I notice that am fading further and further from the high school scene as we get deeper and deeper into our Collegiate summer league team in the Valley Baseball League. But I had the thought that after three years as General Manager of a team in the Valley League, I could share a little that might be helpful to the high school players and parents. The Valley League is a pretty well respected league,drawing players from across the country, so based upon three years of immersion therein, some tidbits for high school guys:
1. Our league draws high level talent (our team had 6 former players drafted in the MLB draft this summer) and these kids have some common denominators: (a) All of them work out every day, even on game days. Without exception, the top players have a strong work ethic and they do a lot of hard work when nobody is looking. (b). They all drink water. We've taken players out to eat several times and as a good southern boy, I always have sweet tea...but these guys drink water. Never ever a soft drink.(c). These guys get to the park early-I've seen guys come in and hit off the tee's in the cage 4 hours before a game. (d) These guys are tremendously respectful and polite. Our center fielder from VMI, who hit over .400 and was the league MVP, must have used the word "Sir" 40 times in the first 5 minutes that I spoke to him. Be classy at all times, on and off the field. (e) These guys are NOT into lots of jewelry-perhaps a chain here and there but nothing more.(f) These guys are having fun-they enjoy the game.
2. There is lots of talent at D-II and D-III schools. We've had outstanding D III pitchers the past 2 summers. One throwing 94-95 was drafted this year and a current D III throwing 93 consistently was well scouted this summer and will be drafted. 93 is 93 whether you are D- I,II, or III. The League Tournament MVP was a lefty throwing mid-upper 80's from a D III...and he can flat pitch.
3. D III position players have a disadvantage: they don't face the same level of pitching consistently as a player in a D-1 conference, and scouts know that, so they really need to show well in a good summer league to get attention.
4. Hustle counts. A scout from the MLB Scouting Bureau told me that if he sees a player slacking, he just scratches him off. Hustle always always always...and for crying out loud, run EVERYTHING OUT FULL SPEED. Nothing looks worse that a kid lolly-gagging halfway to first when a ball is misplayed-the image is imprinted immediately-this guy loafs.
5. You can earn your way to the Cape. Everyone knows the Cape Cod League is #1. Our league is working on a marketing program so that it becomes better known,although scouts and college coaches love us and are well-familiar....but the Cape is every player's goal. Everyone doesn't know that the Cape scouts other leagues for talent. 2 pitchers from a local Valley League team went to the Cape after the Valley League season ended this summer, and we've had at least 2 players contacted already about playing next summer at the Cape, based upon their VBL performance in 2013. (darn!)
6. Dedication is a must, but...... The top college players are dedicated to getting better...but that doesn't mean every 8th grader has to focus on one sport only. Most of these guys were multi-sport athletes in high school, excelling at sports other than baseball. We had guys this summer that were outstanding high school athletes in basketball, football, track...and even one in soccer. Play as many high school sports as you can handle.
Hope some of this helps somebody.