My son's team is going to play in the WWBA down at East Cobb and I was wondering if anybody had any experiences with that tournement? Do a lot of scouts attended?
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It depends on the age group. From what I've heard the 17U week seems to be the most heavily scouted. Son played there at 15U and 16U and will be going back this summer at 17U. The scouts also seem to stay at the main complex for the most part and not travel to the various HS fields unless they are specifically interested in a particular player.
Thanks. My son's a 15 year old going to play in the 17u tournement. I've heard that a lot of scouts attended but I wanted to come here, you guys seem to know a whole lot.
When you're at the main complex you will see hundreds of scouts for the 17u and 18u tourneys.
When you're away, I think you can expect 15-25 scouts to come to your games IF your players are of sufficient quality AND they do their homework to communicate with teams of interest.
Which points out two keys to success:
1. Get onto the best team that will let you play. The better your team, the more scouts will follow your team, the more scouts will see you. Don't make the mistake of taking the team your dad started because he wanted you to be the star of your team.
2. Communicating with scouts is something a player should be pro-active about. If your son is 15, or maybe considered 16u by now, this year may be more of a learning experience for him, also a chance for PG to build his file for rating/ranking purposes. But you need to be on a team where your teammates are helping to bring eyes out to see the games.
Most people who go to these events are shocked to learn that there is a venue with this much scouting available. The folks back home will never believe you, if they haven't been themselves. That's nothing, wait until you go to the October tourney in Jupiter some day!
When you're away, I think you can expect 15-25 scouts to come to your games IF your players are of sufficient quality AND they do their homework to communicate with teams of interest.
Which points out two keys to success:
1. Get onto the best team that will let you play. The better your team, the more scouts will follow your team, the more scouts will see you. Don't make the mistake of taking the team your dad started because he wanted you to be the star of your team.
2. Communicating with scouts is something a player should be pro-active about. If your son is 15, or maybe considered 16u by now, this year may be more of a learning experience for him, also a chance for PG to build his file for rating/ranking purposes. But you need to be on a team where your teammates are helping to bring eyes out to see the games.
Most people who go to these events are shocked to learn that there is a venue with this much scouting available. The folks back home will never believe you, if they haven't been themselves. That's nothing, wait until you go to the October tourney in Jupiter some day!
The further away from the main complex you play the least amount of coaches attend. Last summer the team my nephew played on only played at the Main complex twice during the two week period he was there.
The key to success in East Cobb is to stay in contact with the coaches of the schools you are interested in and be sure to let them know when and where you are playing.
The key to success in East Cobb is to stay in contact with the coaches of the schools you are interested in and be sure to let them know when and where you are playing.
quote:The further away from the main complex you play the least amount of coaches attend.
All things being equal this would be true. But the key is to be on a team with sufficient talent that you attract a following. And you can help to develop that following by staying in touch with schools of interest to you throughout the tourney, e.g., by e-mailing them your schedule updates, when you'll be pitching, etc.
I coached a team that played 30 minutes from the East Cobb complex, but we still had 25 schools represented at our games. Certain players were being followed by certain schools.
It sure is a lot easier to see one kid in 5 games this way than to chase him around during the HS spring season. So, it can and does happen.
The main difference is that at the main complex if someone starts a buzz -- e.g., a pitcher goes 90+ during a game -- you can have scouts gravitate to the field on the spur of the moment. Obviously that doesn't work so well when you're some ways away. But while there's some value to the team in that, I honestly don't know how often that really amounts to anything in the recruiting process. The 90+ guy can only take one offer in the end. It's the repeated viewer, not the casual viewer, who is more likely to give your son an offer.
On a side note regarding the WWBA and the bigger PerfectGame tournaments, they tend to have an official scorekeeper who also takes notes on players who perform well which gets loaded into a PerfectGame database that schools and scouts with high enough subscriptions to www.PGcrosschecker.com can get access to review, as well as, www.baseballwebtv.com to view past events.
This is a great Tournament probably our favorite! Lots of scouts lots of talent!quote:Originally posted by UpStM13:
My son's team is going to play in the WWBA down at East Cobb and I was wondering if anybody had any experiences with that tournament? Do a lot of scouts attended?
My son went, got no attention at all.Was a great experience and he loved every minute of it.He did well, and proved to himself he could hang.I wouldnt necessarily equate a good experience to how many scouts may be there.There are lots of other things to gain from going.(if you can afford it with the economy).
I second Fan's experience, we heard from no one even though son was gunning down any base stealers. The year he went was when the SE drought broke, rain,rain, rain. They got rained out of their one appearance at the main complex so they got limited exposure. And of course maybe son was on a pop up spree or Kd too many times. PG had no control over those two items.
I'm sure many kids do well and do get responses from coaches, etc. With the attendance at these events and popularity its kind of like Disney Land. Everyone should see it at least once. Just be realistic about the outcome and don't get all Hollywood over the scouts.
I'm sure many kids do well and do get responses from coaches, etc. With the attendance at these events and popularity its kind of like Disney Land. Everyone should see it at least once. Just be realistic about the outcome and don't get all Hollywood over the scouts.
My son first played at East Cobb as a 15 year old on an 18 and under team. That was our first mistake. As other posters have said the majority of scouts are watching 17 and under teams. The logic there is that by the time they are 18 most players have already committed to the school they will attend. However, there are exceptions and son was one. Fast forward 2 years to summer before Sr. year. Son was invited to attend a pro workout to be held at school of choice. Several major league scouts were there and we didn't even get out of town before coach was texting son to say they would be contacting him again with an offer. Coach told son they had been following him since they saw him at EC as a 15 year old. Bottom line to this rather lengthy post, you never know who is watching and for how long they've been following.
My son is heading this yr to this tournament.
Where are some affordable places to stay?
Where are some affordable places to stay?
VAfana, one of the Posters in the Georgia room gave you a link to an older HSBBW conversation about places to stay.
Go take a look!
Go take a look!
Thes PG-WWBA events are some of the most well run and scouted events you'll play. The most attention is now given to the 17U event with the 18U and 16U almost even now. Prior years it was the 18U but with so many early committments the 18 U has gotten smaller and the 16U larger. Either way, proper planning by your coaches with regard to pitching can really maximize the number of coaches traveling off complex to see you guys.
Last year we played 20-30 minutes off complex and had over 40 coaches attend. Most teams will not get more then 1 game at the complex. There are over 180 teams in the event, do the math. You can't ask for more then PG gives you.
Last year we played 20-30 minutes off complex and had over 40 coaches attend. Most teams will not get more then 1 game at the complex. There are over 180 teams in the event, do the math. You can't ask for more then PG gives you.
I've been on here looking and some people say asking them where they'll be is a good idea.
Any opinions?
Any opinions?
Yes that is a good idea.
Coach Merc,
The 17U is the biggest turnout of scouts, but the 18U is not really that far behind. I would say most college coaches attend both. There are just as many professional scouts at the 18U, maybe even more. The talent level is about the same and many of the top 17s play in the 18U. The 16U has grown a lot, but still not the number of scouts and recruiters as either 17 or 18.
One thing to remember is that the 18U always has a large number of players who were drafted a month earlier. This makes it an automatic draw for the pro scouts. There are even a couple teams that are sponsored by MLB clubs and comprised of their recent draft picks along with other talented players. Also many of the top 17U teams play in both tournaments and some only play in the 18U. BTW, both tournaments are full every year and hundreds of teams who want in, we have no room for. Just thought I would add that in case anyone thought I was promoting one over the other. They're both real good with lots of scouts and recruiters. Lots of top 17U players in both, but more in the 17U because there are no 18 year olds or draft picks in that one.
Coach Merc,
The 17U is the biggest turnout of scouts, but the 18U is not really that far behind. I would say most college coaches attend both. There are just as many professional scouts at the 18U, maybe even more. The talent level is about the same and many of the top 17s play in the 18U. The 16U has grown a lot, but still not the number of scouts and recruiters as either 17 or 18.
One thing to remember is that the 18U always has a large number of players who were drafted a month earlier. This makes it an automatic draw for the pro scouts. There are even a couple teams that are sponsored by MLB clubs and comprised of their recent draft picks along with other talented players. Also many of the top 17U teams play in both tournaments and some only play in the 18U. BTW, both tournaments are full every year and hundreds of teams who want in, we have no room for. Just thought I would add that in case anyone thought I was promoting one over the other. They're both real good with lots of scouts and recruiters. Lots of top 17U players in both, but more in the 17U because there are no 18 year olds or draft picks in that one.
How should I go about asking the coaches what tournements they plan on attending?
UpStM13,
email, phone or snail mail. Or if you're around one ask him. If you are going to the tournament you mentioned earlier, chances are if it is a DI college your interested in, they will be there.
email, phone or snail mail. Or if you're around one ask him. If you are going to the tournament you mentioned earlier, chances are if it is a DI college your interested in, they will be there.
Is there a certain school your interested in knowing if they will attend? It would be easier to tell you who wont be there. Very very few.
UpSTM13
Send the schools you have interest in the list of events you expect to attend and ask if they will be attending---you can always adjust your plans and let them know if your schedule changes
Send the schools you have interest in the list of events you expect to attend and ask if they will be attending---you can always adjust your plans and let them know if your schedule changes