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(TBR Classic) olefty...gotta recruiting question for you

Discussion in 'Baseball' started by Braves, Sep 6, 2006.

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Sep 8, 2006 at 9:00 AM #21

PersonRocketDad Moderator

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From a parents perspective...and Thank you!!

Olefty, Thank you for your time and information!! This was one of the best posts I have read yet, and certainly one of the most informative for young men wanting to play baseball at some level in college.
To parents and prospective ball players. Behonest with yourself. MAny many and I do many parents look through rose colored glasses about there children. And yes I have been guilty of this also. Sit down and have a serious talk with your son/daughter and find out what they are thinking and what there dreams are?? Not YOUR dreams!!! And then try to help them work towards that goal by getting them the best instructions and help them to be seen. Then be honest in your evaluation of where your son/daughter may fit in at some level of play in college. If you don't know then ask a college coach or scout. Most are more then willing to give you a honest answer and to help you. D1 is not and will not be for everyone! This is not a bad thing and if you do your homework, your son/daughter will have a great college experience!! AND DO NOT WAIT FOR YOUR HIGHSCHOOL COACH TO START THE PROCESS!! Do your homework and start early.
Braves, these types of post from Olefty, MLB Scout , yourself and others is why I LOVE TBR and the great info you provide to parents and young people!! You guys do a great service here!!! Braves I hope to see you soon!!!!
BM
Sep 8, 2006 at 9:02 AM #22

catamount36 Full Access Member

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as usual very inforative. bluntly honest wouldn't begin to describe it. ha ha
:229031_ha
Sep 8, 2006 at 10:06 AM #23

coachevans26 Full Access Member

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olefty said:

The academy was invented and ran by Syd Thrift. Probably most famous for building the pirates up in the late 80's and early 90's. The killer B's....
The baseball academy's most esteemed alumni is Frank White
Thrift's books and their ideas are the foundation for scouting today and the reason athletes are given the chances over solid ball players.

Let me remind all that I certainly wish it was as easy as seeing a kid go 3-3 and make a couple of nice plays. Scouting and recruiting would be simple. But when I am watching a kid do it against a pitcher who is 79-81, I can't for a second think he would do that against a pitcher 86-89.
Then I see him bobble a ball at third and still have the time to gather himself and throw the guy out. In a college game where your average runner is 4.4 seconds to first base, that's error #1.

I believe with all my heart that "ball players" should get drafted and offered scholarships, but how can a scout or recruiter explain to his scouting director/head coach how good a "ball player" he is??

One last thing that will drive alot of people crazy but it's still true. 99% of the time when coaches are at a showcase or some type of tournament meant to expose kids, they are actually marking kids off their list instead of putting new names on the list.

For instance, saturday they have the pro workout (60's, OF throws, INf grounders, BP, etc) Coaches mark off every outfielder and middle infielder who runs less than a 7.5. That number is different depending on the level. So 140 kids is down to 90 in twenty minutes. For a major division 1 this number is 6.7-6.9. SO maybe every kid there but 1 is automatically off the list.

every 3rd baseman and shortstop who can't get it to first without an arc on the throw is marked off the list, or the coach waits to see if they can hit and marks them down as an OF, 1B, 2B. If they don't show good hitting they are off the list. So that 90 is now 65-70 kids.

If a catcher's time to second is above a 2.15 (remember that number is different for every level) he is off the list. now we are at 60 kids. A major D I would be around a 1.9 or less. If he can hit might let him get away with a legit 2.0, everey catcher there is off their list.

Ten more kids are marked off the list for having bad bodies. If you come to college out of shape a) you can't make it through our workouts b)pizza and beer are gonna make you even worse after two years. So now we are down to around 45 kids.

Then during BP another 15-20 kids are marke doff the list because a coach would rather not fix his swing. Let him go to a lower level school where he can get away with his bad habits and still be successful. And another 5 kids are marked off because he threw a bat, or looked soft after booting a ball or mom brought him a gatorade right in the middle of the workout.

So by Saturday when the actual games start I am only looking at about 25 kids. As soon as one of these kids looks over matched by a fairly solid pitcher he's off the list. By Sunday I will have between 0-10 kids I will be contacting that week.

It's the truth. DOn't believe me ask any coach who is honest. They are out there every weekend just like me, marking kids off so we can figure out who to contact.
Click to expand...

Thanks Olefty... very honest... excellent information. this is what i hear from the college /pro guys I ahve spoken with over the years, but concise and to the point.

I think that PRD also makes a valid point also with regards to doing your homeowrk and taking the initiative. While most of the coaches I know work hard for their kids, some do not. There may be other reasons for the sense of a "lack of contact" on the part of the high school coach though. Sometimes parents do look through rose colored glasses, that's why you need to get a scout or college coach to give you an honest evaluation, in addition to your high school coach. Then compare and contrast the 2, then go and talk to your coach about it. (BTW this is NO reflection on any of my parents). Additionally many times kids will not communicate their desires and when you try to be honest with them, some will tune you out when you tell them they cant play at Miami or Florida State, but a good fit would be one of the good D2 schools in our area. It's like I told one of my players yesterday, find the school that gives you the education / degree you want, and the best opportunity to play. Recognize that good players will be found by the scouts, whereever the coiice is made.

The bottom line here is that while the process is a "team effort", it is ultimately up to teh players/parents to keep on top of things too, and communicate effectively with anybody involved in the process.
Sep 8, 2006 at 1:35 PM #24

EastOfRaleigh Full Access Member

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football but

the coach on "two-a-days" at hoover HS in Ala. was threatening not to recommend some of his players for scholarships because of bad play in a game. that's football but.........it's a show on TV but I think it is true??
Sep 8, 2006 at 2:38 PM #25

coachevans26 Full Access Member

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EastOfRaleigh said:

the coach on "two-a-days" at hoover HS in Ala. was threatening not to recommend some of his players for scholarships because of bad play in a game. that's football but.........it's a show on TV but I think it is true??
Click to expand...

The best thing to do for any coach is to be completely honest about his players at all times. 1 game doesnt always make or break a player's future, but it can affect it if demeanor is bad...
Sep 8, 2006 at 2:52 PM #26

Coach 27 Full Access Member

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Great Read

This thread has been great. If only all parents of your players were like Person Rocket Dad.
Sep 8, 2006 at 3:12 PM #27

coachevans26 Full Access Member

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Coach 27 said:

This thread has been great. If only all parents of your players were like Person Rocket Dad.
Click to expand...

PRD is one of a kind!! I can attest to that.

I am just worried his head will swell so much now he wont be able to get through the door! BUt Mrs PRD ( should I say PRM) will bring him back to earth!!
Sep 8, 2006 at 3:20 PM #28

Braves Watauga Pioneers #6

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coachevans26 said:

PRD is one of a kind!! I can attest to that.

I am just worried his head will swell so much now he wont be able to get through the door! BUt Mrs PRD ( should I say PRM) will bring him back to earth!!
Click to expand...

I'm glad that you passed him on to me...I'm looking forward to spending time with PRD for the next 3 years. Now, if I can just get him to leave his boat up in Hickory....
Sep 8, 2006 at 4:03 PM #29

PersonRocketDad Moderator

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Don't have to worry about me with PRMom at my back!!

coachevans26 said:

PRD is one of a kind!! I can attest to that.

I am just worried his head will swell so much now he wont be able to get through the door! BUt Mrs PRD ( should I say PRM) will bring him back to earth!!
Click to expand...

:229031_ha < is what I do if PRM gets mad at me!!!
Thanks guys.....just being honest and hope I can help someone. We all need a little help sometimes!!
Sep 8, 2006 at 4:06 PM #30

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J-Rod and TJ already looking for a boat??

Braves said:

I'm glad that you passed him on to me...I'm looking forward to spending time with PRD for the next 3 years. Now, if I can just get him to leave his boat up in Hickory....
Click to expand...

:SierraC3:
Got the wheels Braves to pull one but not the boat!!! But I bet TJ and J-Rod are looking for one!!!!!

Look forward to seeing you soon!

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