Hey Brian -- Man I don't know --sometimes due to my own desires for our organization I get carried away with expectations. Last year our 10's and 12's combined went about 80-20 BUT we did'nt lose on sunday too often , can't speak to the 10's from last year but our 12's played 6 summer tournies and eastern natl's , we won 4 of them and finished 2nd twice. The record of the 10's was just as good or better.
But those teams were loaded with experience. Thats the key , we feel we have very good players , but we have a 10 man roster including 1 10 year old and 3 girls who have played zero amount of travel ball before this year. When the pressure rises and plays must be made during full game speed we faulter.
To be really really upfront and honest about the level of play at 12u , my opinion so far (and I have not seen everyone , esp the teams up north) is that it is not near as deep as the 12u field last year. There are a couple good teams but not anywhere near like last year. Then there is a big dropoff, that and 50 cents will get you 1/2 a cup of coffee. Look me up down at lucasville next weekend. I'll be late on sat , be there all day on sunday. Make sure and catch a tall girl from the WV Mountain Thunder when she throws , she's better than any kid we saw in columbus this weekend. And TNT is a very good group of 11 year olds. MD