State Games of NC

I was wondering if some of you could share with me and others the importance of making a team for the state games of NC. Do these games draw scouts, recruiter's..ect.ect?? Help in the recruiting process for being "seen"? I searched the threads and couldn't find any discussion on the games other than who made the teams in previous years. Just wondering as I WAIT for opening day!!!!!! :xyzthumbs
Thanks!!!
ps. Information on the upcoming State games has been posted at there site.

 

The State Games is a wonderful tournament sponsored by Impact. The best of the best from each region compete for the championship. There are scouts everywhere representing all the regional colleges and most, if not all, MLB organizations. It is the creme de creme of NC showcases and to be invited is a heck of an honor....to be selected is a memory that one will not forget.

One bit of advice...if you are going to the Wake Forest field for a game....take an umbrella for there is no SHADE!!!!!!!!...and a portable, compact air conditioner would be nice

 

Junior State Games:

It's not critical, but it is a good measurement of where you stand. If you think about it, you have 8 Junior teams, each with 20 players and no more than 2 (I believe) can be sophs/frosh. So you have "rising seniors" on the average. That 144 rising senior players.

First: It's not necessarily the best 144 players. Some High Schools just don't participate. The HS coach doesn't send in any recommendations and get the forms done. It's a pity for those players, but it's not stressed everywhere.

Second: There is a normal limitation of 3 players per HS team, though that rule has been bent in years gone past here/there.

Third: So far in this year, there has been about 75 players who have committed to college. Probably 60+ of those 75 were on Junior State Games rosters.

Fourth: At the state games, you will find virtually every college in the state in attendance. It's the first "mass" showcase of the rising senior of the season. You aren't in a contact period since the State Games happens in June and the coaches don't come calling in earnest until July 1st. You will have most of the southern tier of Virginia colleges there along with virtually every one of the South Carolina colleges. It's a pretty big deal as far as scouting is concerned.

Fifth: It's just plain fun. You have good baseball for the most part. The players haven't played together much so they are relying on their athleticism more than great teamwork. The pitching seems to dominate the event, but that's natural too.

Making the team is fun. Not making the team isn't a critical failure. There are about 42-45 High Schools in each region and each one of those HS's can send 4+ players to the tryouts. You could have as many as 160+ players out there, trying to thin it down to about 20 guys. The selection process isn't perfect, but no tryout situation ever is.

Senior State Games:

The senior state games is more about pride in the East-West thing. In recent years, a lot of seniors who have already committed to attend a college have backed out of participation in the Senior State games, allowing their spots to go to players who were still "showcasing" their talents in front of the college coaches. It's got it's good points and it's bad points. I personally prefer letting the unsigned players participate in the event. The stands are full of colleges watching the juniors that weekend. If the college coaches knew they also could see the best remaining unsigned seniors, the event could become very, very special, but it's still about winning in this case. That game isn't a "showcase event", it's a celebration of HS baseball.

There isn't a right or wrong answer. It's just preferences.

 

Yes, let me retract my earlier enthusiasm. It's not always the best players that are selected. There has always been some wonderful players that did not participate for one reason or another....

But...for those that do participate, they are all quality players

 

These are 2 great posts from 2 great sources. I just wanted to add a little something involving the lack of participation by some schools. I hope no one will mind if I use a personal experience.

Two years ago when my son was ready for the Jr. State Games we were searching for the best way to find out about it much like RPD is now. Our high school had never sent a player to the Games and my son and some of his teammates didn't even know if their coach knew about them. After some soul searching they finally gathered the courage to confront him and ask. The coach's immediate answer was "absolutely", he would recommend them. Turns out that the coach was waiting for them to show an interest in the Games before he made any recommendations. He felt that there was little need for him to recommend players for the Games when they weren't interested. The result, 4 juniors were recommended, 3 made the team, all 4 eventually signed with a college to play ball and the 3 that made it became a part of something special that they still talk about today. Not only did they play, they were part of a special team that went on to win the championship that year.

The moral of my story. Guys.......DON"T WAIT ON ANYBODY !!!!! If you feel you have the talent and want to be a part of a truly special baseball event in NC, go to your coach an ask. I can't believe that there is a HS coach (worth his own weight in salt) out there that wouldn't take the time to help one of his players to try and be a part of the State Games. As it has been said, just being recommended to try-out is a tremendous honor in itsself.

DON"T WAIT.......if you read this tonight, ask tomorrow. Now is the time. The nominations go in very early in the HS season. Try-outs are sometime about mid May-early June, depending on the actual date of the games. Good luck to everyone.

 

BTW, here is the link to their website. Right now all it has is the forms and some information. Later on it will have the coaches for each Region and the game schedules.

http://www.ncsports.org/

 

Give me a call and wwe can discuss this... I can give you some insight on this...

 

More than happy to help...

Asst Coach R #5 1996
Asst Coach R #5 1997
Asst Coach R #5 1998
Head Coach R#5 1999
"West" Senior HC 2000

Questions? feel free to ask or pm...

 

Thanks everyone for the great information!!

Thanks everyone for the great info!! :xyzthumbs Also thank you "O" for the offer of sending you questions! I may take you up on that.
Coach Evans thanks also and please check your e-mail.....I sent you one this afternoon about this topic. Thanks again!!
PRD :xyzthumbs

 

I think that any child that has the opportunity to participate in State games should jump on the chance. It is an excellent way to 'be seen' by so many people. I can't think of a better way to have so many people see your child at one time. It is a great experience for the boys and they are treated well by staff, coaches and fellow players. It gives them the chance to shine, and to see how well they can do when surrounded by quality players in every position. It really can open many doors for your son.