Bobby, we've thought about it, but it's pretty difficult for non EU people to live in Europe. Not to mention really expensive. But we are considering becoming nomads for year or three. I don't want to set off any flags with the moderators, but my avatar is a tribute to my ancestors and their recent referendum.
Originally Posted by Smitty28:
It's not that big a difference. 50% of Cal, UCLA etc still leaves $15k, so it's a $5k difference. Plus, there's only about 300 D1 scholarships in the state with 38M population so players have to cast a wide net and they look for and see what's out there. I can tell you that the amazing facilities and popularity of college baseball in the south east is attractive to kids. And, for whatever reason, traveling from California to the east coast doesn't seem nearly as far as it does for an east coast kid thinking about going to California.
that's because the states are bigger in the west.
PacNW prep baseball had very low talent levels in 2015, it was pretty crazy. Area scouts from several are abandoning the region and sending guys on demand only for specific talent. Pretty sad.
Someone else may have posted this as I haven't scrolled through all the comments, but per Jerry Crasnick @ ESPN, California had 215 players drafted this week, Florida 142, Texas 112, Georgia 70 and NC had 47. Might be a water drought (though a light rain this morning), but no talent drought here in CA. 51% more kids drafted than the #2 state.
Someone else may have posted this as I haven't scrolled through all the comments, but per Jerry Crasnick @ ESPN, California had 215 players drafted this week, Florida 142, Texas 112, Georgia 70 and NC had 47. Might be a water drought (though a light rain this morning), but no talent drought here in CA. 51% more kids drafted than the #2 state.
Florida population is 19.9m so 7.14 players per mil
Cali population is 38.8m so 5.54 players per mil
Texas population is 27m so 4.15 players per mil
Georgia population is 10.1m so 6.93 players per mil
NC population is 9.94m so 4.73 players per mil
Only one sample size but this data says baseball in the SE (including FL) is pretty strong and growing.
Size does matter on an absolute basis, but a per capita look is probably more accurate.
Either way California baseball isn't drying up. If you are the top echelon there you are at the top anywhere. Same goes for TX, FL, GA most years.