All Star Tournament

Why would they want to brag about being second best in SoCal? Last time I looked Ventura County was in SoCal.

LA needs the help... So they included Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counites to that team.

Actually... This is the first time out and scheduling would only allow 4 teams. Matt Slaven from baseball resource, is putting this together, and plans to make it an annual event... Perhaps with more teams in the future. Hopes are it will be moved to a NON NCAA Dead period next time.

The event is being set up as a showcase event with all position players in the batting order, and splitting time on the field. Pitchers will get 2-3 innings to throw. The main purpose being to show-off all the talent in Southern Cal.

Hopes are in the future to hold the event during "Evaluation period"... so College as well as pro scouts can attend.

Anyone in So Cal, come on and check it out and let's make this something SPECIAL.

Hey MatadorDad,
How you doing during the 'off season'?

I checked out your roster for this tournament and it looks like you've got a great line-up. Do you know how you'll 'stack up' against the other all star teams?

Is this tournament more competitive in nature or more of show case?

We hope to get out a see a game. Do you know when the schedule will be posted?

Mays

Say Hey!

Hey maysfan,

It could be a great team if we could get all the top players, having some trouble with that though, many are not being allowed to pitch by their HS coaches, and others are in HS tournaments that weekend. We'll see who is actually making up the roster by the time we get it all set.

Looks like we won't be getting Matt Bush, Sean O'Sullivan, Henry Sanchez, Joe Scaperrota, John Drennen, Brandon Burke, Chris Boros, Charles Nolte, Roberto Lopez, Brock Bardeen, Tim Arnold, Brian or Tim Murphy, Doug Konoske or Michael Kinney etc. They are all falling into the 2 catagories above.

Mitch Einertson and Andres Esquibel have yet to respond, sure could use those 2 also.

Side note: went to an invitational Phillies workout on Saturday and watched Nolte who hasn't really thrown since before football started, jump on the hill and bust off about 6-8 pitches in a row all at 91-92, what a great arm!

www.leaguelineup.com/sdprospects

Wow Matador Dad -
I was thinking you had a great roster until you posted the guys who aren't available. It's tough to assemble a team with the high school season just around the corner.

I saw Nolte pitch two years ago. That's great news about his ability.

Best of luck in the tournament.

Mays

Say Hey!

Are the other counties having the same problems with the better known players not being allowed to play anywhere but for the high school like RB?

sdballer05,
are you just pissed off cause no one from MIRA MESA high school is in this?

p.s. just for your information, there are 3 players from RB in this tournament. check the roster nimrod.

Hi Frank -
How was the tournament? Anyone in particular stand out?

Fill us in on the details when you get a moment.

Mays

PS. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Does CSUN's season start in February?

Say Hey!

MVP's for us were:
Mitch Einertson - RBV
Allan Dykstra - RB
Jonathan Kuripla - Escondido

The kids played very well, especially the last day. We actually could have won all 3 games if we really tried. Several of the teams were bunting when we would not because we determined that showing the scouts if the kids could hit with wood was more important, so we let them play. No colleges were in attendance only pro scouts, and quite a few actually. So the coaching staff decided that we would put the showcasing of the kid's talents ahead of winning the games, so we ended up actually dropping 2 games that we could have won, no big deal. We accomplished our goal for the tournament. Our kids showed their talents very well and played well, without us brilliant coaches getting in the way LOL! Mission accomplished!

www.leaguelineup.com/sdprospects

Pumpkinman
I don't know who you are or why you are all up in arms about what I posted. But an attack from any direction is expected I guess. appearantly there is some guilt coming out here about something. But what I was referring to was the post both here and on BB Resourse that stated that many of the top players were unable to play in this game because their coaches would not allow it and RB was specificaly named along with Poway.
I have no doubt that there were several players selected from the RB winter team but I was told that the top players were not available.
Please feel free to post your next attack. I wish you would give me a little clue as to who you are so maybe I can understand the reason for your attack.

matadordad- Were these guys sacrifice bunting or bunting for hits? If my tool was speed I would want to show that by looking to drag or push if it's open once every game or two.

They appeared to be sacrificing to move runners over. In the game with Riverside one of the their big hitters bunted with men on 1st & 2nd. Just one teams' choice I guess, no big problem, we simply had another viewpoint of what the scouts wanted to see.

Maysfan,
CSUN starts on Jan. 30 at San Diego

www.leaguelineup.com/sdprospects

Matadordad

What a hypocrite! The young man who bunted for a base hit from Riverside did it on his own, not any coaching decision. If San Diego was only "showcasing", why was your coach INTENTIONALLY WALKING big hitters. Did he think the scouts wanted to see just how 'crafty' your pitchers were. For those reading Matadordads rediculous posts, make no mistake...San Diego played to win as well as showcase. Ask their crybaby Sharks coach "Dan the Man" if you think otherwise. He was an embarressment to the tournament.

I am not bad mouthing the tournament or it's host. Matt does a great job with his website and I hope to see more ""SHOWCASES""

I kept my eye on the tournament leading up to the day it ended. I went a couple of times to watch the tournament. Was it well run? Not really, quirky set up. Were the best in SoCal there? Some. I think it really went down to who you know whether or not you made the team. I saw plenty of names on the qualifying list that didn't get a look. One of my players was on the list and nobody I know received a call. The scout that knew him didn't receive a call. The players playing at his position were comparable fielders with weaker arms. My guy is not a slugger though I figured maybe this is why. But how would they know without contacting somebody? The fact he grew a few inches and 10 pounds from last season wasn't known.

I did notice a lot of the guys were players from the travel ball coaches' team that were coaching the teams. If I am wrong I am sure the SDProspect Coach will let me know.

Hopefully the Showcase will continue for the other guys and being seen will be a plus.

btwnthelines,

Actually Dan is a very good guy and really doesn't deserve the "moniker" you just gave him.
Was he a little bothered by James Scott sacrifice bunting at a pro scout showcase event? Yes. James is a great kid with a good future, obviously his instincts took over there if it wasn't a call from Jared Paul. Dan reacted with "if that's how we're playing then this batter (who turned out to be Landon Hernandez)gets walked with 1st base open to load the bases" In retrospect was it a move that should have been made? Probably not, he simply got caught up in the moment, it happens.
It was the only intentional walk of the weekend, he was not "walking big hitters" as you described.

The bunt is not really what turned the game anyways, the first base coach allowing himself to be hit by a throw from our right fielder was the turning point in the game, 2 extra runs scored with that play when the ball kicked off away from the fielders with the bases loaded.

But no matter, the goal of the weekend was to get the kids in front of the scouts so they could see who could hit with wood and who could not, who could light up the gun on the hill and show some pitching ability at the same time, and which catchers showed big league potential behind the plate. From talking with several of the scouts during the weekend I think they got to see pretty much what they wanted.

www.leaguelineup.com/sdprospects

smallpotatoes,

The format for the tournament while quirky to us, was set up by Matt by talking with the scouts on how they would like to see the showcase run. They believed this format was the easiest way for them to get several looks at players during a game situation.

I can't speak for how the other counties picked their teams but San Diego went after the top name players first, many could not or did not wish to participate. Matt Bush, Sean O'Sullivan, Henry Sanchez, Roberto Lopez, John Drennen, Brandon Burke, Chris Boros, Charles Nolte, Doug Konoske, Kevin James were among the names that we could not get.

Of the 28 players on the roster 10 were from our travel teams, but they are considered among the top players in the county, so they did deserve to be there. I would imagine that the other counties may have had similar problems as well.

www.leaguelineup.com/sdprospects

It's funny that you say the first base coach allowed himself to get hit with the ball. Well, where was he? The throw had to be way off line. Regarding involvement of players- seems like that's always a crapshoot at that time of year. Lots of the better guys are shut down. You named some excellent names. Sounds like San Diego area is loaded this year.

Thanks for explaining. It now makes alot more sense. Wonder why he wasn't tracking the ball?

Good question I was standing right by him along the fence (foul territory on the Brea JV field is very narrow) when I saw the throw coming in. Initially I was a little frustrated with him for not paying attention (mostly because the throw was right on line in my estimation) but that subsided quickly when I realized that his hand was hurt pretty bad. A tough lesson for the coach about being aware while you're on the field and the ball's in play I'd say.

www.leaguelineup.com/sdprospects

Matadordad

Your point was well made. I may have over reacted a bit. My opinion of Dan was not entirely based on this tournament. He is gaining quite a negative reputation on the travelball circuit due to his antics. I have never met the man, but have seen him several times at tournaments. He may be very knowledgable about the game, but he needs to relax a little.

I have also seen you at tournaments as well as the So Cal Cup. Your composure on the field is exemplary, as it is in your posts. Your posts are not ridiculous as I previously posted, but provoke thought. We may not always agree, but I have gained new respect for your opinion.