Advice, Guidance, Etc.

Indiana Bulls at Grand Park is where I'd start looking.   Talk to the coaches there and see what they say and what they recommend.

so he is playing 16u this summer and is 7-8 months post op from slap tear?  And you are looking for a 17u team for next year of this fall ?   I'm confused...

Network, network, network.  Smart to ask questions here... even better to have son ask questions of his baseball playing friends about the clubs in the area.  If any of the tourneys he desires to play in next year are fairly local, go to those and have him introduce himself to coaches.  Over the last few tourneys this year, ask around (with as much reasonable discretion as possible).  Heck, you have a good reason for looking at other options.  You may even want to ask the current coach who goes to those desired events.  If he is sincere in his efforts to help the players, he very well may oblige with helping your son find the best fit.

A few side notes... be aware that true OF's generally don't get much, if any, scholly $ unless they hit A TON.  So, academic $ will likely need to be the focus.  Regarding the arm issue, don't offer up anything until he has an actual tryout.  Then, be careful to include that he is fully cleared and healthy, will just take some time to get arm strength ramped back up.

That said, don't rush back from that type of injury.  And make sure he keeps his mechanics correct.  Many players I see recovering from slap will modify their arm angle to get back on the field sooner and it hurts them in the long run.

We?

RJM posted:

We?

Uh, most 16 year old kids don't make the decision on where/who to play travel for by themselves.....so yes, it's like a "we" decision....not the kid's alone.  

I agree....try the Bulls first, as they are close you to.  Several teams in the Cincy area, which isn't awfully far from you.  I guess winter workouts, etc could be an issue, but as far as next summer, it doesn't really matter who you play for.  17U teams generally don't have in season practices.....you'll show up for the tourneys....play then head home.

3and2Fastball posted:

Indiana Bulls at Grand Park is where I'd start looking.   Talk to the coaches there and see what they say and what they recommend.

I think you answered my question... but to confirm.  It's OK to reach out to the coaches via email if the teams publish emails for those coaches?  Do you think it's appropriate to ask if any of their teams are looking for a solid outfielder?  I guess if I'm a coach, my response would very likely be.  "Well, I have very good outfielders returning, BUT if your son is exceptional, then we can always make room!" 

Of course it's ok.....right now teams are holding tyouts for next year.  Almost any "tryout notice" has contact information, either a phone or an email.  There's no reason you couldn't ask if they are looking for specific positions.  There is a lot of turnover from 16U to 17U....17U is a prime year for getting noticed and teams love to be able to say "hey, we had 10 kids from our 17U team go on to play college".....even if 8 of those kids only played in their organization for one year.  Sad, but travel baseball is big money and organizations feel like the more kids they can claim "got to college" playiing with them, the more $$$ they make.  

Midland is another organization to look into. I think their 17u team is the Braves. Tryouts usually in early August. You can ask about their schedule when you contact the coach. They will likely only carry 4 OF, and choose the best ones that show up to the tryout. 

http://midlandredskins.org 

Check out Indiana Bulls, Ironmen, Indiana Elite, Midland, Cincinnatti Spikes, Evo Shield Canes Midwest.

Also, here is a link to the teams who played in the recent 16u ABC tourney in Indy. It drew top teams from the region so this might be a good place to start researching possibilities in your region. 

https://bullpentournaments.com...bc/?display=allteams 

Buckeye 2015 posted:

RJM posted:

We?

Uh, most 16 year old kids don't make the decision on where/who to play travel for by themselves.....so yes, it's like a "we" decision....not the kid's alone.  

I agree....try the Bulls first, as they are close you to.  Several teams in the Cincy area, which isn't awfully far from you.  I guess winter workouts, etc could be an issue, but as far as next summer, it doesn't really matter who you play for.  17U teams generally don't have in season practices.....you'll show up for the tourneys....play then head home.

Why isn’t a 16yo capable of deciding where he should play? Then the parent decides if it’s affordable. But he used “we” in every reference to his son. It’s his son’s game. The parent is just the supporting cast.

Thanks for all the input on this, everyone's perspectives are helpful and appreciated.  To answer RJM, my son will be the one who decides where he will be playing.  As his advocate (and father) I'm here to help research and provide solid info and guidance when he asks for it.