My son just received an invitation to the Brewers Area Code tryout. I've heard it is a must go to event and we are going. Just wondering what to expect.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Congrats on the invite! My son just received an invite for the Texas Rangers AC tryouts and he's pretty stoked. I did a lot of searching on HSBBW and found this topic to be interesting: http://community.hsbaseballweb...e-try-out-experience
Good luck and enjoy the ride!
Absolutely a must go. Tell them if they don't make the team the tryout is worth the experience. I coached 6 kids who where drafted out of high school and none of them made the AC team. however they where noticed and sparked interest going into Junior or Senior year.
You should DEFINITELY go. Even if your son doesn't make the team, there will be dozens (seriously...50-100) of scouts and recruiters at the SoCal tryouts. You won't find better exposure for the price (free!).
A couple weeks ago my son also recieved an invite the to Brewers Area Code tryouts. He is a pitcher, is thrilled to be invited, and definitely plans to attend. A couple of questions for more experienced folks. First, are pitchers evaluated in bullpens, games, or both? Second, from previous posts it looks like in past years there used to be another tryout a week or two after the initial tryouts where a smaller number of players were asked back for a second look before the final roster was determined. Does anyone know if this is still the case? Thanks!
Two dates are posted (7/6 and 7/7). There is usually not another date scheduled, unless there are weather issues or they don't get a chance to see everybody they want to see. As far as I remember, everybody gets just the one look
My son also went as a pitcher, so here's what I know from last year:
Players arrive, they're issued a number/hat/shirt, then a quick picture....then a lot of standing around. Players are on their own to warm-up, throw their bullpen and then (you guessed it) stand around some more. J-Bands and a keen sense of timing (knowing when you need to warm-up) are invaluable tools during this time.
Player time on the bump consists of one inning, or 10 pitches (whichever one comes first).....seriously. That's it.
Keep in mind the AC folks are only basing a portion of a player's selection on what they "see". A great deal of weight is given to the scout that referred your player, along with other conversations with your player's summer team coach, not to mention any "buzz" there may be surrounding a particular player.
In the end, AC staff are charged with putting the best product they can on the field for all interested parties (college and pro). Keep that in mind, then tell your boy to go out and handle his business. Whatever happens, happens.
Originally Posted by GHHS-2016LHP:
Two dates are posted (7/6 and 7/7). There is usually not another date scheduled, unless there are weather issues or they don't get a chance to see everybody they want to see. As far as I remember, everybody gets just the one look
My son also went as a pitcher, so here's what I know from last year:
Players arrive, they're issued a number/hat/shirt, then a quick picture....then a lot of standing around. Players are on their own to warm-up, throw their bullpen and then (you guessed it) stand around some more. J-Bands and a keen sense of timing (knowing when you need to warm-up) are invaluable tools during this time.
Player time on the bump consists of one inning, or 10 pitches (whichever one comes first).....seriously. That's it.
Keep in mind the AC folks are only basing a portion of a player's selection on what they "see". A great deal of weight is given to the scout that referred your player, along with other conversations with your player's summer team coach, not to mention any "buzz" there may be surrounding a particular player.
In the end, AC staff are charged with putting the best product they can on the field for all interested parties (college and pro). Keep that in mind, then tell your boy to go out and handle his business. Whatever happens, happens.
Thank you, very helpful!
Originally Posted by GHHS-2016LHP:
Player time on the bump consists of one inning, or 10 pitches (whichever one comes first).....seriously. That's it.
By the way, that time on the bump is without a batter, at least is was at the Yankees tryout last year. Just the pitcher, catcher and about 100 radar guns pointed at the pitcher.
At the Brewers tryout, the pitchers faced batters (who were also trying out). Definitely a lot of radar guns though.
My son went to the Yankees tryout as a P/OF 5 years ago. And yes, it was no batter and 10 pitches (they had him throw 15). He did very well, but did not make the team. But there were literally 80-100 scouts at the tryout between pro and colleges.
For him it was the best event. It lead to him going from being pretty unknown, to being fairly heavily recruited by many D1 mid-majors. the school he ended up going to saw him there.
GHHS pretty much covered it.Not sure I can add much. Yes, It's a lot of waiting around. Hitters get looks first as far as the schedule goes. It's BP for several hours then the pitchers go. As was mentioned earlier just one inning. Before the pitchers throw they throw a bullpen. You'll see 6-7 MLB scouts relaxing in fold up chairs by the bullpen but not too many college RC's. However, when they hit the mound and face live hitters....it's ON. Guns up Guns down....Like a greek chorus. Area Code games like most showcases for pitchers is about the Velo. A guy can BB 2 and hit a guy but if he hits 92 Scouts/RC's are frantically taking notes. Conversely, a RHP can strike out the side But if he's doing it at 85....the Scouts are yawning or looking at their iphones.
Westmont College is a nice facility but parking is lean so get there early. It's a first class event. Arguably the most prestigious event of the summer.
