The Top Tier Challenge

During the May 5^th weekend, the Oakbrook Outlaws will face Top Tier in an interesting match.  The Outlaws, a team with very lofty goals, finds themselves limping into this game with poor hitting and major defensive holes.  When it comes to travel teams there is often a common element that makes setting up defense difficult.  This common element becomes evident during the try-outs when the kids selected were in large part primary short stops on other teams.  Once selected, a coach needs to teach new positions to these players.  What we then find is the flaw of lower level coaching that places major emphasis on infield play leaving the young players with an inability to play the outfield.  When the players reach an older age and the outfield play becomes extremely important, the skill level does not match the skill need.    For this reason, Larry Gould and the Outlaws will be excited for the return of their primary center-fielder, Jabari Morris. 

Top Tier is one of the most reputable travel teams in the state of Illinois.  It figures that there will be many balls hit to the outfield.  With Brad Huth and Morris in the outfield, the Outlaws will have the speed to cut off the balls in the gaps. This will give the pitching staff more confidence in using the upper part of the strike zone.  Lucas Gould is back from Israel and will solidify a good defense in the middle as Scot Cappis moves to second base.  It remains questionable if Nathanial Segura will return from his dislocated thumb but if he does, the story line for this game becomes increasingly interesting. 

In the International World Series, held at Crystal Lake, Illinois, Nathanial Segura pitched a masterful game for Top Tier against the Outlaws.  In the 3 – 1 victory, Top Tier took the bragging rights.  During the off season, Nathanial Segura’s family was unhappy with the development plan that Top Tier apparently used and though to move to the Outlaws.  Coincidentally, Justin Blake, a friend of Morris tried out for the Outlaws and despite the invite shunned Coach Gould and joined Top Tier.  Blake, a 14 year old 8^th grader in Broadview, Illinois left the Outlaws in the dark when he did not join them over the fall league games without notice. Instead, he took on quarterback responsibilities for a Pop Warner team in Melrose Park, Illinois.  Coach Gould had no idea that Blake was shopping around for teams and not even Morris was aware that Blake had selected Top Tier due to the alleged rumor that Top Tier had the better web site.

It is yet to be seen if Blake will play against the Outlaws as Top Tier has two teams (an A and B teams not labeled as such but we all know what the colors mean).  If Blake plays against the Outlaws and if Segura plays against Top Tier, the emotion level of this early season game will be high.