Yes , he is very good!

Mitch Atkins

Braves- Thanks For Asking!! Mitch is still working out with us. He is a major prospect in The Cubs Organization. He started in High "A" this year, was the starting pitcher in The All-Star Game and then got brought up to "AA". There is a nice interview with him on greensborsports.com.

 

Thanks Alan for the update. That is terrific news about Mitch. Perhaps he will get a shot sometime next year. That would be great; he's a terrific young man and deserves any and all success. He has always reminded me of Curt Schilling

 

Putt- just so you know, it was not directed towards you. It was an opinion, in general, about "giving credit".

The other point, I think it's a good idea to post the names of baseball sites that have been instrumental in helping to develop players. I think they deserve the praise.

There are places like Grand Slam in Charlotte that never gets mentioned, but they are a Granddaddy of baseball facilities. Pete Snell should be in Charlotte baseball's Hall of Fame for everything has does for the players.

I'd love to get feedback from the players and parents that have experience with these facilities.

 

Everyone was at football Friday and watching the game Saturday

 

I still believe that the HS baseball season should be split between 1st half Sept and Oct and 2nd half April and May. That way they will accomodate TBR so we will always have things to discuss.

I'll ask the powers to be if they will do this for us. They seem like nice people.

 

LMAO

Thanks Braves. Needed that today.

 

Braves...I think that is exactly why there is 'animosity' (for lack of a better term) about showcase ball from some.

Sometimes, whether intentional or not, certain teams, organizations, etc. come across as they are the reason that kids have gotten recruited. I agree 100% that the venue has had a great impact on NC players being sought after, recognized, etc. but on several occasions that I personally know of, an organization appears to be taking the credit when in fact, the kid being talked about already had "the deal" before playing with that particular team.

There are so many who are instrumental in all areas of a young mans life that it would be almost impossible to list them all. Heck, even moms who instill work ethics, cook meals, wash uniforms, organize schedules, etc. have a huge role in the development and eventual signing of a baseball player .

 

Exactly...I don't disagree at all. But it is a win/win situation for the players participating, so it really shouldn't matter who wants to take the credit. Obviously, every "business" is going to promote the players that have been through their organization. That's understandable. Personally, I have no problem with that.

But, honestly, I have never met a showcase team that flaunted they "developed" a player. That usually comes from outside sources. What they care about is the % of kids on their team that signed a scholly. That's what makes their organization attractive to others.


There are two reason kids that have already signed continue to play showcase:

1. Because they feel they are playing the best competition
2. They still want to showcase their talents in front of professional scouts

I love this part of your post, Mom

"There are so many who are instrumental in all areas of a young mans life that it would be almost impossible to list them all. Heck, even moms who instill work ethics, cook meals, wash uniforms, organize schedules, etc. have a huge role in the development and eventual signing of a baseball player "

Now, having said all this, can we move on to other topics. I am receiving a lot of mail from people that are tired of the topic involving Showcase.

 

Interesting Topic

Just take Will Myers as an example. Will played for Greensboro Batting Center Travel Teams since he was 10 years old and probably one of the best all-around players to come thru GBC. He had the interest from USC while he was playing with GBC's Prep Stars. But if you look at Impact Web Site it looks like The Dirtbags was where he was seen. Just like One Putt stated, Impact does great at getting the kids in front of Scouts but does not develop. Most of these kids are ALREADY known before they ever step on a Showcase Field.

 

My take on this

Impacts site posts on every kid that they know of that signs with a college not just kids that play for Impact. When a kid signs with a college and they dont play for Impact AP puts the information on the site for all to see. When a kid signs that plays for Impact he does the same thing. What do you want then to do differently? Not post the information at all? Put a disclaimer on the post like "We do not take credit for this signing he was already signed before joining Impact". "We did not develop this young man we really had nothing to do with the fact he got a scholley". Now if in fact Impact did have a big impact in his signing with a school should they them say "We take full credit for this one folks. Billy was seen only at Impact events and we are totally responsible for this one".

Go to the site. You will not see anyone taking credit for anything. You see the kids name and where he committed to. You will see if they play for Impact or not. But even kids that do not play for Impact get props on the site.

Did you know that parents call and ask to have this information posted on AP's site? Did you know that kids that do not play for Impact have parents call and ask to have it posted so people can see it?

I would like to know what you feel the criteria for posting on college signings should be.