Dirtbags Baseball

People confuse those big dollars that they spend on travel teams MAY include qualified instructions, as suggested find out everything included!

 

Now if instruction was promised to be included and not delivered, I understand the frustration.  But who is giving instruction, a qualified pitching coach or a qualified hitting coach or just someone who is coaching the team?    Why not spend that money on lessons from someone qulaifies to get your player ready for the next step.  Don't blame someone else because you didn't read the fine print.

 

I don't know abotu anyone else, but I am so tired of people trying to find fault with coaches, travel teams, scouts, organizations.  It's always someone elses fault.

 

For those complainers not yet with sons in college or proball, you haven't really seen the real business side of baseball!  Prepare yourself!

TPM, floridafan, PG, and GOHEELS,

 

I appreciate all of you sharing your concerted opinions. I do take to heart your comments about "complainers", and "don't blame someone else because didn't read the fine print", and "its always someone else's fault". My question to you is, why do you all assume this to be the case?

 

Logically thinking, if a team has the National reputation of producing D1 players as the Dirtbags, why are they taking on kids that do not have the talent to play college level ball? I mean, you all think that is why we are complaining, because asTPM, said in his most recent post, place your kid in the "APPROPRIATE program". If the Dirtbags were who they were 5 years ago, the Dirtbags would not be taking $1875 from kids who didn't have the talent to play college ball.

 

Put your assumptions and subjective opinions aside for a second, what is the Dirtbag's goal for "inviting" kids to be a Dirtbag if they do not have the talent? Five years ago, only the best of the best made one of the 3 Dirtbag teams. Now, like Polkey stated, a kid just "signs up". The answer is, its a business and the owner is trying to make a living. So that is supposed to make it OK? You all are putting all the blame on the parents who you assume to have kids that lack the talent to play D1. Again, I ask you, what is the Dirtbag's goal for these kids? They are taking a fee from them, they should take some sort of responsibility for the position that they hae put themselves in. These is not a business on Corporate America. Its a business of America's greatest pastime and the kids who love to play it.

 

TPM, there was no fine print to read. I'm guilty of "believing" what I was told when I handed over the team fee. I do not believe I have ever been lied to so well. I asked questions and I was told lies. I didn't know the truth until the very first game.

 

PG, you have a stake in this, correct? I am making an assumption that "PGStaff" stands for Perfect Game?? Though I appreciate your post and I agree with some it, but your are biased. Sorry.

 

GOHEELS, I want to reply to your last 2 questions:

1)Why would the Dirtbags want to jeopardize their great reputation by ripping folks off?  The answer is GREED. The owner has taken what he most likely loves and found a way to make money at it. Unfortunately, in order to get more revenue to build that new facility he is currently building, he has to accept more kids into his program, a lot more. I addressed this earlier. This is why you see the Dirtbags 13U/14U/15U/16U/17U GOLD, BLACK, ORANGE, CAMEO, etc. Now you are hearing the complaints from parents who are led to believe their son has made the almighty Dirtbag team. Which leads me to your 2nd question. With 300 to 500 kids, why are you only hearing a few complain? First of all, there are very few people who know this forum exists. And there are some who will not make their complaints known because they are embarrassed they were scammed. There are some who just move on and let more kids get scammed. Another reason, its only be a few years since the Dirtbags started "expanding", mostly in the last 2 years. Give it a little more time.

 

The folks not living in the Triangle area, southern Virginia, and other areas not too far from the Dirtbag's home base, won't see this new face of the Dirtbags. The national tournaments where PGStaff has mostly seen and heard of them, only the main Dirtbag team attends. This is the team of yesterday's Dirtbags. They are the kids with the talent. So, to the world, the Dirtbags are great and wonderful.

 

One more comment to TPM, I have an intimate knowledge of the world of Triple A and MLB. I have a personal friend who has played at all levels, who just went through a trade, who never knows where he'll be next year at this time, what his salary will be, whether he will have medical insurance, whether to sell his home and move to where the team he's on now, etc. Its a cruel world, one that my son chose to walk away from because he has watched this MLBer trials and tribulations.

 

 

 

 

"13U/14U/15U/16U/17U GOLD, BLACK, ORANGE, CAMEO"

I went to the Dirtbags website and checked their rosters.  I know that teams and rosters can be rather fluid, but one 14U team, three 15U, three 16U teams, 2 17U teams, and "Scout Teams" are listed.  What is somewhat hidden is that SIX additional  teams are listed under "Scout Teams" when you click the link.

"With 300 to 500 kids...."

I counted 235 on the rosters listed on the website.  There are 18 on staff plus another full time IT person recently hired.  As stated earlier, some of the players are probably not paying full-price.  Included in your cost, are the tournament/showcase fees, administration costs, plus the staff salaries.  Hopefully, the new training facility will give you the option for additional instruction that you desire, but be prepared to pay for it, either in higher player fees or as a separate cost.

 

What no one has mentioned yet, is that sometimes a player may want to play travel ball during the summer to keep up their skills for high school ball, maybe with a glimmer of hope as a college walk-on.  These organizations realize that not everyone can play D1 ball. There are roster spots at D2, D3, and JUCO schools, as well as walk-on possibilities. and organizations know they need to get their players in front of those coaches, too.  That is why you see scrimmages at high schools and tournaments/showcases at smaller venues.

 

Just because you only 'see 2-3 college coaches', doesn't mean others aren't there.  Many don't want to be seen or be known.  I read a post on this site where an umpire recommended a player to a school.  Plus, you never know who is sitting in the press box.

...because asTPM, said in his most recent post....

 

TPM is a she

wanttoknow,

I am not here to argue, but I think that you should read over your posts. Sounds like sour grapes, JMO.

 

That big something or other showcase is the  PG Woodbat Tournament, not being able to name that event somehow tells me that you are not familiar with some of the more important venues in college recruiting and scouting.  PGStaff is the owner and founder of Perfect Game.  He really is telling you like it is, really.

 

Tournaments all over the country cost teams about the amount you mentioned, why do you suppose that is?  Permits?  Umpires? Insurance?  Salary?  Also we have played tournaments at all times, early morning, in the rain, in the heat, the cold and one time about around 12am due to rain delay. Never even thought of asking for money back, were those times not suitable for you?

 

350 dollars for a college showcase camp? What results did you get from that camp? You do understand that these programs run these camps to make money for their programs, not to find recruits.

 

The players last name is Hamilton, and everyone who knows and follows baseball knows who Josh Hamilton is.

 

The dirtbags ripped you off and so did another organization?    Sounds like if you do not get the results that YOU are looking for you demand your money back

 

Maybe you should attend a PG showcase, then you can get an honest evaluation of your son and then you are able to know where is the best place to spend your money.  Be prepared, they are expensive. 

 

Try to expand your horizons past the ACC and NC.  This would be in your sons best interests, I think.

 

Do some research on this site, which by the way has thousands and thousands of members, right now there are almost 200 reading at almost 2am (insomnia night).  This site will help you to understand, I think that this will help you to understand teh recruiting process and how to spend your money wisely.

 

I live in FL and my son attended an out of state ACC program,  so understand that you do not have to live in the same state to be recruited by an out of state program.

 

I am a mom (thank you keewart) and I think that you are too.

 

My son plays professional baseball.

 

Legion may be a great option.

 

Good luck!

My son played for them at their highest level and was also a "preferred" player.  Therefore, I am certain many of the negative comments on this topic are justified. We have played with a few teams over the years. The Dirtbags was BY FAR our worst experience in travel ball. The owner is riding the Dirtbags name as long as he can, but the name has little left. They are not playing in East Cobb this year and this year's "elite" team is extremely weak.  They cant win in their age group.  Great players have run from the program. The owner is exceptionally deceptive and lacks morals, ethics and integrity. Many have implied on this string that the OP and others might not have an accurate read on their kid, but the disappointment of this program is deeper than a few misguided mommies and daddies. The owner is a spiteful little man with little interest in the players. As many have said, this is a business. In 5 years, I would be amazed if there is a business left. In my opinion, this board is great for sharing and helping those who are moving through the process, and this is an appropriate topic for this board.. DO NOT get into the Dirtbags organization. You will waste money and valuable time. Impact Baseball (Dirtbags) tournaments are a joke and not attended by colleges.  Parents will complain about any travel ball organization, but this is one of the worst.  You've been warned. STAY AWAY!

Gappower,

That is one of the more personal attacks I've read on this forum in a long time.  "The owner is exceptionally deceptive and lacks morals, ethics and integrity." "The owner is a spiteful little man with little interest in the players" -- Can you back any of this up?  Examples?

 

Prior posts make it sound like they are expanding and yet you say you'd be amazed if they were still in business in 5 years.  Clearly a difference of opinion here that needs explaining.

 

It seems you have insight, but without it, this post is just a vindictive driveby.

Whether these things are true or not I agree.  People who make negative attacks to either businesses or individuals on messageboards and remain anonymous are cowards.

Baseball is about trials and tribulations. It is about success and failure and about personal responsibilty.  I have found that most people who come here with complaints complain about everything.  It could be from my son is really talented but he sits to the coach plays favorites to the injury is the coaches fault to the showcase was too expensive to the college coach strung my son along and on and on and on.  Do you folks understand that businesses like the one mentioned came into existence because parents wanted their kids to play on the best?  Because most parents wear rose colored glasses amd realistically its hard to tell parents their son is most likely average and not a phenom?  Get an evaluation.
How come I live in florida and I know that the dirtbags don't sign up every player for their elite team but you folks don't?  There has got to be satisfied customers or why would there be well over 200 on rosters?

There are a couple of problems with your assumption that because of the size of the organization or the limited number of complaints(that we know about), i.e. more people are not speaking out here on this forum, that things might be ok.

 

The Florida Bombers have had a good reputation over the years of producing top competitive travel teams. The owner ran it during those years and presumably over saw everything from top to bottom. However somewhere along the line he hired a guy(who goes by different names)who he entrusted with his business. This guy was intentionally telling parents that their kid was good enough to play for the Bombers organization, and for X amount of $$$, they would get national exposure/recognition by being on such an elite team.

What he didn't tell parents was that the Bombers had multiple teams(equivalent to what you are reading in this thread) Red, Blue, Green Bombers, but not the "Florida Bombers". What was worse is that he indicated that kids could play a certain position with maybe one other player to compete for time with. Instead the parents quickly learned that their kids were not going to the elite tourneys, and even if they did, their kid was competing with 5 other SS for playing time. Additionally their website touted long term experienced coaches, yet they were hiring coaches practically on the same day the kids were reporting for their orientation. I could go on and on about all the things this guy did to kids/parents with only the interest of generating money to support the primary team, of which most kids/parents paid little or nothing. When some of the parents got fed up and tried to go above this guys head to the owner, they were never able to reach him. Even worse the parents were insulted and even threatened with being black balled with college coaches for being trouble makers.

So that alone could explain why most parents did not speak out, much less the fact not everyone uses the internet or knows about forums like this one.

 

In the long run I think the owner of the Bombers got wind of his businesses reputation going down the tubes, and I heard the guy he hired to run it was eventually fired. Then again, rumor has it that this same guy is still affiliated with them, just under a different name. This guy also has started his own summer travel program, and it is staffed with other so called "Bombers" coaches, so there still seems to be some type of a connection.

Regardless, I suspect that the Bombers started out with the right intentions, but somewhere along the way lost their integrity. Whether it was poor managerial choices, greed, or something else, they were deceiving/lying to parents about what they were going to get for their money.

 

As I stated earlier in this thread, I have no direct knowledge of the Dirtbags organization, but I did say similar stories have come out about other travel team organizations. Whether the Dirtbags are better, worse, or the same is not at issue. Instead it is a fact that parents need to take a strong buyer beware approach before spending thousands of dollars for false promises.

 

 

I know lots of people who played for the Bombers and liked the organization.  Some  people that I know who were unhappy were so because they thought that their sons deserved to be on the top Bomber team, as I suspect this may be the same for the Dirtbags.

Do businesses deceive, absolutely!  When Coach Roberts gave up the Pokers to someone else, that guy took lots of money from people and did not give them what they paid for, and I do believe the guy ended up in pretty big trouble, and ruined the reputation that others spent a decade building. This is a business and most people do not know how to run a business. 

I would be very cautious handing over 1500 without full knowledge of what that covers and that includes asking parents who have been there and done that, NOT OWNERSHIP. And make sure you understand where your player fits into the scheme of things if he is average, he will NOT be on the top team.

While I agree and understand your overall position (even backing it up about SOME travel ball organizations), your assumption about PG is very misplaced. Furthermore it undermines your position as showing a willingness to make an assumption about something you do not understand, but still be willing to make a false pronouncement about it with limited to no idea.

 

PG does stand for Perfect Game, but it offers a completely different type of opportunity for kids.They run tournaments and showcases, but do not run travel teams to the best of my knowledge. I think the closest thing they do to having a team, is to allow some kids who are good enough/referred to play for a team at one of their tourneys that they host. That is a far cry from running a travel ball organization.

Sure teams like the Dirtbags & Bombers(not that I am connecting the two)play in some of PG events, but PG has no control over those organizations.

Furthermore, unlike what you are claiming about being deceived, certain PG events are invitation only, not whoever has the $$$ gets to participate. Additionally the owner of PG has a genuine interest in the kids, and his integrity would never allow him to take money from a hopeful parent who's kid had no business participating.

 

So if I read what you are saying as your main complaint about selling you something under false pretenses, rest assured PG is as far from that as you can get.

I am not nor have I ever been connected to PG, but I know of what I speak in this regard. So you may wish to rethink your assumptions/comments on PG.

 

`

Not really biased, no reason for that.  We have no affiliation with the Dirtbags program other than they attend our events.  I just get leery of people who have just recently got involved on this site when they spend so much time trying to educate us on someone they obviously dislike. Is the reason for the attack to save others from something or to simply bad mouth or try to ruin a program?

 

Listen, for all I know these attacks might be justified.  What I mentioned earlier is something I do know.  My only involvement with the Dirtbags is at a much higher level than the problem being discussed here.  I am fairly certain that nearly all their players at that level benefitted.  

 

Also, we have seen many players that started at the lowest possible level with no exposure only to become well known prospects Getting national exposure. If someone develops or stands out they move up the ladder once they are ready.  I have no idea about lies being told... Are we supposed to simply take your word for that?  CoachMay is a person and coach from NC who was very involved in the Dirtbags program. His son played in the program, he helped coach in the program.  He is a man that deserves respect, if he were saying all this stuff, I would tend to believe it.  

 

You could be telling the truth, but I can't respect someone who is so willing and ready to  trash someone or some organization unless they have the guts to sign their name on those accusations.  I'm very biased when it comes to that type of behavior.

 

i have absolutely no reason to stand up for the Dirtbags program.  There are other good programs in NC, also.  In my position I can't afford to lie about anything involving baseball.  I sure as hell wouldn't lie to protect something I have nothing to do with. Besides it doesn't matter if you're right or wrong, you are clearly out to get someone while you stay protected behind your keypad. I don't respect that! It's cowardly!

 

go to the Better Business Bureau If you have a complaint.

Polkey,

 

You started this thread with this post...

 

Come on man, you just signed up here for one purpose. So did "wanttoknow" If that is not also you. That much is very obvious! It is clear that you are on a mission.  Does any other topic interest you?

Usually people are very accommodating when new members join the board. But I agree with PG. it is quite cowardly to slander an organization and not use your real name. Maybe if we ignore this cowardly whiner and complainer he will either leave the site or become a normal participant. There isn't a reponse he's willing to accept. He's here to bash and slander. 

 

I've heard the same complaints about a couple of programs in our area. For some reason parents are under the delusion their kids are going to play major college baseball because their kids are In the program in underage programs or on the 17U B or C teams. I would have had no problem had my son chose to play on their A teams. I know players who did. But the teams weren't geographically desirable for us. And it cost a lot more than $1875.

 

Shame on anyone doesn't investigate a program in year one if their son is considering the program in year two. 

I am nearly 100% certain that TPM is sitting on her couch reading this thread with her blood boiling. She already gave a very politically correct and appropriate response (atta girl! Haha), so now I'll take my turn at being blunt and straight to the point.

 

Polkey- you will gain no respect or sympathy here badmouthing an organization in the manner that you are. It's cowardly and immature. Take your own advice and read other people's responses before forming an opinion.

 

If everything you say is true, I'm sorry that you feel deceived by the organization. But, from my experience, your opinion holds no water in my mind.

 

In short, put up or shut up. No one really wants to read mindless complaining.

Josh,
You are wrong. I am sitting at the pool! 

 I'm not asking for respect or sympathy from anyone, actually I don't see where it is anyones business unless you are actually dealing with the dirtbags scout teams. what you call bad mouthing I call facts. If you don't like what I say then simply don't read it. It sounds to me like I've stepped on a couple of toes and the truth hurts. All I've done in these posts is ask questions and report the facts and if anyone cannot take hearing the truth then it's your problem ,not mine. I've already said that I'm a grown man and I'll lick my wounds and go on, but you can understand this much, if anyone wants any information about the dirtbags scout teams and they read these posts they will learn a lot. I'm going to say one more time when we went to the tryouts they were advertised on another website as college prep tryouts, then they were advertised as 14u tryouts, then the letter was sent and they were changed to instructional teams, then after the money was paid they were changed to scout teams. These teams have one coach in charge of two teams, that's one coach for 28 players. We wasn't told any of this before we paid the money. There was no way to investigate anything because the dirtbags didn't even have scout teams last year. Last year as far as I know, if you went to a dirtbags try out, you either made the team or you didn't. That's the reason I ask in my very first post if someone could give me some objective information about the dirtbags. We played travel ball for the past several years and I think we played the dirtbags one time in usssa.I did hear that the dirtbags was one of the best organizations in North Carolina and that was one reason we went to the tryouts, really just to see if we were good enough to make their team and we was very excited when we got an invitation to play for them and we will continue to play for them. As far as posting what the dirtbags do and how they do it, if it isn't a lie then I see nothing wrong with what I say. I've said nothing about anything other than the scout teams, because that's the only dealings I have with the dirtbags. I've made no other posts on here under no other name and I've told no lies. I've not said one negative thing to the young man that is playing for the dirtbags. (he played this past weekend) As far as being a coward and immature you're entitled to your opinion just like I'm entitled to mine. I have know idea who you people are and don't care, but you have know right to tell me that what I'm doing is cowardly and immature. I'm stating facts and if you wasn't there then you know nothing about it. 

Am I missing something here?

yep ,,, you sure are ,, like I said in other posts I'm just telling about our experience with the dirtbags. They did lie to us and they did deceive us, but, I never said we are quitters. I told everyone that I would lick my wounds and go on and that's what I'll do. The young man that I go watch is good, he's real good and I have all the faith in the world that he will grow in the dirtbags organization and have fun and that's all I care about. You see I'm really in it for the children. He has enough talent to speak for himself and he will make the dirtbags look good. He is exactly what they look for. He is a straight "A" student with all honors classes in high school. He is only fourteen years old, a freshman and was moved to the varsity team. He believes in Jesus Christ as his Saviour, as I do. So you see when you call someone a coward without knowing them you might be talking with tongue in cheek. There are several travel teams that have ask him to play for them and there is a good chance the dirtbags will ask him to play for the again next year. We'll see. So now TPM do you feel like a big man in front of all your fans??? All the name calling and accusations you make will never change what the dirtbags did. I feel sorry for all the other people whose money they took, knowing their child doesn't have a chance to ever be a baseball player. That's what makes it wrong!!!    

You claim we haven't read what you posted. 
Well whoever you are you need to practice what you preach.  If you had really read through this entire post you would know that I am not feeling like a big man right now.
You have just totally made youself look even more foolish than you did before the above.

Content deleted by moderator - personal attacks are not welcome here.

polkey- I think "licking your wounds and moving on" may be some good advice at this point.

 

And, just for full disclosure, I alerted a moderator about your previous post. There is no place on these message boards to call someone a "pitiful human being."

 

Best of luck to you.

Dirtbags is incredibly expensive and a huge waste of money. My son has played on many teams, but this one is the most expensive and the worst one.  There is no coaching, even on game day...line up changes randomly and players who are "pitcher only" have to get at-bats during games for no reason.  There is no learning taking place, just a guy -- who calls himself the coach -- to fill in the roster and watch the game along with everyone else. Teams have around 18 players and everyone has to play regardless of where they stand on the depth roster...they paid their money, so they play. One team in an age group is stacked and the other teams are split a lot more evenly. Consequently, only one team generally wins a lot of games and the rest are very average.  We obviously quit chasing trophies and all the kid-stuff a long time ago, but if you are looking for a good baseball experience with quality coaching and a good baseball coaching mentality, I would stay away from the dirtbags and concentrate on a good local team where the coaching staff gives a crap.  Dirtbags baseball is about making as much money as they can to feed the owners ego. 

 

It is very normal for program's A teams to be loaded and other level teams not to be. The A team is loaded because they are the A team. At the showcase level the Dirtbags organization I'm familiar with is one of the better programs in the country. One of it's former coaches, Kenny May is one of the most knowledgeable coaches and posters who has ever participated on this site.

 

Signing up for a programs B or C team is a bad idea. Chances are you're funding the A team. Chances are your kid isn't good enough to play for the A team. Playing for the B or C team does not buy the same credibility as playing for the A team. You made a bad decision. Instead of bad mouthing an organization with your first post - which gets you zero credibility on this site - why not cut the losses on your bad decision and find a better place to play?

 

For everyone else: Pokey joined to slam the Dirtbags and never posted again. 

 

 

 

 

Maybe this team should change their name...

 It depends on who is running the teams now... people who care about ball players or just care about the $$$$.

Be careful when shopping around for a good travel team....

they can all be DirtBags.

If you are playing on team B or C maybe this program is not for you. Find a place where you fit so you can play on team 'A'

       

Originally Posted by RJM: I started this conversation ...

 

I'm not sure what happened in someone's cutting and pasting. But this is not my post.

 

So, if I have this right you're blaming the team for not doing due diligence on finding the right team. There are a lot of people on this board whose sons never played in a program that wasn't exactly what they thought it would be. Why? They did the research. You should be mad at yourself, not the team.

Jamesb , Im located in Chicagoland.  Not sure what part you are in or what team your son plays on, but I've been involved in travel ball here the last 10 years or so.  There are really only about 7 to 10 teams in the area that really get the kids exposure as well as provide them with decent instruction.  Many of the other teams claim to but if you look into it the kids have moved off the other teams when they hit HS onto one of the 7 to 10 teams.  If you want some help I would be more the happy to point you to those teams or let you know if I know anything about the organization you are playing for.  Just PM me.

 

 

College coaches just finished their seasons. Dont join a travel team for college exposure until after their seasons end.

Don't join a 15u travel team for college exposure...unless you are top 1% you won't see any real colleges till u16 and even then D3 don't get active...

RJM, I am mad at myself, but also JUSTIFIABLY at the team as well, as they never told me they were going to have 17 players on the roster. So you think $2000/player is acceptable? Like I said, I had a 13U and 14U travel team. The most any of these teams should be charging is 1000/player. 2000/player is excessive in my opinion.You must be one of these high priced travel team owners as you are defending them so much.