Area Code Games vs. East Coast Pro

Whats your budget?  That would probably tell the answer for me.

Budget for Long Beach for player and parent for the 8 night stay (airfare, hotel, food, car, gas, etc.,): $2000.

Honestly, I don't think you need to do all three.  Each attracts top talent - so why all three?

 

I can think of many things I'd rather use $2K on than adding a third similar event.  But its your money and so if you have it and it won't erase a trip next year to see your son in college or in pro ball, use it on what you want too.

I am with JB, and it also depends on his schools of interest. There will be more West Coast schools and scouts at the ACG's. This is probably about positioning for the draft as I assume he will have his school options sorted out soon given he has the skill to make these events, so this is a factor also. You can also make one of these events a mini vacation so that is a consideration.  

They are both great events.  

Yes but he's asking about their marginal utility.   Do they add enough marginal utility to make one or both worth his while?

Spot on. The feedback I'm receiving is this: although ACG is an excellent event and a great experience for son, there's redundancy with ECP.

 

ECP Benefit: ECP is self-contained, i.e., outside of dropping him off at the airport, he can do this trip solo as hotel, board, transportation are handled for him. I don't know about ACG.

Is he a hitter or pitcher? Can he travel solo on Southwest air?

Will he learn anything from the events? Will he play against the pitcher he faces 2 years from now. In my 17 years of producing the Area Code games, the hitters were slightly "late" on  their swing because of the 90+ mph fast balls that "move".

 

After two days they learn to guess and swing the bat quick. The radar guns do not clock "change ups".

 

Bob Williams

Founder

PS: Each year, we averaged in signing bonus $35 million. You figure the math.

8 teams- 200 players

 

 

Just for the record joemktg's son is considered by us one of the top hitting prospects in the country.  He has been hitting against highest level pitching prospects for quite awhile. The pitching he would see at ECP and AC would be nothing he hasn't seen many times before.

 

Many top players go to both ECP and AC.  They are both great events as I said.  What else can I say.  How about this, we all know that once a pitcher is lights out he doesn't have to go across the country and show it again.  But if he does go show it again, he gains even more interest for the following spring.  We also all know that no matter how good a hitter is, he can have a couple off days at a major event.  And going to both can give that hitter two chances to show decision makers his ability. If he shows well at both events it creates even more interest.  The final evaluation will take place next spring.  

 

Now for a player already committed to one of the top college programs and not overly interested in next year's draft, neither event is as important.

 

I have left out the financial side of the issue because it is none of my business.  But disregarding that part, I would go to both if possible. They are both great! He will see many players that he saw in Florida in June and many he has seen in tournaments this summer.  In fact, with the team he plays for in the summer, he will even see some teammates at these events.

 

Like most anything it is not mandatory to attend these highest talent level events and that includes ours, but it sure can turn out well for those that have the necessary talent.

 

Hope that is a better response.

 

 

Thank you all for your thoughtful responses.

 

This forum is just an unbelievable resource, and more parents across the country need to use it.

Son went to both.  I went to ECP.  Hotel wan't an issue.  Stayed with friends in Syracuse.  Used points for airfare from Father in Law . Paid for rental car and food. Wife went on the AC trip because our nephew lives there.  Paid for rental car and hotel. Nice vacation for her and nephew got to see his cousin pitch.  Son wasn't committed yet and really loved the experience.   ECP players stayed in the same hotel and there was a team organized event to the Baseball HOF.  AC players stayed all over and you were pretty much on your own outside of baseball.  They seem to be a mirror image of each other.  Lots of scouts and colleges in attendance.  

Son is doing both. He did the AC Underclass last year and had a blast. He made connections with kids all over the country and they have stayed in touch throughout the year. This summer has been expensive and we've stretched the budget already between PG National and Tournament of Stars, but wouldn't trade it for anything. My wife will do ECP and I'll do AC. In my opinion, if you can afford it, do both.

My opinion is Joe is so well known on the East Coast it would be great for some West Coast guys to see him and also play against maybe a few different players.  I tell every one I know he barrels a ball up more consistently than anyone on our team. Yes, our sons play together on the National team. #EVOFAMILY

Damn, I appreciate everything everyone is saying, and the "pros" are compelling.

 

The cons? FWIW:

(1) Cost, especially considering the total cost of summer/fall of 2016, not to mention that joemktgdaughter2 is in competitive dance (AND YOU THINK TRAVEL BASEBALL IS EXPENSIVE??);

(2) Managing the logistics behind this very long west coast trip (thru 8/17) puts a significant burden on joemktgwife at a time when it's around her 50th birthday (WHAT??? HOW DID THAT HAPPEN???);

(3) It's very difficult to split wife from joemktgdaughter1 for a length of time (trust me on this).

 

Thankfully there's a bit of redundancy with ECP and AC. And the fall is a significant time frame for all of our 2016 boys. Not sending him to AC is a loss, no doubt, but given everyone's feedback and our situation, I'm very comfortable with our decision.

 

Sincerest gratitude to all.

Joe;

 

Prior to our 1998 Area Code games, a player was unable to travel to Long Beach.

A agent called me from Kansas City and suggested I place his friend.

 

That player's name was Albert Pujols. "The rest is history".

 

Bob