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Area Code Games Invitation

A ACowboyFan100+ posts
I know this subject has been covered and I remember reading a long list of posts about it but I tried to search this site and couldn't get to what I was looking for: So please offer your knowledge and advice.

Meat got an invitation in the mail for the June 12 / June 25 tryout. This is a very professional looking piece or mail.

Is this a big deal for a player coming off his sophomore year?

How many invitations do they send out and how do they get the players names?

Also, he got an invitation in the mail for the Baseball Prospects of Americae - Steve Bort's run. This piece came in a badly hand addressed envelope, with a bad photo copy of a brochure and a print Registration form.

Big difference in approach. I know I have to start really paying attention to when and were we spend the family dollars in our efforts to help Meat get to the next level.

Your advice please.
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ConsultantConsultant10,000+ posts
Hello;

In 1987, I founded the Area Code games. We never charged a fee to participate in the tryouts or the games. For 17 years, I coordinated the tryout with the pro scouts.

In Texas, Randy Taylor *Texas Rangers] and several scouts operated the tryouts in the most professional manner.

The objectives of the tryouts is to identify pro prospects. The tryouts are open to the college coaches [over 100 each tryout]. Players are selected from a committee of pro scouts.

Be prepared for "no nonsense" evaluation.

Now I am involved with selecting American players
for our annual December trip to Australia.
We play 14 games in 17 days and not everyone can cope with this type of competition. Wood bats are used in the AC tryouts and in Australia. All hitters should prepared themselves by using wood in games prior to the tryouts, regardless of your summer team use of metal.

Have fun and enjoy your experiences.
Please visit our web site <www.goodwillseries.org> for info.

Bob Williams
BM baseball mama10+ posts
My son played with Steve Bort's team this past summer in Chicago. He is a very unusual man; however, we were with a very elite group of boys. His approach is a little different to say the least. We were a little leary about going. Once we got there it was obvious our team was the most respected team at the CABA World Series. He pretty much keeps you in the dark until you get there and then it all becomes clear. We were with boys from all over the country representing Brooklyn, New York. There was actually one kid from New York, his nephew. Most of the kids were from southern states.
deemaxdeemax500+ posts
The area codes are a wonderful thing. I was fortunate enough to play in them, and in my opinion even more blessed to have coached in them for 3 years. If you have any specific questions about this event dont hesitate to contact me. Texas traditionally has an outstanding AC team. Being invited to try out in such an event can result in a scholarship....
Old PitcherOld Pitcher1,000+ posts
It's a great honor to be invited without a doubt. It was an awesome experience last year for OPson, especially being a sophomore. He threw 86-87 that day at Baylor and it was a really cool thing watching him. I was very proud. It seemed like if you didn't throw at least 90, there was NO chance to make it to the game that evening, which, in my opinion, is how it should be.

If your son gets invited, do whatever it takes to be there. It's a day you will not forget.

Good luck to all those participating this year.
UE Uncle Ethan100+ posts
dadto7,
If your name is indicative of the number of children you have fathered, you have my greatest respect! I also understand your question about the cost if you have 7 kids. In case it is not clear, the Area Code Tryouts are free, regardless of which one your son attends. If your son is selected for the Area Code team, it is no longer free. I was told last summer by a scout that the AC tryout is actually more meaningful to them than the AC games themselves. There will also be a number of college coaches at the AC tryouts. By the way, if your son is invited to the Texas Scouts Association Game in August, be sure to attend (also free). Generally, the advice that we received from the aforementioned scout has been true. He said, "Be very leery of any exposure that you have to pay for."
UE Uncle Ethan100+ posts
Ken,
Don't start stirring the pot. You know that Cade, or Carpenter, or Hernandez will keep the tryout dates open as they value the opportunity for their players to attend the Tryouts. Now, the AC games, which conflict with season ending tournaments are a different story. The truth is that most who attend don't have to worry about making the team.
NaturalNatural500+ posts
By numbers - yes there are more scouts at the games than the tryouts... but his comment was that the tryout "is more meaningful to them than the games themselves." I would suggest this is true because the scouts know all about the 25-30 studs who make the team. Those guys are not a surprise to anyone - but at the tryouts they (and the college coaches who do attend) get to see several hundred other players in action all at one time. So the tryout is worthwhile for all.
deemaxdeemax500+ posts
Natural
quote:
By numbers - yes there are more scouts at the games than the tryouts... but his comment was that the tryout "is more meaningful to them than the games themselves." I would suggest this is true because the scouts know all about the 25-30 studs who make the team.


There are way more coaches and scouts at the AC games then the tryouts.... The tryouts are great exposure, but are a far cry from the games. I dont understand how the two (try/outs vs. games) are even comparable when it comes to which one is more meaningful in terms of coaches and scouts present.
P PAW-FECT100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Natural:
By numbers - yes there are more scouts at the games than the tryouts... but his comment was that the tryout "is more meaningful to them than the games themselves." I would suggest this is true because the scouts know all about the 25-30 studs who make the team. Those guys are not a surprise to anyone - but at the tryouts they (and the college coaches who do attend) get to see several hundred other players in action all at one time. So the tryout is worthwhile for all.


Eek NATURAL....are you sure about "several hundred players"....our son will be attending but we were told around 100 players are invited to this "elite" tryout. Do you know what the breakdown of that is on pitchers. What area code do they pull from?
NaturalNatural500+ posts
PAW-FECT... my 08 son went to the tryout at A&M - there were 200+ players there.

deemax... you are missing my point. I am not comparing the number of scouts between the tryout and the games. I am trying to make the point that the tryout is meaningful for MORE PLAYERS because they all have an opportunity to be seen by the college coaches (and scouts) who are at the tryout. Only a select few will make the team and the scouts already know those players. The players who make the team and go to the games will ALL be drafted AND/OR offered scholarships --- but that is only 25-30 players (from TX). The tryout presents an opportunity for all the other players to be seen. And you don't have to make the team to catch the eye of a coach or scout.
Last edited by Natural
RD ROO DAD10+ posts
Here is my two cents, my 06 son was invited to Baylor last year, he was a above average high school player, with a couple of schools looking at him, he did not play for a high profile summer team, but did play. He was seen by a scout that was looking at Zack Britton and was invited to the area code tryout. After going he recieved thirty two college questioniares and six pro. It is well worth your time to go.
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