Position player (3B, SS, C and P) looking for possible new team on south side of Houston. Located in Pearland/Alvin area. Tired of daddy ball and coaches who can't instruct or relate to players. Yes, he can hit.

To clarify, we are willing to explore other options, but long drives to Tomball for practices are out of the picture. If you hear of anyone looking, please let me know.

I did a general search and come up with the following on a Texas USSSA message board...no real knowledge personally, but might be worth checking out...

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Gorillas Baseball Try-Outs Chris McGraw is starting up a select baseball program in the Sugarland, Greatwood, New Territory, and Rosenberg area. He is a former professional baseball player (Dodgers organization, Independent), current college baseball coach (Alvin Community College, Galveston Community College, River Valley Summer Collegiate Wood Bat League 2010), and has been coaching select baseball for the past three years on Houston’s Southeast side. We are looking for good baseball players with the right attitude and work ethic to improve overall skills and teach lessons that will not only last through their youth but through high school and hopefully beyond. We will be working on advanced drills, that of the variety of Division 1 colleges and the professional ranks. The teams will be entered into 2-3 weekend tournaments a month, more than likely one every other weekend in the greater Houston area and occasionally around the state. Teams will practice twice a week for about an hour and a half, days and times TBD. There will be monthly dues for acquiring professional coaching and the tournaments will be split equally between all the players involved. Teams Involved: Any players eligible for 9u, 10u, 11u, 12u, and 13u Please Contact Chris McGraw ASAP: Phone: (843) 437-2097 email: quickdraw974@yahoo.com

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If you are looking for a first class family with professional coaching you have found the right program. The Bluechips were Founded by J. J Jones (Josh Jones) who himself played professional baseball in the Los Angeles Angels, Cincinnati Reds, and Florida Marlins organizations. Based in the surrounding areas of Houston the Bluechips believe in not only building better baseball players, but better men. Please call Josh Jones at 8322569383 or email at joshjones@texasbluechips.com. Spots are limited so please don't miss out, we will have open tryouts at practice. Thank you www.texasbluechips.com

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Thanks. Had really only looked at Nations stuff before.

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Tired of daddy ball and coaches who can't instruct or relate to players

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Unfortunately you get this in many select programs as well. So many people now think they can run a select program and most just see dollar signs, this has watered down select level coaching, player talent and the overall quality of teams. Be careful choosing a program for your son.

1.Look for a program that has been around for awhile and ask around about them. If they have teams at the 18U level, look and see how many of their players have gone on to play college ball.

2. Don't believe just bc a coach says he has previous "professional playing experience" that it is a guaranteed good thing.

3. Be cautious of a coach that promises you and and your soon the moon.I have heard some people say a coach told their 13 year old son they could get him DRAFTED in the first round of the MLB Draft out of HS! Don't be a dad that believes everything some of these coaches tell you and your son.

4. Watch the price. There are plenty of good programs out there that charge a fair price. No need to over pay. More money does not always mean a better situation for you and your son.

5. Does the program accept any player that signs up? If so, the people that run that program are probably in it just for the money.

Good Luck

I'll give one more piece of advice: Ask the coaches about pitch counts. They may tell you the truth, but they may not. I'd be looking for a program who is very conservative about pitch counts, even if it means losing some games.

There are some good teams out there, with mediocre records, because they'll limit their pitchers to 40-60 pitches and pull them regardless of whether or not it affects their ability to win the game. That can be frustrating for parents and for kids because everyone wants to win, but long term, it's probably the best thing for the kid.

I see some teams out there who have really great records, which would make you think they are great programs, but then you play them and they have an 11 year old throwing two complete games in a weekend tournament and throwing curveballs and that should tell you everything you need to know about "the program".

Couldn't agree more with Cinch....especially at 11

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Couldn't agree more with Cinch....especially at 11

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Twelve Baseball in College Station and Katy

Also, don't let your kid play youth baseball so they can get drafted or play college ball. Make sure it's fun, the rest will take care of itself.

My sons play for the 12 and they enjoy it. Pitch counts are important and I agree if you look at how teams manage their pitching you will get all of the information you need. Just check a Nations tourney site - they usually have pitcher outs listed for each team until they lose or get to the championship.

My son played 9u elite last year (there were no premier 9u teams) and he started to see junk being thrown. I was floored watching a 9 year old throwing curves.

Yep, all good and true info.

Still looking for a team? Any interest in a Katy team?