Thought for the day

I had a discussion with someone about players being recruited. We all understand that the "blue chippers" make up a small percentage of the pie in terms of scholarships offered. The larger slice is made up of players that share many of the same talented qualities. So what are the differences between the player that gets recruited and the one's that don't?

There will always be a few differences in the sense of one's foot speed, one's heighth (or lack of) and other discernable qualities, but by and large many of the players recruited are equal in talent.

I believe what makes one player stand out over the rest is the attitude they have for the game. Some players are passionate. They are committed and are willing to sacrifice in order to play the game. They are always hustling, always looking to learn. They are coachable, eager and responsive to advice.

They look no different than anyone else, but they standout over the others with their attitudes. They show the little things are important. They are self motivated, they are self disciplined and they are respectful...to others and to the game.

Those qualities are easy for all to attain, but not enough will embrace. But those that do...there is a place for you to play at the next level.

When I attend a showcase workout of 80+ players, the majority of players have the same skill level, but if I was in a position to make an offer, which one would I select?

 

Step to the front of the line kid

NAIL on the head Mr. Baseball....wonder how many times it is the Dad that is passionate and committed instead of the kid?

 

One more point......

Grades possibly separate kids who might otherwise be indentical in terms of skill, size, attitude, etc.........I always preached to my boys, grades might put you over the top in a coach's decision.

Strictly my opinion!

 

Extremely very good point!!!!!!!!!

I should preface this by saying everything in my post is just my opinion

However, my opinion is based on feedback from those that decide.

 

These are the easiest to pick out of the crowd.

 

~From one who knows~

 

Interesting comment 4-6-3-DP. We went down to Charleston over Thanksgiving so my son could attend a camp he was invited to attend. He met the coach in a pitching clinic for NC HS coaches and he was his catcher. He invited him down plus the school offers what my son wants to study, so he went.

I dropped him off in the am and picked him up later in the day. I used to hang out all day. I used to sit on the edge of my seat and watch. This time I just left. Hell, I'm not playing, he is. He needs to be able to take care of himself. I looked around and there were probably a third of the parents that never left the place. I asked myself, why? As a parent I can't hold his hand.

BTW, the coach down there ran a great camp. He learned a bunch which is what he needed and Momma was happy shopping during the day and with her boys at night.

 

So how can one see this player who is above the rest at a showcase type workout (not playing a game). If you 75 kids to come out 1/3 show themselves to be equal in hitting, fielding, and speed. And if out of that 1/3, five are down in the dirt ball players in a game. How can you find those players in that type workout?

 

First, you will find approximately 2/3 or greater are about equal.

They are very easy to spot:

- before workouts
- during warm ups
- actual participation
- watching what they do between participation
- in the dugout
- after workout
- Their relationship with their parents

You know the saying that a player is watched getting off the bus? They are scrutinized even more at the workouts.

I can tell you that a player that is found raising his voice to his dad, talking back or has a lackadaisical attitude towards the workout (all things that I have witnessed far to often) could have saved themselves time by going home.

Parents tend to focus on the play on the field....recruiters are focusing on everything. The quicker they can mark someone off the list, the easier it is for them to narrow down who they are interested in.

 

Its tough to do. If I'm going to a showcase event with 100 kids, I can count on there being about 12 guys there that will catch my eye. Of those 12, 6 of those may have no interest in our school. That only leaves me with 5 or 6 kids to go see from the showcase where there were 100 kids. From there, I would go to games to learn more about the player. This is when you find out about how the player approaches the game, what kind of parents he has, how the player interacts with teammates, etc.

The first time I would go see a kid, I would put gym shorts and a t-shirt on and go sit in a crowd of students. I would do this to listen to what they had to say about the player (you would be amazed at what you can learn) and to stay unnoticed by parents and players. If I liked what I saw and heard, I would call the coach to tell them that I would be at the next game. Thats when I would put on my school shirt. Thats when you find out about who really wants it (parent or player).