Area Code Tryout v a PG Showcase

Depends on what you’re looking for.

Anyone who can pay the fee can pretty much get to attend a showcase, and they’ll all over the place, but you have to be “invited” to the area codes, and then you have to prove your “bones” to get on the team. I suppose if you don’t make the team it’s a black mark on the ol’ resume, but if you make look at the upside.

On the contrary Stats. My son went to a tryout back in 2009. There were around a 100 pro and college scouts present. My son did fairly well, throwing 87-89 from the mound, and hit a couple of HR's in BP. Although he did not make the team, he received tremendous interest and verbally committed to the school he is currently at with an athletic scholarship. He will also graduate next year from a great school. Not such a bad black mark after all!

birdman14,

I wasn’t speaking literally about it being a black mark, but rather relatively to making the team. There’s no way in the world I’d tell anyone not to participate in the Area Codes rather than go to a showcase. There’s so many of them anymore, I think they’re beginning to be seen more as a moneymaking scheme by many, than as a true display of the talent out there.

Unfortunately even the Area Codes don’t get all of the best players in an area, but they do a great job of it and all the scouts and college coaches know it. Your kid proves their value and respect.

A must attend event if invited. Don't worry about making the team or not. If you do it is a HUGE bonus. 

Thank you BOF and everyone else.

BOF - your advice jibes with the consensus we received from college coaches and East Cobb people we know, when the AC letter comes: accept.

PG is very good and my son has had a lot of response off their review/evaluation. 

He is playing in the WBWS, etc this summer so PG avenue will be 'covered'

The invite only vs pay-to-play seems to be a big check-mark in the eyes of people. 

Without a doubt you must attend if invited. It was the single best "showcase" my son attended.

Birdman 14;

For 17 years, I attended every tryout to meet the scouts from all regions of the USA.

This involves 6 Regional tryouts each year for the 500 players selected annually by pro scouts to attend the tryouts.

As a parent you have the opportunity to observe future MLB players

and to discuss with college coaches their opinions on players. There are a few players "cut" by the pro scouts who are now playing in MLB, however it was rare.

Yesterday, at the SF Giants/Nationals game, I watched one of our players not selected by a pro scout, but by myself - Adam La Roche. Adam played on our Goodwill Series teams to Australia for three years. His father Dave was our pitching coach.

Bob

"Founder" of the Area Code games

<www.goodwillseries.org>

My son just got the invite Yesterday, he is a 2015 LHP/OF. Very excited but have a couple bumps in the road. HS All-Star Game is that very same day but at night. Also finals all that week in school. Tryout date is 6/12 in Allentown PA.  One question I have is how much will they throw at the Area Tryouts, he would like to pitch in the All-star game later that night?? I'll work it out somehow but its never easy LOL.

Congrats Lefty,

Our Catcher 2015/15 year old son's invite came last night, he is excited.

A friend's son is going to Allentown.

Can't wait to see the quality of players and impartial coaching/scouting.

Best of luck to your son!

Congratulations:

please say hello to the Yankee scouts. Ask the scout "in charge" for their pitching schedule. The Texas scouts run their tryout different from the Yankees.

Bob

The email came from the guy below so I am not sure if its the Yankees???

Tim Alexander

Scout Supervisor

Tampa Bay Rays

Tim is a Rays scout and they cooperate with the Yankees Area Code team.

Bob

Great thanks!

My son's invite came from the Yankees a couple of months ago but he also got the details email from Mr. Alexander last night.  He's really looking forward to it.

Congrats 9and7,

My son had heard about his invitation a few months back,

however seeing the official letter is exciting and a nice addition to the scrapbook!

The colleges sure seem impressed with this invitation - our son is only 15 so we'll see. 

Congratulations to all who were invited

(and their dads)

I would second those congratulations to all as well.  Mine is 16 and a very young junior, will be a senior next year.  I agree that it does seem to catch coach's attention, and rightfully so.  I'm gathering from your name that yours is a catcher, mine is too.

I will tell you an interesting story about my son's tryout in Allentown (Yankees). This was back in 2009. As pitchers, they warmed up in the bullpen and threw about 15-20 pitches from the mound stadium mound (with what seemed like 50 radar guns pointed at them). This occurred on a Friday morning (and he had to take a final early, on Thursday night before we left).

That night my son's summer team opened in a tournament in Flemimgton, NJ, 30 miles away. His summer coach started him and limited him to 50 pitches. He ended up completing the 5th inning throwing a 1 hitter at 47 pitches with 9K's. Many of the same scouts saw him throw both in the morning and at night. It was also the start of his becoming heavily recruited.

In between he took an unofficial visit at a college. That RC saw him morning, noon, and night...

9and7,

Good luck to your son,

Yes he's a catcher. 

Went against some 17 year-olds at a 'camp' yesterday and afterwards an MLB scout who was there complimented his catching/throwing & asked me to fill out a 'Follow' card. 

Exciting stuff,

should be a fun summer!!

Quick Question. I am 2017 catcher. As I get older the Area Code Games are something I would be interested in doing. At what age are you invited and what is the process in getting invited?

Thanks,

You can be invited at any age.

Delmon Young was 13, however the majority of players are 16-17 and each had a pro scout recommend the player.

Bob

<goodwillseries.org>

Hello Tgustavson.

My son was seen by some scouts at a couple of events and invited,

believe you must be invited by a pro scout.

Scouts can see you without your knowing it as happened this past weekend, usually they are at Under Armour and Perfect Game events among others (Showball, etc).

Best advice we had for our son was play on the best travel team possible (where you will play, not sit),

because a scout there to see another player may see you having a good day.

\

The Scout who spoke to me about my son Saturday was there to see one of our 3b.

Best of luck!