Scout Talk?

I had hoped that you would begin a thread like that, similar to the one at the PG.org site.

X-

I never posted on the PG Forum, but I visited the board often and enjoyed your scouting insight. There are a number of websters on here that have kids playing pro ball, and no doubt there will be more in the future. Hopefully a Scout Talk Forum will be considered.

quote:

Originally posted by bsbl247:
X-

I never posted on the PG Forum, but I visited the board often and enjoyed your scouting insight. There are a number of websters on here that have kids playing pro ball, and no doubt there will be more in the future. Hopefully a Scout Talk Forum will be considered.

That would be awesome to have a forum, with as many parents, coaches, players, scouts and former players/scouts/coaches would love to read or add their info to as well.

I came across a young man from Marathon HS, Wisconsin that I saw only on video tape, but got all angles on him named Cody Hanke, he's playing football this fall and is a 2011, was All-State this spring, Div 3 in Wisconsin State High School Athletics, he was lights out, upper 80's, hard curve ball and a nice level stroke with power and bat speed, 6'4 plus and 200, seems to be still growing, I was told he was 5'9 entering HS frosh year. Very little info on him and I'm anxious to track his progress, but I won't get out to Wisconsin probably until mid to late May 2011.

If anyone has info on Cody, that would be great to see/hear. He seems very projectible to me and as I mentioned, he's very low on the radar screen from what I know at present.

Thanks for the replies!!

X

Definitely consider it.

I realize that some of you are new to the HSBBW, but one thing very different here than from other sites is that amatuer players are rarely discussed.

This really was never meant to be a scouting site, or the original intended purpose for it, IMO anyway.

I to have followed X on the pg website. He's very well respected and he can be an asset for this site if used the right way. He doesn't throw players under the bus, his many connections could help many parents and players and his cult following would generate more eyeballs which could equal more ad dollars for Julie and the site.

Last winter I sent X a video to view of my son. I was worried. My son didn't have an offer and I was looking for an honest opinion. X responded quickly and told us to hang in there. He even send a couple e-mails to some coaches he knew. We have corresponded since then and I consider him a friend. If he can guide just one more parent thru the recruiting process, then he should be welcomed aboard.

By all means there should be more experienced to help in the recruiting process!

But my understanding from what was the original post is that it would be more of a site for reporting players for the MLB draft.

Again, as stated this is not an MLB scouting site.

One thing we don't do here is post negative comments regarding amateur ballplayers as TPM mentioned. Even with pro ballplayers who are generally fair game, we try not to disparage if we know their family are members here (e.g., Zack Duke son of OPP).

That said, I kind of like the idea but not sure we need a separate forum. Why not just start a thread (like this one) in this forum and keep bumping it as you or others have new scouting ideas to post?

No problem with people posting comments or mentioning names with comments like...

Player XYZ has a nice fluid arm action and cruises mid to upper 80's. Looks like a good athlete who can definitely play at the next level.

We hope not to see comments like this however...

Player ABC appears too slow to ever play past the high school level. Also, he appears lazy and may have problems being coached. Not sure he is all that good of a student...

I think you get the idea. I think positive and constructive comments can work but I think you get the idea of what we don't want to see. Use the golden rule and assume it was your kid being talked about. If you don't have something positive to say then we prefer it be left unsaid. You can always discuss "issues" with someone (another scout) behind the scenes via PM.

All that said, I think I like the idea but again, I don't think a separate forum is warranted.

Would like to hear PGStaff's, MN-Mom and other's comments on the subject....

We have not reopened our message board because someone brought something to my attention.

There is at least one site that uses information gathered from other sites. I saw that there were several references to Perfect Game. They were not actually all directly from us, but also some things that others had posted on our message board. Some comments we actually totally disagreed with and yes there were some negative comments about players that we felt were untrue and would never have written.

What we have come to realize is that many of the people who post this expert scouting information are people we do not see at any of our events. Some reference players that we have seen play many times.

I feel that if you're going to report on players they should be players you really have seen and know a lot about, rather than use second hand information. I guess it's possible to run around the country seeing these players everywhere, but why would anyone spend the time and money doing that when they pretty much all are at one or two places each year. Even at that, we spend millions each year scouting amateur players and still make some mistakes.

Why aren't these experts in Jupiter Florida right now? Every MLB club has a bunch of scouts here. The Blue Jays alone have 34 scouts here. Most of the top colleges are here. If those people are here where are the message board scouting experts? Sitting at home waiting for information to be released? It's very expensive and time consuming to actually see them.

Personally I think they post a lot on what they read or see on television. If that is the case we already have many people who post here that can be experts.

We also got tired of being used (free of charge) to promote activities. After all, we don't know what anyone's motives are or what they even do for a living.

Example... Let's say one of these expert posters claims player A is the best thing since sliced bread and player B who we believe to be much better is mentioned as having all kinds of weaknesses. What if the person posting this message worked for the sports agency that represented player A. What if he were the father of player A or a paid instructor or the head of the travel program for Player A. These things would cause serious credibility concerns wouldn't they?

Once again, our biggest problem was having our name attached to comments made by others on our message board. This puts our credibility at risk. At least, that is the way I see things.

That said, we know that some people like XMLB have experience and knowledge. They have a lot to offer on this website. What is the need to post player reports?

I will flat guarantee that we will see or hear about posts being taken from here and posted at other sites labeled as coming from hsbaseballweb.com. And it will not be mentioned as coming from any specific poster on a message board.

If need be I can provide proof of this.

Regarding the positive example that "TheBigNasty" provided. That truly is something that pertains to this site. Anyone who can help guide people through the recruiting process will be welcome here.

I could say more, but I have to get back to work actually trying to "watch" all these talented kids here in Jupiter this week. There are well over 600 scouts and college coaches here and we have about 70 of our own staff here.

That's all, but if others here want this sort of thing, I will not stop it. I was able to stop ours though and seriously thinking about not bringing it back.

After reading PG's comments and the troubles it can cause, I would recommend we don't have a scout talk forum or thread on our site. I can see just too much mischief going on there. Either someone is going to be over-hyped, unfairly criticized, or other anomoly and none of us will actully know if we are actually hearing from a scout who has actually seen someone play. TPM was right. This is a recruiting site - not a scouting site.

I say no.

I like having perspective from a scouts view on scouting in general, what they like, what they are looking for, etc.

Naming individuals and scouting reports on individuals I can see as spiraling downward.

quote:

Originally posted by floridafan:
I like having perspective from a scouts view on scouting in general, what they like, what they are looking for, etc.

Naming individuals and scouting reports on individuals I can see as spiraling downward.

Good points. A general scouting type blog would work but we need to leave the names out imho.

quote:

That's all, but if others here want this sort of thing, I will not stop it. I was able to stop ours though and seriously thinking about not bringing it back.

-PG Jerry

Don't blame you Jerry because when the truth comes out of the mouths of the actual players on what "really happened" it kinda makes others look foolish, and deceptive.

I followed many of XMLBScout's posts on the PG message board and enjoyed them although I did not contribute myself . In light of hearing all the problems from PGStaff that many of us didn't know about, I now see some of the problems that can arise.
As there was an esteemed poster on HSBBW that was a major league scout before his untimely passing, I still feel there could be value in hearing about baseball from the perspective of a scout in general terms. Stories of interactions with players, parents, other scouts, the MLB organizations, travel tales, what a scout truly looks for, present pro players stories from a scouting perspective--all this could be interesting from a scout's viewpoint--without specific names of amateurs. How often a scout sees an 80 arm in the outfield or infield, What's truly a 70 runner?--all this would be interesting to hear from a scout or ex scout.

I like both Three Bagger's and jerseydad's points of view. They don't seem at all incompatible with each other imho.

We had a poster here who we've dedicated a forum to - bbscout. He was as close as you can get to hsbbweb royalty or superstardom and I would put PGStaff in the same category. Everyone cared what he had to say. His style was to just participate in those threads and topics he was interested in. XMLBScout - if you are a pro scout or college scout, start posting in our forums and people will be able to figure that out. It just takes time to establish credibility. Parents and players indeed want to know what the professionls think.

quote:

Originally posted by PGStaff:
We have not reopened our message board because someone brought something to my attention.

What we have come to realize is that many of the people who post this expert scouting information are people we do not see at any of our events. Some reference players that we have seen play many times.

I feel that if you're going to report on players they should be players you really have seen and know a lot about, rather than use second hand information. I guess it's possible to run around the country seeing these players everywhere, but why would anyone spend the time and money doing that when they pretty much all are at one or two places each year. Even at that, we spend millions each year scouting amateur players and still make some mistakes.

Why aren't these experts in Jupiter Florida right now? Every MLB club has a bunch of scouts here. The Blue Jays alone have 34 scouts here. Most of the top colleges are here. If those people are here where are the message board scouting experts? Sitting at home waiting for information to be released? It's very expensive and time consuming to actually see them.

Personally I think they post a lot on what they read or see on television. If that is the case we already have many people who post here that can be experts.

We also got tired of being used (free of charge) to promote activities. After all, we don't know what anyone's motives are or what they even do for a living.

That said, we know that some people like XMLB have experience and knowledge. They have a lot to offer on this website. What is the need to post player reports?

I could say more, but I have to get back to work actually trying to "watch" all these talented kids here in Jupiter this week. There are well over 600 scouts and college coaches here and we have about 70 of our own staff here.

That's all, but if others here want this sort of thing, I will not stop it. I was able to stop ours though and seriously thinking about not bringing it back.

PG - with all due respect, are you insinuating that I post information from sites and do not attend games and come up with reports from 2nd hand information? I find those comments totally out of line and it's very humorous to see things I wrote in your forum which I truly enjoyed doing for the time it was up, end up being posted on other publications' websites and other blogs, etc., well after the fact after I published that info on your "SCOUT FORUM" under whichever thread I started or commented on at the time.

I can not help that the names I post are from my own viewing, again, either by first hand on the site evaluation in which I have ran into your scouts many times PG, and I know who your scouts and PG X-Checker scouts are, and I know who BA scouts are, as well as the coaches, etc. I haven't been to a PG event other than to AFLAC in the past few years, first time when I saw Nick Adenhart a few years back and right now I'm building a new restaurant so I don't have time to be in Jupiter. I do have contacts there however and get very reliable video's on the spot and notes from parents of prospective players. I can not be in two places at one time, LOL, I only get out to games where my travels and jobs take me and most of it has to do in North Carolina, South Carolina, huge Metroplexes, like Dallas, Houston, New York City, Philly, LA, Seattle, Chicago and St. Louis and sometimes Cleveland. I know the Wood Bat tourneys in Florida are a scouts haven!! No DOUBT!! One day I will attend those and personally PG, I will say "HELLO" if I'm there, because I know alot of the PG remarks are not truly from Jerry only!!

My question was to see if a forum could be started here, but if it's going to cause that many problems, I will not start a thread for the upcoming and future drafts and keep my posts to my personal site. I don't charge for my services or for what I write about and If I do help players get a chance at a scholarship or professional baseball, because of something I passed onto a club or school, or what they saw that I wrote, that's fantastic.

I know you have to make a living at what you do PG and I enjoy what you all do. What others post on their blogs and how other competitors are out there charging for their services and copying and pasting, or whatever they are doing, that's their business and you can shout about that, but don't shout about what I do on my own time and money. Life is too short to get all up in arms about starting a forum or just talk about the upcoming drafts.

I'm sorry I brought it all up and will keep the info I find on players on my own site and you can go there too PG and see if I copied and pasted it from your site if you think my integrity is so low as to do such a thing!

Thanks for everyone's kind remarks and discussion on the topic and I'm sorry to have ruffled any feathers, so to speak, if I did, I'm truly sorry to have brought the discussion about the "SCOUT FORUM" thread up!

Take care and find those hidden gems for tomorrows diamonds!!

X

I think this site is for sharing information not promoting players. I can see every parent/scout posting reports on their son.

xmlb scout

understandable to be on the defensive if your innocent.

but maybe you should hang around, contribute a few things. you may find you'll like it here.

we all have to crawl before we walk.

For 17 years as "founder" of the Area Code games
and 26 years as "founder" of the Goodwill International Series, I have discuss the evaluation of players with hundred's of pro scouts, player agents and college coaches.

For many years, we averaged $35 million in signing bonus to the AC and GWS players.

There is not a 100% consistency in player evaluations, except for the grading and recognizing of the six tools.

WE had the opportunity to provide a forum for our summary of the player's skills, I refused for the simple reason. "I did not desire to harm a player's future". One day tournament, one week of AC games cannot provide sufficient information to effect a young man's future.

Several years ago in a meeting with Mark Newman, Senior VP of the Yankees, we discussed the two difficulties of pro scouts. "Scouting the bat and scouting the heart".

During two weeks [44 games] in Australia this year with 60 players and 10 pro scouts, I believe we can arrive at 90% evaluation of a player's bat and his heart.

This information will be available to the player for his future development and improvement as a baseball player and as a person.

Bob Williams

quote:

Originally posted by Bob Williams:
For 17 years as "founder" of the Area Code games
and 26 years as "founder" of the Goodwill International Series, I have discuss the evaluation of players with hundred's of pro scouts, player agents and college coaches.

For many years, we averaged $35 million in signing bonus to the AC and GWS players.

There is not a 100% consistency in player evaluations, except for the grading and recognizing of the six tools.

WE had the opportunity to provide a forum for our summary of the player's skills, I refused for the simple reason. "I did not desire to harm a player's future". One day tournament, one week of AC games cannot provide sufficient information to effect a young man's future.

Several years ago in a meeting with Mark Newman, Senior VP of the Yankees, we discussed the two difficulties of pro scouts. "Scouting the bat and scouting the heart".

During two weeks [44 games] in Australia this year with 60 players and 10 pro scouts, I believe we can arrive at 90% evaluation of a player's bat and his heart.

This information will be available to the player for his future development and improvement as a baseball player and as a person.

Bob Williams

Thanks for sharing your information Bob! What you, John Young (Founder of RBI) and PG have done to promote baseball and young men is remarkable!

All I was asking in this thread was to see what people thought of a folder for "Scout Talk", but I can see that caused too much trouble and accusations brought up about folks cutting and pasting information or having a draft site/blog, etc.

I understand how player's parents might post info or their coach may post info, etc., but from what I've seen in threads in scout forums is that most of the people posting are in fact those who work in the field as bird dogs, some may even be ML scouts which I'm sure they shall remain anonymous and some parents just want info on their son or wish to defend a report/evaluation a scout may have made or wrote about and there is nothing wrong with that.

Scouts are only wrong 94% of the time which means for every player drafted only 6% of those ever reach the major leagues. So scouting is proven to be an inexact science but scouts who learn their area, know what a player is capable of doing and how coaching/development might be able to help develop that player further in pro ball and projecting that player's body 3, 4 and even 5 years down the road is all part of being a "good scout" or having "good judgement" and that scout will be around for a long long time, eg., those who worked in the game and signed many former All-Stars, Hall of Famers, etc., like a "MAC", "Jerry S", "Tony L", "Buck O", etc.

It's not easy to "hide away" players as in years past with the bureaucratic system in place and the amount of showcases, huge complex tourneys etc., but let me say this, there are still some good "finds" out there of prospects that a lot of scouts don't know much about at all. That's the part of baseball I really love and enjoy, but sharing info on players that basically everyone has seen isn't a bad thing is it?

Working for free, making evaluations, and helping players get exposure to scholarship offers and/or pro interest, is what I enjoy and if I were to work for a club again of course I wouldn't be able to post in a forum, LOL, but this has been fun and I just wanted to see what the moderators of the HS baseball forums thought.

Thanks for letting me vent!

Later taters!

X

XLMBScout,

I have a couple of questions about ML scouting.
A) How is bat speed measured by a scout when you see multiple guys at a tryout who hit well. I know its not just turning on the ball. Is it the ability to let the ball get deep and still be able to square it up? Could you give a little info on this.

B) On outfielders arms, how much do you weigh in accuracy, carry, good mechanics as opposed to sheer velocity. Are throw's "carry" totally related to the throw's velocity, are do some guys throws just carry further for other reasons.

X,
FYI, we have (and had) current, as well as former scouts who post here and do not post of players ability or inability.

My opinion is that this is what professionals in this business do (not talk about players to the general population), and I pretty much would think that most have other things to do than post on message boards about players. I am not sure being a current or former scout has anything to do with it.

I think that what has happened is that you lost your audience, and you came here looking for one.

It's not going to happen, so you might want to try looking for another place to hang out.

BTW, what former team (s) did you scout for? Mind sharing your personal info with us, as to what team, who you have drafted, years in professional scouting, etc?

X I read your posts for years and enjoyed them. Your knowledge of players and your insight on their ability and potential always struck me as being very very good. I hope you can continue to do what you do best and I hope you stick around this site.

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
X,
FYI, we have (and had) current, as well as former scouts who post here and do not post of players ability or inability.

My opinion is that this is what professionals in this business do (not talk about players to the general population), and I pretty much would think that most have other things to do than post on message boards about players. I am not sure being a current or former scout has anything to do with it.

I think that what has happened is that you lost your audience, and you came here looking for one.

It's not going to happen, so you might want to try looking for another place to hang out.

BTW, what former team (s) did you scout for? Mind sharing your personal info with us, as to what team, who you have drafted, years in professional scouting, etc?

Hi TPM and thanks for your reply.

I guess I must not be clear enough to what my proposition was for the moderators/forum. That's ok though.

As far as who I worked for, I worked for many organizations including the MLSB. I started in 1983 as a bird dog and currently work for no one by choice since 2001 when I moved. I hope this clarifies. As far as who've I've signed, that is no one. Who I recommended, that's irrelevant because only the signing scout ever gets credit anymore, only scouts who were passionate about the people that helped them ever gave credit where credit was due. I can say I recommended a pitcher who's battled arm trouble the last couple of years and he ended up pitching in the World Series a few years back, but you'd have to ask his parents, Chuck and Georgene in Brighton, Illinois (hint).

I appreciate the question.

Take care!

X

quote:

Originally posted by Three Bagger:
XLMBScout,

I have a couple of questions about ML scouting.
A) How is bat speed measured by a scout when you see multiple guys at a tryout who hit well. I know its not just turning on the ball. Is it the ability to let the ball get deep and still be able to square it up? Could you give a little info on this. = " I measure bat speed from where the barrel of the bat rests in the hitters' stance, follow that path to where the bat goes to the baseball and finishes thru the zone, I also look at the hitters eyes to see if they are tracking the ball, where the head is at the contact position of the ball to the barrel of the bat and also watch the flight of the ball and see how quickly the ball travels it's path. I also look for the spin of the ball to see if the ball has carry. One hitter that comes to mind from years past would be Jim Thome when he played for Limestone Legion in 1978 in New Ulm, MINN, how his approach and bat speed was or more current, Jonathan Singleton when he last attended the TOS in Cary, I believe it was in 2008 before the Phillies drafted him last year. He was 15 going on 16 at the time too."

B) On outfielders arms, how much do you weigh in accuracy, carry, good mechanics as opposed to sheer velocity. Are throw's "carry" totally related to the throw's velocity, are do some guys throws just carry further for other reasons. - " To me a good throwing arm shows a trajectory with velocity and I also see how the ball skips off the surface of the ground. I was blessed to have seen Ellis Valentine when I was a youth in Omaha before he played for the Montreal Expos as well as Andre Dawson, I got to see Jeff Franceour throw in the minors for the Braves. Sometimes how the player grips the ball will have an effect on the carry, but has minimal effect on the velocity of the baseball. A solid ML arm should touch 90 on the jugs gun. The only way a players throw might carry further is the trajectory of the baseball, flight path leaving the players hand to where the ball was heading. Jayson Werth for me had a 65-70 arm when he was at Glenwood-Chatham, Illinois years ago before the 'Birds took him "

Hi Threebagger, I answered your questions in the quotes above. I appreciate it!

X

Thanks a lot XMLBScout. If you hang around I'll have other questions that I would like the answer to, that are from a scout's perspective. There are many ways in which you can be a valuable resource on this site. Hope you decide to stay.

Did you read these comments from Craig Wallenbrock
and Don Slaught
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2696

During my 17 years operating the Area Code games, I relied on each of these professionals for their advice. Craig and Don were two of my instructors at a Area Code 5 day camp at UCSB.

Don coached our American team to Japan in 1995.

They have studied the "art of hitting"and from the interview you can learn their evaluations on young hitters.
"I miss the friendship from Don and Craig"

Bob

Interesting, Mr. Williams, especially about the one guy whose fundamentals had declined apparently due to changes in his setup and swing. Kind of shows how a player might have to take care on tweaking certain things for whatever reason.

XMLB Scout,

One player that intrigued me that you mentioned on the other board was Capps who I do believe is a 2011 Draft candidate. How's this pitcher doing?

"RHP, Carter Capps, Mount Olive, 6'4 215, playing for Fayetteville this summer, will be draft eligible next year, from what the press at BA stated, he bumped some 94-95 on the gun, but I haven't seen that, he started this spring 13 games for MOC and the game I was at before the tourney he was 87-89 consistently, topped out at 91, he's got pretty good tilt to the breaking ball but it's still a work in progress, his asset is he's tall and he comes down hill and throws strikes, he won't beat himself. He's got some left in his tank and will probably be one of those guys who comes on next spring after a good fall this fall. He's still 19 and will turn 20 soon. In HS at tourney he was mid to upper 80's so there is progression in his velocity and arm strength and he's learning to be very effective at developing his breaking ball."-(Quote by XMLBS)

quote:

Originally posted by fathertime71:
XMLB Scout,

One player that intrigued me that you mentioned on the other board was Capps who I do believe is a 2011 Draft candidate. How's this pitcher doing?

"RHP, Carter Capps, Mount Olive, 6'4 215, playing for Fayetteville this summer, will be draft eligible next year, from what the press at BA stated, he bumped some 94-95 on the gun, but I haven't seen that, he started this spring 13 games for MOC and the game I was at before the tourney he was 87-89 consistently, topped out at 91, he's got pretty good tilt to the breaking ball but it's still a work in progress, his asset is he's tall and he comes down hill and throws strikes, he won't beat himself. He's got some left in his tank and will probably be one of those guys who comes on next spring after a good fall this fall. He's still 19 and will turn 20 soon. In HS at tourney he was mid to upper 80's so there is progression in his velocity and arm strength and he's learning to be very effective at developing his breaking ball."-(Quote by XMLBS)

Hey Fathertime, thanks for asking. Carter Capps is a tall drink of water who converted from being a catcher in HS to a decent college pitcher and he had a good summer in the Coastal Plain League. This fall I was not able to see him for the Mocs, but based on how he improved velocity wise in the summer, added up to 4-5, was a blessing for him. He's improved his balance point some as well as his downward plane to the hitter. He doesn't have the prettiest of arm actions, but he has decent movement and finish on his pitches. He will be highly scouted early come spring. Pitchers like Romo & Sanchez going late to the Giants may have helped smaller college programs with exposure. There is another DII pitcher at UNO-Omaha named Holtmeyer who's better on paper than Carter is overall, especially his yellow hammer and command, but there is a good chance that both of these young men could be 4-7 round type picks in 2011.

I have Mount Olive on my itinerary to see early next spring along with Louisburg College who had a lefty taken before the 7th rounder in 2010 named Ackerman and now they have two to three kids that could be potential picks in 2011.

Take it easy!

X

Check out Micheal Knox at Mount Olive when you go to see them play. Transfer from UNC who lit it up at the plate for the Mocs last year. Big strong RHP 6-4 who can mash. He broke the school record for home runs last year. Kid can flat out bang it. Great kid hard worker solid defensive 1b. The bat will play.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:
Check out Micheal Knox at Mount Olive when you go to see them play. Transfer from UNC who lit it up at the plate for the Mocs last year. Big strong RHP 6-4 who can mash. He broke the school record for home runs last year. Kid can flat out bang it. Great kid hard worker solid defensive 1b. The bat will play.

Hey Coach May. I saw him too and I couldn't believe he wasn't drafted by anyone. He makes solid contact, has good eye and hand coordination, doesn't have the quickest bat but as you said, it works and he has arm strength, know how at the bag and quite honestly if Casey Kotchman can play in the bigs, albeit he's a lefty hitter, then this kid can as well. He transfered in to MOC from UNCH and I believe he's listed as a junior. Hopefully someone gives him a chance, however, I've seen many a senior at the small college level get passed up and end up signing with an indy league club only to get picked up by a ML team during/after their indy seasons, one was Matty Johnson from Bellevue U who's a pipsqueak at 5'7 170 but can hit both sides of the plate, legit 4.05 from LHH and 4.1 from RHH and 6.4, 60, playable arm, better than Juan Pierre's and the RedSox signed him. Don't be surprised to hear about his name in 3 years if Ellsbury keeps getting hurt.

Take care!

X

A few other players I know of at small colleges got passed over too. Hope Matty, and Michael will at least get an opportunity. Sometimes, that's all it takes is a chance to open the eyes that can see the future.

Three 2011 late-bloomers who have made recent jumps and haven't verbally committed to a college that are all interesting are Christian Lopes/Edison H.S., Larry Greene/Barrien Co. H.S., and DeShorn Lake/Charlotte Amalie Menchville H.S. in Newport News(I played there in N.N!). You can include a fourth college candidate in that above group; a pint size SS from Ga, in that group too; Julius Gaines.

I also noticed Shawon Dunston (Jr.) and Dwight Smith (Jr?) haven't committed either.

Derek Starling/OF-RHP 6'4"/180 at Gardner Edgerton has committed to Nebraska. He may be the one!!!!

Good info. Coach May. Thank you. How's your boy doing? Please give us an update. Hopefully, he is progressing at the next level. I apologize for not making it to your camps a few years back. Gilly asked me to come up for his Dec. camps. Still looking at scheduling. You know how those precious days are primarily spent for educators. Family, family and family That has included my extended baseball family many of those "Thanksgiving and Winter Break(Christmas) holidays in my life. I'm sure you can relate.

Best Regards,
Fathertime71

One more that might be the "Popper" this June. The one biggest surprise in Jupiter this year, 2010. He was downright nasty with late-movement, and run with command. We're only talking mostly 94-95fBs with even a touch of 96&97fBs to seal the deal for a coming out party for every scout in the business, very early this spring! And the young gentleman's name is..............Nick Burdi RHP-Downers Grove South HS(2011)Downers Grove, IL Happy Trails guys

Coach May,

You are an humble person, I am working on that. I should've known better than to ask you to toot either of your sons' whistles.

I did a lil' cking. It's amazing when "everything is just a google search away"-LOL

A .500 batting average for a redshirt freshman's limited playing time ain't half bad if it's with the Tar Heels!

Let Jeff know I asked about him, and I will continue to lift all of you up in prayer.

Respectfully,
Fathertime71

quote:

Originally posted by fathertime71:
Coach May,

You are an humble person, I am working on that. I should've known better than to ask you to toot either of your sons' whistles.

I did a lil' cking. It's amazing when "everything is just a google search away"-LOL

A .500 batting average for a redshirt freshman's limited playing time ain't half bad if it's with the Tar Heels!

Let Jeff know I asked about him, and I will continue to lift all of you up in prayer.

Respectfully,
Fathertime71

I saw Jeff work out last fall for UNC and first saw him as an underclassmen at South Granville with Luck & Maynard there. Luck is a good looking pitcher that flew under the radar for a bit in HS. I believe Matt Harrison went to the same high school didn't he?

Good luck this coming spring! I'm predicting 10-15 HR's and more playing time!! UNC had a down year last year, they should be much much better for 2011 with Goodie, Munnelly, Michael all back and a good recruiting class even with the loss of a couple of arms notably Allie.

X

Jeff is doing great. He decided to transfer after last season and is now at Lander University in Greenwood SC. His new coaches are oustanding guys HC Kermit Smith and AHC Chris Anderson are just super folks. It was a good move for him for many reasons.

From all accounts he is having a great fall season and he really loves the school and the area. I will certainly let Jeff know you asked about him the next time I talk to him. I am sure we will cross paths sometime next season!

Luck was a tremendous pitcher and player for that matter. He signed with Surry CC but went to Tampa in the 07 draft. He had two outstanding seasons and was on the fast track. Then he up and decides he would rather not play anymore. Chris was so talented but he didnt love it enough to go through the grind it was going to take.

Maynard is at NC State and has really done well. He is a Jr this year and should be a nice draft pick. They got him at Catcher , corner infield but its his bat from the left side that plays. I think he will end up in LF at the pro level.

UNC was just not a good fit for Jeff. He is a decent student works very hard but the academics were killing him. The smaller class size and the smaller campus situation seems to be a great fit for him. He is excited about the upcoming season and feels they will have a very good team this year at Lander.

Matt did in fact play for me at South Granville. He graduated the year before Luck arrived. And then the next year Jeff and Pratt were freshman when Luck was a Soph. We had a nice run with those three bats and those arms around.

Nice to have you around here. Keep in touch.

CM,
You have a pm.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:
Jeff is doing great. He decided to transfer after last season and is now at Lander University in Greenwood SC. His new coaches are oustanding guys HC Kermit Smith and AHC Chris Anderson are just super folks. It was a good move for him for many reasons.

From all accounts he is having a great fall season and he really loves the school and the area. I will certainly let Jeff know you asked about him the next time I talk to him. I am sure we will cross paths sometime next season!

Coach May - I believe this is the first time you have posted publicly on the subject. I just wanted to say publicly what a big Jeff May fan I have become. Not once did I hear that kid (or his Dad) whine about things. I didn't hear one single excuse. All I saw posted here was how other people were noticing how hard Jeff was working even when his name was not in the lineup. When his name was in the lineup, all he did was field his demanding position (catcher) and hit for high average. Not easy to do when you don't know when your number will be called. Like I said in the other thread, deeds - not dialog. Jeff, and how he handled things, is what we stand for here at the hsbbweb.

Thanks for the kind words CD.

quote:

Originally posted by Coach_May:
Luck was a tremendous pitcher and player for that matter. He signed with Surry CC but went to Tampa in the 07 draft. He had two outstanding seasons and was on the fast track. Then he up and decides he would rather not play anymore. Chris was so talented but he didnt love it enough to go through the grind it was going to take.

Maynard is at NC State and has really done well. He is a Jr this year and should be a nice draft pick. They got him at Catcher , corner infield but its his bat from the left side that plays. I think he will end up in LF at the pro level.

UNC was just not a good fit for Jeff. He is a decent student works very hard but the academics were killing him. The smaller class size and the smaller campus situation seems to be a great fit for him. He is excited about the upcoming season and feels they will have a very good team this year at Lander.

Matt did in fact play for me at South Granville. He graduated the year before Luck arrived. And then the next year Jeff and Pratt were freshman when Luck was a Soph. We had a nice run with those three bats and those arms around.

Nice to have you around here. Keep in touch.

I errored on stating I saw Jeff this fall, when in fact it was last fall, ugh. I was wondering why I didn't see him behind the plate this fall during the WS and I'm happy he is somewhere he'll get playing time. Lander isn't too far away and Kermit is a great guy.

I didn't know that Chris decided to hang up his spikes. You always worry about that when scouting players, that why you try and check their hearts as much as possible, but with only one or two looks and no followup or digging you won't really know what's inside a player. I've seen many good ones quit, some for religious reasons and some that just didn't want to work out every year. I wonder if they would still quit if they were making 7 figures a year though, LOL!

Best of luck to Jeff, Coach, and yes, do keep in touch!

I'm just down the road off US401.

X

quote:

Originally posted by Bob Williams:
Did you read these comments from Craig Wallenbrock
and Don Slaught

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=2696

During my 17 years operating the Area Code games, I relied on each of these professionals for their advice. Craig and Don were two of my instructors at a Area Code 5 day camp at UCSB.

Don coached our American team to Japan in 1995.

They have studied the "art of hitting"and from the interview you can learn their evaluations on young hitters.
"I miss the friendship from Don and Craig"

Bob

Valuable post by Bob Williams, indeed. Click the link he gave us and browse around for a while like I did last night, and you will find a "mountain of top level data relating to upcoming drafts" incuding 7 videos of the top 2011s in the country.

The updated information about the following draft prospect didn't come from there, but HSBBW's own IL H.S. 2011 Sr., Nick Burdi was the surprise RHP cruising at 94-95MPH touching 96 & 97 at Jupiter a few weeks ago. PG already has him ranked pretty good but you may see an even better draft slot possibility if he shows up this spring showing that same type of movement on his Lance McCuller like fBs. The great thing about this webster's son is he still has more upside potential even with the recent 3-4MPH jump in Jupiter. Good to see a HSBBW son get this type of attention. I send my blessings. Keep up whatever it is that's making him exceed the scouting world's expectations!

Look for a Huge coming out party very early this spring from the entire scouting world for one Nick Burdi! Stay ready, and stay in the best possible shape you can in the next few months.

Also, congrats on your commitment to the University of Louisville. A big decision is coming your way, and many other webster sons here at the HSBBW. That's a good thing!

Fathertime71

Posted these in June at the Tournament of Stars in Cary, NC where the USA Training facility is located off Green Level road.

- removed the players and thumbnail remarks on each as a courtesy not to offend or get parents in an uproar, such as TPM.

But anyways, be sure to check out the TOS events in Cary for those parents who have kids in HS that aspire to continue playing baseball beyond the HS ranks! Good luck

I guess when there are other threads that have info about the coming drafts, they don't have players' names in them huh? oky doky

X

quote:

Originally posted by XMLBScout:
Do the moderators feel it would be of interest to start a "SCOUT TALK" forum/message board chat on this site? PG had a nice forum/message board and it appears they are going to continue to be down, since it's been well over 6 weeks. There has been no real explanation other than they are trying to improve the site. X

I got a question for ya.
I kind of got the impression that this wasn't thought of as being too favorable, for here. I had some concerns that were posted by PG, yet you guys seem to have decided to go ahead, not particularly caring about what others think. Is the general population here interested in scouting reports of players we don't know? Or is it really appropriate to post info about a websters son, some people really don't find this posted information flattering?
I am not sure you guys really understand that concept.
Don't you have any other place to go to post this information? I am not clear of your purpose, doesn't PG and other sites offer reliable info on players?

JMO.

TPM, if you have a problem with people posting info about HS players, why would that be? Isn't the message boards for posting information? Also, are you the chief moderator? And why do you ask others or accuse others that have been posting here before I joined the board last year that they were posting as me under another presumed name, etc.? If you have a problem with me, please PM me.

I was just posting general info about players I saw, it's not intended to defame or exploit anyone and I don't charge a fee for my analysis of a player(s) etc. If there were other sites to post info, I'm sure we'd find them.

I do post on my own page and I will continue to do so if you feel so inferior as to have info posted on players in the HS forum message boards and that will appease you, but I'd rather have the moderators or others who post information about players have the say so in that respect.

Thank you for your concern!

Respectfully,

X

by XMLBScout:
"My question was to see if a forum could be started here, but if it's going to cause that many problems, I will not start a thread for the upcoming and future drafts and keep my posts to my personal site. I don't charge for my services or for what I write about and If I do help players get a chance at a scholarship or professional baseball, because of something I passed onto a club or school, or what they saw that I wrote, that's fantastic."

I was wondering if you got an answer to that question?

I am asking you as was stated in another post, what is the need to post player's reports, here? Is some scout, crosschecker or GM of a ML team going to read your reports here for consideration for the upcoming draft?

Actually, being a moderator or not has nothing to to with voicing my opinion.

Yes, I do have a problem with it. And I am voicing that concern, you may do as you wish.

I like the perspective of a scout, I appreciate the information and work that you do. And, given the 1,900 hits on this thread, it looks like others are reading too. Keep up the work, it's all good.

GED10DaD

I too agree with GED10 on this one. This is useful information. Many of our reports, and scouting insight will help parents get a better idea on what we're looking for in a H.S. player. Take Nick Burdi, for example. He has "popped" and should be aware that he has more leverage now. Do you think full-time scouts will tell Nick he should get more slot money now?

Only "1" who seems to have issues with our posts. Out of respect for our recent "truce of peace", plz allow me to leave it at that.

Out of Love and Respect for all I post this message.

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
by XMLBScout:
"My question was to see if a forum could be started here, but if it's going to cause that many problems, I will not start a thread for the upcoming and future drafts and keep my posts to my personal site. I don't charge for my services or for what I write about and If I do help players get a chance at a scholarship or professional baseball, because of something I passed onto a club or school, or what they saw that I wrote, that's fantastic."

I was wondering if you got an answer to that question?

I am asking you as was stated in another post, what is the need to post player's reports, here? Is some scout, crosschecker or GM of a ML team going to read your reports here for consideration for the upcoming draft?

Actually, being a moderator or not has nothing to to with voicing my opinion.

Yes, I do have a problem with it. And I am voicing that concern, you may do as you wish.

TPM, you didn't answer my questions and you didn't state what your problem is with me, you said you have a problem with "it". Also, why are you accusing other board posters that have been here for a long time, that they are me or I am them? I have had several folks tell me this and I will leave them nameless.

I do not work for any ML team currently and I was asking if info on HS players who may have an opportunity because there is no guarantee, being possibly drafted, could be posted in a "SCOUT THREAD". Are scouts going to read my reports? I don't really care to be honest with you! It would be flattering, but that's not the point of posting info on players I've seen. The point was to help players, because you are not going to get a scouting report unless, a) you pay for a service or b) scouts don't give out player reports that are currently working for a ML team. Since I'm not a service nor paid to scout, there you have my point.

You state you have a son playing professional and scouts came to your house, yadda yadda and the club didn't come calling before the draft? Hmm.. A lot of scouts I know don't always talk to the family before they draft or do draft a player, that's their preference because some bizzy boddy parents tell the whole world that "scout alpah" came over last night and they asked how much my son was worth, etc. Blabbidy blab blab doesn't help the family any and it definitely doesn't help that area scout any. If I was currently working for a club right now, I would not be posting any info any where on the web/internet.

So there you have it!! Period, end of story!

Thanks for those who appreciate baseball info and I will not post "Draft" information in the "Draft" thread about players on the HSweb. But I will still take PM and read the boards for questions/concerns that parents/players have.

Take care everyone! Happy Holidays!

X

X,

Why not just provide your link to your site, they can read all your player info there? Begin your own blog, google makes it easy, people can ask questions and you can interact. If you want to help on recruiting and what scouts look for in the draft, that is surely needed here, but I don't see that happening. Have you helped out with any of the recruiting questions asked here?
We are 8 months from draft and you want to talk about players that MIGHT get drafted, now? What is the purpose, I don't understand that.

BTW, I asked a question, what is your name and what organizations did you work for, did you ever have a player drafted? You came up with one team and you said you worked for the scouting bureau, where, when. You have never had a player drafted. You do not even provide your name on your site, do you? If you don't work for anyone, why not tell us who you are, so we can do some homework. I guess that's why so many feel confidant about Jerry, Bob, Coach May and Doug. I know I feel better knowing who people are, when tehy give info, don't you?

Do you actually see these kids play all over the country or do you take your info from other sites where you have to pay for those reports and tweek them a bit? Are you like the Robin Hood of the scouting world? You are providing free info for what other sites charge for? If so, then that means you and others feeo that it's ok for that info to be given out free here on the HSBBW?

If that is your purpose that really isn't right to do is it?

I have no clue what you are talking about regarding scouts coming to a players home before the draft, I am not sure you do either.

I made a mistake, I thought you were someone else, but I do still beleive you post under another name here, I can't prove it, just my opinion.

Shep, I thank you for your kind words about son, but I wasn't aware we made a "truce". Some of us kind of see you as an uninvited guest, so yes, let's not go there.

Players can be provided info from their advisors who will be knocking on their door if they "pop".

BTW, if you guys are not scouts, what's with the "what we" are looking for?

Yes, I do have a big problem with this, I really do, if some can't understand, that's ok, that's their option.

Speak for yourself TPM and not in the "we" plural sense of the word. If there truly are others who feel this way, let them speak for themselves. All I can say is I forgive you a thousand times a thousand, and then some.

Now that we have that out of the way....I have a few questions for you that I bet you won't answer w/o further personal attacks.

Why are you no longer a forum moderator? (Inquiring minds want to know)

Did you lose your power? Why do you suppose that is?(one can only wonder)

Coincidence or did ya just decide to retire

Was all this undue lack of respect towards those who give and continue to demonstrate passion for the "love of the game" really necessary? (pray tell)

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
X,

Why not just provide your link to your site, they can read all your player info there? Begin your own blog, google makes it easy, people can ask questions and you can interact. If you want to help on recruiting and what scouts look for in the draft, that is surely needed here, but I don't see that happening. Have you helped out with any of the recruiting questions asked here?
We are 8 months from draft and you want to talk about players that MIGHT get drafted, now? What is the purpose, I don't understand that.

BTW, I asked a question, what is your name and what organizations did you work for, did you ever have a player drafted? You came up with one team and you said you worked for the scouting bureau, where, when. You have never had a player drafted. You do not even provide your name on your site, do you? If you don't work for anyone, why not tell us who you are, so we can do some homework. I guess that's why so many feel confidant about Jerry, Bob, Coach May and Doug. I know I feel better knowing who people are, when tehy give info, don't you?

Do you actually see these kids play all over the country or do you take your info from other sites where you have to pay for those reports and tweek them a bit? Are you like the Robin Hood of the scouting world? You are providing free info for what other sites charge for? If so, then that means you and others feeo that it's ok for that info to be given out free here on the HSBBW?

If that is your purpose that really isn't right to do is it?

I have no clue what you are talking about regarding scouts coming to a players home before the draft, I am not sure you do either.

I made a mistake, I thought you were someone else, but I do still beleive you post under another name here, I can't prove it, just my opinion.

Shep, I thank you for your kind words about son, but I wasn't aware we made a "truce". Some of us kind of see you as an uninvited guest, so yes, let's not go there.

Players can be provided info from their advisors who will be knocking on their door if they "pop".

BTW, if you guys are not scouts, what's with the "what we" are looking for?

Yes, I do have a big problem with this, I really do, if some can't understand, that's ok, that's their option.

TPM, thanks for the reply.

I do not pay for any service, nor would I ever pay for a service. I will leave it at that. Do I steal info? NO! Have I cut and pasted info found on a publication site or PG site? yes, I have and I gave credit/credence to that post pointing that out.

I did not give my name out nor do I have to. Did you give your name out and does everyone know who your son is? I gave out who I worked for and no I didn't draft anyone, my scouting bosses did that, scouts don't draft players, trust me on this, only scouting directors. Many times the area scout doesn't even get their name on contracts, it might be the area supervisor, crosschecker or the scouting director, but hopefully the area scout does get their name on the contract as they should for giving credit where credit is due, today they probably do get their names on contracts, but not always and I'm 100% correct on that, trust me. Before the day of the internet and sending in your reports via the internet, scouts had to send their reports in via fax or snail mail and some scrupulous scouts, even a couple I worked for, never sent in the reports either other part-timers, full-timers or myself had sent in, case in point on one former player I sent a report in on was Jim Thome years ago which never hit the scouting bosses desk and stayed in a pile, which I later found on my former supervisors' box of moving supplies in Texas. (boy this is going to make someone mad, lol) But anyways, I worked started in 1983 as a bird dog for SD, then Tx, then MLSB, then NYM, then Tx, then Cleve, now since 2001, NO ONE! Charles & George Isringhausen will tell you whom I am, so will Brian Daubach, Benny Agbayani, Donnie White, Jon Lieber, Rick Dunnum, Chad Linadmon, Jimmy Wynne, Chris Fye, Mike Valla, Mike Jones, Billy Vosik, Jim Manfred, Miles Woolf, and countless others, tell you who I am. And I am not Ray Shepard, but Ray is a friend of mine and both of us have been mistaken by others, which is easy to do, for those of you who think you are sleuths to think this person uses this screen name, types like this, yadda yadda bing bang! I don't hide who I am, nor do I need to state my name. And if you think just Jerry posts under PGSTAFF here, you are NUTS! There are others who have access to PG email interfaces, like Tyson, Andy, Jim Ecker and others that work for PG, even Allan Simpson and his son have screen names and former Rockies scout who I ran into in Nebraska a few times in the past, who I will leave nameless as well.

When I said that scouts may draft a player and the family wouldn't know, that is concrete and the truth, not all scouts contact players and their families if they are interested in them and they can get their info from a scouting bureau report or a card, often I asked a player to fill out an information card years ago and never told them or their parents who I was, nor did they ask, if they did ask, I was polite to tell them. It's not a pre-requisite to tell someone who you are. Building relationships often goes for not for a scout who really wants a player badly and prays that no one else finds out about that player, but in today's world, it's virtually very very tough to hide out anyone, and it's more than just luck, you do have to be in the right place at the right time however, LOL!

Take care TPM and good luck to your son and to you!

Oh by the way, you stated something about "what we" look for, etc., and why post anything, yadda yadda bing bang, because over the last 30 years I have built relationships with many people in baseball, many are GM's currently, agents, D1 coaches, etc., and from time to time, at least a few times per month I have conversations with them nor would I divulge info on what they ask me or who(m) they might be interested in, because that is no one's business! So perhaps, stating "what we look for" is just a bad habit! LOL And if you want homework, well, you got some now!! I probably answered 99% of what you need to know.

X

quote:

Originally posted by fathertime71:
Now that we have that out of the way....I have a few questions for you that I bet you won't answer w/o further personal attacks.

Why are you no longer a forum moderator? (Inquiring minds want to know)

Did you lose your power? Why do you suppose that is?(one can only wonder)

Coincidence or did ya just decide to retire

Was all this undue lack of respect towards those who give and continue to demonstrate passion for the "love of the game" really necessary? (pray tell)

Shep,
I still have my moderating tools, though upon my own request I asked to have them taken away, several times and just recently.

Interesting that you should ask, unless you are aware of something that I said to someone when I apologized for a mistake, then that would mean I was correct all along.

Just remember folks, I do not have multiple names or personalities, never have and never will.

FWIW, I really detest people with agenda's. Take that for what it's worth.

I got to go with Jerry's warnings in his post and wonder why he closed the PG forums, he's our biggest supporter here and big fan of the HSBBW and provides great insight and advice as to what scouts look for, not sure why the info isn't good enough. No one has to post players names to let parents know what scouts look for draft consideration.

Find it strange that X who claims he goes out on the road to watch many players (yet not a scout and very busy with his job) and never been to PG in Jupiter. For sure that's the scouting event of the year, yet in all of these years he's never gone, I find that strange, very, doesn't anyone else find that strange.

Yes, it's we, Shep, only I just am the type who speaks up, and, just like you, in some cases, I can be annoying.

I do beleive that making the HS team and recruiting was the intended purpose of the site. Let's not forget that. In reality, very few will ever get drafted out of HS and sign, but a lot more will go to college. Aren't there sites out there that provide more info on players being drafted? Why not leave that to the PG and the BA type sites? You gonna tell me that here you guys can provide information on that? Or it's just for free?

This has nothing to do with having lack of respect for those who have an undying love and passion for the game.

If you are talking about lack of respect, some need to take a close look in the mirror, IMO, I can't get over how some come here for the first time (or sneak back in), try to kiss up and then just take over, or do the same thing they did to get booted out in the first place.

One last thing, if you know anything at all about people, then you know that most don't like someone else talking up their kids on a message board.

TPM must have hit a nerve with Shep and XMLB because now we can see the darker side of things - from both of them.

I can assure everyone here that PGStaff only posts under one name. It should be obvious to even the casual observer.

When you are a name dropper, you lose credibility imho. Your ideas should stand for themselves. They shouldn't require name-dropped attribution to back them up.

XMLB - I caught the slip-up on Jeff May right away when it was posted and it raised my eyebrows frankly. Others have suggested that you are an Internet scout and I am starting to believe that. BTW, I am the best Internet scout on the planet and if you don't believe me, just ask me (sarcasim off)

quote:

Originally posted by fathertime71:
Speak for yourself TPM and not in the "we" plural sense of the word. If there truly are others who feel this way, let them speak for themselves. All I can say is I forgive you a thousand times a thousand, and then some.

Now that we have that out of the way....I have a few questions for you that I bet you won't answer w/o further personal attacks.

Why are you no longer a forum moderator? (Inquiring minds want to know)

Did you lose your power? Why do you suppose that is?(one can only wonder)

Coincidence or did ya just decide to retire

Was all this undue lack of respect towards those who give and continue to demonstrate passion for the "love of the game" really necessary? (pray tell)

Let's not leave out the most important aspect of my post TPM.......FORGIVENESS.

Have a good remainder of your weekends baseball people, and if nobody's told you lately, God loves All of Us, even the annoying ones

Peace

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
TPM must have hit a nerve with Shep and XMLB because now we can see the darker side of things - from both of them.

I can assure everyone here that PGStaff only posts under one name. It should be obvious to even the casual observer.

When you are a name dropper, you lose credibility imho. Your ideas should stand for themselves. They shouldn't require name-dropped attribution to back them up.

XMLB - I caught the slip-up on Jeff May right away when it was posted and it raised my eyebrows frankly. Others have suggested that you are an Internet scout and I am starting to believe that. BTW, I am the best Internet scout on the planet and if you don't believe me, just ask me (sarcasim off)

Cleveland Dad and TPM, I appreciate the feedback.

PG had a terrific "SCOUT TALK" message board that I loved over the last 5 years posting info on about the upcoming draft and players seen etc., and since I don't work for any ML affiliate, I didnt' see any harm in it and from the many emails, private messages I had from parents, all positive by the way, I was glad to have been any help in giving information to them along the way.

TPM asked why I never have been to a PG National Event or the Jupiter event, etc., and that answer is simply, why should I pay for a list of names that I can accumulate by paying a gate pass to and writing their names down? A lot of the players I report on don't necessarily attend a PG event and you will find players that are listed on their PG Profiles, as attending World Bat tourneys, but not attending one of their pay for showcase events.

I've been to the first ever AFLAC event before it moved over to San Diego and attended a couple out there when it did move, I went to the first Under Armour Classic in 2009 and was not able to attend this years, you can ask around if you really feel the need to, LOL, no sarcasm intended, and I regularly attend tourney's in Charleson SC, Greenville NC, Conway SC, ACC events in Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, juco games in Louisburg, Big 12 games in Lincoln Neb or Austin Tx. I go to where my former job allowed me to go and by chance just happened to lineup good matchups of pitchers or players going against one another. Is there anything wrong with that?

Sharing information and not being paid for it is a bad thing? Is it hurting anyone's chances to gain a scholarship or another look from a scout? And to think that area scouts don't read this or the PG message boards is true, would be a farce, because I know of several current front office folks and area guys that do read what's posted on certain message boards, so the world as we know it in the scouting world is smaller than we might think!

Again, I didn't mean to ruffle any feathers, no sarcasm intended to the "bird dogs" out there, nyuk nyuk, :::slapstick humor from the 3 stooges:::, but I just wanted to see what folks thought and I gathered enough info to know the answer to that.

I truly respect what PG does for baseball and I don't mean any disrespect to them at all. When I stated that not only Jerry posts, I meant that, because STAFF does not mean one person, last time I knew, if I'm wrong, than so be it!! LOL

Oh and one last point, if I only scout on the internet, does the internet give out ticket stubs at $5, $8 and $10 dollar increments like I have accumulated the last several years? Because I have a slew of them I could send ya.

Thanks again and good luck to ya'll!

X

quote:

And if you think just Jerry posts under PGSTAFF here, you are NUTS! There are others who have access to PG email interfaces, like Tyson, Andy, Jim Ecker and others that work for PG, even Allan Simpson and his son have screen names

Just to be clear, the above statement (rather than someones opinion) is 100% incorrect. I can't imagine why you would claim that without knowing for sure, which is my biggest problem with all of this stuff. I don't think any of those mentioned have ever posted on HSBBW under any screen name. At least one of those mentioned has told me I am NUTS for spending so much time on here. Every post (it's been many) by PGStaff has come from one person, no one else knows the password! Not many people in our organization even log on to HSBBW, let alone post anything.

quote:

I truly respect what PG does for baseball and I don't mean any disrespect to them at all.

This might be true, but then you say...

quote:

TPM asked why I never have been to a PG National Event or the Jupiter event, etc., and that answer is simply, why should I pay for a list of names that I can accumulate by paying a gate pass to and writing their names down?

My question... Why do so many MLB scouts, front office people and college coaches pay for this information and go to those events? The obvious answer... It's to SEE the players! The more you can see at one place is better than spending 100 times more to fly around the country seeing them. We know because we actually do fly people all over the place to see players. For sure we have people covering all the events that have a large number of talented players. It's very expensive!

We are aware that our player lists are given out to those not in attendance. We know because we have a method for checking this. Odd how a players name can be listed and he receives invitations to other evnts claiming they saw him. Problem is he wasn't there, he didn't make it there, he was just listed on the roster for that event.

Anyway, so long as everything stays positive, but more importantly factual and truthful... I guess we will just have to see how this plays out.

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Originally posted by PGStaff:

quote:

And if you think just Jerry posts under PGSTAFF here, you are NUTS! There are others who have access to PG email interfaces, like Tyson, Andy, Jim Ecker and others that work for PG, even Allan Simpson and his son have screen names

Just to be clear, the above statement (rather than someones opinion) is 100% incorrect. I can't imagine why you would claim that without knowing for sure, which is my biggest problem with all of this stuff. I don't think any of those mentioned have ever posted on HSBBW under any screen name. At least one of those mentioned has told me I am NUTS for spending so much time on here. Every post (it's been many) by PGStaff has come from one person, no one else knows the password! Not many people in our organization even log on to HSBBW, let alone post anything.

quote:

I truly respect what PG does for baseball and I don't mean any disrespect to them at all.

This might be true, but then you say...

quote:

TPM asked why I never have been to a PG National Event or the Jupiter event, etc., and that answer is simply, why should I pay for a list of names that I can accumulate by paying a gate pass to and writing their names down?

My question... Why do so many MLB scouts, front office people and college coaches pay for this information and go to those events? The obvious answer... It's to SEE the players! The more you can see at one place is better than spending 100 times more to fly around the country seeing them. We know because we actually do fly people all over the place to see players. For sure we have people covering all the events that have a large number of talented players. It's very expensive!

We are aware that our player lists are given out to those not in attendance. We know because we have a method for checking this. Odd how a players name can be listed and he receives invitations to other evnts claiming they saw him. Problem is he wasn't there, he didn't make it there, he was just listed on the roster for that event.

Anyway, so long as everything stays positive, but more importantly factual and truthful... I guess we will just have to see how this plays out.

Jerry/PG, thanks for the reply and sorry if I mistaken you for not being the only one posting under PGStaff, but my point has always been to be informative, as accurate as possible and give positive info, and share what I know, not trying to toot my own horn or be a braggart, which I know comes across that I may be that way, but it's not intended. As I mentioned above, I will not post player reports on the HSBBweb.

As far as me not attending PG events, I have in the past, the Iowa Wooden fall/spring league, first time was when Hanrahan pitched and Nelson was a 3b'man and very young then at IWCC-CB, it must have been '93 or so, anyways..........I know that MLB scouting bosses, GMs, the Bureau, etc., attend the world class showcases that your group puts on PG and I have always been a huge supporter of those events and the clubs pay for going because that's where they all can gather as much info from one site as they can for the limited time that they can. Why do you think that 30 scouts from one club go to the World bat tourneys in FLA? Because there are so many fields, etc., and a mass of talent out there which I know and read about. I remember years ago East Cobb used to send teams into Omaha during the CWS and that evolved into something even bigger for East Cobb baseball which is one of the best programs around in the nation. It's tough for one or two area guys to cover over 60 teams at 6 plus fields simutaneously, LOL. Sure I could pay to attend the event, but when my job was taking me to large cities where there was relevant talent to see for each year's MLB Draft, it was already company expensed, so the rest was out of my own pocket and many times it didn't cost me anything to get into a game, having known the coaches/ADs, etc. IF and when I do have the time to go to Tropicana or where-ever a PG major event is where there is well over 100 talented players who have a shot of being high drafts, etc., I will make a concerted effort to be there, but in reality, my itinerary is as it is with what I do for a living and that's what pays my bills, no ML club does that for me, LOL, and I like it this way for now. I do get to mingle with some of the young interns for a baseball publication and I always praise how PG does a great job at promoting baseball, and you are all great ambassadors for the game of baseball.

Again, I didn't mean any disrespect to you PG, but I felt slighted for the hard work and information I give out and dig for when I am at games and viewing classified videos, etc., or attend all-star events. The first was in 2003 when Nelson won the HR Derby years ago for AFLAC. I remember seeing the young man the Halos had who lost his life after starting a game on tv I was watching and I offered my condolences to the family and to the scout who pitched for me at IWCC-CB who signed him.

So again, I will not post any player reports, but I will contribute when the opportunity arises and someone wants advice or info that I may be able to share about.

Thanks again!

X

PG Jerry,

I will remain positive and have vowed not ruffle any feathers. I am a renewed person who would like to contribute here without being questioned at every turn by people who really don't know me at all.

It never even entered my mind that someone else posted under PG STAFF. I knew better because you are the only PG STAFF I've ever known here. Always helpful, truthful, and just PG Jerry. Not sure why X thought otherwise. I'm very aware that only one person posts under that avatar ( even if it is another college logo ), and so is everyone else here, except for newcomers.

I know exactly what you were saying in your earlier post when X first started this thread about those that manipulate the messageboards for self-serving purposes. Believe it or not, I have no alterior motives involved with my "passion for the game of baseball". None, whatsoever! I am on nobody's payroll involving these prospects, it's just what I enjoy doing around my teaching job of 17 years. I teach science, and have a good working background involving athletic related movements with countless hours of research, and video analysis. I am a person who enjoys my profession because it involves everything around us and can impact all of our future if someone doesn't come up with some answers to solve many current worldwide trends.

I want you to also know, personally, I think the absolute world of the PG family. You all have made "HUGE SACRIFICES" through these many years, and it hasn't gone unnoticed. And especially for baseball prospects who never would have received the opportunities that the PG service provides in the modern age of baseball scouting.

I've said this to you before, I wished you guys would have been around when my brothers and I all played because I do believe things might have turned out differently for several of us back then when we played in the 80's and early 90's. As it has turned out, I believe I'm exactly where I am supposed to be helping inner-city student/athletes stay on track, and reach a level of success that will make them productive citizens in this tough economical environment we find ourselves in nowadays. It's a calling that is sometimes not easy for a person to see without a little help along the way. Euphoria has blinded many with unreasonable goals and dreams, including me. My goals were way too tunnel vision back in my playing days, and I had to fail in the reality of my own selfish dream before I could be of any use to these kids I teach. I am blessed, and I count my blessings every day. Like you, I don't have time for this type of behavior on a messageboard, and certainly don't invite it! I find myself seeking an avenue to stay involved. Unfortunately, I have encountered those out here who have taken it upon themselves to be my judge and juror. That's a shame because I do have old school hard knocks experience that may help someone traveling down a similiar path as I have. That's really why I'm here, and will post in the hitting/pitching forums over the holidays. I am looking forward to talking with Bluedog, and many others over this Thanksgiving/Winter Break. That's the scout talk I really want to be involved with, not the scout talk about prospects up in this forum. You guys do a good enough job for me, along with Baseball America, when it comes to scouting and evaluating talent. It needs to be said by an unbias person that the travel costs you guys must incur must be astronomical! I know this from my own limited travel in the past to baseball events, especially, a 2-flighter across the country as in the AFLAC trips! WOW! I hear you on that very valid point you made above! WOW! I do enjoy attending your events though, when I can. Heck, it's only $10 for a one day pass in Jupiter, for example. That is the best $10 investment any baseball person can possibly make! In fact, I have been to two Jupiter tournaments in the past 3 years. Saw you at both, along with many others.

Well, it's certainly not about me, and I shoulda stayed on the sidelines in the "all to familiar, let's get to know each other party between the two posters above". I find it almost comical that the same strategy and questions were asked at my party a few years back! It's like being screened for an FBI job! Enough rambling. Have a good week, sir.

Respectfully,
Fathertime71

are father time and XMLBscout the same person?

No, I don't think they are the same person. Father Time, if he is who he's been identified as on this thread, had numerous web names on another site. He would use them mostly to shill incessantly for one or two prep players. He would generally use one name until he pushed the envelope too far with the webmasters, then disappear for a little bit and reincarnate himself under a new moniker, but the message never changed, so you knew it was him.

XMLB frequented the same site. He didn't seem to be as bad. He would trumpet some kids, but it never appeared he had nearly the same agenda as Father Time. He certainly mentioned lots of players across the nation for someone who did not do this for a living. Whether he saw all the kids he wrote about, I can't say, but I think we'd all love to have that much free time to watch baseball.