blend of experiences cost you ?

In Game I today, it was Team USA 7-4 over the 17-U Italian Junior National Team.

Team USA plays the Italy Junior National Team again tomorrow.

Here are some of the first-week highlights in a blog, as shared in e-mails from Coach David Vince, about the Italy trip.


http://blogs.tampabay.com/preps/pinellas_county/

It is not Team USA.

It's a team from USA. Huge difference. And to call them Team USA is an insult to Team USA.

9-1-3DP those remarks are not needed, IMO your comment speaks about the kids and their talent levels. Move on, it is nothing more than an update.

First of all Team USA could care less, secondly move forward this petty, all to show your disdain for a poster. Move on.

quote:

Originally posted by 9-1-3 DP:
It is not Team USA.

It's a team from USA. Huge difference. And to call them Team USA is an insult to Team USA.

Playball2, I'd have to say that I agree as well with this statement. It is not my disdain for any poster but rather the suggestion that this is "Team USA." Do you speak for "Team USA?" If not, how do you know how they feel? What this really involves is a private business who makes a profit by selling these trips any and all baseball players and any marketing plan to promote their business. That is unless this team actually has another name and is being reported in flamboyant fashion. Playball2, you suggest that it doesn't matter and yet, I've been in a similar situation and believe me, it mattered. BTW, as a coach, I'd bet I get these offers from 4 or 5 companies a year to take/coach teams overseas. The personal income from these excursions can be significant. As I type, we have one basketball coach touring Australia with local talent. I'm thinking that they aren't "Team USA."

This jersey scan should clarify things.

Mark how do you allow your son to compete on this team while at the same time his summer high school team is battling in the Summer State Tournament.

Young is loaded with talent. Everything was cleared up front. His schedule was set before the High School playoff seeding was established.



I don't know if they're wearing the blue or white jersey today.

Spectator,

It is that kind of narrow thought process that can cost a scholarship.

Summer ball is practice and the top coaches have to make a decision about what is best for the player and what is best for the school/team.

Top players that play only summer ball miss being scouted by multiple D1 and D2 school recruiters that flock to major tournaments.

Imo,the decision is easy. The player benefits by playing better competition (in this case a major cultural benefit as well) and the team/school benefits because the coach can look at other players that may have an impact during the regular season.

The summer league playoffs, while important, pale in comparison to a trip to Rimini and the opportunity to play (and beat) the Italian National team.

In the case of OPRF, arguably the top program in the state, the top players are allowed to play up for the summer. They are requested to make themselves available during the playoffs but obvious alternatives such as this are the exception.

I want to know why Dol Mom is really a guy named Mark?, I am confused. Someone please explain. Thanks

Dol Mom is the Mom....Mark is the dad.

USA Team loses to Italy 6-5 in 8 innings. USA with too many errors, dooms outcome. Jason Ormond pitched 8 innings of game with 1 earned run, all other runs unearned, and 1 base on balls.

Team now in Rome, returns to USA tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by Dolphin Mom:
Dol Mom is the Mom....Mark is the dad.

This is more confusing than las cage aux foal.

This is the kind of posting by Mark that I think is the big problem. You can "sell" your kid all you want and promote him in any way you can, but if the kid reads these posts and listens to his dad (what you want, right?) he is learning one thing for sure.

It isn't a team game and it's all about you and when things don't turn out the way you want, find someone else to blame. Perhaps he could have made a pitch or two after the errors to get out of it? Maybe gotten a K when it was needed? Earned runs, schmearned runs......what ever happened to win as a team, lose as a team?

I can see it now.......yeah, we lost but I only gave up one earned runs so it wasn't my fault.

I've seen some standup guys take the blame when they gave up one run in a 1-0 loss. That's what I want from my kid.