best little league baseball in the southwest? (Tampa, Lakeland: relocate, travel)

[flburgos]

can anyone provide any reccommendations where would be the best place to play for a youngster?from most organized to the best coaches.we are making sure we touch all the angles before we relocate.thanx

[Roadrunner69]

Little League in southwest Florida was very competitive back when I coached about 7 years ago. I did the usual coach the son from 8 yr old to 16 yr old and had basically good time. We did a traveling team also when he was 10 yrs old in AAU while doing reagular Little League alot of time and money but well worth the effort. I only had one real problem he got nixed on the All-Star selection at 10yrs old when he lead every stat in the league. Well I am origanally from up north and was up against the good old boy board of directors, they never told the parents when the elections were held but in the rules it states they must they just kept electing themselves. Well needless to say I made sure parents knew when elections were and we all showed up and they tried to lock us out. Long story short that was the end of the good old boy network and alot of fun doing it. I have a coworker that has a son in the Fort Myers LL and they went to state last year. Moral of the story get ready for the politics and choose wisely because they stick to boundries around here no if ands or buts. Enjoy the time with your son I did on and even off the field and have a good time thats what its all about.

[flburgos]

Originally Posted by Roadrunner69

Little League in southwest Florida was very competitive back when I coached about 7 years ago. I did the usual coach the son from 8 yr old to 16 yr old and had basically good time. We did a traveling team also when he was 10 yrs old in AAU while doing reagular Little League alot of time and money but well worth the effort. I only had one real problem he got nixed on the All-Star selection at 10yrs old when he lead every stat in the league. Well I am origanally from up north and was up against the good old boy board of directors, they never told the parents when the elections were held but in the rules it states they must they just kept electing themselves. Well needless to say I made sure parents knew when elections were and we all showed up and they tried to lock us out. Long story short that was the end of the good old boy network and alot of fun doing it. I have a coworker that has a son in the Fort Myers LL and they went to state last year. Moral of the story get ready for the politics and choose wisely because they stick to boundries around here no if ands or buts. Enjoy the time with your son I did on and even off the field and have a good time thats what its all about.

hey yhanks for the advice.so ft myers is probably the spot?

[Roadrunner69]

I don't know your situation (job, housing, moving etc.) but all the leagues around this area were good and had good facilities. Don't make a move just for LL because things around here are tough as far as employment goes and don't pay very well, but it is a nice place to live I have been here 30+ years. If you give a little more info on the situation I may be able to help a little more. Thanks

[flburgos]

Originally Posted by Roadrunner69

I don't know your situation (job, housing, moving etc.) but all the leagues around this area were good and had good facilities. Don't make a move just for LL because things around here are tough as far as employment goes and don't pay very well, but it is a nice place to live I have been here 30+ years. If you give a little more info on the situation I may be able to help a little more. Thanks

basicall i'm in the car business and my wife is an acountant.we're both about to hit 40 and we're looking for an area that's got some life to it but we can also enjoy some peace and quiet.we have 2 children and we're trying to make sure all the activities thay are involved in are covered such as little league, water sports,cycling etc..etc.if you also coul give us advice on some schools we realize we are not going to find the perfect place but whatever comes close.

[Roadrunner69]

There are alot of nice places to ride bikes here alot of bike paths and still adding more. Sounds like Fort Myers would suit you, plenty of car dealers and office buildings. Schools, my three kids are all graduated but here they have school choice so it doesn't matter where you live you just have to be lucky to get the school you want.( which usually means you're second our third pick) but I would stick to schools south of the city. Education overall not that great but stick with your kids work and stay in touch with they're teachers and they should do ok, unfortunatly teachers are under payed and overworked (aren't we all ) but I don't have to put up with some smart a-- and not be able to do something about it. Google Fort Myers car dealers it should give you an idea how many are here and maybe a line on a job. You can PM me if you need anything else we are getting off topic here. Good Luck

[flburgos]

anyone else with any little league suggestions?in the southwest

[mbtrom]

We live in Fort Myers and my son plays for SFMLL (south Fort Myers Little League). It is well-run and very competitive. Also, they are building new facilities that will be open next year.

[flburgos]

does anyone know little league in sarasota or tampa?

[kmtjss]

LL is big in every state but yes, Florida is a BB state. Very competitive! I know other familys moved here and found that there kids weren't as good down here but were the best up there. My son was a starter and hit 2nd in NY but down here he plays 3 innings and bats 9th, if he's lucky.Tampa is a good league and they have a lot of teams. Sarasota is good but not as good as Tampa or Ft. Myers. The bigger the city the better the teams. Sarasota is not as competitive because the average age here is 65. There pushing out the minor league teams because the seniors don't want the tax increase. My sons friend plays in Tampa and Wade bogs is one of the high schools batting coach. Another great LL is in North Tampa called Lakeland. They have the Tigers minor league club there and Pudge's kids play there. Good Baseball comunity. Like the ealier writter said Florida is in a bad way right now with no work and people seem to be moving out because nothing is selling and even state jobs are being cut. Good luck. It will be another year before it gets back to normal.