Regional Pool Players for 97

So kids got their regional invitations last night.... almost a grand for camp...that is crazy.

I heard there were three different letters sent out this year. Does anybody know for sure? BB got one letter and friend got another. One says accepted, one says alternate. Was there one that just said -sorry, not this year? Parents of bb that got "alternate" letter are already planning on attending another camp, and not waiting on ODP call. I tend to agree with there move.

prohibit wrote:I heard there were three different letters sent out this year. Does anybody know for sure? BB got one letter and friend got another. One says accepted, one says alternate. Was there one that just said -sorry, not this year? Parents of bb that got "alternate" letter are already planning on attending another camp, and not waiting on ODP call. I tend to agree with there move.

So, I confirmed Sunday that my hearing was wrong, only two letters were sent out. First team looks solid. I heard a lot of talking while Gary was addressing the parents and players. Anyone care to share, as it seems like a few parents were upset. One parent even said to like three other parents that his bb was like the best one out there and was not sure why he did not get a letter of acceptance. The other parents just shrugged. OPne looked at him like he was an idiot.

Gary's talk was primarily to address the concerns / gripes of parents whose boys didn't make the top team. I didn't hear alot of conversation during Gary's talk.

However, given that the 2nd team lost to the 3rd team and the 3rd team barely beat the Alternates team, I suspect several parents are believing that junior will be moving up the team pecking order...

eredivisie wrote:Gary's talk was primarily to address the concerns / gripes of parents whose boys didn't make the top team. I didn't hear alot of conversation during Gary's talk.

However, given that the 2nd team lost to the 3rd team and the 3rd team barely beat the Alternates team, I suspect several parents are believing that junior will be moving up the team pecking order...

There were a few talking and huffy (the parent I referenced above for one). It was a little funny. I wish more coach's would speak to parents like Gary did. I loved it. I did think it was cool that players were still in attendance even though many got alternate letters. That says a lot for the group.

prohibit wrote:

prohibit wrote:I heard there were three different letters sent out this year. Does anybody know for sure? BB got one letter and friend got another. One says accepted, one says alternate. Was there one that just said -sorry, not this year? Parents of bb that got "alternate" letter are already planning on attending another camp, and not waiting on ODP call. I tend to agree with there move.

So, I confirmed Sunday that my hearing was wrong, only two letters were sent out. First team looks solid. I heard a lot of talking while Gary was addressing the parents and players. Anyone care to share, as it seems like a few parents were upset. One parent even said to like three other parents that his bb was like the best one out there and was not sure why he did not get a letter of acceptance. The other parents just shrugged. OPne looked at him like he was an idiot.

I wonder what you were watching when you say the "first" team looked solid. I asked a coach friend of ours to come out and watch discreetly a couple times to confirm if what my son was telling me and what I was seeing was accurate and he confirmed that he was extremely disappointed in what he saw out there. There's a reason why the best players aren't coming. He said if my son wanted to continue for fun to go for it but that he wasn't going to learn or develop much in that situation. I was also surprised to learn that a couple of the top team players aren't even playing D1.

bootit wrote:

prohibit wrote:

prohibit wrote:I heard there were three different letters sent out this year. Does anybody know for sure? BB got one letter and friend got another. One says accepted, one says alternate. Was there one that just said -sorry, not this year? Parents of bb that got "alternate" letter are already planning on attending another camp, and not waiting on ODP call. I tend to agree with there move.

So, I confirmed Sunday that my hearing was wrong, only two letters were sent out. First team looks solid. I heard a lot of talking while Gary was addressing the parents and players. Anyone care to share, as it seems like a few parents were upset. One parent even said to like three other parents that his bb was like the best one out there and was not sure why he did not get a letter of acceptance. The other parents just shrugged. OPne looked at him like he was an idiot.

I wonder what you were watching when you say the "first" team looked solid. I asked a coach friend of ours to come out and watch discreetly a couple times to confirm if what my son was telling me and what I was seeing was accurate and he confirmed that he was extremely disappointed in what he saw out there. There's a reason why the best players aren't coming. He said if my son wanted to continue for fun to go for it but that he wasn't going to learn or develop much in that situation. I was also surprised to learn that a couple of the top team players aren't even playing D1.

Well, one would think if the coach who was "reviewing" a player stated that ODP was not helping him, then he would advise the player and parent "NOT" to do it. BB doing it " just for fun" teaches him nothing. You would'nt be referring to the FCD coach scouting would you?

After watching the 1st team and second team play I really did not find much of a talent gap. The top team just had one or two amazing players that were bigger, faster, stronger, and more skilled.

speedygonzalez wrote:After watching the 1st team and second team play I really did not find much of a talent gap. The top team just had one or two amazing players that were bigger, faster, stronger, and more skilled.

Posts of "speedygonzalez" should not be confused with those of "Speedy Gonzales" and comments, statements, views, opinions, implications, inclinations, inferences, deductions, reasonings, and ramblings (hereinafter "original thoughts") reflected in posts of the former do not necessarily reflect those of the latter. However, Speedy Gonzales reserves the right to adopt, amend, alter or otherwise take credit, as his own, any original thoughts of speedygonzalez so long as same are credible, trustworthy, and otherwise capable of corroboration or verification.

whoa! speedygonzalez had me going for a bit. Take a little time away from the boards speedy and we all get an unauthorized knockoff version. Any worthwhile post should be reposted under the official Speedy Gonzales moniker.

go99 wrote:whoa! speedygonzalez had me going for a bit. Take a little time away from the boards speedy and we all get an unauthorized knockoff version. Any worthwhile post should be reposted under the official Speedy Gonzales moniker.

Better watch out Go...at this rate with all the double names out there someone w/the name "Go_99" might show up. g099, Go-99, G*99

That's what I get for being a first time reader. My apoligies Speedy, I did not mean to copy you. I'll just go back to my world of butterflies and rainbows where my bb is the best player in the league and the name "Speedygonzalez" was not already taken.

Not your fault speedy pulled a disappearing act on us for a few weeks

Not a big deal. I have no greater right to the name. I just wanted to make sure it was legally understood that his thoughts were not mine unless I wanted them to be. You can never be too careful these days. By the way, I never "disappeared". I just didn't have anything to post. speedy: it's amazing how much we are alike other than the name. Your bb is the best too?

[quote="Speedy Gonzales"]Not a big deal. I have no greater right to the name. I just wanted to make sure it was legally understood that his thoughts were not mine unless I wanted them to be. You can never be too careful these days. By the way, I never "disappeared". I just didn't have anything to post. speedy: it's amazing how much we are alike other than the name. Your bb is the best too?[/quote]

My son thinks he is the best, but don't they all?

Looks like they added a few names to the 97 camp list last Monday.

I was thinking about changing my name to:

Speedy Gonzales Jr or maybe speedygonzalez jr, guess you guys would not mine, maybe just SpeeGonzo sounds good. Better go get a trademark on that one.



Anyway my BB is not in ODP, but I met a few parents that their BB's play or played in ODP. Some think it's the world( newer ones), while the older ones believe it's not what it used to be. With that said if it helps your BB then great and if your BB is better then most players guess it's not going to make a difference.

It's your choice to spend the money. It's like an "A" license coach told me once, camps are a waste of money. Pay me 500.00 and I will tweak or solve any problem your BB has. He said camps were for coaches and clubs to make money. This came from a well respected coach in Dallas.

or maybe Gonzo speed? I agree that camps are a waste of money if you are trying to develop. BB has to do something during the summer and he'd rather do a soccer camp than the Y camp. So it's just for fun. Same goes for ODP so far. BB has a great time and get's to play with kids he normally doesn't get to play with. That about it though. fun extra touches.

go99
Well said, you hit the nail on the head.......as long as the kiddo is having fun and enjoying himself that's all that matters. It's not about the parents trying to make the next Pele.

My son has done a few camps and when he gets back it's always about the buddies and girls he met. He always never talks about what he learned. I think this year will be the first time me and the wife will have all week alone........partytime for us. That's if she does not give me chores......lol.

try GoSpz.....

DownTown21 wrote:I was thinking about changing my name to:

Speedy Gonzales Jr or maybe speedygonzalez jr, guess you guys would not mine, maybe just SpeeGonzo sounds good. Better go get a trademark on that one.



Anyway my BB is not in ODP, but I met a few parents that their BB's play or played in ODP. Some think it's the world( newer ones), while the older ones believe it's not what it used to be. With that said if it helps your BB then great and if your BB is better then most players guess it's not going to make a difference.

It's your choice to spend the money. It's like an "A" license coach told me once, camps are a waste of money. Pay me 500.00 and I will tweak or solve any problem your BB has. He said camps were for coaches and clubs to make money. This came from a well respected coach in Dallas.

How 'bout "andale andale arriba arriba" for a name?

You have to do with ODP like you do with much other soccer stuff. Take a step back and try to figure out what is your endgame and where does this activity plug into the endgame. Is being in ODP and paying $1000 for this camp going to help your kid get a soccer scholarship? Or play for MLS or whatever your ultimate goal might be? Maybe yes, maybe no, the answer depends on the kid.

OnTheSurface wrote:You have to do with ODP like you do with much other soccer stuff. Take a step back and try to figure out what is your endgame and where does this activity plug into the endgame. Is being in ODP and paying $1000 for this camp going to help your kid get a soccer scholarship? Or play for MLS or whatever your ultimate goal might be? Maybe yes, maybe no, the answer depends on the kid.

Well said OTS... Figure out why you want to participate. Hang out with friends, meet new friends, just something to keep the kiddo busy, get extra touches, try and make regional/national teams and anything/everything in between. There is no wrong answer. If your kid wants to hang out with some buddies and kick the ball around a bit, is selected for regional camp and you can afford Bama...then it's a good enough reason for them participating in ODP. It is true that many kids are not participating in ODP (I can only speak to the division that I know) and the reasons why they aren't, vary just as much as the reasons why people are still participating. ODP is indeed different than many years ago, but so is everything else soccer related.

I know quite a few kids participating in ODP in this age group and they are doing quite well. I also expect them to be very good against the kids from other regions. I wish them, as well as all participating (regardless of their reason for doing so), the best of luck with ODP