Impact Showcase this weekend

Good luck to all the guys going to the Impact Unsigned Sr and underclass showcase this weekend at Belmont Abbey. Several guys made the most of this opportunity last year and Im looking for the same thing this year. Checking the rosters on the Impact site there are some outstanding players attending.

Tips from an old dude.

Pitchers - Get loose. Before you go to the pen to throw in front of all those college coaches go through your normal pre game routine. Make sure you are ready to throw just like in a game. You are not going to get 30 or 40 pitches in the bullpen. Make sure you are "hot" when you step on the mound. And dont be nervous. Got go out there and have some fun with it.

Posistion players - Get after it. Attack the baseball. Dont be a robot. Show you can make the fundemental plays and show you can make athletic plays. And by all means dont hang your head if you boot one or make a bad throw. Jump back up there and get another one.

Hitters - Dont over swing! Dont come out trying to jack every ball over the fence. If you do this you will not hit well. Your only going to get 8-10 swings anyway. Take a nice relaxed swing and just make consistent hard contact. Line drives hard ground balls etc. You might want to take the first pitch just to get an idea of timing. And dont swing at bad pitches. Some guys get in there and they are so pumped up they end up swinging at anything and everything. Relax and just have some fun.

Catchers - The bullpens are big for you. Dont go down there and stand around waiting for everyone else to do all the work. If you really love to catch you should be constantly at the front of the line. Remember these college coaches want to see if you can catch too. You will get a chance to catch alot of different arms. Block everything. Throw a strike back to the pitcher. Stick everything. You can make a big impression on the college coaches by the way you catch in the pens. The guys standing in the back of the line that dont look like they really want to catch the pens are not making any points with the coaches you can bet on that.

Pop Times - Dont Cheat!! Dont you think they have seen guys cheat before? Let the ball get deep. Come up and throw a seed. And dont hang your head on a bad throw just get back down there and be ready to make a good throw. Make sure you take the time to get good and loose before you start throwing. If you have to wait to throw after you have warmed up then warm up again. You have to be mature at these things. Dont leave it up to someone else to make sure you are ready. And remember and accurate 2.1 is better than a 1.8 in centerfield. Dont try to do too much. Just do what you do.

Show up looking like a ball player. Wear your hat like a ball player not a street thug. Leave the ear rings at home. If you wear a necklace tuck it under your shirt. Bling bling hanging all around a guys neck does not impress the college coaches. Keep your jersey tucked in at all times.

Watch your language. Leave the foul mouth at home and make sure you no sir and yes sir the staff. Nothing turns off people more than a foul mouthed kid. Be respectfull to those running the event and hustle everywhere you go.

Tip - When you are shagging. There will be alot of guys just standing around shooting the breeze. Be the guy playing all the balls of the bat live. Be the guy out there not shooting the breeze. Believe me someone will notice that. And maybe they will notice how you get a good jump on the ball off the bat. Or maybe they will notice how you seem to enjoy being on the baseball field. Use other peoples mistakes as a way for you to shine. While they are not taking this opportunity to be looked at you will be using it as an opportunity to be looked at.

In other words its kind of like this. The college coaches are going to be there because they are looking for players. You are there because you want a college coach to want you. They are going to be looking for tools. And they are going to be looking for young men they would want in their program. Everything you do is part of that equation. From the way to talk , walk , wear your uniform , handle yourself , and approach the game. If you find yourself just kind of blending in with the crowd stop it right there. The crowd is not going to get an offer. Stand out from the crowd.

Good luck to all of you this weekend.

 

Thanks! What great advice as always. Over a 100 underclassmen should attract a bunch of coaches.

 

Coach May, are you planning to attend the showcase. If so, I would finally like to meet you.

 

Sunday I hope

I cant make it up there Saturday. I hope to make it on Sunday. If I do please say hello.

 

Never Ever Been Better Advice!

Coach27,
You are the man. You nailed each and every point you made. Part of being a good player is wanting the opportunity to shine (and be noticed). I especially liked the advice to BP. Jack is a Tennessee Whiskey that people often drink with Coke. It is not a way to impress coaches. Unless (of course) you are 6'5" and 250 pounds and they get the idea that maybe you should be swinging for the fences.

Boys.....you probably ain't the next Frank Thomas so take Coach27's advice!

He's right. Let it all hang out. Have fun. It's a game!

 

What time does it start on Saturday? I'd like to come by

 

Saturday

The seniors are scheduled to be there at 8am and the underclassman at 12 noon. Its my understanding that on Sunday the underclass guys are going to play a game or two against each other. Since they are told to be there at 8am on Saturday I would guess they are going to get started around 8:30 9:00. Last year this event was held at Wingate and there was a ton of college coaches present. I would be willing to bet there is a really good turn out this year as well. Both the 08 and underclass rosters are full of very good players. It should be alot of fun to watch.

 

Thanks Coach...I will be there.

By the way.....you are unbelievable with your terrific advice. I hope everybody realizes how fortunate they are to have someone like you on the board. Where were you 6 years ago?

 

Thanks Braves

But as far as where I was six years ago I have no idea. I can hardly remember where I was 6 days ago!

 

Gametimes

Underclassmen games Sunday 9am, 11:45am and 2:30pm. Workouts only on Saturday 8am Seniors then Noon for Underclassmen.