Jr Diamond Notes: Carolina Cubs

The No Curse Cubs

By: Jordy Snyder-August 14, 2007

 

There is no “curse of the billy goat” or outreached arms of Steve Bartman for these Cubs. The Carolina Cubs 11U team from Simpsonville, SC is making there name known across the country and it is easy to see why. I was recently at a USSSA tournament in Simpsonville and the glare of the classic blue pinstripes immediately caught my eye.

As a 10U team the Cubs finished second in the USSSA World Series and, at one point, was the number one ranked 10U team in the country. That’s quite an achievement for a group of all-stars from a local recreation league. The three different uniforms, decals on the helmets, and fan support far exceed anything I had growing up. The days of the classic white elastic pants, t-shirt jerseys and all dirt infields are over. The emergence and popularity of travel ball has dramatically increased the level of baseball in all ages.

Since I have spent the past couple of years playing collegiate baseball at the highest level, I have become accustomed to large crowds, music between innings and an occasional tailgate, but when I saw this at an 11U game I was quite surprised. Parents of the Cubs set up shop under their classic travel ball tent with their own stereo to play music between the innings and more water coolers than you can imagine. It made me wonder how many teams and parents throughout the state take this much pride in their team, and since I will be watching an abundance of travel ball in the future, I am anxious to find out.

Thanks goes out to the Cubs number one fans that took the time to sit down with me and talk about their team. Good luck to you guys the rest of the way.

Cubs Roster

1-Justin Dean

2-Grant Bodison

3-Preston Lyles

5-Cason Mansel

7-Trey Wilson

8-Kyle Carter

10-Will Taks

13-Mason Edwards

20-Chad Arledge

21-Austin Riggins

22-Will Randall

25-Dakota Fitts

Head Coach-Richard Bodison

.