2006 MIDWEST REGION "TOP PROSPECT" GAMES

Fastball

My son received the same invitation a couple of
weeks ago. I am in the process of trying to get
some information on it . I believe that VanHorn is a scout for Atlanta and he also used to run things at the Bourbannais complex.

Fastball, and uppercut my son received an invite to this event also. It's far from a Perfect Game Showcase invite, but it's a baseball type clinic/camp evaluation. I would have to know the number of players that were invited. Mike VanHorn's a good guy, and used to be an employee and tournament director at the LumberYard. I think he's a birddog or area rep in Kankakee. No mention of him being a scout on the Atlanta Braves employee list. Now there's a word that gets thrown around way to much "scout" If I get anymore future info on this event I'll pass it along.

fastball,

you have a PM

I have worked at the one at Logan in the past and probably will this year also. Mike is not as Braves scout that I know of however there will be one there from our area. We did the basic evaluations 60 time, OF velocity, IF velocity, pitcher velocity, and all of the kids hit with wood bats. After that all of the players played in some games and got evaluated in that as well. If there are any other questions let me know. Mike is a good guy and has done several camps and tournaments in our area.

Would there be any benefit for an '08 player to attend?

Thanks,

Mike F

It seems like it would be a better showcase for underclassman if it is open to all HS players.

Mike F- We got the invite too and I was wondering the same thing but remember that this summer our boys will be incoming juniors so there would only be one class older than them. I would like to know what colleges were at this last year?

I think it would be more beneficial for underclassmen. Logan college coaches worked at the camp also. The info is available to colleges but none attended as far as I know.

They have had a few successful camps in the past from what I've heard. Still looking for info.

VanHorn does list himself as an associate scout
for the Atlanta Braves.

All official scouts that are associated with a certain major league team are listed on their website. If they're not listed on the site, then they're not employed by the team.

I could really care less one way or the other . He has himself listed as an associate scout on the paperwork he sent out with the invite.

I know it said area scout on the paper work. I'm just trying to inform people how the process works. If anyone gets more info on this event please advise. I think almost every Freshman baseball player probably received this invite. Reggies, each major league team should have a scouting list available for their scout teams on their official website.

Is this showcase really for freshman only? Didn't have any idea that Van Horn was a scout.

It must be for all HS players...I know of a few 07's who got invites

So what kind of showcase is this if the chess club is invited?

If you think that a Varsity Player will impress coaches and scouts against Frosh Players or the Chess Club then it is a good showcase for them.

quote:

All official scouts that are associated with a certain major league team are listed on their website. If they're not listed on the site, then they're not employed by the team.

VERY, VERY untrue!

I don't know the validity of Mr. Van Horn's credentials but your comment is very misleading regarding scouts and websites.

Usually only the Scouting Director and some of the other high level guys (international director, etc) but area scouts and cross checkers are rarely (if ever) listed.

sulltiger stated that VanHorn lists himself as an Associate Scout. That is an unpaid position, also known as a "bird dog" as someone else stated. I am friends with another Associate Scout for the Atlanta Braves here in Bloomington-Normal. My friend makes his money as a very popular private coach giving lessons here in the Twin Cities, as well as coaching Junior High, High School and College summer teams. All three of my nephews have been on school teams or summer teams he has helped coach. As for Mr. VanHorn, my guess is that he loves the game of baseball and finds ways to stay involved in the sport, both for the love of the game and to earn some income. My understanding is that an Associate Scout usually gets his expenses paid to help an Area Scout find or watch players within his territory. Some Area Scouts territories can be quite large.