Gamecock Baseball!  Know the difference....

 

 

Every time I write the words travel ball, I think about how hollow these words really are. Just because a team travels, it doesn't mean that "travel teams" are producing results for their players!!

 In soccer, the U.S. Olympic Committee has ODP or Olympic Development Program. The equivalent in baseball could be called a "CDP," or College Development Program. The key word is program. Development or progress cannot take place if there is not a plan or program to guide the players along. CDP's generally focus on the college placement of its athletes and separate themselves from travel teams who's primary focus is usually to win trophies and many times, "win at all cost."

Generally, there is nothing wrong with travel teams. In fact, we applaud that more kids are playing baseball. However, the player must be aware of the travel ball concept up front. Teams that travel for the purpose of winning can continue to call themselves travel teams and can even say that they are a step above rec ball. But if there is not a plan to develop, limited evaluation skills by the staff, and/or no rapport with college recruiters, then they are only travel teams and nothing more.

The programs that have a track record of college placement, player development, and a business plan to get the athlete to the next level are the true College Development Programs. They are the CDP's that we refer to. Here are the 3 main types of amateur baseball a player can participate in before they enter a college program as a student-athlete.

1. Rec Ball
These are teams/leagues that offer players the chance to play baseball but not with a specific goal in mind. Many rec ball teams play their 25 games in a season and are very democratic about the division of talent. In some parts of the country, especially in the cold weather states, rec ball is embraced and there are some players that will get recruited by cold weather colleges out of these leagues. In warm weather states, players have the ability to play year round and rec ball doesn't provide enough competition or year round play for serious players.

2. Travel Ball
These teams provide more year round opportunities and the ability to play against better competition, but do not usually have the resources to offer much beyond that. These are the teams that sometimes come under scrutiny when the arguments and criticism between rec ball and travel ball heat up on message boards.

There has been an increase of travel teams as of late and some are started by overzealous dads that want to showcase their sons. To be fair, some of these teams do provide a better opportunity to play against good competition, and some dads really know the game and CAN develop players. We applaud those teams. But after these dads realize that their sons need more to reach their goals of next level baseball on their own, these teams usually disband. The rest of the players are left wondering what's next?

3. College Development Program (CDP)
CDP's are at the top of the baseball pyramid. These were the programs that we were referring to when we touted travel ball. Except going forward, we will not being calling them travel teams anymore. From this point forward, we will be referring to true developmental teams as CDP's. A very reputable amateur baseball program recently ranked the top 5 College Development Programs in the country, which was their second annual ranking. The teams that were ranked are the definition of CDP. They have a plan to develop, a database and rapport with college coaches and a long list of players that have been placed over many years of service. They are not as obsessed with winning a trophy as they are making sure that their players understand the game and are being showcased in front of the right recruiters. Obviously, when you get a group of top players together, their competitive spirit wants to win, and many of them do win a major tournament or two... but they do so in front of hundreds of scouts at a WWBA event, the Arizona Fall Classic, a Perfect Game event or another high profile showcase tourney.

To learn more about Gamecocks Development Programs in general, contact us

 

 

 

 

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SO CAL GAMECOCKS is an elite Baseball Club. We are a family ran academy, with the primary purpose of providing the youth of Southern California an opportunity to participate in an organized competitive travel baseball program. This program will stress the principles of good sportsmanship, leadership, teamwork, and the fundamentals of baseball. It is recognized that winning is a desired outcome of this program: however, positive team and individual development, as well as teaching of good sportsmanship, will not be sacrificed to the goal of winning.

 

JULY 26-28,2013
PISMO BEACH,CA

 2ND PLACE

 

The 11U SO CAL GAMECOCKS WERE AT IT AGAIN!!

 GAMECOCKS 

CRUSHED THE Central Coast Academy 15-0, B-Town Sliders Black10-0  

O.C Aces 11-3, Clovis Fire 7-0, & Lost in the Championship to #1 team in California in my book! BAKERSFIELD HEAT 17-2 to win the Bid and qualify for the Fall Nationals in Las Vegas NV in September.  

 

 

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SAN JACINTO,CA
JUNE 8/9 2013
2ND PLACE

 

BOYS WENT 4-1

LOST IN THE SHIP TO A GOOD I.E. ELITE TEAM 5-3

STILL TOOK HOME SOME OF THE MONEYYYYY!!!!

 

DEFEATED SWAT 3-1

BEAT SC BOMBERS 8-7

SURVIVED INLAND DUKES 2-1

DESTROYED CALI RAYS 10U 15-0

GOT BEAT ON BUNTS BY IE ELITE 5-3

 

 

 

 

 

 

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WESTMINSTER,CA
MAY 5, 2013
2ND PLACE

 THE BOYS PLAYED WELL ALL WEEKEND THROUGH INJURYS AND KEY PLAYERS OUT AND STILL MANAGED TO GET TO CHAMPIONSHIP AND LOSE TO A GREAT NV BULLDOGS TEAM!

 

 

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So cal gamecocks "cinco de mayo 11u tournament" may 4/5th 2013

 

RIVERSIDE,CA
FEB 2 2013
1ST PLACE

 

BOYS OUTPLAYED THE COMPETITION! THEY OUTSCORED THEIR OPPONENTS 30-7!

WENT 3-0 AND WALKED AWAY WITH NEW JERSEYS!!! TEAM IS GETTING STRONGER!

GAMECOCKS HAVE WON 4 OUT OF THEIR LAST 5 TOURNAMENTS!!!

" AND YES THE NIT STILL BURNS!!!"

 

 

 

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JAN 12-13 2013
FONTANA,CA
1ST PLACE

 

 

 

 

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ROWLAND HEIGHTS,CA
DECEMBER 15/16 2012
1ST PLACE

 

 

 

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DEC 8,9 2012
WEST COVINA,CA

2ND PLACE

USSSA once again help put an end to hunger in our community. The teams brought canned and nonperishable foods to the tournament to help feed needy families these holiday seasons. Food was donated to local food shelters. 

This tournament was a Global/USSSA World Series qualifier. All teams that participated will be eligible to play in the Global/USSSA World Series in July if they play in the State Tournament on Memorial Day


The boys got started right away with their first opponent the FONTANA SEMINOLES, now this team is legit as they had beat us up before in a local wood bat tournament. Our boys got started quick with 6 runs in the 1st inning and capitalizing on their defensive mistakes. Looks like we caught them napping as they settle down the rest of the game but by that time it was 2 late... COCKS 8-6

 

In our second pool play game we were matched up vs the SGV DORADOS and i was scoping them out as we had never played them and heard of them... They gave us a good game until about the 3rd inning and then the boys took off on them winning 10-2

2-0 in pool play #3 seed

 

On Sunday we started the playoffs vs OC ACES SILVER a local team from our area that usually shutdowns for rec ball and it showed... we won convincingly but they made a slight run at the end, nothing to sweat. On another note, Big props to PATRICK NAVA # 13 as he hit a shot in big league dreams that I have never seen in my coaching days! Dead center about 280 ft! 1 bounce hit the wall @ dodger field West Covina. COCKS 8-6

 

In our semifinal game we were facing a strong SO CAL BULLDOGS team. They had just manhandled the DORADOS and were on cloud 9! Sorry had to burst their bubble and bring them back down to reality! Tight game but key hits by unlikely of heroes and impenetrable defense and we were on our way to the ship again!! COCKS 3-1

 

Well, the stage was set, and the 2 undefeated teams were in the Championship

BC PROSPECTS #1 seed vs SC GAMECOCKS #3 SEED

The game was back and forth and at 1 point I thought we had in the bag but goes to show you Lady Luck was on their side! and our boys were to beat up from all weekends grind, a couple of pass balls and not enough hits did the job!

Prospects 9-7 

 

The boys played great, and we NEVER LET UP!

 

That's the GAMECOCK MOTTO! 

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JULY1/2 2012
CHARTER OAK, CA

1ST PLACE


GAMECOCKS WIN ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP!

OUR FIRST GAME HAD US PLAYING THE SOCAL OUTLAWS BLACK 9U TEAM. GOES TO SHOW YOU NEVER UNDER ESTIMATE NO TEAM. WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE A WALK IN THE PARK AND INSTEAD THOSE BOYS WHOOPED OUR ASS!!
MUCH CREDIT TO THESE BIG ASS 9 YEAR OLDS. I BELIEVE THEY ARE BIGGER THAN MY 10U TEAM :)

AFTER ALREADY LOSING OUR 1ST GAME TO THE OUTLAWS WE PLAYED THE MONTEBELLO MAYHEM WHICH WE HAD MERCIED TWICE THE LAST 2 X WE PLAYED THEM. I THINK OUR TEAM HAS BEAT EVERY MONTEBELLO TEAM AT ONE POINT OR ANOTHER!. AND I GUESS THEY DIDN'T FORGET CAUSE THEY CAME BACK THAT LAST INNING AND JUST UNLEASHED SOME HITS THAT WON THE GAME FOR THEM! WALK OFF - MAYHEM!!!

SOMEONE PINCH ME, I THINK I'M HAVING A NIGHTMARE!!!

AFTER CHALLENGING THE BOYS WILL TO COMPETE THAT WEEKEND AND TELLING THEM NOT TO EVER GET COMPLACENT!!!
DON'T EVER GET IN A RELAX MODE!!
DON'T EVER UNDER ESTIMATE YOUR OPPONENT! PLAY HARD FROM BEGINNING TO END! WHETHER YOUR UP 5 OR DOWN 5 RUNS. PUT THE PEDAL TO THE MEDAL AND TAKE OFF!! THINGS THEY ALREADY KNOW AS THEY HAVE WON NUMEROUS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!
BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY ARE STILL 10 YEAR OLD KIDS AND IT HAPPENS!

I GUESS OUR FAN BASE AND COACHING STAFF EXPECT POSITIVE RESULTS EVERY TIME WE HIT THE FIELD, INCLUDING MYSELF!. BUT I HAVE TO LOOK AT THE OVERALL PICTURE AND REMEMBER THEY ARE STILL BABIES! WE DON'T NEED THEM TO PEEK RIGHT NOW ANYWAY. WE GOT A COUPLE YEARS LEFT TIL' HIGH SCHOOL.
WIN TOO MANY GAMES AND THEN THEY START ACCUSING YOU OF USING SHAVED BATS AND HAVING OLDER PLAYERS, HATER-ISM AT ITS FULLEST!

ON SUNDAY WE STARTED OUR PLAY OFF GAME VS; THE TOMATEROS 9U ELITE TEAM:)
LETS JUST SAY THE FIREWORKS STARTED EARLY THAT WEEKEND FOR JOE AND HIS STAFF!
BEFORE THE 1ST INNING WAS OVER!THE DIRECTOR OF THE TOMATEROS AND THE MANAGER BOTH GOT KICKED OUT OF THE GAME!.
TIL THIS DAY I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HECK WAS THE ARGUMENT WITH THEM AND THE UMPIRE?!.
ALL I KNOW IT WAS AN EMBARRASSING MOMENT FOR THE TOMATEROS ORGANIZATION.
GAMECOCKS WIN AGAIN!!

NEXT UP WAS THE WEST COVINA RED TEAM. THIS TEAM HAD SOME BIG'O BOYS!!! BUT I GO BACK TO WHAT I ALWAYS PREACH. TRAVEL IS TRAVEL & PONY AND REC BALL WILL ALWAYS BE PONY AND REC BALL....
THE ATHLETES ARE NOT UP TO PAR.
GAMECOCKS WIN AGAIN!!!

IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WE FACED THE SOCAL OUTLAWS ELITE 9U!

NOW THIS TIME WE WEREN'T GOING TO TAKE NO 9U TEAM LIGHTLY. IF THIS WAS THEIR ELITE TEAM! AND WE GOT IT HANDED TO US BY THEIR BLACK TEAM! I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A DOG FIGHT.

THEY JUMPED ON US QUICK 4-0 THE FIRST INNING. BY THE 3RD INNING WE WERE TIED AT 5. WE TOOK THE LEAD GOING IN TO THE 5TH INNING. TIME WAS RUNNING OUT FOR THEM.

I THEN WITNESSED SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER SEEN IN MY LIFE AT ANY BASEBALL LEVEL. IF THERE WAS A BUSH BUSH LEAGUE THAT'S RIGHT 2 BUSHES - THIS ONE WOULD BE IN THE HALL OF FAME!
WITH THEIR 7,8, AND 9 HITTERS UP, THE COACHES DELIBERATELY TOLD THEM TO SWING AT ANY PITCH NO MATTER WHERE IT WAS AT, SO THEY CAN STRIKE OUT ON PURPOSE TO SPEED UP THE GAME AND END THE INNING QUICKLY SO THE NEW INNING WOULD START BEFORE THE TIME LIMIT!
AND I AM ASSUMING THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR LAST UPS WITH THEIR 1,2 AND 3 HITTERS!!!!! BUT IT BACKFIRED AND THE UMPIRE CALLED THE GAME!! HAHAHAHA!!
AND THE SAD PART ABOUT IT SOME OF THOSE HITTERS HAD GOT KEY HITS EARLIER IN THE GAME WHEN THEY WERE IN COMMAND.

FUNNY HOW THE PARENTS ON THAT TEAM DON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRATEGY AND NOT HAVING BELIEVE IN THEIR BOYS!
I WOULD RATHER MUCH LOSE WITH MY 7-8-9 HITTERS TRYING THEIR HARDEST OUT THERE TO WIN THE GAME FOR US THEN TO WIN IN THAT FASHION EVER!

I HAVE FRIENDS ON THAT TEAM! AND PARRITA I LOVE YOU BRO BUT YOU KNOW WE DONT TEACH THAT TYPE OF BASEBALL CABRON!

NOW I REALIZE THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT BRANDS OF BASEBALL OUT THERE. BUT THAT'S WHY I ONLY STICK TO ONE BRAND!!!


AND THAT'S "GAMECOCK BASEBALL"!!!

GAMECOCKS WIN 3 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN A ROW!

"WERE HOTTER THAN TABASCO"!!!!







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FATHERS DAY 2012
SANTA FE SPRINGS,CA

1ST PLACE

SO WE DECIDED FOR THE MOST PART TO START JOINING TOURNAMENTS WHERE THERES PRIZES TO WIN INSTEAD OF MEDALS, WE HAVE TOO MANY IN THE GARAGE FULL OF DUST.....

THIS WAS A NICE TOURNAMENT TO WIN AS THEY WERE GIVING AWAY HIGH QUALITY AUTHENTIC CUSTOM GLOVES!

OUR FIRST GAME MATCHED US AGAINST THE SOCAL APACHES. THEY'RE A GOOD COMPETITIVE TEAM THAT KNOWS HOW TO PLAY TOURNAMENT STYLE BASEBALL. WE HAD PLAYED THEM BEFORE AND IT WAS A CLOSE GAME HOWEVER; THE BOYS CAME OUT FLAT AND WE LOST TO THEM. 9-2!!!!

WITH THE STANDS FULL OF SOCAL STALLIONS PARENTS, FANS, COACHES AND PLAYERS WAITING TO PLAY US NEXT - WE CAN HEAR THE CHATTER ABOUT HOW WE WERE NOT A VERY GOOD TEAM AND IT WAS GOING TO BE AN EASY GAME FOR THEM.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR!!!

NOW I REMEMBER THESE GUYS WHEN THEY WERE THE VALLEY BENGALS. THEY WERE COCKY AND I COULDNT STAND COACH DERRICK AT THE TIME :) THEY HAD BEATEN US TWICE IN A PREVIOUS TOURNAMENT AND I GUESS THE KIDS AND OUR COACHES DIDNT FORGET. THE GAME WAS PRETTY TIGHT THROUGH 3 INNINGS BUT WE MANAGED TO PULL AWAY AND WE ENDED UP BEATING THEM 6-3!!! THAT FELT GOOD! :)

1-1 ON OUR FIRST DAY! NOT BAD BUT NOT WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR.

ON SUNDAY - OUR PLAYOFF GAME STARTED VS: THE SANTA FE SPRINGS PONY A TEAM. LETS JUST SAY THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PONY & TRAVEL. GAMECOCKS WIN

IN OUR SEMI-FINAL GAME WE FACED THE PICO BOYS. NOW THIS ORGANIZATION WAS WELL ESTABLISHED AND HAD GREAT TEAMS YEARS AGO. HOWEVER; I SEE ALOT OF GOOD BOYS LEAVING THOSE PROGRAMS AND JOINING MAJOR TRAVEL BALL TEAMS...
THEY MANAGED TO GET 2 RUNS ON US BUT SIMPLY HAD NO ANSWER FOR OUR BATS. OUTCOME GAMECOCKS, ALOT - PICO BOYS, LITTLE.....

TO THE REC BALL COACHES IN THESE TOURNAMENTS; DONT GIVE UP, KEEP COACHING, KEEP MOTIVATING, AND KEEP BEING THERE FOR THE BOYS IN THE COMMUNITIES. REMEMBER YOUR NOT IN SAME LEVEL PLAYING FIELD. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED,TRUST ME I'VE BEEN THERE!!

SO THE CHAMPIONSHIP WAS SET; THE SOCAL STALLIONS WITH THEIR LOUD AND ROWDY FANS "BONITO"!!!!!!!!! VS: THE SOCAL GAMECOCKS! LOS GALLOS!

TALK ABOUT AN INTENSE GAME, WITH ALL THE MARBLES AT STAKE AND PREMIUM LEATHER GLOVES TO BE WON, NOBODY WANTED TO LOSE THIS GAME! DID I MENTION BRAGGING RIGHTS WERE ALSO AT STAKE!!!!!
BACK AND FOURTH IT WAS A 1 RUN GAME, AND IT FINALLY ENDED 4-3 WITH A TYING RUN AT 2ND FOR THEM AND ONE OF THEIR HOTTEST HITTERS AT THE PLATE. (EL HUERO)
I GUESS HE WAS SWINGING FOR THE FENCES BECAUSE WITH A 2-2 COUNT AND 2 OUTS HE SWUNG AT SOME HIGH CHEESE!!! IT WAS PINATA TIME, BUT IT WASNT HIS BIRTHDAY!!! GAMECOCKS WIN 4-3

MUCH RESPECT TO THE STALLIONS, GREAT TEAM!

GAMECOCKS GET THE JOB DONE AND REMEMBER NOBODY WORKS HARDER THAN US! NOBODY!!!!

NOW WERE THE GLOVES!!!










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MEMORIAL DAY 2012
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA

1ST PLACE

THIS WEEKEND THE BOYS HAD A BAD START BUT KEPT BATTLING ALL TOURNAMENT AND CAME HOME WITH OUR FIRST SET OF MANY RINGS TO COME!

OUR FIRST POOL GAME HAD US VS. THE OC BANDITS A LACK LUSTERED TEAM AT BEST BUT THE BOYS ALWAYS FIND A WAY TO PLAY DOWN TO THE COMPETITION IN POOL PLAY. AFTER THE BOYS WERE UP 4-1 IN THE LAST INNING THEY GOT IN RELAX MODE AND LET THE BANDITS GET BACK IN THE GAME ON 3 WALKS AND 1 KEY HIT TO EVENTUALLY COME BACK AND TIE US.

SECOND POOL GAME HAD US FACING OUR BUDDIES FROM THE DESERT - THE THOUSAND OAKS BULLDOGS. I GUESS THEY DIDNT FORGET HOW WE WORKED THEM IN AZ AND SENT THEM PACKING BACK HOME, SO THEY DECIDED TO RETURN THE FAVOR AND HANDED TO US 8-1 AND PRETTY MUCH HAD THEIR WAY WITH US ALL GAME.
BOYS WERE STILL IN SHELL SHOCK MODE FROM THE PREVIOUS GAME, I GUESS?? AT LEAST THATS MY STORY AND I'M STICKING TO IT!
WOW! FIRST ROUGH DAY I THINK THAT WOKE UP THE BOYS.

ON OUR SECOND DAY WE FACED ONE OF OUR OTHER FRIENDS THAT WE HAD BATTLED IN THE AZ DESERT; THE NORWALK STINGRAYS. EXCEPT THIS TIME THEY DIDNT COME LOADED WITH OTHER PLAYERS FROM DIFFERENT TEAMS. THEY STILL MANAGED TO BEAT US 7-3 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IN OUR FINAL POOL PLAY GAME, WE FACED THE ABD AZTECS AND AMAZINGLY WE GOT A WIN!!!
"THANK GOD POOL PLAY IS OVER" SILVER BRACKET HERE WE COME :(

ON MONDAY IN OUR FIRST PLAYOFF GAME WE FACED THE BLUE WAVE TEAM FROM IRVINE WHICH WASNT VERY COMPETETIVE. IT WAS OVER BEFORE IT BEGAN.

WE WERE NOW IN THE SILVER BRACKET CHAMPIONSHIP.

I EXPLAINED TO THE BOYS THAT IT DIDNT MATTER WHETHER IT WAS SILVER, GOLD, BRONZE, WHATEVER - IF THERE WAS THINGS TO WIN WE WERE GOING TO WIN IT. SO WITH THE RINGS AT STAKE WE WERE READY TO TAKE THEM HOME!!!

THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FACED US AGAINST THE ABD AZTECS WHICH WE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEAT IN POOL PLAY. BOYS CAME OUT AGGRESSIVE RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE AND TOOK THE RINGS HOME!
ANOTHER GOOD ENDING TO WHAT COULD OF BEEN A LONG MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

BIG SHOUT OUT TO OUR VETS!!

THANK YOU




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MARCH 22 2012
SCOTTSDALE,AZ

2ND PLACE

AS WE EMBARK ON OUR SECOND ANNUAL TRIP TO THE DESERT, KEEP IN MIND OUR GOALS THAT WE SET AND THE HARD WORK WE HAVE DONE ALL YEAR!
GO GAMECOCKS!!!
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IN OUR FIRST GAME WE FACED THE CAL SELECT BLACK TEAM AND WE WON 5-4 ON A CONTROVERSIAL TIME LIMIT RULE. SUCKS TO BE CAL SELECT BLACK RIGHT ABOUT NOW!!!

2ND GAME - WE FACED CALGARY COYOTES FROM CANADA. LETS JUST SAY THEY SHOULD STICK TO HOCKEY UP THERE! 14-1 GAMECOCKS, AND I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

3RD GAME - WE WERE AGAINST "SEATTLE SELECT PURPLE" FROM WASHINGTON, AND I TELL YOU; THESE BOYS CAN HIT! LITTLE SUSPECT ON THE DEFENSE SIDE OF THE GAME, MAYBE BECAUSE IT RAINS SO MUCH UP THERE NOT ENOUGH INFIELD PRACTICE ON THE DIAMOND BUT THEY LIVE AT THE CAGES!
WE LITERALLY HAD TO POUND IT OUT WITH THIS GUYS. FINAL SCORE GAMECOCKS 14-9.

OUR FIRST PLAY OFF GAME WAS VS: THE HEADFIRST GAMERS FROM NOTHERN CALIFORNIA. THEY HAD US ON THE ROPES UP ON US 4-1 ON THE 3RD INNING AND OUR BOYS COULDNT TOUCH THEIR PITCHER
HOWEVER; THIS IS WHEN YOU HAVE TO PLAY THE GAME! AND WE KNOW HOW TO PLAY THE GAME! SMALL BALL HERE WE COME!
AFTER A WALKED BATTER WE BUNTED 2X IN A ROW TO LOAD THE BASES! THEY MUST NOT BE USE TO MAKING PLAYS WHEN THEIR ACE IS ON THE HILL.
BASES LOADED NO OUTS! MANAGER OPTED TO TAKE OUT STARTING PITCHER AND PUT IN THEIR RELIEVER. BIG MISTAKE!!!
ONE BASES CLEARING TRIPLE BY MR. BUCK WAS ALL IT TOOK TO TIE THIS BABY UP!!!
ONCE WE SMELLED BLOOD WE WENT FOR THE KILL!!!!
FINAL SCORE GAMECOCKS 7-4

IN OUR SEMI FINAL GAME WE FACED A LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM KNOWN AS THE THOUSAND OAKS BULLDOGS. FROM THE BEGINNING I KNEW THESE COACHES WERE A JOKE! WE HAD ONE PLAYER WITHOUT A JERSEY (WHICH WAS MY SON) AND THESE BOZOS THOUGHT WE WERE BRINGING IN RINGERS!!!
SO THEY PROTESTED FOR MY SON NOT TO PLAY WITHOUT A MATCHING JERSEY. NO WORRIES MY BOYS TOOK CARE OF THEM AND I BELIEVE ONE OF THE COACHES SON GOT INJURED, KARMA BABY!!!

IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WHICH HAD THE PROPER TEAMS IN IT - #1 SEED VS: #2 SEED. NORWALK STINGRAYS VS: GAMECOCKS.
BOTH UNDEFEATED GOING INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP. AFTER FINDING OUT REALLY QUICKLY THAT THIS TEAM WAS A COMBINATION OF NORWALK STINGRAYS/PICO GRAVEDIGGERS I KNEW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A TOUGH GAME. AND SURE ENOUGH BY THE TIME THE 4TH INNING CAME AROUND THEY HAD OUTHIT US AND BEAT US, OUR BOYS WERE TIRED AND WE HAD SIMPLY NO PITCHING LEFT!

AT LEAST I KNEW ALL MY KIDS NAMES WHEN I PASSED OUT THE PLAQUES. PRETTY SAD WHEN YOU DONT KNOW THE NAME OF THE KIDS THAT ARE FILLING IN FOR YOUR TEAM.

I WENT WITH MY LITTLE TEAM WHICH CONSISTS OF 9/10'S THAT HAVE BEEN PUTTING IN WORK FOR OVER A YEAR NOW AND COMPETED WITH EVERYBODY AND DIDNT HAVE TO STACK MY TEAM JUST TO WIN A WOODEN PLAQUE.

THIS TRIP WAS GOOD FOR THE BOYS AS THEY BATTLED AS ONE TEAM! IT WAS A GREAT VACATION FOR ALL THE FAMILIES INVOLVED. THATS WHY THIS IS OUR ANNUAL DESTINATION "SPRING TRAINING IN THE DESERT"






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JAN 28 2012
WEST COVINA,CA

1ST PLACE

THE BOYS CONTINUE TO STAY HOT AND WIN ANOTHER USSSA CHAMPIONSHIP!!

FACT: THE GAMECOCKS PLAYED IN 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN 2011!!
HAVE WON 5 OF THEM & FELL SHORT 7 TIMES....

HATE US OR LOVE US YOU CANT IGNORE US!!!










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HB SPORTS COMPLEX,CA
USSSA MLK NIT

Once again the boys were playing 11u and they didn't waste no time facing the eventual runner up in the tourney the HB NITRO 11U. we battled all game and eventually lost to them 9-6!!

The our 2ND game we faced were the OC WAVES ELITE 11U the boys lead most of the game but those kids were 2 strong finally catching us and taking a lead... final score WAVES 8-5!!!

Not 2 bad!! 2 competitive games vs 11u teams at 50/70!!! Lots of great reviews and parents waving us down and congratulating us for having such a great ,well coached team!! That in itself is worth more than 2 wins in my book!!

On Sunday in our last pool game we played the VIPERS 11U team and we WON convincingly 8-4 as GREAT DEFENSE,TIMELY HITTING & MR LONG(#15) shutting the door on them big boys!!!

In Mondays playoff game vs the Irvine Rox (eventual champs)the boys had nothing in the tank and got beat 11-0!!
never have a huge team party the night before a big game!:)

Overall it was a good experience and we cant wait for our next 11u tourney!!


GAMECOCKS! GAMECOCKS! GAMECOCKS!

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JAN 8 2012
RANCHO CUCAMONGA,CA

2ND PLACE


The boys got a warm up and were able to get rid of the rust as they were off for 3 weeks!! With 1 practice under their belts they still got runner up to a good Chino Hills Rays team!

After beating up on the OC NOMADS once again the boys lost to the CH Rays and were faced once again in the ship!!
The Rays hit the ball well and all the missed reps by us killed our offense!!

Seems like the Rays got our number for now.....







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DEC 18 2011
GARDEN GROVE,CA
12U MATADORS FUNDRAISER TOURNEY

1ST PLACE 

WELL THE BOYS GREW UP QUICK! RIGHT BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS, IT LOOKS LIKE SANTA JUST BROUGHT THEM ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM IN 2011!!!
PLAYING UP IN THE 11U BRACKET AS THEY PREPARE FOR ARIZONA, THEY BOYS STARTED OFF VS THE 11U MATADORS TEAM AND WON 13-5 .. SOLID PITCHING AND GOOD HITTING GOT THE JOB DONE.

THE SECOND POOL PLAY GAME WAS VS THE SWAT 11U TEAM AND THEY WERE WELL COACHED AND BIG BOYS!! BUT SIZE DOESN'T MATTER IN BASEBALL. AFTER LEADING MUCH OF THE WAY THE BOYS GAVE UP 1 KEY HIT AND THE SWAT GOT 3 RUNS AND CAME BACK IN THEIR LAST AT BATS AND WON 13-12...:(

BOYS SHOULD OF BEEN 2-0!

ON SUNDAY WE WERE THE 2ND SEED AND FACE OUR FRIENDS SWAT AGAIN! THIS TIME THE BOYS DIDN'T LET UP AND WON 10-7 AND WERE READY FOR THE SHIP!!

IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WE FACED THE GARDEN GROVE HUSTLE, WITH VERY COCKY FANS AND HARDCORE COACHES IT WAS LOOKING LIKE A BUILD UP TO A TENSE GAME!!
WE FACED THE SAME TEAM 1 YEAR AGO AS 9S AND THEY BEAT US UP PRETTY BAD ,RAN UP THE SCORE AND WERE NOT RESPECTING THE GAME! WE DIDN'T FORGET :)

THAT GAME WAS SURPRISINGLY QUITE, THE BOYS SCORED 2 OR MORE RUNS EVERY INNING AND THE GAME WAS A BREEZE!! FINAL 13-6 BALLGAME!!
THE BEST KIND OF WIN IS WHEN YOU WIN ON THE OTHER TEAMS HOME FIELD AND THE OTHER COACHES,PARENTS,FANS DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY AND ARE BLOWN AWAY BY OUR LITTLE GUYS.....

11U HERE WE COME!!!!

GAMECOCKS! GAMECOCKS! GAMECOCKS!
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2011 GAMECOCKS BASEBALL TURKEY SHOOTOUT CHAMPIONS
INLAND DUKES!!!!!

THANKS TO ALL THE TEAMS AND COACHES THAT SUPPORTED OUR ORGANIZATION

GEORGE(DUKES) JOSH(ROADRUNNERS) JESSE(COBRAS) JUAN(RAMPAGE)

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The day started off perfect as it was a community of parents, players and coaches that worked together in the early a.m hrs to get this shootout under way!!!

The first 2 games were the Dukes vs The Gallos and the Rampage vs Roadrunners.
The Dukes took care of the Gallos pretty convincingly as they pounded them 12-2
& the Roadrunners squeked by the Rampage 10-7

The next set of games were heated nail bitters! The Dukes battled with the So Cal Cobras back and forth and the game had to almost be stopped as the Cobras coach claimed.the Dukes were picking off his signs!!!! Come on coach!.. If the opposing manager learns your signs than u should tip your hat to him and change your signs! Isn't baseball 1 giant chess game!!! Thats why I love baseball,a thinking mans game.. After the dust settled and the smoke cleared the Cobras still won 6-4, go figure, he didnt get all your signs after all coach!!!.....

On the other side the Rampage vs Gallos, the Gallos jumped out to a 6-2 lead but it all dissapeared in the 5th with a meltdown inn. , giving up 7 runs and crumbling under preassure!! Sometimes your Hot! Sometimes your Cold! Thats baseball!
Dont worry Gallos aka Gamecocks , ur still the 2011 U.S.S.S.A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!!! until they crown the next one in July 2012!!!!

The way the tournament unfolded couldnt have been better, the winner of the So Cal Cobras vs Roadrunners would face the Inland Dukes for all the marbles! Would we have a heated rematch or a new rivalry?!

After numerous nail bitting innings of good competetive baseball the Roadrunners prevailed 12-11 and the Dukes coach could breath now!! :)

Well the stage was set and the atmosphere was electric! On this muggy day the clouds were ready to roll in and you knew it was going to start pouring soon! Most tournaments got rained out the following day but not us!!! :)

Well the lightning and thunder came but in the form of the Duke's batt's pounding the pearls all over the place!! The Dukes got 6 runs in the 1st inning and never looked back!!
the roadrunners made it intresting but they had a long layoff and were still a little rusty but they showed heart! Dukes 12-3

Again thx to all the teams that came out and supported and kept their word!!! The boys really appreciate your support in their fundraising...

To the teams that flaked and their word means nothing, all I have to say is Karma baby!!
Our organization will never support your teams, events ,clinics or anything for that matter! dont call us, dont email us ,as a matter of fact dont even say whats up" Julio"! when u see me at a tournament, and u will see us at tournaments for a long time!!!

GAMECOCKS!!!!

OCT 2 2011
FOUNTAIN VALLEY,CA

2ND PLACE

 

The boys are revamped & reloaded!! They put in work & play w/ 8 players in semifinals and still make a strong push for the rings!!! These boys have no quit in them!

The weekend started off good as we mercied the Team Rawlings team as all the boys were hitting the ball and we got a complete game on the hill from #8 Fern dog! All of our pitchers are going to have to step it up for the team!

Our 2nd pool game started off good but it seem the boys were not into it mentally after easily dismantaling the rawlings team! We got our butts handed to us by the Inland Dukes!! 11-3

With 2 pool games down and 1 to go we faced our good friends the FV Renegades! They have had our number and they continued with a 12-4 whooping on us!!! The boys were not looking good at this time!!

Seeding;

In our playoff game we were facing the Renegades again and they didnt take us lightly even if we had 8 players ,as they threw their ace against us!! " Have no fear, gamecock bats were here!" We pounded them for 6 in the first inn... As the outs went by and the game progressed they had no clue how to battle #15 Johnny Long!! He pretty muched had his way w/ them!! Final 9-5 win for the gamecocks!!! Hey Renegades coach, not bad for 8 misfits!!!???

Going into the championship we were heavily depleted in the pitching dept.. We still got a gem from #9 smalls & #2 kellen "goose" as they kept us in the game 3-2....
However in the end the Dukes had some timely hitting and we could not string some hits together finally subcoming to them 6-2....

In the end the boys showed heart,desire & determination!! Just to be in the championship game again!!! Thats what we do here!! We play in meaningful games!!!

Gamecocks!!! Gamecocks!!!

Revamped & Reloaded!!!!

AUG 14, 2011
RANCHO CUCAMONGA,CA

1ST PLACE

 

ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP WIN FOR THE BOYS AS THEY PICK UP MOMENTUM AND GET READY TO GO TO VEGAS FOR THE TRIPLE CROWN FALL NATIONALS...

DON'T LOOK NOW BUT WERE STARTING TO KICK UP SOME DUST!!!
MAJOR CIRCUIT WERE HERE TO STAY!!







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JULY 25, 2011
CHINO HILLS,CA

1ST PLACE
USSSA WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS

 

EXTRA!! EXTRA!! READ ALL ABOUT IT!! GAMECOCKS WIN THE U.S.S.S.A WORLD SERIES!!!

THAT'S RIGHT LADIES & GENTLEMEN WE DID IT... THE BOYS ACCOMPLISHED 1 OF MANY GOALS WE SET FOR THEM THIS YEAR.

THE EVENT STARTED OFF WITH A BANG AS THE BOYS SWEPT THE SKILLS COMPETITION AND ALL 13 BOYS CAME HOME THE OPENING NIGHT WITH INDIVIDUAL MEDALS!! THAT WAS JUST A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME!

IN OUR FIRST POOL GAME THE BOYS WERE ON CLOUD 9 BUT SGV SHARKS BROUGHT US BACK TO REALITY QUICK AS THEY JUMP ON US WITH A 10-5 WIN!! THE BOYS WERE EXITED TO PLAY THEM AGAIN AS THEY TIED US THE LAST TIME WE FACED THEM, BUT THIS TIME OUR BOYS DIDN'T STEP UP FOR THE CHALLENGE.

IN OUR NEXT GAME THE BOYS PUT A WHIPPING ON THE MANHATTAN BEACH HEATERS WITH A SOLID GAME WINNING 8-0 AND LEAVING COACH ERIK KARROS WONDERING IF HE WAS WITH THE DODGERS ALL OVER AGAIN!!!

1-1 ON THE FIRST DAY,NOT BAD BUT WE SHOOT FOR 2-0!

THE NEXT 2 OPPONENTS WERE NOT READY FOR OUR GAMECOCKS!!

IN OUR FIRST GAME WE JUMPED ON 5-0 ON THE SO CAL COBRAS AND MADE THEM THROW THEIR ACE WHICH THEY WERE TRYING TO SAVE FOR PLAYOFFS!! THE KID THREW 88 PITCHES!!! THEY MANAGED TO GET 1 MEASLY RUN ON A FIELDERS CHOICE BUT WE GOT OUT OF THERE WITH A 5-1 VICTORY..

THE SECOND GAME WAS ALMOST OVER BEFORE IT BEGAN AS THE RSM THUNDER WERE CLEARLY DOWN PLAYERS AND HAD SOME RINGERS INJURED, THE OUTCOME WAS A LOT 2 A LITTLE BUT THE THUNDER NEVER GAVE UP AND PLAYED HARD TO THE END...
1 MORE WIN FOR US!!!

2-0 ON THE SECOND DAY, NOW THAT'S MORE LIKE IT!!!

WE WENT IN TO THE PLAYOFFS AS THE #2 SEED AND WERE FACING THE SO CAL COBRAS AGAIN AND THEY CAME OUT TRYING TO MERCY US!! THEY SCORED 5 IN THE 1ST INN, 2 IN THE 2ND AND 1 MORE IN THE 4TH!!

WE WERE DOWN 8-0 IN THE 4TH AND AT THIS POINT I WAS PUTTING IN THE SUBS AND THAT SPARKED UP A RALLY THAT U WOULD HAVE HAD TO BE THERE TO BELIEVE IT!! AS THE RESERVES CAME IN AND WENT 3 FOR 3 IN THAT FINAL INNING!!! FINAL SCORE 9-8 GAMECOCKS WIN!!!

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!!!

AFTER AN EXHAUSTING SEMIFINAL GAME WHERE EVERY TYPE OF EMOTIONS WHERE EXPERIENCED BY ALL!! WE WERE FACING THE MB HEATERS AGAIN AFTER THEY UPSET THE SHARKS IN THE OTHER SEMIFINAL GAME.

THE HEATERS BEGAN WHERE THE COBRAS LEFT OFF!! POUNDING US THIS TIME FOR 10 RUNS IN THE 1ST INNING AND I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE A LONG GAME...

THE RALLY BEGAN SLOWLY BUT SURELY AS WE TRICKLED AWAY THE LEAD 1 RUN AT A TIME! THE PITCHING SETTLED DOWN AND AT THIS POINT IT WAS JUST A MATTER IF WE HAD ENOUGH INNINGS TO CATCH UP!?!?

THE SLUG FEST AND UGLY DEFENSE BY BOTH TEAMS CONTINUED UNTIL THE 6TH INNING WHEN WE FINALLY GOT AHEAD 16-13!!
IN THE BOTTOM OF THE 6TH WE STARTED BY WALKING THE FIRST 2 BATTERS AND HITTING THE NEXT ONE TO LOAD THE BASES WITH NO OUTS!!
1K AND 1 FIELDERS CHOICE MADE IT 16-14 WITH 2 OUTS AND AT THIS POINT AS A MANAGER I WAS STARTING TO SWEAT!! 3 MORE STRIKES AND BALLGAME!! WE WERE WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!

STRONG PITCHING,TIMELY HITTING AND NEVER GIVING UP UNTIL ITS OVER APPROACH IS WHAT GOT US OUT OF 2 JAMS!! COMING BACK FROM 18 RUNS IN 2 GAMES WHEN ALL THE MARBLES ARE AT STAKE IS UNHEARD OF AND U SIMPLY CANT TEACH HEART AND DESIRE!!

WE DID IT BOYS!!
PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING!!

GAMECOCKS! GAMECOCKS! GAMECOCKS!






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JUNE 4, 2011
POMONA,CA

1ST PLACE

 

Finally we got the monkey off our back and won our gold championship!!!!

The weekend started off great as John Boy dominated the Chino Hills Red team by pitching 5 inn of no hit ball!!!
I took him out with a no hitter intact,but at this age none of that matters coaches!
Won 5-2

The second game was vs the SGV Cobras, the game was almost over before it even began as the boys put up 9runs in the 1st inning!!!
Coaches dont let us be visitors,it might be a long day 4 u!!!
After been up 10 runs, we stopped running and only moving station 2 station. No need to emberass no one and we dont disrespect the game!! Run it up on us and your bound to get beaned!!!!
Won 14-2

1st seed going into playoffs!!

Our playoff game was vs the SGV Cobras again! This time they brought the ringers from the other cobra teams Red,Black or Green?? Didnt matter the result was still the same!! 1 or 2 kids wont win a game u need all 9!!!
Won 17-7

In the championship game we were playing the #2 seed La Canada Spartans, well rested and with there #1 pitcher available.. The game was back & forth all day!
In the 4th inn the La Canada team put up 4 runs to go up 9-4 and shut us down in our half of the inning and it was looking grim!!!
I told the boys to remember how it felt all those times we came up short in championship games and all the hard work they put in at practice and challenged them to dig deep 1 more time and go to war!!!
Wow ! Did they ever respond! Putting up 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th & ending the game with 1 of the 4 double plays turned that weekend.

6-4-3!!!! Ballgame!!!

Winners & Champions! Go Gamecocks!!

MEMORIAL DAY 2011
FOUNTAIN VALLEY,CA

2ND PLACE

 

Close again but no cigar!!

The memorial day tournament was a blast for the boys as once again they were playing in another champion game!!

The first game started vs a new team the So cal Eliminators and it did not start off pretty as the gamecocks gave up 6 runs on 2 hits in the 1st inning!!! Walks will kill u...
the boys got it together by the 3rd inning and took over beating them 10-7

The second game was against the Fountain Valley A team, right off the bat they had 1 bad inning and got six runs!!! But the Gamecocks came for a good o'l fashion cockfight!!
coming back in the game and having the FV team wondering what was going on!...
Leaving the bases loaded the last 2 inn and couldnt cash them in!!!!
Finally losing 7-5

The Gamecocks seeded 6th and got put in the bracket with the 2&3 seeds wich were both 2-0 going in.
The first game was vs Sc tritons and they threw there ace.fast ball pitcher and we eat up fastballs for snacks!!! By the time we spun the wheel on them and the bats cooled off the other coach was screaming for mercy!!! Sorry bud didnt mean to run it up on you that way,but you came back down 8 in your previous game wasnt going to risk it...not our style.. Scoreboard win 15-2

The next opponent was a real challenge facing the SGV Sandlot Sharks, man those guys come to play!! Close game back & forth, pitchers duel!! We had them going into the last inn 4-2 and just a couple bad breaks and they came back and tied the score!!!
final 4-4 tie....:(

Winning our bracket and playing on Monday in the Gold championship Game!!!

The boys played hard all weekend and it showed as they simply ran out of gas and pitching ,making crucial.errors at key moments and simply putting up 2 measly hits!! Oh well,back to the drawing board boys,more practice and more hard work never quit never give up!!!

Whos ready for some Gamecock Baseball!!!

APRIL 3, 2011
RIVERSIDE,CA

2ND PLACE

 

ONCE AGAIN THE BOYS PLAYED GREAT ALL DAY AND HAD A MELTDOWN INNING IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!! THEY KEEP GETTING BETTER AND THEY ARE HUNGRY FOR THEIR FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP!!!


THE BOYS HAVE PLAYED IN 3 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE LAST 4 TOURNEYS!!!

KEEP FIGHTING AND WORKING HARD GAMECOCKS!! WERE AT THE DOOR KNOCKING!!!




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MARCH 18-20,2011
MESA,AZ

3RD PLACE

IT WAS A BLAST!!! THE KIDS HAD A GOOD WEEKEND AND ALL THE FAMALIES HAD A BLAST. THEY GOT TO BOND MORE AS A TEAM AND IT WILL MAKE EVERYBODY BETTER FROM IT!!

GO GAMECOCKS!!

3RD PLACE D2!!




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MARCH 13,2011
FONTANA,CA

2ND PLACE

4 GAMES IN ONE DAY!!!
GETTING STRONGER!!!




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JAN 29,30 2011
BIG LEAGUE DREAMS
WEST COVINA

2ND PLACE

THE BOYS HAD A BLAST!FOR SOME OF THEM IT WAS THERE FIRST TIME @ BIG LEAGUE DREAMS!!!

WAY TO GO BOYS! RUNNER UP WINTER NATIONALS!! SEEMS THE OUTLAWS GOT OUR NUMBER FOR NOW,BUT WE WILL SEE THEM SOON IN ARIZONA!!!!







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