Batting coaches

Welcome to HSBBW, Redlegs.

I'm not sure of your question or concern. It it a benefit to be noticed early? I would say that it most definitely is. I think of it as an opportunity to hone your son's talents and a source for more contacts and education in the entire process.

I don't think you will be able to avoid the scouting melay (?) or would want to. I equate more visibility as more options for where your son can take his game.

More is better! (unless you are talking about innings pitched )

I guess I'm wondering if anyone's player has gotten looked at through a batting coach that has beeen with a pro club?
I've never heard of anyone going that route.
Doesnt seem impossible though.

Welcome to the HSBBW!
I am not understanding your question, but do not think that working with a manager with a milb team will necessarily open doors for your son. Besides he is only 14.

However, there are some considerations to that thought, one of son's coaches in HS, his brother was the former scouting director (still in organization) for the STL Cardinals. He came frequently to watch our games. That coach of son's was also an associate scout for STL. The scout who watched son through HS and called a few days before his first draft to discuss $$, has been involved with the Cardinal organization (he was just with another team for a few years prior to coming back to STL as the roving hitting instructor) for many, many years. Son's agent was drafted by STL also. Do I think that this all had something to do with who drafted him? Maybe, but hopefully by his own merits, not who he knew. Strange as it is, son NEVER met or talked with the area scout from South Carolina. Son was not drafted out of HS, but college, so it is apparent at that time it wasn't relevant but maybe later on.

They may have some connections but they are not scouts, they may make a suggestion to watch yur son play, but don't take this as a substitute for being seen by as many as you can during HS. Besides, that manager may not be a manager when your son is ready for the draft.

Your son's level of talent will be what gets him noticed.

The late Towny Townsend, who started in the Red Sox organization, worked with the Upton brothers, David Wright, Michael Cuddyer, and others when they were young. None of those guys are pitchers. Towny was all about hitting.

I know several kids that have been in the same type of situation. It doesnt mean your kid is destined for ML baseball. And it doesnt mean your son is a scrub. It just means someone that has a clue thinks your son is pretty good for his age. Good luck.

I know someone who teaches hitting to pre high school age kids. When parents press him for evaluations on the future he'll respond, "You never know who far he'll go if he continues to work hard." It's a double edged response. On one side it's a very true statement. On the other side he doesn't want to tell a paying parent the kid should screw baseball and take up lacrosse. The parent of a kid who should take up lacrosse came away with the impression the instructor was telling him his kid is a future prospect.

How is my son doing? "He suks but if you keep writing me a check each week he might not."

How is my son doing? "He is making good strides. But he has a long ways to go. If he continues to get instruction I think we can get there eventually. Where is my check?"

How is my son doing? "To be honest with you your waisting your money paying me. There is nothing I can do that is going to make him a hitter. Where is my check?"

How is my son doing? "I dont have a clue. I just sit here toss up a ball and he hits it. I figure if we do that enough he might get better. Where is my check?"

How is my son doing? "Awesome there is nothing else I can do for him. He has reached the level where I can no longer help him. Where is my check?"

How is my son doing? "Could you pass me another beer from the fridge. Oh , real good. Where is my check?"

How is my son doing? "Are you kidding me? Do you know who I am? Dont you ever insult me like that again. Where is my check?"

How is my son doing? "I think if you keep writing me checks and you continue this training he has a chance to make it to the show one day. Where is my check?"

Just kidding all you paid hitting instructors. Honestly , just kidding.

I know several milb guys that work with hs aged kids in the off season. Many do it for money in the off season. Some do it because they just love being around the players. I have two guys in milb right now that come back and work with our guys. They do it as a way to give back to the program.

Good one coach.

You could replace "batting" with "pitching" and use the same lines.

Thanks Infidel and TPM. You pretty much gave me the info I was looking for. We have a pretty unique situation with this one coach in particular. He has a very good name in his organization for developement for players. He works with very limited players outside the organization, my 14 year old being one of them. Money is not the issue. I was just wondering if this is an avenue that was ever presented to anyone. I really havent heard of this avenue happen in S. Fla.

In reference to instructors in general I have a 19 year old son that played in HS pretty heavy. He's in the service now. So yes, we know all about writing the checks to big name instructors. My 19 year old didnt really get into that but we have seen others fork out the big bucks for instruction.

A doctor gave a guy 6 months to live, when he got the bill he said, " Doc, I can't pay this". Dr gave him another 6 months.
Courtesy of Hennie Youngman.
Seriuosly, we all love working with kids, but what its this, the Goodwill counter?
Of course everybody wants to get paid for their knowledge. Just because a kid is getting instruction does not mean he'll ever have a chance. Maybe he'll be a stud. The instructor should assist, instruct, adjust and evaluate the players hitting style and then abilities. The player must then work to execute that new training and turn it into performance. As the player progresses, whether he knows someone or not, if he's got talent and shows work ethic, he will get noticed.

I don't know if it has ever happened before, but I have wondered the same thing. My son takes pitching lessons from a guy who is the AA pitching coach in the Red Sox organization. Started lessons several years before he got that position.

I know what a lot of you are saying. These guys make money off lessons, and are not going to turn someone away due to lack of talent or because they think they will not make it very far. On the other hand, my son progressed with his pitching beyond the point where I could give him good advice. I needed a more tuned eye to help him get to the next level. NOTHING wrong with getting professional instruction, I just wouldn't put my eggs in the basket of the one getting paid to teach.

I still do wonder if having that contact would be of benefit when the time came and my son DID have the talent to go to the next level. We haven't reached that point yet.

You're never going to totally skip the scouting melee unless the hitting coach is also a scout. You may however have an advantage getting your son's name out there through this guy.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bballman:


I know what a lot of you are saying. These guys make money off lessons, and are not going to turn someone away due to lack of talent or because they think they will not make it very far. On the other hand, my son progressed with his pitching beyond the point where I could give him good advice. I needed a more tuned eye to help him get to the next level. NOTHING wrong with getting professional instruction, I just wouldn't put my eggs in the basket of the one getting paid to teach.
QUOTE]

My sons pitching coach has suggested that pitchers may do better with another instructor. Some personalities/styles do not click. Kid must like and respect an instructor & vice versa for it to work for both of them getting paid or not, college, minor or major league coach or not.

IMO, as long as you are satisfied with the person who is instructing your player (for money or no money) the main objective is improvement and progress, not that you think this person will open doors for you years down the road.

Just remember that managers and coaches in organizations have very little to do with scouting, and so much depends a lot on an organizations needs from year to year. I would want a team to take my son because they have a need and feel that he will contribute to the organization, or is MLB future material, not because he had an "in" with someone who worked for them. Sometimes that puts you farther up teh ladder in draft slot.

If your sons work hard and are on a level where proball is a consideration, they deserve every bit of attention from ALL teams, not just one.

The important thing is that if this is a manager on a professional level and good, he might help your players to become better players so that they will earn a nice college scholarship or early draft choice.