I still consider him a Maine boy
#50 - Ryan Flaherty, Vanderbilt.
I still consider him a Maine boy
I still consider him a Maine boy
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He may well be one of the 50 best freshmen, but I bet if he had chosen to attend the University of Maine that he wouldn't even be on the list. The national media is very biased against Northern programs and their players.
He's a northern player who chose to compete in the south. Maybe he felt the exposure playing at Vandy would be not only better competition but help him get to the next level?
He will be playing for Hyannis this summer.
The sophomore list is out and I see more players from a few schools in the north have been recognized.
He will be playing for Hyannis this summer.
The sophomore list is out and I see more players from a few schools in the north have been recognized.
I have nothing against Flaherty and wish him all the best. I hope that he shows the SEC that kids from Maine can play. My criticism is with the national media that ignores Maine high school players (in all sports) until the "big boys" become involved in the recruiting process. Then the accolades start rolling in.......unless they sign with the "lesser" program. Then they are relegated to obscurity again.
it feels like all of new england gets left out .at least northern ne.
Not so guys. In my 18 years in florida, when we talk northern schools, Maine always comes up because they always compete. There are several others that come down on break and always put up a fight. Don't go my those national media clowns, they only go by whats hot today.
Mainejeff
BA was quite generous with their recognition of Maine players in the America East conference review...6 players on the All Conference team and the top newcomer to watch.
I wonder, how many of these boys passed up "higher profile" schools in the south to attend Maine?
I just heard that a local NH boy passed on U Texas to go to St. John's?
BA was quite generous with their recognition of Maine players in the America East conference review...6 players on the All Conference team and the top newcomer to watch.
I wonder, how many of these boys passed up "higher profile" schools in the south to attend Maine?
I just heard that a local NH boy passed on U Texas to go to St. John's?
Some kids have reason for staying in the Northeast--
Of course they do.
The northeast is not unlike any other part of the country where kids stay home.
You make your choice, don't you, about staying put and dealing with the weather and a perceived discrimination from the media as Mainejeff points out?
You have your options in front of you making the college choice. Once everything is sorted out - pros and cons - determine where you will be happiest and play the games.
Great things have happened to a lot of Maine boys.
The percentages are all relevant, I think.
The northeast is not unlike any other part of the country where kids stay home.
You make your choice, don't you, about staying put and dealing with the weather and a perceived discrimination from the media as Mainejeff points out?
You have your options in front of you making the college choice. Once everything is sorted out - pros and cons - determine where you will be happiest and play the games.
Great things have happened to a lot of Maine boys.
The percentages are all relevant, I think.
Maine,
I think CoachEric (as well as others here) give some great advice.
Never - and I mean Never - worry about the media.
I think CoachEric (as well as others here) give some great advice.
Never - and I mean Never - worry about the media.
Its, thats CoachRic to you, not Eric.
LOL,
I dont know how that E slipped in there.
My sincere apologies for that wild E.
I dont know how that E slipped in there.
My sincere apologies for that wild E.
its them thick Italian fingers--I have the same problem
HEY!
Quit insulting my fingers!
Quit insulting my fingers!
20dad
Did you see or hear about all the new england boys mentioned by BA in the preseason coverage?
quote:it feels like all of new england gets left out .at least northern ne.
Did you see or hear about all the new england boys mentioned by BA in the preseason coverage?
yes i did chill, it's really to see. looking at a poll and seeing northeast teams and players recognized, really awsome they make us all proud. especially when we are back pocket deep in snow with more coming .
To All,
I agree with mainejeff, 20dad and anyone else thats out there who feels that the boys from the northeast do not get the same exposure then the schools in the warmer states. I strongly believe that there needs to be a better effort on the powers to be, that report on the players, to cover the whole country to get a true report on the talent thats out there. I have experienced this first hand as we have covered the whole eastern side of the states in the last two years. Florida (WWBA)Georgia(WWBA)Long Island NY, Troy NY (WWBA)Conn(BLUECHIPS)and two TPX TOP96 events. If you look at the scouting reports of some of the bigger reporting powers to be, you will see that there is a prodominate amount of players from the south and west. I know that there may be alot more players there then here, but I have seen the talent there and the reports and I can safely say that they are missing alot of equal talent here in the northeast. This is not to say that the boys that they cover are not very talented but to say that if the boys in the northeast were covered as much, that there would be alot more on there list.
One Mans Opinion
I agree with mainejeff, 20dad and anyone else thats out there who feels that the boys from the northeast do not get the same exposure then the schools in the warmer states. I strongly believe that there needs to be a better effort on the powers to be, that report on the players, to cover the whole country to get a true report on the talent thats out there. I have experienced this first hand as we have covered the whole eastern side of the states in the last two years. Florida (WWBA)Georgia(WWBA)Long Island NY, Troy NY (WWBA)Conn(BLUECHIPS)and two TPX TOP96 events. If you look at the scouting reports of some of the bigger reporting powers to be, you will see that there is a prodominate amount of players from the south and west. I know that there may be alot more players there then here, but I have seen the talent there and the reports and I can safely say that they are missing alot of equal talent here in the northeast. This is not to say that the boys that they cover are not very talented but to say that if the boys in the northeast were covered as much, that there would be alot more on there list.
One Mans Opinion
regarding Northeast players - LOL
"My criticism is with the national media"
"perceived discrimination from the media"
"better effort on the powers to be, that report on the players"
time for a reality check & a geography lesson
about 1/4+/- of the MLB franchises are considered to be where?
the NORTHEAST
BA polls area scouts, scouting directors, and GMs - of whom 25% + are headquartered where?
the NORTHEAST
re: ALL National Media: CBS, NBC, ABC, CSTV are where? NYC, NY
ie: the NORTHEAST
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU are where? Bristol, Conn - ie: _______________
(you fill in the blank - hint N.E.)
IHMO a better theory could be developed
yours sounds like sour grapes
.
"My criticism is with the national media"
"perceived discrimination from the media"
"better effort on the powers to be, that report on the players"
time for a reality check & a geography lesson
about 1/4+/- of the MLB franchises are considered to be where?
the NORTHEAST
BA polls area scouts, scouting directors, and GMs - of whom 25% + are headquartered where?
the NORTHEAST
re: ALL National Media: CBS, NBC, ABC, CSTV are where? NYC, NY
ie: the NORTHEAST
ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU are where? Bristol, Conn - ie: _______________
(you fill in the blank - hint N.E.)
IHMO a better theory could be developed
yours sounds like sour grapes
.
I will repeat a Golden Rule.
Never - ever - worry about the media.
Never - ever - worry about the media.
Bee>
Were once did I mention CBS, NBC, ABC, CSTV, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU? Maybe I should explain myself better. When I say the northeast, I am referring to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and maybe Mass. When I refer to the powers to be, I am referring to the people who report on High School talent in those four states compared to the rest of the country. The players there do not get the attention that other players get throughout the country.
Sour Grapes, I think not. My son had his choice of over 100 schools, mostly D1. If he would not have put the travel time in the southern areas I wonder who would have actually seen him.
Were once did I mention CBS, NBC, ABC, CSTV, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU? Maybe I should explain myself better. When I say the northeast, I am referring to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and maybe Mass. When I refer to the powers to be, I am referring to the people who report on High School talent in those four states compared to the rest of the country. The players there do not get the attention that other players get throughout the country.
Sour Grapes, I think not. My son had his choice of over 100 schools, mostly D1. If he would not have put the travel time in the southern areas I wonder who would have actually seen him.
Being seen by the right people - and getting noticed by the media are two very different things IMO.
I agree with Hit - you need to go where the right people are and hopefully there will be more of that in the northeast in the future.
You have PG - College Select - Top 96 - Selectfest - and many others that do alot of stuff in the northeast. It certainly is alot better than it used to be.
As for the media - forget it. They are writing stories for a reason - to sell their papers and magazines - and to sell them to the markets that are most likely to buy them. No different than any other business. If the market isnt there for the stuff - guess what?
I agree with Hit - you need to go where the right people are and hopefully there will be more of that in the northeast in the future.
You have PG - College Select - Top 96 - Selectfest - and many others that do alot of stuff in the northeast. It certainly is alot better than it used to be.
As for the media - forget it. They are writing stories for a reason - to sell their papers and magazines - and to sell them to the markets that are most likely to buy them. No different than any other business. If the market isnt there for the stuff - guess what?
hit&run
Not crying about respect, not at all, just talking about the facts. The plain simple facts are that there is not alot of exposure in our area. We made the effort to get more exposure and it paid off. The question is why can't there be more of an effort made to trek to these places and see what is out there. You never know what you'll find until you try.
Not crying about respect, not at all, just talking about the facts. The plain simple facts are that there is not alot of exposure in our area. We made the effort to get more exposure and it paid off. The question is why can't there be more of an effort made to trek to these places and see what is out there. You never know what you'll find until you try.
- I coulda missed somethingquote:by bballnh: I agree with mainejeff
quote:by mainejeff: The national media is very biased against Northern programs and their players.
whew, I figured Northeast for the 13 colonies, throw in PA, NY, the Toronto area - a case might be made for Ohio/Michigan/WVA as they don't really fit as "Mid West"quote:I am referring to Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and maybe Mass
just keep working hard
and good luck.
I think that if you've just started following the recognition of players from the Northeast you are at a disadvantage. Because it does happen, but the average parent does not know
the local talent very well.
Maine baseball is alive and well and has been written about quite extensivley through the years.
New Hampshire obviously hurt themselves when they terminated the intercollegiate baseball program, but if you were paying attention back then, the information about players was available.
Go to the College Previews for the America East Conference, the Big East Conference, the Atlantic 10 Conference, MACC, Big 10, Ivy, Northern and Patriot Leagues......
WOW....lots and lots of northern kids being spoken about!!.
hit&run...
These boys traveled to be seen and were rewarded accordingly.
Thanks
the local talent very well.
Maine baseball is alive and well and has been written about quite extensivley through the years.
New Hampshire obviously hurt themselves when they terminated the intercollegiate baseball program, but if you were paying attention back then, the information about players was available.
Go to the College Previews for the America East Conference, the Big East Conference, the Atlantic 10 Conference, MACC, Big 10, Ivy, Northern and Patriot Leagues......
WOW....lots and lots of northern kids being spoken about!!.
hit&run...
quote:The northern studs (Rainville/Rogers/Gale, etc)are going to get noticed no matter what.
These boys traveled to be seen and were rewarded accordingly.
Thanks
Just adding a bit - I do think that the last few years have been very good years for Northeastern baseball:
Lots of talented kids that went to colleges all over the country - or got drafted.
Lots of talented kids that went to colleges all over the country - or got drafted.
i believe most people on this site were baseball fans,then parents,chill you know northeast baseball as well as anyone but it sounds to me you were brought up in the college arena?so you had the love of college ball before most of us.and followed it longer.
it always baffled me that aau is so big until you reach 16 then we all march over to legion bball,which is fine for what it is.my sons legion coach told him it was foolish to play in a wood bat league as a college freshman.getting off track, but you aren't getting exposure to the college coaches like at a showcase or wwba event.or a travel team etc.
most parents up here just don't realize what you have to do to get exposure. hook up with a travel team or if they even know what that is.or even have one in the area.it doesn't surprise me about conn. having so many 18 teams. i think it's got more colleges than any other state.
sites like this help educate us about these things.we just need to get this to more parents.
it always baffled me that aau is so big until you reach 16 then we all march over to legion bball,which is fine for what it is.my sons legion coach told him it was foolish to play in a wood bat league as a college freshman.getting off track, but you aren't getting exposure to the college coaches like at a showcase or wwba event.or a travel team etc.
most parents up here just don't realize what you have to do to get exposure. hook up with a travel team or if they even know what that is.or even have one in the area.it doesn't surprise me about conn. having so many 18 teams. i think it's got more colleges than any other state.
sites like this help educate us about these things.we just need to get this to more parents.
20Dad, it sounds like your legion coach doesn't want to lose a good player. In general, the college wood bat league provides a much higher level of competition and the experience of hitting with wood over the summer helps immensely when the player returns to metal in the fall. Our legion coach said the exact opposite--if you have the opportunity to play on a college wood bat team then do it.
hc
sounds like you have a good legion coach. i'm sure he didn't want to lose a good player,but the statement will hurt him for a long time.in my mind coaches handing out unsolicited advice should be thinking of the players develpoment first.but i could go on and on about it.chill said it best,the do nothing say nothing thing.if i copuld only put it into practice.lol
sounds like you have a good legion coach. i'm sure he didn't want to lose a good player,but the statement will hurt him for a long time.in my mind coaches handing out unsolicited advice should be thinking of the players develpoment first.but i could go on and on about it.chill said it best,the do nothing say nothing thing.if i copuld only put it into practice.lol
To a certain extent I agree..we are lacking here in the promotion of our sons...but I have observed a certain unwillingness of parents to take the ball and run with it...while my son was in HS we talked with many of the upperclassmen's parents who were getting recognition...took their advice regarding showcases, college camps and AAU...for 2 years I felt as if we were constantly running to some event and shelling out oodles of money but in the end had several options to explore...one college coach even told us he was one everybody's to follow list...many parents thought we were nuts, my sons own friends thought he was nuts...his Babe Ruth and Legion coaches thought we were nuts... but as I look back I know we made the right choices...my son is where he wants to be...with a great coach who is very invested in not just the baseball part of his team but the forming of upstanding youngmen...it has not all been rosy but appears to have been a positive choice for him...he knows who and what he is and does not have delusions of grandeur and neither do we....he is thankful for what he has!
As far as no 17 and 18 year old teams...he was on the last 17 year old team this state had along with the Lighening...as boys get to be that age many things become more important to them...jobs, girls etc and it is hard to field a team...also, baseball becomes expensive here because at that point as all practice and games need to be either cancelled or indoors due to the inclement weather..lots of kids lose interest because it costs mega bucks... but I agree with Chill in that there are many boys in those conferences...check out the rosters...you do not need to play down south to be scouted by the pros...3 boys were drafted off our college team last year...so if you are good they will find you...this is just my opinion
As far as no 17 and 18 year old teams...he was on the last 17 year old team this state had along with the Lighening...as boys get to be that age many things become more important to them...jobs, girls etc and it is hard to field a team...also, baseball becomes expensive here because at that point as all practice and games need to be either cancelled or indoors due to the inclement weather..lots of kids lose interest because it costs mega bucks... but I agree with Chill in that there are many boys in those conferences...check out the rosters...you do not need to play down south to be scouted by the pros...3 boys were drafted off our college team last year...so if you are good they will find you...this is just my opinion
20dad
You are correct about the college town experience. Being part of a winning program in the early years definitely made on impact on how I learned about the game and what it meant to follow players.
You mentioned in another thread that you see a kid make a great play but you never know who it is since you don't sit with the other parents.
I would need to find out by asking a friend on that team, a coach, or by reading a paper which covered that team.
hit & run
Both Catchermom's and my son did the national circuit as well. She wasn't offering excuses, but rather citing the experience of a group in her area. Both our boys were committed and never missed anything.
You are correct about the college town experience. Being part of a winning program in the early years definitely made on impact on how I learned about the game and what it meant to follow players.
You mentioned in another thread that you see a kid make a great play but you never know who it is since you don't sit with the other parents.
I would need to find out by asking a friend on that team, a coach, or by reading a paper which covered that team.
hit & run
quote:Son's 16 year-old AAU team (Royals Baseball, Rockland, MA) went to Jr. Olympics, WWBA 17U, and Super 7. A 17-18 year-old team would be no different. We travel to 2 hours to Team Connecticut now to play, so again it's a matter of sacrifice and commitment.
The excuses as to why they can't do it is the direct result to why we don't get the numbers of higher level kids to create the buzz needed for attention.
Both Catchermom's and my son did the national circuit as well. She wasn't offering excuses, but rather citing the experience of a group in her area. Both our boys were committed and never missed anything.
hit and run,
It is absolutely about sacrifice and commitment...on both the boys part as well as the parents...and I am a big believer in the commitment aspect...but how many boys have you played with over the years who have dropped by the wayside and then think about the reasons why they no longer play ball..my son was also invited to play for Team CT..we opted not to do it...thought the commitmment would be too hard to live up to...bad weather on the Pike etc so we chose to stay here in Ma...thought they would be better off to select someone who could be there all the time vs a part time player...as Chill has stated we have literally done it all and he has reaped the rewards of that choice...are there boys who say "WOW" when I tell them where my son is and what he is doing
you bet there is but he made the choices and sacrifice and we all made the commitment but I will say this had he not been my youngest and only son I do not know if it would have been all that feasible ...economically as well as mentally...one other aspect when viewing the wealth of talent down south....they are bigger states..with many kids not playing...they are where the warmth is...no air fare, hotels, meals etc to pay for as we do when traveling there...many families have a hard enough time just making ends meet never mind traveling to gain exposure...as far as scouts...his HS team and his college team have been heavily scouted...so if the talent is there they will come
It is absolutely about sacrifice and commitment...on both the boys part as well as the parents...and I am a big believer in the commitment aspect...but how many boys have you played with over the years who have dropped by the wayside and then think about the reasons why they no longer play ball..my son was also invited to play for Team CT..we opted not to do it...thought the commitmment would be too hard to live up to...bad weather on the Pike etc so we chose to stay here in Ma...thought they would be better off to select someone who could be there all the time vs a part time player...as Chill has stated we have literally done it all and he has reaped the rewards of that choice...are there boys who say "WOW" when I tell them where my son is and what he is doing
you bet there is but he made the choices and sacrifice and we all made the commitment but I will say this had he not been my youngest and only son I do not know if it would have been all that feasible ...economically as well as mentally...one other aspect when viewing the wealth of talent down south....they are bigger states..with many kids not playing...they are where the warmth is...no air fare, hotels, meals etc to pay for as we do when traveling there...many families have a hard enough time just making ends meet never mind traveling to gain exposure...as far as scouts...his HS team and his college team have been heavily scouted...so if the talent is there they will come
quote:Yet, those regions are represented by multitudes of teams.
Maybe a half a dozen teams in Dallas area and maybe a half a dozen in the Houston area for 17's 18's
quote:he was on the last 17 year old team this state had along with the Lighening...as boys get to be that age many things become more important to them...jobs, girls etc and it is hard to field a team...
Same here.
quote:Our kids do indoor hitting and pitching all winter, so they are spending the money anyway. Most programs allow for voluntary winter attendance
Same here.
quote:It is absolutely about sacrifice and commitment...on both the boys part as well as the parents...
Same here.
quote:We travel to 2 hours to Team Connecticut now to play, so again it's a matter of sacrifice and commitment.
At 13 we traveled 2 hours to practice two or three times a week.
We played with teams that had players from East Texas and West Texas.
Translated into miles that's about 150-250 miles on the East Texas side and close to 600 on the West Texas side.
We traveled to Arizona, Colorado, Tennessee, Florida. (To name a few)
AAU drops off here after 16.
We didn't travel to play baseball all over the country for the exposure. We traveled because the team did, we had fun, and we received some exposure.
Of course every situation is different, but the event that my son was seen where he finally ended up was Area Code in Houston and a Texas Scouts Association tryout at Minute Maid in Houston, 275 miles away. The invitation to the Texas Scouts Association tryout was from the local scout who watched my son playing high school baseball.
Two of the most knowledgeable people in the country about college and high school baseball, Chill and catchermom03.
Listen when they speak.
Just a side note:
If you were to take New England - as defined previously: (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts)
You would be looking at a total population of approx. 14 million people.
California alone has 36 million people.
Florida - 18 million people.
Los Angeles by itself has more people than Maine - New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island combined.
In addition to all of the other good points made here - the population figures alone speak volumes about coverage and available talent pool.
Not to say there isnt room for improvement - but I think the kids from New England are doing just fine.
If you were to take New England - as defined previously: (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts)
You would be looking at a total population of approx. 14 million people.
California alone has 36 million people.
Florida - 18 million people.
Los Angeles by itself has more people than Maine - New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island combined.
In addition to all of the other good points made here - the population figures alone speak volumes about coverage and available talent pool.
Not to say there isnt room for improvement - but I think the kids from New England are doing just fine.
No matter where you live it is all about "wanting" it bad enough !!
Simple as that !!!
Simple as that !!!
Along the lines of this discussion be advised that we are in the process of re-activating our Northeast Baseball site---hopefully if we get enough input we can make people aware of the players we have in this region-- we Antcipate having the site back up and running shortly
FO
Same here!
IITG
I do, too!
hit&run
I think the PG event on the Cape in August is doing just that.
quote:We didn't travel to play baseball all over the country for the exposure. We traveled because the team did, we had fun, and we received some exposure.
Same here!
IITG
quote:Not to say there isnt room for improvement - but I think the kids
from New England are doing just fine.
I do, too!
hit&run
quote:We (New Englanders) do go to events in other regions. We do compete well. We need to bring that environment back home, and create similar events here
I think the PG event on the Cape in August is doing just that.
