Considering a Travel Team? Here's Some Points to Consider (Part 1)

This should never be a decision entered into lightly (for the sake of your player's happiness and love of the sport).  For starters, if you feel that your kid is ready and eager to try out for a travel team, take the time to ask questions of other parents in your community whose own kids have played for that travel team in previous years.  Most of the time these parents will not only be glad to answer your questions, but they'll often provide details about matters you may not think to ask about.  Listen carefully to these parents' comments, and take notes -- they can give you invaluable info about the time commitment, financial expense, the head coach, assistant coaches, other parents, the competition, etc.

And remember, the more parents you contact and the more opinions you can find, the better informed you'll be about whether this is the right step for your child.  Sometimes, especially if the youngster is athletically talented but has not yet gone through a growth spurt yet, playing on a travel team where they are going to be one of the smaller athletes will not be good for their sense of self-confidence or self-esteem.  If so, there's nothing wrong with letting another year go by (and letting them grow some more).

Why this advice?  Because most travel team coaches prefer to play the youngsters who are physically larger than their peers.  Makes no difference what the sport is, or how much athletic skill the larger child may have in relation to the smaller athlete.  There's an old saying in sports, "The big kids have to show that they can't -- and the little kids have to show that they can."

(excerpted from The Sports Parenting Edge, by Rick Wolff)

Just Another Day at Sunken Diamond

Cardinals Giving Back to the Community

This is one of those moments that as a coach, and parent, I am so proud of for our team.

The Redwood City Cardinals recently helped out a team of disabled kids play baseball locally here in Foster City.  Our Cardinals were the “buddies” for the day for their Little League’s Challenger division, and it was so great to see everyone have such a fun time – backing up the players, running the bases with them, and being the “announcers”. 

The Challenger Division of Little League offers kids with physical and mental challenges an opportunity to participate in organized baseball games.

Our Cardinals players learned a valuable life lesson - empathy.

It is so incredibly fulfilling to develop these boys not just in baseball skills, but more importantly to make them better people. For me and our coaches, that’s really one of the most important things we can impart on our young athletes. Love these kids!!!!!

Words to Play By

Using a Tee to Improve Swing Path

It is so true about repetition, especially when it comes to batting.  Practice doesn't necessarily make "perfect" -- but rather, "Practice Makes PERMANENT".  Do it right, and do it over and over again. It's all about muscle memory.

No matter the age or size of your Little Leaguer®, being a good hitter is all about making solid contact with the ball. If a player can see the ball, they can hit the ball and using a batting tee is a great way to develop hand-eye coordination and a consistent contact swing path. So, have your Little Leaguer dust off the bat and helmet, and wake up those muscles from their winter slumber by taking some hacks off of the tee. 

Miguel Cabrera 
Since leading Major League Baseball (MLB) in homers, on-base percentage and average in 2012, and becoming the first MLB player since 1967 to win the Triple Crown, Detroit Tigers’ slugger, Miguel Cabrera is known for his bat control as much as his home run power. Being such an accomplished pro, you and your Little Leaguer may be surprised to learn about one of his secrets for success. The reigning American League Most Valuable Player uses a batting tee every day! 

In the 2014 edition of the Little League® Magazine, the two-time MVP said, “Taking a bunch of swings every day off a batting tee is the best way to practice your swing. If you’re able to do that consistently, you’re going to get better and better.” 

Drills
Here are two simple drills that your player can do to maximize a consistent contact swing path. Before you begin, be sure to adjust the height of the batting tee so that the ball on the tee is slightly below the batter’s beltline. Also, be sure the player is wearing a batting helmet and is using an alloy or Little League-approved composite bat that is age-appropriate. 

From Little League.org's website

Teamwork Trumps All

Teamwork, and the abstract concept of "team" is one of the most important lessons kids learn in sports. Personally, I love it when our team gels together, and just has that indescribable sense of "chemistry" that overrides whether we win or lose a game.

(below is from "Take the Lead: Make Youth Sports What They Were Meant to Be", by Kathy Hogan)

These days many young athletes are constantly trying to improve their personal standing so they can move on to a more competitive program.  They ("...or is it their parents?": Ed) operate like free agents -- always shopping for a better deal.  In the process, their commitment to a team depends on personal gain. Inadvertently, we not only allow these athletes to be self-centered, we encourage it.  Is that the mindset we really want? Pete Carill says it best, "I look for players who realize the world doesn't revolve around them." Unfortunately, sometimes it's hard to find those players.

In youth sports today, there is tremendous emphasis on drawing out skilled athletes because they are just too good for a regular league.  In many ways, that's unfortunate. Learning to work with players with various ability levels is a life skill that young people need to learn.  Even in the pros, some athletes are better than others. The same is true in every aspect of life. Rather than constantly regrouping players according to perceived ability, we need to teach them how to be part of a team. You win some. You lose some, but most of all, you stick together. Pat Riley understood that concept: "Great teamwork is the only way to reach our ultimate moments."

Upcoming Tryouts for 9U/10U Cardinals Team - 2014 Season

     After concluding an exciting and rewarding 2013 baseball season, the Redwood City Cardinals are holding tryouts for the 2014 summer tournament season - 9U/10U. We are looking for skilled, committed players to round out our 2014 roster.   The Cardinals Baseball Club is dedicated to giving local players a more competitive level of baseball.

TRYOUT INFORMATION

Dates & Time:  Saturday, December 7 and 14, 2014, 2:00pm – 4:00pm   

Location of Tryout: Canada College Baseball Field, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City

Registration : Pre-register by sending the following information to cardinalsRC@gmail.com :

•          Name / Current age / Date of birth
•          Favorite position(s) to play  
•          Years played

Players making a roster will have the opportunity to attend winter workouts prior to spring/ summer seasons.

*** All candidates must not turn 11 years old before May 1st, 2014 ***

On-site registration & check-in begins 15 minutes prior to tryout time. If you cannot make this tryout, private tryouts will be by request only.   Players will need to bring baseball gloves, bats, helmets, and cleats.

For questions, contact: Ed Gory, at (650) 743-7645, or cardinalsRC@gmail.com

Cardinals Baseball Mission

Our mission is to develop a team that focuses on mastering the fundamentals, good sportsmanship, improving each player’s overall baseball IQ, and having fun. This team is ALL about the boys and their love of the great game of baseball. We expect honest, dedicated, respectful and hardworking players, whose desire to get better equals their love for the game.