2011 WWBA Underclass World Championship

This is going back, but in 2003-04, every single player participating at the Jupiter event was offered a college scholarship......everyone!...even this pudgy little guy by the name of Prince Fielder. Delmon Young wasn't too bad either or Sean Rodriguez (Tampa Bay SS.) The list is long of players participating are now seen every night on TV, but the amazing thing to me was the 100% offers to colleges.

There are many events that may be similar, but the Jupiter event stands by itself. Back then they were very discriminatory in who they invited. I believe there were only 32 teams. Although that figure has more than doubled, they still do a good job of limiting the teams invited. This is THE premier event of the year.

 

To your point, Braves, Jerry Ford, founder and owner of the Perfect Game organization which puts on the event (screen name: PGStaff), recently posted some facts about the Jupiter tournament at hsbaseballweb.com. Here's an excerpt of his remarks:

"Though some might not believe it, there are usually 900 or more scouts and college coaches that attend. Over 300 golf carts will be rented out to these people. Would be more, but we can't get any more carts.

There is a very good reason why this is the biggest scouting attraction in all of baseball. Just in the past 5 drafts, 137 players who played in this tournament were later drafted in the 1st or supplemental 1st round. Another 101 players were drafted in the 2nd round.

I know that might be hard to believe for those who haven't been there, but here is the proof... Go to this link and scroll down to see the draft picks from each year. The players that have already made the Major Leagues is listed on the right.

http://www.perfectgame.org/events/history.aspx?event=1120

Most major colleges are in attendance and every MLB club has 10-20 or more scouts attend the event. We just received the Toronto Blue Jays request form today. They are sending an all time record "44" scouts to Jupiter this year. That is a major investment on there part!

If you happen to be in Florida from Oct 20-24 and want to see something very unusual. Go to the Roger Dean Complex in Jupiter. Warning... There is a charge to get in. I think it is $10 for the day. If you go and think your just watching a normal baseball activity, I will personally refund your $10."



When a couple of the top teams are playing, it's not unusual to see professional scouts and college recruiters stretching from 3rd base to 1st base around the diamond; and guys with Stalker radar guns stacked way back behind the backstop. Braves, one of the games that you and I saw in 2002 was said to have had close to 200 scouts and recruiters present.

The event has no equals. Not even close.

 

Not sure I agee with you especially regarding the Jupiter event. There are no middle of the pack teams in Jupiter. If you do your job as a player and tell schools where you are at and when you are playing they will see you. Even if you dont you are playing against teams that have players schools are looking at so you may be seen. In addition, most college scouts leave sometime late Sunday so it truly is the first 3 days when all teams are playing that scouts are making their rounds.

 

I agree with you regarding the "Big Daddy" Jupiter event, but I feel the scale is right on for Ft. Myers, East Cobb, etc. If you have traveled to those events with top notch teams, I understand how your experience may be somewhat different....but Pope HS in Atlanta (and others like it) at 11:00 am is not a scout favorite for the East Cobb tournament. I have always seen many middle of the pack teams at these venues that have no chance to play for the title, but they can write the check.

 

This is not meant to be a criticism, but I remember when it was a blast to play all over Atlanta--even Pope HS. It was a blast for the players because they knew they were playing good competition (scout counting was not a priority)---I understand that may have changed somewhat with the increased number of teams. Also there was not many other quality tournaments going on during the summer. Now we have a ton of choices with all of the elite organizations offering quality tournaments throughout the summer.

The only concern I have with all of the tournaments is price----it is outrageous!

 

None taken.....I just think it is different experience now than it was when some of the posters had their boys coming up through the process. From what I read and hear it was much more exclusive a few years ago and before. Don't get me wrong, both my son and I enjoyed every minute of our time at these fantastic events and we knew it was a privilege to be there....I just think there is a pretty wide gulf sometimes on how these events are positioned with players and parents vs. the true experience. I never felt a victim, but I witnessed it. That's why I am a big proponent of camps....you are guaranteed to get seen there (including the head coach) and you pick the schools you are interested in and narrow your focus.

Regarding these premier showcase events, I do believe strong players have the opportunity to perform on that stage and earn the spot they covet by showing their best against great competition. Those that have draft potential are also well advised to compete at these premier events. On the other hand, I have seen many players (and families) commit to these events who are not playing college baseball and were never extended an opportunity as a result of their efforts to "be seen". As different as it appears to be now from several years ago, I wonder what it will be like ten years from now....

 

I am no expert on these tournaments but i have been to all of the three mentioned numerous times and i do have a personal opinion on them. The tournaments in East Cobb is a wonderful tournament to play in and you will see plenty of talent. It is also a big money maker and the worst of all of them as far as having the best chance to be seen or made an offer by a college. Most of the scouts pro and college converge on the complex most of the time and if you are not a well known organization the chance of playing at the complex is very slim. If a coach comes out to the wonderful schools that is involved in the tournament is usually because they have a player playing who has already committed to their program, and i reiterate most of the high schools are very good that they used. With over 100 plus teams, many that have no realistic chance of winning it is in my opinion a glorified big time money maker.

Ft Meyers is the place for serious underclassman to play. If you are good enough to play at the next level this is where you can get on the national scene with coaches and scouts. The competetion is better than East Cobb and the chances of being seen regardless of where you are playing is pretty high.This is also the tournament where you can really make a name for yourself or your organization.

Jupiter is the place for upcoming seniors and organizations that has made a name for themselves already because every one and everything related to baseball is there. 85% or more of the teams have a legitimate sot at winning the championship which makes for a heated, interesting and exciting tournament. If i was a player or organization owner or coach, Ft. Myers and Jupiter are the two National tournaments that i would definitely make plans for entering or qualifying and as a parent of a child with next level aspirations these are the two tournaments that i would spend my hard earned on by wanting to attend. All three are money makers but in (my) opinion East Cobb would be my last choice and if i had to choose only one Jupiter would be the one but if possible get to Ft Myers also. All of these are wonderful tournaments , but with money tight and baseball is very expensive, making the right decisions on National Tournaments can save you a whole lot of money.

 

Excellent advice!!!

I actually like the exclusivity. It was an honor to be invited and a confidence booster to find that you could compete against the best this country has to offer. Now, it appears, any team can go if they have the money---save the PG/WWBA Fall WS

 

You're the man, C. I can always count on you for great advice!