Sunday, June 20, 2010

Youth Baseball: Cooperstown Dreams Park Tips and Tricks (Part 7)

Tips for coaches

1) The biggest complaint that I heard from the coaches was back pain. The bunks are not comfortable for full grown men and there is no place to sit. There is a lot of down time, take a comfortable sports chair with you so you can take a load off.  Many of the coaches had collapsible sports chairs and sat outside of the heat and smell of the barracks.


2) The water in the dugouts does not taste very good. We went to the Price Chopper to buy bottled water for the team several times during the week. Some teams required each player to bring one case of water. They stacked them up in the corner of the barracks. Water is the only food / drink item that you can bring into the complex. Players can buy sports drinks and soda at the concession stand in the barracks area.

3) Bring a few bottles of Febreze Sport to eliminate sports and other odors. It really works. Make all the boys spray their sleeping bags, linens, towels every morning before you leave the barracks for the games and their sports bags every night after the games.

Tips for Parents

1) Bring an umbrella and put it in the trunk of your car. The Cooperstown Dreams Park store has umbrellas, but if it rains there is a run on the store for ponchos and umbrellas. The store sold out of rain gear by the second day of our tournament week.


2) Bring jackets. Cooperstown Dreams Park in in the mountains of upstate New York. During the early weeks of competition it gets chilly at night and when it's cloudy and rainy.
 
3) You do not need chairs. Each field has a fan boxes up the right and left field lines. The fan boxes have plenty of green plastic chairs.



4) The fan box has a covered area if you need relief from the sun, but I would recommend that you bring suntan lotion.


4) No food is allowed on the campus. Bring cash for the concession stands. There is a concession stand in each field area. The food is very good and affordable.

5) Make sure you son has a cell phone for the week. My son lost his cell phone prior to the tournament. The players are locked behind a metal fence with lots of security. Only coaches and players are allowed in this area after the initial camper drop off time. We wanted to get reports from our son but could not because he did not have a cell phone. It was somewhat frustrating.

6) Make sure you son has a clip on fan.

The Main Point

Be prepared so that you can enjoy the experience.


15 comments:

  1. I always stick an umbrella in ours sports bags before we leave the house.

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  2. Hey Stats Dad, that is a great point that you make about the weather up in our area. I tell every one that rents through us to pack a weather bag and include in it; Jackets, Sweaters and Rain Gear

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  3. Thank you for all of your tips and advice! We are heading to Cooperstown this July (2012) and your website is very helpful (and entertaining:).

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    1. I am glad that you found the site useful. Good luck - when you get back add some comments on great places to eat or do. Thanks for adding to the conversation.

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  4. Hi Stats Dad, Are parents allowed to come into the barracks? To pick up dirty clothes, linens, towels, etc?

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    Replies
    1. No - and they are strict about it. I tried to get my son's sleeping bag that he spilled soda on - and could not get even close.

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    2. Not even at check in?

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    3. Sorry - yes we did go back at check in to get my son settled.

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  5. Also, what's your opinion on checking the boys out as often as possible? I heard some coached appreciate it while others don't.

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    Replies
    1. Often - I would not. Let the kids have the time alone to build relationships with the team and to feel a sense of independence.

      Occasionally - I would. My son needed a break from his team and wanted to spend time with his sister and brother - so we took him out for one evening at 5pm and returned him at 10pm. All this was done with the coaches approval. Some kids love being around their kids for 24/7. Others need their space.

      There were nights when we were required to take the kids so the coaches could spend time with their families.

      And of course we had group dinners - where the kids got off campus.

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    2. Good question and here is what we did:
      Your schedule is posted a few days prior to arrival. We picked an evening when we had a later game the next day and checked everyone out of the barricks including coaches. this worked great for our team and gave everyone time with families and away from baseball. the boys and coaches came back refreshed and ready to play. My advise is to keep them in the barricks the rest of the time away from thier parents and with their buddies. They all told me they loved just hanging with their teammates. As parents we have a hard time not micro managing our kids 24/7 and this is a good break for them (make it a good break for you also). Enjoy your trip...

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  6. A couple of questions: is there a weather norm for early August; if it's warm would a set of sheets and light blanket work just as well as a sleeping bag? We're traveling from Hawaii and space is an issue. Thanks!

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  7. It is in the mountains. When a cold front comes through with rain it can be quite cold for August. Most kids brought sheets and a sleeping bag.

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  8. We are going the summer of 2020. My husband is the coach and our son is a player. My son and husband stay in the barracks, while I get a hotel room? Is this correct?

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