Fort Myers

Yes it is common

for teams to bring in more pitching. With the amount of games played in such a short period of time teams will bring in more arms. Collin has a right to his opinion everyone does. That does not mean he is right or wrong its just his opinion.

All I can speak from is my own personal experiences. The WWBA tournements are by far the most competitive and filled with the most talented players I have ever seen. That is my opinion based on what I have experienced. How many times are you going to play a team with 7 future draft choices on it? Last year at Jupiter we played a team that had just that. Two of them were first rounders and three more were selected in the top five rounds. This is just one of the teams we played. This summer we faced the #1 ranked 08 pitcher in the nation and the game before the #7 ranked 08 pitcher in the nation. Both were in the 93-95 mph range on a stalker during the game. Is every top player in the nation at the WWBA events? No Im sure some do not attend. But most do. In fact the vast majority do. You routinely face guys in the upper 80's to low 90's. The level of the competition is by far the best I see during the year regardless of the tournement or location. The teams are outstanding. The competition is the best by far. Now if anyone else knows of other tournements that are on the same level please let me know. I want to make sure I go and see it. When you have over 300 professional scouts and a representative from every ML club at the event I think that speaks for itself. You can argue all you want to about wether or not its a true National Championship or not. Thats fine I really dont care what they call it. It is simply the best. The WWBA events attract the best teams and the vast majority of the best players.

When or if you make it to the final round of championship play you will see 16 of the best teams you will find. Loaded with guys that have committed to all the top schools in the nation. Many will be drafted next June. It does not get any better. If it does please let me know where its at. And you might want to let those 300+ scouts know as well Im sure they would want to see it as well.

 

That says it all.

For those that have never been, then you will never know. For those that have been, you know it to be true.

Listen, I haven't had a son participate since 2004, yet I get as much fun out of attending now as ever...in fact more. I don't have to be concerned on how his team does. But it sure is fun to follow the NC guys. I guarantee you, when they reflect back on their playing days, this event will always be one of those memories.

 

World Series/National Championshio???

Everything is a marketing ploy, duhhh. The D1 World Series you mention is not a World Series, heck the MLB World Series is not a World Series, there marketing ploys. You name things to attract peoples attention, but no matter what you call the event in Fort Myers it's still the best showcase of talent in the country. And a team from NC finished in second place, there's no debating that.

 

Congrats

Good job guys. Question: I was looking at the Dirtbag roster. I noticed that Matt Graham was from TX. Is that right? From the comments looks like another flame thrower. Did he move to NC? If so what high school does he play from?

 

He is still from Texas.

 

Pick-ups

I think you know the answer to this one. For a tourney with lots of games over a short period of time most teams do not have enough arms. Some, but not all pick up some arm(s). I can see some positives. Physically, you need them. 2nd, if the team advances farther, more chance for everyone to play more and "be seen" as everyone likes to say.

In addition, I have been told by parents on the team that AP tells everyone up front that this is a possibility. This is an event that IMPACT wants to do as well as possible. Not only does it look good for the kids but it also looks favorably on the program. In addition to the Graham pickup I think they also picked up Dale Ennes from the Asheville area. I think he plays with the team as a pitcher from time to time.

I know what you are thinking. It must be tough on the kids that have played, traveled and paid their money all year to have someone come in last minute and cut into their playing time. However when you are told this up front that it is a possibility there's not much you can say. You shouldn't be surprised.

 

Not at all. The players are generally pitchers and as a team that goes deeper into the playoffs, everyone associated with the team welcomes the addition. Usually the player is someone from the program's younger team, but not always. Either way, the fresh arms are always welcomed.

I'll tell ya what, when you have to play 3 games in the Florida heat in one day, the players tend to get tired. They welcome anybody that can help. The last thing on their mind is, " Geez...he's taking my innings away". I believe the majority of responses are, "Thank god"

 

I won't comment if everyone is happy about additions. I don't know. But I do see how the arms are needed, as I said. It can be good for all involved. PM sent.

 

Putt- I was associated with a team that would go deep into the playoffs in the PG event and we always had an attrition of pitchers. By the time we played our last game, we were throwing anybody that ever pitched in their life (including LL).

We seem to always go down there with 8-9 pitchers (excluding position/pitchers) and it was never enough. We had to play a Baseball America team or an East Cobb team featuring as many as 22 pitchers on their roster (including position/pitcher players). If you advance it just wears you down.

 

I was just looking. I was just wondering due to he was the only one on the 17 roster from out of state. Thought that he may be new to the area. I am well aware that teams will go out and pick up pitching. I remember even at AAU and USSSA National events teams picked up pitching. And that was at 9 & 10.