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Bergen Camp / Tryout here in Illinois this Saturday!

Baseball14Baseball14100+ posts
Last chance to Register.
Bergen Beach Baseball proudly announces a Performance Enhancement Program (PEP), Baseball Camp and National Team Tryout in collaboration with Velocity Sports Training; Velocity Website. To be held at the Dominican Priory, (Fenwick High School Baseball Field) Harlem Avenue and Division St. River Forest Illinois Sat Oct 6th from 9AM-4PM. Enrollment for this camp/tryout is extremely limited!!! This is a premier camp for players that are playing at a high level or are seeking to really improve their game. For more information contact Steve Bort at 718-616-0572.

This will be the 2nd year that this camp/tryout is being offered in Illinois and without question it is one of the finest! Kansas City Royal Scout *Hank Lott and Major League Baseball Player Mike Spidale (Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2000) join legendary Coach Steve Bort in running the days events, capped off with a showcase game. Bergen Beach Baseball has won 15 World Titles including the 2007 CABA High School World Series. Bergen Beach has 41 former alum currently playing in Major League Baseball, including Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, and Todd Helton. Read about Steve Bort in Monday's ESPN Article now posted at: www.bergenbeachbaseball.com

Coach Lott is one of the area's top pitching coaches.
Over the past 20 years, Hank has worked with both professional and amateur players. His pitching theories have been developed from working with some of the game’s top coaches, including Dr. Mike Marshall, Tom House, Rick Peterson, Dave LaRoche, Ralph Treuel, John Hiller, Glenn Abbott, Bob Apodaca, Al Jackson, Randy Neimann, Orlando Pena and Tim Kelly.

Hank attended Arizona State University and in 1986 was picked by the Detroit Tigers in the 2nd round of the MLB draft (42nd pick overall). He played 7 years in the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and NY Mets organizations, reaching the AAA level before an arm injury ended his climb toward the big leagues.

After his playing career, Hank coached at both the Junior College and Division 1 College level and for the past five years has worked as a major league scout for the NY Mets, Oakland A’s and Kansas City Royals.

Anybody interested in attending who has not already done so, needs to go to the Bergen Website and fill out the online camp/tryout form . It would be to late to send out your deposit so you would need to contact Steve Bort and let him know to add you to the list.
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T tralpaz100+ posts
Exactly my point, if an organization is going charge a fee for some percieved value or exposure given by xyz of said MLB team, then present xyz as an associate. This is not meant as a slight against Mr. Lott, he may be a fine instructor, but for the paying public who may not know any better, full disclosure should be the norm.

Then again maybe you feel there is not a distinction between a paid employee scout and an associate "bird dog".
Baseball14Baseball14100+ posts
This is also an advanced instuctional camp, with a seminar by Steve Bort
which covers the college recruiting process, from an individual that has
assisted players from the organization receive over (8) million in scholarship
money. The camp also covers the latest in strength and conditioning advances and
sport specific training and baseball performance enhancement techniques
(Velocity). Mike and Hank will evaluate players and discuss their unique
perspective as scout and player involved with Major League Baseball. It is not
just a National Team Tryout. Also, many people pay $60 an hour for private
lessons. 60 bucks for an hour of swings. Here they get an entire day with
multivariate approach. When you do the math it really isn't such a bad deal. And
if your kid makes one of the National Teams he has a pretty good shot at winning
a ring and-or finishing in the top 5 of a Major Tournament with great exposure.
B Bravescoach100+ posts
Classless, huh...I'll tell you what's classless (and shameless)...charging $195 for a tryout. Sounds to me like Bergen Beach is more about the $$ than anything else. Moreover, Bergen claims to have "placed" a number of individuals into the big leagues...A-Rod being one of them. Yet, here's a short Wikipedia bio on him:

"High school
Rodriguez was a star shortstop at Miami's Westminster Christian High School. In 100 games he batted .419 with 90 steals. Westminster went on to win the high school national championship in his junior year. He was first team prep All-American as a senior, hitting .505 with 9 home runs, 36 RBI, and 35 steals in 35 tries in 33 games, and was selected as the USA Baseball Junior Player of the Year and as Gatorade's national baseball student athlete of the year. Rodriguez was the first high school player to ever try out for Team USA in 1993, and was regarded as the top prospect in the country. Rodriguez's current Yankees teammate Doug Mientkiewicz played baseball with him at Westminster.

Rodriguez signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the University of Miami and was also recruited by the university to play quarterback for its football team. Rodriguez turned down Miami's baseball scholarship and never played college baseball, opting instead to become eligible for the amateur draft at the age of 17..."

Hmmmm...I don't see Bergen Beach mentioned anywhere in this. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is that there are way too many programs out there that claim to have furthered a player's collegiate or professional career when, in fact, they had very little, if nothing, to do with it. All they do is to COLLECT other teams' talent instead of DEVELOPING it for themselves.

In contrast, I applaud all of you youth and high school coaches who have spent endless hours of time and energy developing these athletes only to find them, unfortunately, recruitted away by these propaganda machines. I, for one, am disgusted by it but can, at least, sleep at night knowing that I'm in this for the right reasons.
CPLZCPLZ1,000+ posts
Bravescoach

Bergen did nothing more than provide a showcase platform for these athletes. If they gave them some advice about how to negotiate, ok, I can buy that, but wouldn't any decent coach do that for nothing? (decent being the operative word there).

The problem with events like this, is they don't even provide the showcase platform, just a looksee and a "hey kid, try this".

I crack up a bit when people describe themselves as legendary. Legendary? Really? doubt it...
Baseball14Baseball14100+ posts
Can't we all just get along? Cool

Seriously, the Bergen experience is not for everybody the subject has been addressed many times before and I am not going to divulge into it at this time. Does Bergen and other top programs use high profile players names in their promoting? Absolutely, you would have to be an idiot not to do so.

Last time I looked the decision to leave a certain team has always been in the hands of the player and parents. Top players will go where they can get the best opportunities to get the best exposure possible. If a "local" coach has the best interest of the player you would think that he would want him in the best situation as well?.........

Today at the camp there was a coach trying to recruit players right on the ball field! Thats the nature of this game these days and you either need to deal with it or stay in in-house.

Opinions are welcome but lets please look at it as a sign of the times and how things are done these days in order to compete at the highest of levels. Not everybody will agree, which is fine, we all have our opinions and choices.
bergenhschampbergenhschamp10+ posts
CPLZ and Braves Coach, Where is the anger and bitterness coming from? I talked to Steve today, They had an excellent turnout, Hank Lott ran the show and did a great job. Steve described him as a class act who ran a very professional camp/tryout. They had two other major league players on staff helping. They ran a showcase with pitching, fielding and hitting evaluation. Each kid was given individual time and they finished with a game simulation. Some of the kids will get invited to play on Bergen National teams. Every kid will get an evaluation. Not sure what there is to be disgusted at (Braves Coach) You seem to be very upset about Bergen running a camp/tryout? Tell us what fuels your bitterness (does your kid play for a certain team that came very close to winning the HS World Series)?
CPLZ, why don't you talk to some of the parents that have kids in the Bergen organization before you spout off. My kid has played two years for Steve, We have all had a great experience with Steve and staff, did I mention we won a World Series...My son made friends with kids from all over the country, did I mention that my son has several offers from Division 1 schools...did I mention that Steve did more for my kid than other coaches that will remain nameless...I'm not bitter about the Bergen organization, not sure if any others are, I doubt it, the only ones that seem bitter, are the hack posters that hide behind screen names and take shots at guys like Steve Bort or Hank Lott. In some circles Bort is considered legendary ask about him in Brooklyn...with 41 former Bergen players now active in Major League Baseball, don't you think he deserves a little respect...Coach!
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SmokeySmokey500+ posts
I am sure this is a great venue and I do not have any issue with Baseball14. However, this tread appears to be a blatant solicitation and advertisement for a for-profit enterprise.

“Message Board Rules

No Spam or posts containing Advertising are allowed without the express permission of the publishers of the Message Boards (Ask the Board Admin for information).”

That being said, it does not belong on the HSBBWeb.
bergenhschampbergenhschamp10+ posts
Smokey, you can't cut and run now..These guys took shots at a team, my kid plays for them I want to set the record straight. This thread is relevant and should stay right where it is..If they want to talk/discuss the program, fine lets discuss it. Don't spout off about things you know nothing about...try asking people who are inviolved. Then people can formulate their own opinion. So that being said, sir smokey...easy with the heavy hand. By the way Smokey, Bergen has a Non-Profit tax ID number...The big sponsors get to write off their donations...it all goes to the kids, flying them in and putting them and families up in hotels..and it's all legal if they can demonstrate the financial need.
Last edited by bergenhschamp
Baseball14Baseball14100+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Smokey:
I am sure this is a great venue and I do not have any issue with Baseball14. However, this tread appears to be a blatant solicitation and advertisement for a for-profit enterprise.

“Message Board Rules

No Spam or posts containing Advertising are allowed without the express permission of the publishers of the Message Boards (Ask the Board Admin for information).”

That being said, it does not belong on the HSBBWeb.


My apologies!....
SmokeySmokey500+ posts
Bergenhschamp,

I made a “point of order”. That’s all. You are missing my point. Please read my posts. Cut and run from what???

I do not have an issue with you either and I will have to “agree to disagree” with you. I do not have any skin in this game (discussion) and to be honest I could care less.. You are absolutely correct. I know nothing about Bergen Beach Baseball and if you read my post I stated that “I am sure this is a great venue”.

Please send me a PM if you want to discuss this further.

Bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, Soriano down to his last strike…. Gotta go and watch the Cubbies “grab some bench".
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CPLZCPLZ1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Junkballer:
hey iv been reading all of the past posts on the subject i gotta ask u CPLZ wat do u care if they charge for a tryout? if u didnt wanna go to the tryout then dont go. dont complain about the organization, just dont get envolved


Hey, I've been reading your post and I gotta ask, what do you care if I care. Just let this be America and let people talk about what they want and get involved.
Last edited by CPLZ
bergenhschampbergenhschamp10+ posts
CPLZ, I have some questions for you, How much did you spend on private lessons for your son? Would you really pass up an opportunity for your son to play with a team like Bergen? I can guess what your response will be, we all know that you like to appear as the sharpest knife in the drawer, even when a high school aged kid calls you out. We further know that you won't want to appear soft to all the [posters] here. I would appreciate your candor. If Steve Bort had called asking for your son to play on his National Team, would you have turned him down? As for hammering on and on about the cost of the camp-tryout, yes they did in fact get much more than just a tryout. Three professional instructors were on hand all day providing one-on-one instruction. They all received their money's worth. Invites are going out to players next week. CPLZ You can stop complaining about Bergen now. It's time for you to whine about something else, your argument is baseless and inadequate. Move on to something you actually know about or have a clue commenting about.
Last edited by bergenhschamp
CPLZCPLZ1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by bergenhschamp:
CPLZ, I have some questions for you, How much did you spend on private lessons for your son? Would you really pass up an opportunity for your son to play with a team like Bergen? I can guess what your response will be, we all know that you like to appear as the sharpest knife in the drawer, even when a high school aged kid calls you out. We further know that you won't want to appear soft to all the [posters] here. I would appreciate your candor. If Steve Bort had called asking for your son to play on his National Team, would you have turned him down? As for hammering on and on about the cost of the camp-tryout, yes they did in fact get much more than just a tryout. Three professional instructors were on hand all day providing one-on-one instruction. They all received their money's worth. Invites are going out to players next week. CPLZ You can stop complaining about Bergen now. It's time for you to whine about something else, your argument is baseless and inadequate. Move on to something you actually know about or have a clue commenting about.


I would hazard a guess, in the neighboorhood of $1500 all through HS for lessons.

The answer is yes, not me, but my son would pass up that chance, as he did with other teams. He felt as though he wanted to stay close to home and could pitch as much as he needed without the added travel.

I didn't hammer on anything, I just objected.

I don't think it's within your power to assess for everyone else if they got their moneys worth.

Good luck with your anger management classes, keep going.
Last edited by CPLZ
B Bravescoach100+ posts
Bergenhschamp - I understand your position as a Bergen Beach parent but, in my opinion - shared by many other coaches in this area - this guy, Bort, is nothing more than a vulture preying upon the talent that we have worked so hard to develop here in the Midwest. Open tryouts are one thing, but for him to personally contact members of my team is not only pathetic, but would be considered tampering at the professional level and subject to serious penalty. If this is a "sign of the times" as Baseball14 suggested, then I really fear for the future of youth baseball. What bothers me the most is the lack of ethics and morality that has become rampant with the advent of these self-professed "National" travel programs. Bergen, I ask you this...who was it that ultimately got your son to the level he's presently at? I highly doubt that it was Steve Bort but, instead, a whole number of individuals (including yourself) that deserve the credit.
Playball2Playball2100+ posts
quote:
If this is a "sign of the times" as Baseball14 suggested, then I really fear for the future of youth baseball.


Bravescoach, it has gone beyond a sign of the times, unfortunately it is the times. My question is for what? Glaring reality from the a team perspective is that your athlete is not what coaches are looking for, even if he is selected. There is always someone out there that is better. My frustration with travel baseball has and will continue to be it's reluctance to adhere to it's original premise. Travel Baseball originate as an extension of the community. Forgive my ignorance but is Bergen Beach a community ? if so how many athletes fill the roster from it's community? Who identifies with a Bergen Beach (only as an example)when no players represent the community it wears on it's chest? This year Bergen Beach (specifically)flew in an athlete from our conference to pitch, I don't recall the outcome (probably because it does'nt matter)but this just illustrates my affore mentioned point. Travel baseball can no longer be contained, rules need not apply, cost need not be effective, behavior of coaches and players need not be in check.
B bballdad1954500+ posts
Everything drifts down from the pros, and it is all about money. In every sport when I was growing up, you knew the players on a team. They stayed with the team for yearsw. Santo, Kessenger, Beckert, Banks, the infield third to first. Williams in right. The Blackhawks. Mikita there for over 20 years. The Bulls, Boerwinkel, Sloan, Van Lier, Love etc. Now the players come and go fast. You don't root for players, you root for the logo. No team loyalty, it is to the dollar.

Now, it has drifted down to youth sports. It's about getting the kid noticed and getting the best scholarship. Who will get the kid seen by more scouts. Loyalty to coaches or to teams is long gone. Also, many travel coaches don't coach. If a kid can't play, get a better kid. They have no loyalty or responsibility to the kid, and vice versa. It is all about money and what it in it for me. It is what it is. I don't see it changing back.

There are coaches and teams out there with the "old time" values. You just have to look harder.
bergenhschampbergenhschamp10+ posts
Braves coach playball you guys all make some excellent points, however, the direct shots at Bort strike me as unfair. No he didn't develop my son, countless others have, but I didn't ask him to develop my son. The opportunity presented itself and we researched the guy and th eorganization and decided that it looked like a great opportunity. It turned out well for us. I can see your points regarding raiding the talent, just remember, parents need to guide their kids in the way and manner that they feel will best prepare their own kid. So before you sit in judgment of others ask yourself what you would do if given the opportunity to play with a National Team. Like it or not they exist and I can tell you this, Bort does land some very talented kids, three will be high draft choices directly out of high school and most of the others have Division 1 schools offering scholarships. I like the old school guys too, we as a family decided to go this route and we have no regrets.
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