AAU is on the Move! with Ed Skovron, AAU Baseball National Chairperson
December 11th, 2009
With an infusion of new talent and forward-thinking, AAU is on the move!
In the world of travel baseball “that’s how we’ve always done it” just doesn’t cut it anymore. For anyone. Players and coaches are constantly evolving: in mechanics, in strategy, in philosophy, in maturity, in scope, and most importantly, in their expectations.
The Amateur Athletic Union is gearing up to address each of those elements and branching out in new and innovative ways.
Talent. For 2010, the AAU is bringing aboard several high-profile District Directors across the country to complement some of the movers and shakers that were added to the staff in 2009. Included are directors from Oklahoma, Alabama, Illinois, Ohio, the Florida Gold Coast, the Pacific Southwest, the Southern Pacific, Texas, and Hawaii.
Take, for example, new AAU District Director Ted Cox, from Oklahoma. Ted comes to AAU from another well-known national travel ball organization where he had been a state director and a vice-president. He chose AAU because he likes the direction he sees the AAU taking, and he recognizes the value that AAU is including in our program.
A little background on Ted: He was the 17th pick in the first round draft for the Boston Red Sox, signing right out of high school. After 4 ½ years in the minors, he was called up to the Show in the Red Sox organization. That same year, he was named Topps Minor League Player of the Year and the International League MVP. He played his first major league game in Baltimore on Brooks Robinson Day. He tied a Major League Baseball record when he went 4 for 4 in his first game. The following day, he was back in Boston playing against the legendary New York Yankees. Another record fell: Ted went 6 for 6 in the first 6 at-bats of his Major League career. And that record still stands today – 32 years later. Talent.
In 2000, Ted Cox was named to the Oklahoma All-Century team, right along with Mickey Mantle.
For the past 21 years, Ted has been involved with youth baseball in leadership positions. And now he has chosen to commit his talent to The Amateur Athletic Union’s baseball program. We welcome you, Ted.
Ted is but one of the superstars the AAU is adding to our staff of volunteer District Directors. Others hold similar credentials in one way or another.
Forward-thinking. A big component of AAU’s success in branching out across the country is the AAU Baseball National League (AAUBNL) and Power Rankings that were introduced in 2009. Both AAU and non-AAU clubs can participate in this program.
Clubs registered with any organization need only file their scheduled games on the AAUBNL Power Rankings website (www.aaubaseball.org > Event > National League and Championship Series) and later report their results against other clubs listed on that website. All scheduled games played between two teams listed in the Power Rankings will be considered league games (i.e. travel ball league). Teams earn points based on the winning percentage of their opponents as reflected at that time on the National League website.
By utilizing the Power Rankings system, teams can see where they rank by age group within their district, and nationally. All games scheduled between two teams listed on the Power Rankings site are eligible for points.
It is not necessary for athletes on teams to purchase an individual AAU membership in order to be eligible for the National League. Though for registration purposes, the team will need to purchase an AAU Club Membership and a non-athlete membership for the team contact. The membership fee is nominal. If a team elects to participate in a sanctioned AAU tournament – such as a qualifier – each team member will need to join AAU at that point.
Baseball has become a year-round sport in many parts of the country. Most AAU teams are playing in a travel ball league and using the AAU Baseball National League site to schedule their games and track their results.
Also introduced in 2009 were AAU’s 14U and 15U Super Showcases, both held at the prestigious Disney’s Wide World of Sports® – Spring Training home of the Atlanta Braves . Participation in these showcases was by invitation only. Only 12 teams in each the 14U and the 15U age divisions were invited. The entry fee was only $375 and teams received four hotel rooms for five nights at no charge. The event featured a skills segment conducted by a professional scouting bureau which provided each club with individual athlete evaluations for their participants.
The Florida Flash took home the crystal bowl trophy for the 14U Super Showcase and the Maryland Falcons claimed the 15U. Just to name a few, teams came from north (New England), south (Georgia and Florida), east (Maryland), west (California), and America’s Heartland (Illinois).
Teams wishing to be considered for an invitation should visit www.aaubaseball.org > Event > Super Showcase. This is a one-of-a-kind experience for any serious-minded baseball player with an eye on his future. Remember that only 12 teams in the 14U and 12 teams in the 15U receive invitations, and invitations go out early, so if you would like for your team to be considered, request an application right away. You must complete the application with your team’s accomplishments and submit it to AAU National Headquarters. The application is then distributed to the AAU Super Showcase Committee for a vote on your application. If the committee accepts your application, you will receive a formal invitation.
Currently, the AAU is finalizing more plans for innovative new programs that are not offered in any other program. These proposals will offer education, exposure, and a great deal of added value to the travel ball experience. Watch for the next issue of Baseball – The Magazine for new announcements. Forward-thinking.
To join the Amateur Athletic Union either as a coach, participant, or potentially a district director, visit www.aaubaseball.org, or phone Debra Horn, Senior Sports Manager for Baseball and Softball at AAU at 407.828.3459, or email her at debra@aausports.org.
Reprinted by permission of Baseball The Magazine (Issue 4 2009, page 90)
