SHOWCASE BASEBALL, LEGION BASEBALL or WORLD SCOUT LEAGUE?

Oops...

The man who runs the SBA group - meant Robbins - sorry! Is Mr. Gary Hill still involved? My son really liked him. He was always a gentleman and spoke to all the kids. I guess I've lost contact with what's going on with them since the merger.

Had another thought, for what it's worth. Is it possible to keep a league standings for teams that play in events now? Maybe that would take the boredom out of the showcase events?

 

Garry is still very involved and is at the academy basically everyday still talking to all the kids but also to any dad or mom who wants to talk about baseball.

 

Answer?

Glad Mr. Hill is involved. How does he feel about the proposal? (or does he have a say in the matter?) He was always a proponent of developing players and never really cared much about stats or standings. Maybe that was detrimental to his "money making" as a business, but he is and was loved by many a coach and former player. There is a strong base of support for Mr. Hill and his advice and counsel has strengthened character of many a young mind. His integrity always rose above self promotion - he never needed it.

Caution to those who want standings and competition --- that means there will be a clear #1, but also a clear #last. Could lead to sheep being led to slaughter, but not sure if the herder is wearing sheep's clothing. In the words listed earlier in the thread - "Draw your own conclusions."

No one ever answered the question about the Showcase Canes (Robbins)?

Didn't the Showcase Canes have a strong fall and summer? Or maybe no one remembers. amnesia?

 

I will try to go in order.

Being "very involved" as noted below would usually come with the assumption that he has a say in the direction, but to be more specific he is in total support of the proposal and the direction.

He, as well as the rest of the staff, is still a huge proponent of developing young men and players. In fact the mission statement for Champions Baseball is very clear on that objective of the business.

Part of developing players, and more importantly good young men, is to not only teach them the game of baseball, but also the life lessons that can be garnered through those experiences. One of those life lessons is the fact that not everybody wins. So, #last also comes with some developmental teaching opportunities of its own.

Having a league in which winning matters versus the traditional showcase event will hopefully lead to a summer season in which playing the game the right way matters more than it seems to in the current showcase environment. IE: situational and fundamental play and not just who can swing it bigger. This will also lead to development of the player. On the other hand it will present a clear #1 as you point out. A #1 in each division, a #1 in the regional play and a #1 in National play. Not everyone can win right? Doesn't mean they won't win next year or the year after. Nor does it mean #last didn't develop, work hard, show character or improve. Also means that #last is #last against really good competition much like whoever is #last in the SW4A, the Tri-9 or the SPC or any other top HS conference in this state. #last here is likely better that #last in South Dakota, doesn't mean they were lead to slaughter. Seems like a similar format to the HS baseball that everyone on this board loves, a clear state champion. Imagine that same passion all summer.


Not sure I understand the question about Mr Petty and Mr Robbins being sheep so would have no idea how to answer that for you. I personally don't have any idea what kind of season they had. I believe both have posted on this board in the past so maybe they will provide the answer to those questions for you.

 

[FONT=&quot]Braves, [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]TBR should do an interview with Garry Hill, his story and passion for the game and his influence on the kids should be known by all NC baseball people. Garry is a Charlotte Baseball Institution and the Senior Baseball Man in Charlotte as well. In our organization Garry is held in the highest regard and treated with deserving respect. One of the perks being involved with Champions Baseball Academy is we get to be around Garry every day.

To answer your question "what does he (Garry) feel about the WSL proposal?" Garry is all in with it. He is a baseball man who never played a showcase game in his life. He sees how the WSL is another avenue for developing players on and off the field. It sounds as if you know Garry well. You should stop by Champions Academy and say hello to Garry.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Caution to those who want standings and competition? I’m not really sure why anyone should be cautious of competition unless they fear it. Please Tatersalad tell you are not one of those guys who think everyone should get a trophy at the end of the season? In regards to standings do you think we should eliminate all HS, College and Pro-ball standings? Teams head into the spring training and work towards being #1 at the end of the season. Isn’t that part of the beauty of this game? Each year someone else has the chance to be the top dog…and yes someone has to bring up the rear. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Even rec ball has standings. I’m personally more cautious of people who need to beware of competition than those who want to step into a dog fight every time out. I stand by the idea that the WSL will bring a different level of competition because standings are a part of it. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]The herder (wolf) is out in the open. No hidden agenda. We believe in the WSL and want as many of the top programs in the state to jump in as well. I think it will lead to more divisions inside the state in the very near future. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]In this scenario I view the old cliché “wolf (herder) in sheep’s clothing” in reverse. I see “sheep wearing the wolf’s (herder) clothing”. Certain people have to dress up like the wolf so they look the part but they will always be a sheep. I can see certain parties being fearful of being exposed relative to the game and development of the kids on and off the field. We see the “Sheep dressed in wolf’s clothing” right here on TBR. Look at how many bark from behind a fake identity. I will say this; Regardless of what anyone thinks of Andy Partin he has enough sack to let you know it’s him when he gets on this board. I have respect for anyone who stands by what they believe, whether I believe it or not, and throws their name on it.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Absolutely everyone “draw your own conclusions”. It is what keeps these discussions healthy and alive. My original “draw your own conclusions” statement was baited. I hoped people would draw conclusions about everyone involved, every organization mentioned and the WSL.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
As for amnesia, I can tell you several NC Baseball organizations including the SC Panthers, Dirt Bags, Stealth Baseball, Charlotte MegaStars, Rock Solid, GBC, Jeff Petty’s Canes South, Yak Baseball, Rickey Keith’s Cubs, and the SBA Canes to name a few were discussed very early on. So knowing that we have to assume they were all considered. I can’t say I know if everyone was invited and declined an invitation into the WSL. I think that is a question you would ask each of those organization heads directly.

 

Our family moved to Rowan Co. recently from the midwest and have a son who is in eighth grade. His older brothers played Colt and Palomino back home years ago. This was mainly for the kids who did not make legion due to competition. So this sounds like you are starting a new league like Pony has? Is it different in that instead of having tryouts and picking teams evenly you bring your own team of players? My son got pitching lessons from a real nice fella in Concord David Something. He had a league for HS kids I tried to get my 8th grader on cause I thought he was ok enough to play with them but it was for the high schoolers.

 

Oh yeah getting back to the league. What does it cost per young boy? like the colt league is like $125 for the season and Palomino was I think $140.00 because they had to travel in a 4 county area to play other teams. I think we had to pay another 100.00 in Palomino cause we one the district and state tourney. What are the age limits for this new league. My son will be a be 14 in June?

 

shows how smart I am......

"Braves,

[FONT=&quot]TBR should do an interview with Garry Hill"............i have always assumed that Braves was Gary Hill. Didnt Mr Hill play for the Braves Organization? [/FONT]

 

Not a league for individuals as you are describing. This league is for established travel teams from around the country. Will be comprised of 100 pre existing travel/showcase teams and will compete locally and nationally.

 

He did indeed. 1st overall pick out of UNC.

However, no, they are not the same person. But, they both have the same passion for the game and the kids. to both.