Elk Grove Outlaws

Sharon, Jack and I went to an organization meeting for the Elk Grove Outlaws Baseball team.

After playing tournament baseball and going to Cooperstown with the Gunners from July 2008 to June 2009, Jack has played with the Outlaws since July 2009. The Outlaws are scheduled to play seven 12u tournaments in September, October and November.

It is going to be an interesting year. The Outlaws coach has said that he is not going to return to rec play in the Laguna Cal Ripken League next spring. Instead, he is planning to have the Outlaws play tournament baseball next spring. I have mixed feelings about this approach. While I agree that the rec league competition is spotty, I think that there are valuable life lessons in having to adapt to different coaches and teammates. Although the team's results have fallen short, I have also enjoyed the Northern California Cal Ripken All Star tournament over the last two years.

The team is also talking about playing in the Cooperstown tournament again in early June 2011. I would really to see the team go back to Cooperstown. Jack had a great time living in the bunkhouses and playing in the tournament, while Sharon and I had a wonderful time exploring the area. Asking Jack about his favorite baseball memory, he actually quickly responded going to Cooperstown!