What age

At what age do young men start playing showcase ball? I have a son who is a 2013. Up until this point he has played some travel ball from Greensboro to the coast, school ball and still plays in the local Babe Ruth league. Also if there is a team in the traingle that will be holding tryouts some time this fall or winter I would be interested in learning more about your programs. Son is a pitcher and catcher and hits well. Big kid at age 13, 5'7" 175 pounds. Any guidance or help with references I could look into would be a great help. I've been through showcase ball with my daughter as a FP players, just trying to find out how it works with the men. Thanks

 

If he is a 2013, the Dirtbags just posted that they are holding tryouts August 5.

www.thedirtbags.com

 

Thanks, anyone else know of any other teams.

 

If you are Looking for a Solid travel ball team

We are the Hitmen Elite, moving to 14U this fall.

We are located in the Central Piedmont area with players from Winston-Salem, Walkertown, Kernersville, Elkin, etc.

About half our team are rising freshmen in High School this fall. They work hard and are well prepared for High School baseball.

If this might interest you, PM me back.

 

Where and how often do you practice, also where do you play most of your tournaments.

 

High Point University Panthers might be a good option. Team is coached by HPU asst. coaches. Practice at HPU facilities. Kids from Greensboro to Statesville. Tryout date not set yet. Team has had some success; USSSA nat'l champs last week and Triple Crown State champs. But all that changes now. I have a son on the team. Most kids are rising freshmen. Nice to keep parents out of the dugout. HPU coach does a great job with them.

Personally I think the kids are a little young for showcase ball but other than school ball there are not many options.

NC Baseball Academy may be starting a team. Not sure.

PM me if you want phone numbers and have questions.

 

Hey Putt, once they reach high school aren't there NCAA restrictions with college coaches working with these kids? Except for camps/clinics, I thought contact between players and coaches was very restricted.

In my opinion... for what it's worth... the summer before, and the fall of, a player's junior year is when he needs to be on a true showcase team. Before that, he should attend "ID" showcases to get a feel for where he stands and find somewhere to just play as much as possible. Save the "cross country" time and money for when it counts.

Thank you kjcamp for not calling your team a "showcase team". I've heard some 13u to 15u parents saying their kid played showcase. Being the diplomatic kind of guy that I am, I just replied with "Bullsh!t!"

 

Gman, I've asked the same question. I do not know the answer. I do know the HPU staff coached several teams when they were in Florida at the school they came from. they took a team all the way through High School. That is their plan here. My son's team was their first team and their oldest team. they are adding 3 more; one at 13U and 2 younger than that.

I was told by a staff member that the kids could not come from more than 70 miles away. I have no idea if that is fact. Doesn't concern me.

Just so you know, the NC A&T coach coaches a 15U showcase team out at NCBA. I don't think this is new ground but I can see where this might be a conflict. I just can't follow all the rules.

They are stopping HS coaches from coaching summer teams in Guilford County due to what happened at Northern HS and other places. All I know is it's not parent coaching.

And I agree with you on showcase age. But right now the Dirtbags are having tryouts for 15U showcase teams. If Andy does it expect others to follow. Not saying he shouldn't do it. Adam Griffin was seen by UNC early as was George Carter. But it seems to start earlier and earlier.

I tried to explain to our parents what Ken May once told me. Don't showcase until you are ready. I am the only parent with a older son. I have seen the depth of talent out there. Anyway, they don't want to hear it from me.

 

The Hitmen Elite are a 14U AAA travel team. We are a closer short of being a solid majors team.

In the fall, we practice twice a week, once during the week, and once on the weekends. We are working to develop the men for spring ball. We do a lot of station work, and usually bullpen at every practice. There is a lot of long toss for warm ups, infield and outfield drills, catcher drills, and a lot of swings.

In the spring we practiced up to 4 times a week to prepare for the Triple Crown Summer Nationals, which we finished 13th out of 52 teams.

We practice in Walkertown, Winston-Salem, Pfafftown, and this fall we may also start practicing in Elkin.

The men work hard and are pushed hard. We sometime finish practice with "Indian Baseball" which works on situational hitting, and a lot of running.

If you want to learn a lot about baseball, and have some fun, then check us out.

 

Putt is correct. There is a mileage restriction for college coaches involved with coaching a team, but college coaches have been involved with American Legion for years.