CF Swingtown Christmas Event

MLB...How did you happen to attend this event as an "observer"?

Were there any Illinois kids out there (besides Cales)?

Professional scouts?

College recruiters?

Thanks.

There are a bunch of Illinois kids, mostly because CF Swingtown is based in Orland Park. There were kids from all over the country there, as were coaches from several colleges to give them tips/instruction.

MLB went along with my father and I to meet some more people in the business and see how they run things. I attended this event last year, and it is part of why I am out here now. My father and I went back to talk to the owners, John Flanagan and Ron Coomer, and watch some games. Mr. Flanagan remembered me from last year and I was able to hit in the cages at the Giants Spring Training facility while games were going on.

The guest speakers were for the kids at the event and their parents, but Mr. Flanagan invited us to listen, and we took him up on it.

I think it's a great event for kids to get help from some coaches and play some games in the end of December.

"Baseball players are made in the off-season."

Americas...Thanks.

Any college recruiters or pro scouts there?

Beenthere,
I didn't see any games, so I don't know if there were pro scouts...Americas???
The college coaches in attendance were all helping out with instruction and the seminar as speakers, etc. i.e. O'connor/ Murphy...

Thanks.

FNG
hmm..I was there and didn't see a host of D1 and pro scouts. I did see the D! coaches who were working with the kids on skill developement and a scout or 2 who were coaching teams.
Not that it wasn't a well put together event, it was. I thought the hitters had a bit of an advantage after day 1. I liked seeing the players hustle and play the game the way C.F.Swingtown wants them too....with respect for the game. I was there every day and I only saw 2 players...the same 2 players...who weren't in full uniform at all times. Players came off the buses ready to get on the field every day...and got back on looking like they were going to play...but 2 players appearred to think they were different...in that they got off the bus in shorts...didn't dress until right before they hit the field...and then got back into their shorts before leaving the field......and I know for fact that they weren't Chicago kids. I only saw a hand full of players that looked over matched and a hand full over players that looked a little bit above the majority. It was enjoyable to watch. A lot of great games!

A few players who jumped out at me:

-David Cales/Mt. Carmel ss/2B...he IS a player in every sense of the word...and is only an '05
-Brian Lambert/Pontiac SS/2B...another player, small but is still young also....another '05
-Zak Ratko/Pendelton Fl 3B/1B...big, strong with a nice swing...but plenty of room to grow..another '05
-Brock Ragsdale/Providence P...Solid pitcher with good mound presence
-Chris Stocker/St. Ignatius...solid cather...strong arm, quick release...strong bat
-Matt Otteman/Lockport 3B...just seems to know how to play..always in the right place and hustling...another '05
-Mike Staloway/Joliet Catholic SS...strong arm...made solid contact...another '05

These were Chicago kids who caught my attention...as an observer.

Swingtown does a great job and this is a good trip for the players. Every year they have great speakers... from Roger Clemens ('02), Rick Downey (Yankees hitting coach)('02), Paul Molitor ('03), Terry Steinbach ('03), Pat Murphy (ASU)('02 & '03), Brian O'Connor (Virginia)('03) and let me not forget...Ron Coomer
Great information that is given to the players...great instuction. If you aren't ready to start playing as soon as you get home...you aren't a player

University of San Diego is a D1 school. They play in West Coast Conference with Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount and others. Have made the NCAA regionals the last two years.

FNG...you are right...Lambert is an '06...he WILL be a good one in 2 more years.
I understand that roles of the coahces there and didn't mean to de-evalute their roles in any way. I know a few of the D1 coaches and enoyed talking with them. I never underestimate who can talk positively...or negatively about a player. I also understand that coach Hall has numerous connections...and rightfully so, I even had a few nice conversations with him...heck..he even offered to make some "calls" for my son if needed...and my son only played against Lockport for 2 years.

I didn't try to put the players in any specific order...just mentioned players who made me notice them.

As far as Ron Coomer and John Flanagan...top notch people who have numerous ears listening to them about players....and I have nothing but great things to say about them. Heck, they teated my son like he was one of their players. Like I said...well run, class operation.

The Texas team played solid...they had a center fielder..Juan Cruz...who blasted a home run over the left center field fence on field #1...about 375'...but he started playing like he didn't think anyone else could take the ball deep. He played very shallow which would have put a tremendous amount of pressure on his corner guys....but the team as a whole played solid defense...hit the ball well and was well coached

Dang...MDE5,
quite the perspective...did you take notes or something???

Everyone...this man bleeds baseball!!

P.S. you know me...anything I can do to take a shot.

bleed baseball?....hmmm...just a casual observer it seems to be a hobby of mine...

as far as notes...mostly stars next to their names, the memory hasn't totally gone yet

ans MLB22...who's your sugar daddy?....

For the record, I don't know these guys...

"Baseball players are made in the off-season."

My son played on the Texas team at the AZ Swingtown - Swingtown did great job - wish to thank them-- Juan Cruz was from New Mexico -- The Texas team also had one player from La. that hit very well-- rest team from Dallas, Houston and Corpus -- the games where very competitive - Mike Harris at Miracles Baseball in Spring was the coach of Texas team - wish to thank Mike
The Texas Team Players: Ross Shores 04 from Cagallen HS, Tx --Tyler Thompson 05 from Keller HS, Tx --Danny Watters 04, Marcus HS, Tx -- Robby Yaussy 07 and Matt Shrode 04 from Klein HS, Tx -- William Gumm 06 from Nolan Catholic HS, Tx -- Stephen Boidock 04 from Bishop Lynch HS, Tx -- Stephen Price 04 from Westfield HS, Tx -- Quinn Salmon 04 from Espiscopal School of Acadiana, La. -- Juan (Johnny) Cruz 04 from Las Cruces, NM -- Josiah Cowden 04 from Cypress Christian HS, Tx

The event was very well run. Swingtown staff was courteous and organized. The seminars and speakers were some of the best that can be found in the country in a setting that allowed for questions and answers.The personal attention from Mike Harris my son's coach was outstanding. I would highly recommend this event to any potential college player.

Quinn hit very well -- let me know where he is going to college