Area Finals

Garner's 24-5

They were 16-4 entering the playoffs with a clean conference record of 10-0. In the playoffs, Round 1 they swept Clayton in 2-0, Round 2 beat Apex 3-1 and swept Durham 3-0 in Round 3.

I'll try to find Pitt's record.

 

got to do better than that, mb is on top of everyone's list. they know where he is and he has been and will be seen by everyone. scouting directors would take a canoe and wagon train to see him if they had to. point is when you're on top he has nowhere to go but down. how about this.? if mb does not attend a showcase and then next year tops out at say 97mph and pitches around 93-95, continues to show good mechanics and he has good control and doesn't regress ala thrailkill do you think his spot in the draft will be lowered by not going to a showcase?

 

Braves, here is the flaw I perceive in changing AL rules to accomodate Showcase:

1-Showcases exist during the late Summer & Fall. Yea, the one Madison will attend is one of a kind, so this is an exception. But the rest can Showcase in August to November. AL season lasts less than 6 weeks for 75% of the teams. Is that too much to ask?

2-Where do you draw the line? Can a kid attend one Showcase during AL season? 2? 4? Can you imagine the pressure on local Posts trying to determine "Who will be here this Saturday? And what pitchers refuse to throw this week because you are saving your arm for your Showcase?" You talk about a nightmare....

3-Why stop at Showcases? What about playing for another travel-ball team that puts kids in front of a new set of scouts?

4-AL ball is built on community support. The places where it is thriving, there is a sense of pride in 'our team'. Accomodating Showcase erodes the spirit of Legion ball...putting the emphasis on "me, myself, & I".

I'll leave it at this: Times have changed, which means Legion ball must adjust or die. But I also realize that if it dies, the ones who get hurt will not be Legion members or the community merchants. No...they are the ones who are doing a service & donating $$ to accomodate the kids. It's all about the kids...

Seems to me that the opportunity to play should at least require the commitment to show up every practice & game. Those who can't make that commitment need to shell out $2000 & run around the southeast chasing the dream on an all star team. That choice is justifiable...but the 3rd choice of doing Showcase during Legion season is unnecessary & harmful to the game.

Hat tip to you, my friend.

PS...as for Madison telling his coach before the season that he would be gone that week: That is noble & shows class on Madison's part. But look at it from the coach's perspective:
1--Can't say no...Madison is too valuable. So the coach really didn't have much choice but to agree.
2--How can the coach punish other kids who skip a game or 2 for other reasons?

 

I think Morehead City is 17-4. According to a news article, they were 15-3 after a Game 1 win of the Area 2 Semifinals series with Wilmington Post 10. They won the series 3-1.

Fayetteville swept Whiteville, but I'm not sure of their record.

 

yes

great post. with your comments 100%. TEAM is first.

 

JM15,,,, thanks a lot for those records.

 

moesyslak

You're making the assumption he is a guaranted 1st rounder....we all know there are no guarantees in the draft....just look at this years draft and how players fell to lower rounds that were more polished pitchers than Madison. There were some very good College and High School pitchers that threw hard that went in the later rounds or were not drafted at all.

I'm not saying Madison will not be drafted...he will be drafted based on his "Pro style frame" and his ability to throw hard...however, that's not all it takes to be a first round pick You're mistaken when you say he's on the TOP of everyone's list and everyone has seen him....I've talked to several of the people that make out these list and MB still has some work to do (ie. 2nd and 3rd pitch), I was in Winter Haven, Fla last week talking with a Scout with the Yankee's....I mentioned a tall, strong lefty that throws in the mid to upper 90's in NC (MB) and he did not know who he was....

You asked if he doesn't attend any showcases but tops out at 97 mph this year would it impact his place in the draft....look at Alex White in this years draft....he was throwing 94-96 consistenly this year and and no one new a lot about him until right before the draft. Everyone was scrambling trying to see him before draft day....he went in the 14th round.

My point is Madison needs every opportunity to compete against the best talent in the Nation. You have to remember for every East Coast Area Scout telling his Scouting Director how great MB is there is a West Coast Area Scout telling him how great his guy is....all the hitters in the Bigs can hit a 93-95 mph fastball and believe or not they can hit a 97 mph fastball. The more chances MB has to compete against the best talent and showcase his ability to do more than just throw hard in front of all these guys the better his chances will be in going in the higher rounds.

Based on what I've read he must have a family adviser that feels the same way...they are trying to do what is best for Madison and his future and I can not fault them for that.

We've gotten way off topic here and I was just offering my 2 cents because I have just been through the whole process this past year....let's get back to the Area Finals discussion.

 

niether can i

good call

 

Speaking of ballgames, you guys need to come out to Kannapolis tonight since Area 4 don't start playing til tomorrow. We've been having great crowds and I just got back from our ballpark and there's already 30+ lawn chairs set up at our stadium on the home side at 3:30...

 

tj...I'm going to see if I can coax Braves in giving me a ride on the TBR bus....any rain on the menu for tonight?