Let's Have a Good Discussion

My Opinion only

Freddy Suggs -No one is better. Some others have different agendas, if you make their teams thru ID camps they work very hard for you for sure. But no one I know has more love for the game and a desire to see kids play it.

Now be prepared because he will tell you straight out what he thinks and he is a very good evaluator of talent. Note that most of his teams over the years have not charged a fee!!! He may get low on funds and ask kids to bring $10 to the next game to help pay for some of the bills. But money will never be a reason you don't play on his teams.

I've known him for several years and my son did play a Fall and Summer with him.

 

I want to play in college

Exposure!!....it is very important since so many quality players are trying to get the attention of the best coaches and schools and one way to stand out in the crowd is showing your "makeup". By this I mean let there be no doubt that you are a player. The manner in which you go about playing the game and conducting yourself, both on and off the field, will directly impact the coaches and scouts looking at you. Make Up is extremely important in my opinion so I would say don't go down the recruiting road with knowing that someone is always watching.

I am not talking about makeup that you put on just when you are going to the showcase...wear it at all times.

 

This is Gman13'sdad's wife

I'm sure most of the people who are interested in this website are men. Of course I could be wrong. For men who have wives who may be going crazy, especially if this is their first child to leave the so called nest, don't worry, this is normal. It's extremely hard to face two things, one, you're old, and two you are losing your baby. Believe it or not it's also hard on your son. Don't be surprised if you find yourself arguing more with him. Your sons want to be all grown up and independent but at the same time want you to be "mommy" and "daddy" and do everything for them. It's time for you to cut the apron strings and make them start making decisions for themselves. When they are being recruited, you have to drop back and let them make some judgements on their own. If they ask you, give them some advice, but only if they ask. Remember, the arguing I referred to? It's hard but they have to learn to be more grown up. You have to let them have the opportunity. Also, remember playing baseball is their dream. Be supportive and always encourage them wholeheartedly even if it hurts. Like any good wife, I agree with everything my husband said, lol!

 

First- great advice G-Woman. The women of TBR always bring a better perspective to things.

Second- Why just the other day your husband was on here extolling the virtues of his lovely bride. In fact, I believe he said, "I'm Gman13'sdad and I approve of this message" This was the thread he was referring to:

http://www.thisboardrocks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141646

Welcome to TBR!!! Sign up with your own screen name and start posting

 

My concern

Dont look at others and say "Man we have got to do that because Jimmy did it and look what it did for him!"

Every kids situation is different. The biggest concern I have is this. Some kids as rising sophs are advanced at the game for their age. Some are just very talented much earlier. Maybe they are just bigger and stronger at a younger age. Maybe they have a great arm or just quite honestly advanced over the other players at a younger age. These players are asked to play on showacse teams and get exposed to alot of college coaches at a much earlier time in their career. This does not mean this is the best route for the other players.

Some players are much better suited playing another level of baseball and spending the majority of their time working at getting better. Showcase baseball is not the best route for every baseball player. At least not until they are ready to be showcased.

No exposure is better than bad exposure. The emphasis needs to be on player development not on being seen for these younger players imo. Playing all the time and trying to be seen will not make you a better player. Put the empasis in the off season at getting better. Get in the weight room , speed train , agility training , core training , long toss etc etc. Work your butt off to get bigger stronger and faster. If your an elite level player at a younger age you need to continue to work to get better but showcase is a great venue for you. But if your not an elite level player you need to be putting your emphasis on working at the things that will make you a player college coaches want to see. Your time will come.

There is a misconception that all you have to do is get on one of these teams and be seen enough times and BAM you will be signed. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Younger players need to be focusing on develpment. Dont rush the process. Its not where you start the race its where you finish the race that matters. Everytime I see one of these younger players commit to a college I say to myself "Man I wonder how many 2010's parents are in the pannick mode today?"

Since the end of the HS season I have helped several players move on to the next level. They were not household name players. They did not play on showcase teams. They were guys that had a strong desire to play in college and a great work ethic. But they were not players that were going to stand out at a showcase with 100 guys there. Its about matching up the players ability level , his academic situation and a college program that is a good fit for HIM.

Im a big advocate of showcase baseball , but only for the players that are at a level of ability that will allow showcasing to assist them in gaining options. I am totally against showcase baseball for players that are not at that level yet. The college coaches are watching the ones that are and not paying any attention to the ones that are not. The emphasis needs to be on getting better and developing as a player and athlete. If your goal is to play at the next level you first must reach the level of play that will allow you to be wanted by a college coach.

Dont allow your son to be a member of the Washington Generals. Bust your butt and get better. Market yourself to the schools that will have an interest in your ability. Dont chase after the dream. Work and develop yourself and you can achieve this dream.

Everyone wants their kid to have the same opportunities that other kids have. They see a kid on a high profile showcase team and they think "Man if we could just get on that team." Dont fall into that trap. It may be the best route for your kid. If he is an advanced level player it will create alot more options for him. But if he is not there yet dont rush the process. Put the emphasis on working at the things that will allow him to be the best player he can be. And allow him to travel the path that is the best path for him. It leads to the same destination ultimately.

 

IMO - Just great advice from Coach27

And it isnt just at the high school /showcase levels that your player - and maybe you - need to think about this. You may face these decisions throughout the whole ride at at each successive level.

For example - Even in college - you may have the University connection and the Coach with the connections - to get into a summer collegiate league.

So you go after your frosh year - and you are not ready - but you go anyway - because it has the name - and you get hammered. At that point in your career - I can assure you it doesnt help. It doesnt help to go from being a .350 hitter with aluminum to a .130 hitter with wood. (And it happens all the time - every year.)

You need to stay away from what others say you should do - and be true with yourself - and be true to yourself.

Somewhat of a cryptic message - and I apologize for that - but I am just trying to give my view.

 

How much do you know?

There are seven ways a baseball player can legally reach first base without getting a hit.

The first person to name all 7 will be the TBR person of the year.

 

7 ways

walk, hbp, strike 3passed ball, error, fielders choice, catcher intereference, runner interference (balls hits runner, he is out and hitter is awarded base)


Runner interference is incorrect since the batter is actually awarded with a base hit!! 6 out of 7 is very good.

What about as a pinch runner then?

 

#7 entering the game as a pinch runner

 

7 ways

Okay last try Stretchy:

walk, error, hbp, catcher interference, strike 3 passed ball, fielders choice, and as a pinch runner.

sportsmom beat me to number 7! Nice call!