quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
Wogdoggy,
I suppose what you're saying might be true in some areas of the country. However, these days you will have a hard time finding many professional players who played Legion baseball in Florida, Georgia, California, Texas, etc. And those sates dominate the draft every year.
Even in your state the majority of the best players are involved with the travel teams. Those being the players drafted in early rounds. I do think there are players involved in both Legion and Travel/Club baseball.
I'm a big fan of Legion Baseball, but these days there is no comparison when it comes to exposure. Scouts go to where the best players are. If you follow the draft every year, you'll find that nearly 100% of players drafted out of HS in the first 10 rounds played on Travel/Club teams.
I don't like the name "Showcase Teams". East Cobb, NorCal, Scorpions, DBat, Banditos, Cangelosi, Top Tier, TriState Arsenal, Chet Lemon, Yak, Diamond Devils, Midland, and many more are not what I consider "Showcase Teams". They are baseball programs proven to be competitive nationally and proven to have the top players participating. That is why those teams dominate the attention of top colleges and MLB scouting departments.
There's a reason why hundreds of scouts and college coaches from all over the country go to Georgia in July or Jupiter late in October. Same goes for premier in Texas or Connie Mack WS. Talent draws the most interest. If Legion had the most talent, it would draw the most interest. However, the vast majority of the top prospects in most of the country are playing in Club programs. Sorry, if that upsets anyone, but it's a proven fact.
I have to agree with PGStaff...My son played for DBat. It is important to play for a good organization that has a reputation for quality ballplayers, but just as important to play AGAINST the best competition. Over the years, my son's team played against the best organizations and that attracted scouts to his games...you find the best teams at places like Jupiter, East Cobb, etc. It is the single most important thing he did to be seen and ultimately led to a scholarship.