Dirtbags! Dirtbags! Dirtbags!

I'm still soaking in the accomplishment of the Dirtbags winning the Jupiter tournament. It wasn't that long ago that Jerry Ford at Perfect Games had no idea of the talent in NC, and his organization gave no respect to the NC teams that attended.

This event is filled with National Powerhouse teams that recruit nationwide. Some of these players are housed in a training development program for the summer...and they better succeed or they will be sent home. There are teams from a state that have no player from their own state. To me that's unbelievable..and a bit selfish. They are more interested in building their reputation in the showcase community, than developing and promoting the players from their state. To each is own, I guess...but I love the way our teams do it. Sure there are a few players from out of region that participate with our teams at Jupiter, but the vast majority are from our state or region.

To me this is what makes it so exciting to read about this accomplishment by the Dirtbags. I can recall having a discussion with AP many years ago about Jupiter. At the time they were called "Impact Baseball." He had some outstanding talent in Chad Flack, Josh Horton, Cameron Maybin, etc. But AP went down there to showcase his players---giving them exposure. It took Andy 2 years to realize that he needed to change. That this event was not simply about exposure...but to win! And 8 years later he accomplished one of his goals. I hope he gets a huge ring.

The Dirtbags-- 2010 WWBA/PG Jupiter Champions. That has a nice ring to it

 

Thanks That makes it even more impressive.

 

It was impressive - that Canes squad was strong top to bottom.

 

Would this ever happen????

 

Too many ego's. Dirtbags only play impact tournaments and Canes ACPB tournaments. In the end they play the same teams every weekend. Somethings got to give as players tired of playing same teams every weekend. Would be a good series if they play 2011 rosters.

 

What I find amusing is watching all the Charlotte teams travel all the way to Bugtussel to find that they are scheduled to play each other.

I think the newness of playing on college campus's has started to wear off. It's still fun and it allows recruits to visit with the school's coaches, but it has become ridiculous. What used to be free (schools were excited to have the players visit the school) has now become a moneymaker for the assistant coaches--everybody has their hands out.

One of the reasons for woodstock and some of the tournaments Stretchy and the Canes have recently been involved with was simply to provide something different...not the same ol'- same ol'

The evolution of showcase baseball continues. It will be interesting to see how it continues to evolve.

 

I totally agree that playing the same teams over and over were very boring for the kids and the parents. Whatever the reasons that the top showcase teams did not play in the same tournaments ( only the coaches know and everything else is opinions and speculations) hopefully it will end because the nation now knows how good the baseball is in the NC, SC, and Virginia Regions. The thing that i do know is that the 2011 class of players have truly been on a great ride the past 4 to 5 years regardless of what showcase team they were on. They all have brought great pride and play to our regions and have let the country know that some of the best baseball is played right here guys in our back yard. It has truly been a joy and a blessing to watch all this talent grow over the years.
GO DIRTBAGS 2010 JUPITER WORLD WOODBAT CHAMPIONS.

 

Here is an interesting tidbit: I'm sure this has never happened before.

Brett Austin, Providence HS catcher, received national championship rings in the same year for the WWBA National Champions at East Cobb this summer playing for the Diamond Devils. Then this fall he won another national championship ring at WWBA/PG Jupiter tournament playing for the Dirtbags.

The rings, I am told, are the size of the Super Bowl rings. I bet Brett is the only one that can sport both of them in the same year....and maybe the only player that has ever won 2 of them period.

 

Wood Bat

I think it does get old playing the same teams week in and week out, but there are some very good match-ups at all tourneys, just not for all teams involved.

Have to think that with the newbats in college that the summer tourney's will take on a more wood bat look for the college's to evaluate the talent level on a equal playing field. I know that this years seniors and juniors will be benifiting from the old batsin HS, but can't imagine that college recuriters will not want to see what these kids will do with a wood bat in their hands though out the summer season,just my opion.

If they go to wood bat tourneys for the summer then when they go to the WWBA Tourneys they will have a better feelfor what the team is in a competive game setting as well. Not to mention how to pitch in that setting.

 

Too many ego's?? Well then my question would be someone needs to get thru to Partin and Petty and something like this needs to happen. It would be good for baseball in this region. The Dirtbags/Canes saga needs to be flushed. Check your ego's at the door, and do whats best for the kids, and the region. The idea is a solid one, and it would draw a lot of people. 2011 rosters are gone. I think you go with the 2012 rosters b/c that is what college guys would want to see, and pro guys next summer.