Long-winded multi-part response of my experiences...
Our first experience with the was after the summer of 2020. This was 14u. The team was independent, chartered by our local Rec org. Was a decent starter team. If we put the original 12 kids back together they would be reasonably competetive. We had a coach who had taken over the team from the original coach, and we lost a couple higher-talent kids at that point. After the summer, new coach proposed going to the Bombers as it would improve recruiting better players. I don't think that ever happened. We sent checks every month, but the benefits were essentially just the right to wear the very nice uniforms. No support. Team tried hard that fall/winter but went downhill. Would probably have been different if we were in TX. The good part was our sister team (16u) needed a pickup player a couple times. It was a more mature/serious team. DD got to practice and play with them for two tourneys and it greatly expanded her view of what she was capable of and got her improved exposure.
Other teams:
- 16u team. Was a very good independent for a long time. Recently joined the local org with the best success sending kids to P5 schools. They get entry into big events as a result and the improved exposure that goes with it and a name the coaches know They are the 2nd of two 16u teams in the org, and still a very good team, so I think it was a good move.
- 14u team. Very high talent team. Moved from a SoCal org that probably wasn't supporting them to a known org run by a guy with a good rep for placing kids and developing talent. He split the org off from the FireQuackers (I vowed years ago DD will NEVER be a Firecracker due to multiple poor experiences with azzhat coaches), where he had made a name for himself. Probably a good move for both. Strengthened the local org for sure, which is good.
- 16u team. Good, but not outstanding. Left the above local org to go to the Thunderbolts. Yes, those Thunderbolts from Alabama. We are in AZ. The only explanation I can think of is he wants to collect a team of kids interested in going East for college and thinks the name will help. Unis are an improvement, though.
Our first experience with the was after the summer of 2020. This was 14u. The team was independent, chartered by our local Rec org. Was a decent starter team. If we put the original 12 kids back together they would be reasonably competetive. We had a coach who had taken over the team from the original coach, and we lost a couple higher-talent kids at that point. After the summer, new coach proposed going to the Bombers as it would improve recruiting better players. I don't think that ever happened. We sent checks every month, but the benefits were essentially just the right to wear the very nice uniforms. No support. Team tried hard that fall/winter but went downhill. Would probably have been different if we were in TX. The good part was our sister team (16u) needed a pickup player a couple times. It was a more mature/serious team. DD got to practice and play with them for two tourneys and it greatly expanded her view of what she was capable of and got her improved exposure.
Other teams:
- 16u team. Was a very good independent for a long time. Recently joined the local org with the best success sending kids to P5 schools. They get entry into big events as a result and the improved exposure that goes with it and a name the coaches know They are the 2nd of two 16u teams in the org, and still a very good team, so I think it was a good move.
- 14u team. Very high talent team. Moved from a SoCal org that probably wasn't supporting them to a known org run by a guy with a good rep for placing kids and developing talent. He split the org off from the FireQuackers (I vowed years ago DD will NEVER be a Firecracker due to multiple poor experiences with azzhat coaches), where he had made a name for himself. Probably a good move for both. Strengthened the local org for sure, which is good.
- 16u team. Good, but not outstanding. Left the above local org to go to the Thunderbolts. Yes, those Thunderbolts from Alabama. We are in AZ. The only explanation I can think of is he wants to collect a team of kids interested in going East for college and thinks the name will help. Unis are an improvement, though.