SSYS Summer Tournament Teams

Sandy Springs Youth Sports (SSYS) provides an opportunity for select SSYS players to extend the baseball season through the creation and organization of “ Summer Tournament Teams.”  The Summer Tournament Teams offer a more competitive level of baseball for committed players, and compete against similar all-star teams from other parks across North Georgia. 

The Summer Tournament Teams are generally selected and finalized in early April, with practices beginning in early May and increasing in frequency following the end of the recreation post-season tournaments.  Summer Tournament Teams typically play in tournaments each weekend (Thu – Sun) beginning in late May, including Memorial Day weekend, and ending July 4th weekend at the latest. Accordingly, families who wish to have their child participate on a Summer Tournament Team will need to plan summer vacations and camps accordingly as each participant is expected to fully commit to their team.  

The tournament schedule is left to the discretion of the Summer Tournament Team manager, subject to review and approval by the VP - Summer Baseball.  All of the tournaments are “local” in that they do not require overnight travel; however, many are held in counties north of Sandy Springs - Forsyth, Cherokee, Cobb, and north Fulton.  All of the tournaments will include Saturday and Sunday play, and many of them will also require a game on Thursday and/or Friday night leading into the weekend.  Braves Country Baseball offers a series of tournaments that our summer ball teams are eligible to participate in.  

Participation on a Summer Tournament Team is an exciting, challenging and rewarding time for players, coaches and parents.  It does require a commitment from each player and each family, one that is formalized through a Commitment Form that requires the signature of the player and family. Participation on these Summer Tournament Teams is strictly voluntary and selection to a team is not guaranteed.  Team selection is determined by input from regular season coaches and the team manager, and based on the player’s full body of work from the regular season and special evaluation session(s).

SSYS offers Summer Tournament Teams for ages 6-12, typically forming two (and occasionally three) teams for each age group, as follows:

• Storm – The Storm is the most competitive team at each age group and requires the most substantial and firm commitment.  The Storm teams typically practice 4-5 nights per week, and are expected to play in the Braves Country Tournaments. Those players considering the Storm should be prepared to commit to playing in a tournament most weekends from mid-to-late May through July 4th.  Our Storm teams typically average 5-6 tournaments each summer.
   
• Cyclones – While each age group and team vary, the Cyclones generally will practice on average three nights a week and play in tournaments from late May to late June.  On average, our Cyclones teams play in four tournaments each summer.

• Surge – For those leagues that have high levels of interest and depth, SSYS has supported a third team.  This team generally practices 2-3 times per week and plays in a few tournaments each summer. 

The fees to participate on a Summer Tournament Team vary based on a variety of factors, but generally total between $475-625 per player (less for Surge).  This fee includes costs for uniforms, tournament fees, insurance and team dues.