My two-cents

The problem, for me, is that nowadays HS baseball and most all high school sports are losing thier value in the eyes of student-athletes and parents. This was stated in my post when I started this thread. Showcases and large events with multiple teams is the best way, for players with aspiratioins to play at the next level, to be seen. I understand this and would not try to make an argument against it. Again - knowing this is the best way to be seen, parents and players have slowly become conditioined to see these events and teams as more valuable to thier futures. Do they still respect thier HS programs. Yeah. But it is not what it used to be for most programs. I just think thats a shame. I have one real-life example for you. I was coaching American legion about 4 years ago. We were in the playoffs and one of my players came up to me during BP. He said...

"Coach, do you think I can get into the line-up tonight? I have a top-gunn showcase coming up and I need to get ready for it."

He was a sophmore and played an important role for our squad. He was just not an everyday guy for us at the time. HS ball is viewed as a tune-up for what comes next in the summer/fall for lots of people out there.

 

For the love of the game!

I am going ahead and ask the question. I am sure that these elite Showcase program coaches are doing it for the Love of the Game, but I also think it is a nice money maker for them. Am I wrong?

 

I guess it depends..but, if you are not charging a fee to the players or nominal one at best, I can't imagine them getting paid any more than...let's say an American Legion coach.

EDIT- okay I've used up all my 2 cents...I'll leave this thread for others

 

Thanks Braves for the answer, what about their expenses, who is covering that, trips to Florida are not cheap. I hate to be a pessimist, but I just don't see them doing it for free. I really respect your opinion & I am sure you are way more in the know than me.

 

What are they making money on?

The kids pay 500.00 bucks to play for the summer. Three complete uniforms , three hats , socks , belts , cleats , bat bags , t-shirts. No tournement fees. The team picks those up including the 2,500 entry fees to WWBA events etc. No cost to attend any of the sponsered showcase events. The tournements that are sponsered you have umpires to pay , baseballs , field rental fees which are not cheap , recently 500.00 bucks per day at a college field. There is absolutely no way they make any money on these teams. In fact it is way more likely they lose money on these teams. Some kids are hardship cases as well. No fees collected whatsoever. But whats the point? Why shouldnt they be able to make some money if they can? Lets see spend every weekend of your summer and fall at the baseball field coaching someone elses kids and trying to get the seen by college coaches. But I want to lose money not make any. What the hell is going on here? Do you lose money at your job? Do you do it for free? Do you volunteer all your time for nothing? Try it sometime and then have people question your motives. I actually know for a fact that a certain guy loses several thousand dollars a year on his showcase teams. He does it because he loves coaching the kids and helping them find a college to play at. He does make some money on his website and some of his showcase events he sponsers. But believe me its minimal. Just enough to offset the loses from his teams. You know I used to hear all the time how kids around here never got a chance to show what they could do. No one ever gets a scholarship , no one ever gets seen etc etc etc etc. Now all you hear is this bull crap over and over and over. And the funny thing is its always from the people that really dont have an fn clue. Sorry but this gets old.

 

Honestly tools, it's different for different teams. (I'm not trying to be rude) but I don't feel comfortable exposing one's pay because it was not my business to know.

Whatever they pay the coaches on the other teams, obviously, the fee to join covers all their expenses. But this ain't daddyball, you are getting some top notch coaches on these teams.

The Hill's at On Deck and Jeff McNeely at Megastars are about as good as you are going to find anywhere. And I know Carter with the Heat is widely respected by everyone. Then you have Coach Evans and Tarleton with the Copperheads. Two of the finest men and coaches you will ever meet. It's an honor to have your son play for them. Then you have the Cubs out East. Always one of the top programs.

Everyone knows how I feel about Don Hutchins with the Panthers and Andy Partin with On Deck. Two great guys both doing this, imo, for the right reasons.

With the exception of Don, I don't know what those guys are getting to coach, but it ain't enough....and Don gets the princely sum of "$0".

There is no perfect situation. They all have their strengths and weakness, but each program is perfect for the players attending.

 

Coach, if you only knew, I do have a clue. But it does sound like I have hit a sore spot.

 

hahahaha...yeah, but you can bring this post out every year when it's discussed. I remember the first year wewere starting this site. People were complaining that Andy P was in it only for the money. The guy grossed $18,000 that year and put over 400,000 miles on his old tired jeep. I had to laugh about that. yep...the guy was getting rich!

 

Coach 27 - you are obviously an avid supporter of showcases and promoting players in all avenues. I have no problem with that and respect all those who have the kids best interests at heart. My question for you is, what is your opinion on the value of HS basaeball. I know your players and parents are loyal to your program and see the two as totally independent of each other. But do you feel this is the norm? Can you see my point about how it seems that HS baseball is becoming less of a big deal to parents and players due to the fact that they cannot be seen by colleges as easily in HS as they can in showcases? Just wondering. Certainly not trying to attack anyone here.

Side note - you asked tools if he lost money at his job? If we are comparing apples to apples, then I assume that some of these Showcase coaches do these teams as thier "job". I personally don't lose money at my job. But if these coaches do, and thier websites and tournaments only offset that loss, they may want to rethink how they structure things. Three sets of uniforms every year made need to go. Recycle those things.

 

tools- I don't think it was directed at you or anybody else in particular. It was a general opinion that he is tired of people complaining about showcase baseball and the negative connotation of "pay for play"