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So "silly season" has started.  I took my kid to a tryout for a larger reputable organization (multiple teams at each age level).  They had more than 50 kids in attendance, maybe a little more than half where returning players.  So it's moving right along.  They eventually start the pitchers with bullpens.  They have about 12 catchers there and maybe 30ish kids pitching.  So I do the quick math and each catcher will take 2-3 pitchers.  Catchers where not being formally evaluated during bullpen.  As the bull pens proceed, the number of catchers declines.  Eventually there are 5-6 pitchers left and only 2 catchers.  The other catchers, including returning catchers, have left the tryout.  At the end of the bullpens, none of the coaches give the two remaining catchers a "thanks for sticking around and helping us finish" or other acknowledgment.  I kind of raised an eyebrow.  Kid gets in the car and says "weird, never saw a tryout where the players just left."  Kind of left a negative thought in my mind.  Cool or not? 

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I think that this is odd.  I'm sure you've seen the general format and for every tryout I've seen, it included a coach or two taking groups and explaining their process of evaluation and subsequent contact afterwards.  For some, it included a coach, typically head coach, catching a few off to the side and making an offer right away.  I have never seen one where players just leave. 

 

Golfman, did you get a sense of what they thought about your son?  Did they make contact with him? 

Originally Posted by CoachB25:

I think that this is odd.  I'm sure you've seen the general format and for every tryout I've seen, it included a coach or two taking groups and explaining their process of evaluation and subsequent contact afterwards.  For some, it included a coach, typically head coach, catching a few off to the side and making an offer right away.  I have never seen one where players just leave. 

 

Golfman, did you get a sense of what they thought about your son?  Did they make contact with him? 

I agree.  There is usually a definitive end.  I can see if you where an outfielder only and you took your fielding reps and few swings and then left.  But, I was really shocked that the returning catchers didn't stick around given the number of pitching candidates.  I would also think a "thanks kid" would be in order.  But that's just me. 

 

They really didn't grab or talk to anyone, except the 2-3 pitchers who thru heat. 

Originally Posted by Golfman25:
 

They really didn't grab or talk to anyone, except the 2-3 pitchers who thru heat. 

...and that is probably who they are looking for.

 

Years ago, keewartson signed up and paid for a tryout for a now large national/regional organization.  They broke up the group into 3s for hitting.  No age grouping at all so 14s and 15s were mixed in with 17s.

 

The fellow that batted before my son comes up with a wooden bat, not metal like everyone else.  Humm.  He is about 25 pounds heavier and 2 years older than my son and looks like a man.  He hits the first pitch over the fence and into the road.  Then again.  The two coaches observing come up and put their arms around this kid and walk and talk him off the field.  When my son comes up to bat no one is watching. 

 

The organization got this kid to the PG National showcase, PG All American Classic, and Jupiter twice.  He was home schooled and had not had much exposure, if any, before this tryout that happened to be 100 miles away from his home.  

 

He got drafted  and signed out of high school.  And he just HAD to bat in front of my son

 

Let us know if you hear from the team.  And, keep looking.

 

 

 

 

Originally Posted by keewart:
Originally Posted by Golfman25:
 

They really didn't grab or talk to anyone, except the 2-3 pitchers who thru heat. 

...and that is probably who they are looking for.

 

 

That's what the kid said.  He could hear them talking behind him about velocities and such.  Very familiar with the drill -- pitchers first, then everyone else. 

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