BB Organizations

That's why there is chocolate & vanilla.
Some people love one, some the other.
Your COACH is the difference, does he make your son a better player.
You can get NOTICED at all kinds of showcases....

TOL, We did the exact same thing that you did. My son is a sophomore also and we left the big organization to play for a smaller, less known one. We had absolutely no problems with the big organization, but when his coach left we thought it might be a chance to try something new. He was kind of tired of playing with the same kids or against the same kids year after year. Even his highschool buddies were with the other organization.

I also hope we made the right decision. But I do think change is good sometimes and it never hurts to expand your circle of friends.

In my opinion, the focus should be on where your son fits on the team that he is trying out for. For example, I think you should have your son play on a team where the coach says that he is between the 4th and 7th best player on the team. I believe that this creates the best balance for your son as he will be counted on as an integral part of the team, but will not play every inning of every game and will therefore learn some life lessons. I also believe that beginning to think of it this way now will help you (and your son) with the decision making regarding where to play college ball. While it may be flattering to receive an offer from Big State U, if your son is not going to be playing, he should go someplace where he will play. Nobody ever got better by sitting on the bench.

My son played for one of the smaller teams as well, I think it depends on what you want from your summer team. You can be noticed on any team, but you are being lied to if anyone says you get "as noticed" on a lessor named team than one of the big boys. When we were in East Cobb we had 6 scouts at our first game, after that, we never had more than one. We had several friends on DBat, they never had less than 100 scouts at a game. But like I said, it depends on what you want from your summer team, college looks or fun or learning baseball. I personally don't think you should be learning a ton of baseball at age 17. You always learn, but summer to most is not as much about learning as being seen. JMHO

Well said Uncle Ethan...

Guy's my son played for both type's of clubs through out his high school years. Both had there advantages and disadvantages. Local tounaments are just as good as the one's you have to go out of town for. All of the local big boy's do a great job of pulling in the scouts, if your son is on a smaller club team just make sure you hit the local tournaments that have the big boys in them. The only advice I can give is enjoy the time you get to spend with your son on those summer trips, playing catch and hitting because before long it get's way to serious for them and it becomes a full time job just to keep playing. Once there in college like mine playing ball all of those days are gone and you hope to be able to see half of there games.

quote:

Originally posted by pro.man:
Once there in college like mine playing ball all of those days are gone and you hope to be able to see half of there games.

And my wife wonders why I don't want to miss a game.....

I can hardly wait for scrimages to start.

AMEN, pro.man!

TOL- if your son is good enough he will be noticed no matter where he is. Your coaches either high school or other will help if he is good.
Good Luck!

TOL-

In regards to TX Sliders comment "if your good enough"

Here is a nice thread that some of the sites heavy hitters commented on. Pretty interesting if you haven't read it.

"If you are good enough, they will find you"

quote:

Originally posted by thinking out loud:
He decided that he did not want to stay with that organization anymore and wanted to play in a small organization ...

I believe this statement is more operable than all the consternation over how and when he'll get noticed.

thanks workinghard...good reading!!

I have a comment on the "baseball" side of this.

My opinion is that summer baseball is so packed with games there is little to no time for practice. (Improvement is "on-the-job")
So, big or small org seems less significant than your kid getting as many at bats against the best quality pitching possible. If you are on a big name team you will typically see the best pitching your opponent has available for that game. (ie not saving a pitcher for the next game) At the same time if he is sitting the bench on that team you are not going to improve....

quote:

Originally posted by Tx Slider:
TOL- if your son is good enough he will be noticed no matter where he is. Your coaches either high school or other will help if he is good.
Good Luck!

-----------------------------------------------------------
This is interesting to me, as the father of a player that was good, but not great, I don't think you can afford to just sit back and assume if you are good enough they will find you. I believe there are hundreds of kids good enough to play college, but not on everybodies radar. The top 10% to 20% might get notice no matter what, but my son would not have been noticed without the tournaments and a butt load of letters and DVD's being sent.

Thanks Robert S I agree. Of course, there is a lot of leg work involved. I just meant that you don't have to be in a big organization to get noticed or to get a scholorship. I know several young men that have gotten scholorships that did not have the means to play in a organization. But your right, they do have to send out information and letters. It takes a "group effort".

quote:

Originally posted by tychco:
AMEN, pro.man!

If your nice, I'll let you ride down to Waco with me to watch them play UTA... Tater can ride in the trunk...

This thread is making me pull my hair out.

Oh wait, I don't have any hair.

Anyways...you all are way over thinking this.

quote:

Originally posted by Maverick0714:

quote:

Originally posted by tychco:
AMEN, pro.man!

If your nice, I'll let you ride down to Waco with me to watch them play UTA... Tater can ride in the trunk...

The only way to take him...throw in a fifth of scotch and some raw meat...

quote:

Originally posted by Tx Slider:
Thanks Robert S I agree. Of course, there is a lot of leg work involved. I just meant that you don't have to be in a big organization to get noticed or to get a scholorship. I know several young men that have gotten scholorships that did not have the means to play in a organization. But your right, they do have to send out information and letters. It takes a "group effort".

100% agree Tx Slider you just have to be willing to put forth the effort!

I'm in a different part of the state than most that have posted here but in SE Texas the team choices are simular. I think the larger organizations will get you a very good look. Smaller organizations will still get you looks especially if you play in quality tournaments. My son has played with both and enjoyed the relationships with the smaller organization. If you're going to play with the best, hopefully you can stand out. My son will not get drafted out of HS but is college material.

My son is a smaller frame but a good player and has played on one of the top organizations in this area as well as smaller organizations. He attended showcases, camps, and generally played constantly during the summer. What got him noticed, at least notice that generated phone calls, was being seen consistently hitting in a local cage at hours that most players were not out working. Someone called a scout that came to watch him and talk to him at the cages. Things built from there as one person knew someone else that made contact. He was also noticed at a fall showcase for unsigned seniors attended by a large number of colleges. He was noticed regularly working out with a group at a ball field. Same thing, someone who knew someone spread the word and contact was made.

I'm really surprised the number of people that get out and scout places that are not actual games. You never know where you can get noticed so make yourself available by working hard at public places. I guess living in a populated area has it's advantages.

quote:

Originally posted by Robert S.:
I personally don't think you should be learning a ton of baseball at age 17.

I sure hope our parents don't tell our players this.

Finish reading the text, Kenny.

originally posted by Robert S.

I personally don't think you should be learning a ton of baseball at age 17. You always learn, but summer to most is not as much about learning as being seen. JMHO

quote:

Originally posted by Out in LF:
Finish reading the text, Kenny.

originally posted by Robert S.

I personally don't think you should be learning a ton of baseball at age 17. You always learn, but summer to most is not as much about learning as being seen. JMHO

I saw the text...

But my comment still applies.

With a proper staff, 17U summer baseball can lend more knowledge about the game than ever obtained up till that point.

I agree with KG. As the individual matures, he learns much more the mental side as well as fundamentals he just did not get at an earlier age. When exposed with the right people, staff and players, he will take his game to a new level.

quote:

With a proper staff, summer baseball can lend more knowledge about the game than ever obtained up till that point.

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:

quote:

Originally posted by Out in LF:
Finish reading the text, Kenny.

originally posted by Robert S.

I personally don't think you should be learning a ton of baseball at age 17. You always learn, but summer to most is not as much about learning as being seen. JMHO

I saw the text...

But my comment still applies.

With a proper staff, 17U summer baseball can lend more knowledge about the game than ever obtained up till that point.

OR, Lord forbid, YOU might not be quite as important as YOU would like to think......

I'm sorry Ken, it was just way too easy to turn down.

quote:

When exposed with the right people, staff and players, he will take his game to a new level.

by Roll-it_up
This is the KEY to it all in a nutshell.

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but...you would be very surpised at how little of the game some high school age kids actually understand. I am amazed every year at how we take the little things for granted in the game of baseball. Here's a few examples:

1) Hitters on deck, in the hole, on the bench, subs...are they paying attention to what pitchers are throwing in certain counts? What does this guy throw in a 0-2 count? 3-1? Full count? Is he scared to throw a hammer w/a runner on 3B?

2) Are my pitchers and catchers on the same page? Do they know who cannot sniff a breaking ball? Do they know who is 2 days late on a fastball?

You would be amazed at how many kids DO NOT pay attention to these basic examples.

Well, it's my job to make sure they understand how important all of the above is during the course of any game.

643

We have the same problem here in the Northeast-- we see kids who when on deck do not know they should be at home plate for a runner heading home so they can signal him as to what to do

quote:

Originally posted by 643_DP:

You would be amazed at how many kids DO NOT pay attention to these basic examples.

Pay attention??????

What?

Sometimes we are just lucky to have them there.

Ah hell, let me just go get a hammer and beat myself over the head with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Robert S.:

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:

quote:

Originally posted by Out in LF:
Finish reading the text, Kenny.

originally posted by Robert S.

I personally don't think you should be learning a ton of baseball at age 17. You always learn, but summer to most is not as much about learning as being seen. JMHO

I saw the text...

But my comment still applies.

With a proper staff, 17U summer baseball can lend more knowledge about the game than ever obtained up till that point.

OR, Lord forbid, YOU might not be quite as important as YOU would like to think......

Don't remember ever mentioning me...

But if it makes you feel better by all means have at it.

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:

quote:

Originally posted by Robert S.:
I personally don't think you should be learning a ton of baseball at age 17.

I sure hope our parents don't tell our players this.

I thought "our" had something to do with YOU, my mistake.

quote:

Originally posted by Robert S.:

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:

quote:

Originally posted by Robert S.:
I personally don't think you should be learning a ton of baseball at age 17.

I sure hope our parents don't tell our players this.

I thought "our" had something to do with YOU, my mistake.

I would have used "my" as in "me"...

But I didn't learn much in 17U summer ball so I may be wrong.

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:

quote:

Originally posted by Robert S.:

quote:

Originally posted by Ken Guthrie:

quote:

Originally posted by Robert S.:
I personally don't think you should be learning a ton of baseball at age 17.

I sure hope our parents don't tell our players this.

I thought "our" had something to do with YOU, my mistake.

I would have used "my" as in "me"...

But I didn't learn much in 17U summer ball so I may be wrong.

Sorry champ, didn't mean to step on that God complex you've been carrying around. I apologize. I should know by now, if you say it, well then.......

quote:

Originally posted by Robert S.:


Sorry champ, didn't mean to step on that God complex you've been carrying around. I apologize. I should know by now, if you say it, well then.......

Love the Champ.

When you start going biblical on "me" that's when "I" concede.

Featherweight regards,

Ken- Your hair looks great!

quote:

Originally posted by Robert S.:
didn't mean to step on that God complex...

I think its more of an "Oh My God" complex.

quote:

Originally posted by thinking out loud:
Which is best, staying with a big name organizations or doing some leg work yourself?

TOL - In reality, it is only "best", if it is what is best for your son. Gun has played for a great organization for two summer and two fall seasons with a ton of exposure in WWBA events in Georgia and Florida. Also, some key opprotunities to be seen in the DFW, Sunbelt, and Southeast regions. He's had opportunites to play locally too.

The national exposure has opened doors in good baseball programs. The smaller venues have opened other opportunities. What is best for TOLjr is the right answer to your question, no matter what another parent or player has experienced. You can do alot of things to help him, including recruiting.

GED10DaD