Area Code tryouts?

The AC games that were founded by Bob in the 80's are different than the AC games today. I think he would tell you that himself.

 

Years ago it was pretty exclusive, now just another big showcase. No one should worry over their player not getting an invite.  If your son has talent and above average skill, most likely the scout in your area already knows who he is.

 

JMO

 

 

Yeah TPM, my son didn't get an invite via email or snail mail last summer. His travel coach was called by local scout and asked about arms who might be worth looking at etc. He called me and although my son had just pitched the weekend before...i think the tryout was about 2 days later, we agreed to go if he was limited to 10 pitches. He wasn't invited and we were fine with that. I don't know if he had his best stuff that day (91 FB) and he definitely isn't projectible, frame wise so it's wysiwyg with him. The kids on the roster were really good. I guess he's gotten a bit immune to being overlooked, and i say that with absolute sincerity. When we talk about competing and local talent, he believes he is one of the best. We laugh and joke around, i chide him all the time and we have fun with it. He actually thrives on it, plays with a chip on his shoulder and i like that about him.

I am not sure of the process but years ago around here if you were a top prospect you just got asked to show up in CA (no tryout) on your dime. However, son had a very strong commitment to his Connie Mack team (still IMO the best summer league). The discussion was that we didn't know where he would be at that time of the AC, team might make regionals or championship as well as innings wise so we decided to not go.  The process is different now, and it has lost something of its importance along the way.

 

Without a doubt it may open doors, but I dont see it as a "must do" thing or worry if no one sends your son an email for a tryout. 

Good idea, jp24. For such an important event, AC tryouts do seem to fly under the radar for many people. My son went to the Allentown PA tryout last year. Many, many college coaches in attendance. Plus the MLB scouts, or course. When you include the price ($0.00), you have a real "don't miss" opportunity.

I didn't say today's games were the same -- and Bob and I have talked, so what he "would tell me" ... he has.

 

When you think about the point I was attempting to make, this is a useless reply.

The tryouts alone are worth attending. Lots of regional scouts and coaches in attendance. The actual games are a crapshoot, depends on who likes you and how things are structured fairly often. But it's a good opportunity, and for kids in the PacNW (Royals), it's not a far-off destination, either.

Good morning,

I have a question, is this HS underclassman only?

Or can a 2015 HS Sr. who has already signed with a college still get an invite to the AC games?

 

Thanks,

Joe 

2015 Area Code Baseball Games (link)

 

 

Who: Class of 2016, 2017 and 2018 high school baseball players.

 

What: Eight regional teams with the top players in the nation play in a week long tournament in California.

 

When: August 4 – August 11 Where: Blair Field; Long Beach, Calif.

 

How much: The Area Code Baseball Games presented by New Balance are free for ATHLETES to attend 

My son was invited for two years - definitely worth going, even if you don't make the team.

My point was that not everyone gets an invite and should not feel slighted or left out if you dont get to attend. 
Definetly a consideration but if you dont get an invite to one or you decide not to attend a tryout..its still all good.
Of course for free you cant beat it.

JP24;

That was Willie # and my friend Sam Jones [Boston Celtics] Sam I coached in the Army and he later told me about Phil Knight and the Nike Basketball camps. From the Nike camp I created the Area Code games in 1987 using wood bats and dealing with the pro scouts. I attended each tryout and later created the 900 teams for players who I believed earned the right for the opportunity of playing at Blair Field in from of 400 pro scouts and 300 college coaches.

 

For 17 years I tried to "out scouted" the scouts by adding Albert Pujois, Adam LaRoche, Chase Headley and many others to the 900 team. We formed the "All Star" Team to play the National teams of Korea, Japan and Australia. We are now in our 21st year with Australia.

 

Yes, it is different today, however the selected players do not pay a fee and receive a clinic instruction from the pro scouts. My advisor were 3 pro scouts and 2 Scouting Directors and the "mirror". Each year we "fine tuned" the event.

 

TRUE STORY: During our tryout in Denver [Rockies AC team} I spoke to all the parents

after I pitched BP at 5,000 feet. I told the parents "only the pro scouts can select the players". Then my cell phone rang, it was Tommy Lasorda.  Tommy said "how do I place Fred Clair grandson in the AC games". I said Tommy you have your own AC Dodger team. He said "OK"

 

Bob

Of course, I miss the action, developing real estate is not the same. When I mention baseball all investors become "kids" again. Enjoy the game, learn and have fun.

<www.goodwillseries.org> One of my former AC players and former SF Giant, Noah Lowry is now an officer of G.W.S.