Have I lost perspective?

That's a little ignorant to flat out say showcase baseball is not baseball. Not to stir up to debate, but that is flat out wrong to say.

 

Trust if you don't play to win it shouldn't be called baseball. Just say you are playing a game. Rolly bat or something.

 

Say what you wish about "showcase baseball;" but, since its inception, a much higher percentage of high school players from the Charlotte area (which is the only area to which I can speak with confidence) have found their way into college baseball programs than once was the case. Not only that, but the range and overall quality of schools and programs interested in area players is broader.

Why is this the case? Because it's much more cost effective for college recruiters and professional scouts. Plainly and simply, they can acquaint themselves with a much larger number of players by going to a few, concentrated sites than trying to spread a limited recruiting/scouting budget over the former process of traipsing all over the countryside to see a recruitable/draftable player one or two at a a time at high school and legion games.

It's not mere coincidence that the first significant showcases, the Area Code Games and the East Coast Professional Showcase, were both initiated by people who had a direct interest in professional baseball. Major league scouting organizations recognized the value in bringing many of the the best players together in a single location to get a good look at their playing skills. Because scouts and recruiters loved the format, private individuals followed like Perfect Game, Team One, and many others; and the face of baseball scouting/recruiting was changed forever.

In the meantime, it's not like all the competiton has been wrested from the game in those showcases that feature travel teams. Just because players may not play quite as many innings or be asked to lay down as many bunts as they would have on their high school or legion team doesn't necessarily mean that they're not playing with intensity or for their team to win.

Quite the contrary, in fact. My son played for a travel team as showcase baseball was emerging, and you'd have the toughest of times convincing him that his team didn't play (and practice) with competitive intensity. He would also disagree with you that they weren't playing baseball; a game he continues to play and enjoy today. The two are simply not necessarily mutually exclusive.

 

Miami Sluggers!!!!!!!! Can't remember too many more intense games at the HS level.

 

LOL...That was the first one that came to mind! The Sluggers were the reigning champs at the World Wood Bat Championships, held at the time in Jupiter, Florida.

The game was a real dogfight throughout; one that was viewed by a couple of hundred professional scouts and recruiters. Miami Sluggers supporters chanting and banging on drums throughout the game...wow! "Rolly bat" it was not.

These are talented kids playing baseball against some of the most talented players they can face from around the country. How can that not be intensely competitive?

 

That's truly ignorant. Have you ever watched a showcase game? Because I don't know about you, but the team I currently have on my chest plays to win? If you have an opinion present it as one, however, to say such ignorant comments with no basis is wrong.

My apologies if this post offends anyone, and for slightly sabotaging this thread.

Back to the topic,

You and your son have acted very maturely and showed you are worthy of my respect for the way you have handled this. Like it has been said by many before on this thread, chalk it up to a learning experience and move on! Good luck!

 

Yes, I have a watched showcase.. It is what it is. A great way to be seen. Pay to play. I am on thread. JMO don't take it personal. And I have also played some very conpetative games of "ROLLY BAT". HA

 

Showcase Bunting?

Would you rather show a college recruiter how strong your bat is, or bunt the ball?
When I see bunting in a showcase game, I'm surprised.
In some sort of tournament formatted situation, I might could see it. Recently, I've seen a couple guys lay down some cringe-inducing bunts in a showcase game. For God's sake, if you're going to bunt in a showcase game, do it correctly! I think they were trying to show what kind of speed they had. Even "The Flash" is going to be thrown out at first if he bunts it directly to the pitcher.

 

I find it amusing that the lack of proper bunting is found exclusively in Showcase baseball. Actually, the embarrassment of watching improper bunting is found from youth leagues all the way to the major leagues.

I watched a HS team lose the State Championship simply because they couldn't execute a bunt (squeeze). The batter forgot that a bunt is a sacrifice; not for the purpose to miss twice so you can swing away.

 

You're right about that. I've seen improper bunting in high school, American Legion, & showcase. I'm old school, but when the first two batters get on with no outs, I'm looking for the next batter to bunt those guys over into scoring position. Sacrifice himself, do his job. I can't count the times this year that I have seen that 3rd batter not get the bunt down. Very disappointing & sad. And some batters think it is beneath them to be asked to bunt. I don't care who is at the plate. The home run hitters need to bunt also. Doesn't do the team any good for that 3rd batter to strike out & set up an inning ending double play situation & not score at all. And the coaches are just as much to blame as the batters. I've seen coaches not give the bunt sign because they knew the batter couldn't bunt.