Tryouts????

D1 in NC ( 18 x 35= 630 )
D2 in NC ( 15 x 30= 450)*
D3 in NC ( 4 x 30= 120)*
NAIA in NC( 1 x 30 =30)*
Juco in NC (11 x 30=330)*

These estimated figures add up to 1560.
* - I don't know the roster limits, if any, in these classifications so I'm assuming 30.

I think there are about 370 public schools in NC and around 80 private schools. If you make the assumption that the schools have an average of 30 kids playing baseball( jv. and varsity) that totals 13,500. My estimate of the number of roster spots in college per year(using wocka's method) would be 1560/4 = 390. I'll round up to 400.
Also using Wocka's method there would be about 3375 high school senior baseball players per year in NC. I'll assume that of that 3375 that 25% might be serious about playing at the next level. that yields about 844 kids looking to get a spot. 844(maybe?) kids for 400 possible spots. Is that a good number of opportunities?

 

I think Wocka has done a good job illustrating the number of opportunities vs the number of players chasing those opportunities. I have to assume that most players that join a showcase team believes they are part of that chase. However, the reality is that most won't be. The sheer numbers of players participating in showcase, Legion or any other brand of baseball and wocka's example of the opportunities available magnify how fortunate a player is to play at the next level at whatever that level of baseball is.

The two points I would like to make is this:

- Prepster made this point many years ago. In 2002 the ACC played their conference playoffs at Charlotte Knights stadium. Looking at the roster of all those teams, there were only 3 players from NC on them...3 players throughout the WHOLE conference. People like Mike Shildt, Andy Partin, Bill Capps, Freddy Suggs, Jeff McNeely and Ken Shuey decided to do something about that...and created opportunities for players across the state to "showcase" their skills in front of college coaches. People can argue all day long the cause of attention to the NC players, but the fact remains that in 2002 there were only 3 players in our state playing ACC baseball. In 2005, one high school alone, South Mecklenburg, had 9 players on their roster signed and committed to play college baseball. The reason for the elevated attention given to the NC players was simply because of exposure...and that exposure, just like any good idea, has been capitalized to the extent that it's not quite what it used to be. It's still outstanding but has created other concerns:

1. The sheer number of teams has diluted the talent pool
2. The expectations of some parents are unrealistic.

The biggest pool of talent are the 2-3 tool players. And those are the one's chasing the opportunities. However, in this state, many parents have developed a D1 or bust mentality...and it has caused undue stress on those families. If you understand that D1 schools realize that and because of new rule changes and early commitments, they've become very deliberate and selective in filling out their needs, many kids get left out from opportunities at the other levels. While that family is waiting and hoping for that D1 offer, other kids are jumping at the chance of playing for a Wingate, LR and Catawba. By the time those families figure out it is too late, those opportunities have been filled. It's a shame, but it happens more and more each year.

 

look at average signing class

Also remember that a few schools offer a JV programs as well (say at least 3). On average it seems that schools have ~10 recruits each year (a couple seem to get close to 20), so in another way, you could say that you have up to 520 spots on average (some years less- some years more). Of course not all spots will be filled by NC high school seniors. In addition to out of state & JUCO players filling spots, you also have transfers, and of course NC seniors go out of state and a few to the pros.

Over the years, have seen very average players (even some below average) go on to play and have seen very good players hang up their cleats after their senior year (one comes to mind that could have played at basically all of the D1 programs & is now in law school). So if you work at your game, promote yourself to the schools and get your HS coach to help you out, there is a probability of playing somewhere (not necessarily any scholarship will be received).

As before, imagine the number of showcase teams will continue to rise - will be interesting to see how the 'who plays in what tournaments' evolves. Also with athletic budgets shrinking & thus recruiting budgets shrinking, may see more showcase camps at colleges.

Just do not understand why there is this belief that you need to play year round.

 

Or tryouts in December with 20 degree weather This thread now has come full circle.

 

I agree, that it is really early to be having tryouts. With kids being shut down and then having to quickly get ready for a tryout or showcase workout it makes it very hard to be at your best. All of these are a by product of kids and parents wanting that shot at playing ball at the next level. We can play the blame game all day and we will still not have a answer that will make everyone happy. With the sucess that kids are having with playing on showcase teams, of course there are going to be more and more teams popping up because we all want a peice of that pie. I am all for kids getting the opportunity to play regardless of what level, because they could be on the streets. We also have to realize that tryouts, early showcase camps, etc are parts of way the internal game is being played now. Know one has a gun to our heads making us do these , but we all know that, if we don't that spot on a team will be taken, a scout may not see us, and the limited spots at the next level will be gone. To me some of these things are just part of the evil that the sucess of the early showcase organizations and the ever growing talent in this state is producing.

 

Okay - I have been sufficiently baited...

 

Standing O!!!!