Hmmm.... just did a little research

Gman:

What did you discover in your research? I did a search on the HSBW site and while I found several posts that indicated BF is overpriced and lots of references to past posts that evidently expressed a negative opinion - I did not find much. I was hoping to find something specific - but, in my opinion, did not find enough info. to formulate an informed opinion.

Was the information you found pre or post Team One merger?

I am curious myself as to the merits of their program and what they have to offer players.

I participate in PG & Midwest Prospect events already but am willing to explore any and all avenues to realizing my goals.

Thanks

If you are happy going to the best in the business, why go elsewhere??

Can't beat PG or MWprospects, imho

BBmom:

I could not agree more that PG & MWP are "the best in the business".... that I have had the privlige of experiencing so far.

Do you have any personal experience with BF? Do you know where I could find any first-hand assessments of their program?

I try to keep an open mind and explore new opportunities & challenges whenever the right ones come along. The tough part is determining what "the right ones" are.

While looking through the archives I found one reader (I believe it was larrythompson) that saw some merit in BF. And did not find much to really base a strong opinion on... either way.

Thanks

scal,
No first hand experience with BF. However, as you noted,

quote:

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I did a search on the HSBW site and while I found several posts that indicated BF is overpriced and lots of references to past posts that evidently expressed a negative opinion - I did not find much. I was hoping to find something specific - but, in my opinion, did not find enough info. to formulate an informed opinion.

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,

I'm reading the specifics as "Overpriced" & "negative opinion". Taking this info along with hsbaseballweb data base of info on Recruiting Services + PG & Midwest Prospects proven results, I come to the conclusion that our son is on a good track.

I'll add, that I think TRhit & College Select is a great program...No personal experience hear either, but for the past 4 yrs. of me posting & reading these message boards, I'd say his reputation speaks for itself! Excellent

Perhaps a private message to the Grand Poobah himself, fungo, BeenthereIl, HiwasseVol, Bighit, or any number of other "resident" posters will help you get the info you seek. Will BF (or any of their customers) give you info on measurable results from their program? Have you asked college recruiters if/how/why they use BF as a tool in their recruiting process?

There are many articles here on hsbbweb to help answer some of these very questions.

This process can be daunting, confusing, overwhelming at times. Best of luck to you!

Can just tell you my experience with a Baseball factory run event.

Attended the Carpentar Cup Complex at the VET in 2002 sponsored by Baseball factory.
Talent level was weak fastest pitch hit 87mph.
they did not provide a player address
list for any of the colleges or MLB scouts
that attended. You had to go way up in the press box, and thumb through a huge note book and hope you found the player info there.
Baseball factory acted like it was Classified Goverment Secrets when you asked for an address book. Like they were afraid their players might attend another showcase other than Baseball factory.

As far as Team One, Attended Team One in Florida,
Team One at Clemson, and 2 Team Ones at Georgia Tech.

one MLB scout commented
The talent level every year keeps getting worse . But I did get to see ever 5-10 pitcher that threw 82-93 mph.

Team One made some MAJOR GOOFS.

Large turnover in personal, Switching the Team One Nationals from June to November and then August, not real smart. By the time Team One Nationals is held , the top players have already attended Perfect Game Nationals, AFLAC, East Coast Pro Showcase or Area Code Games. So what is the point in attending, everyone already seen them already.

Team One swinging metal bats and charging $40 for an address book plus $9 for admission for parents, colleges and MLB scouts. Not smart

Admission for parents?? Do they have $4 hotdogs and $3.50 cokes the parents can buy at least?

maybe it gets you one of those chicken feta grinders I love so much!

Paying admission to watch your kid play is something that starts as early as age 9 or 10 (e.g. all stars). Virtually every major showcase and/or tournament that I have attended has charged parents admission...including the "free" Area Code Games.

I guess that explains why one kid I heard from said "ya the showcase was great, all the directors were driving escalades!"

Let's remember--none of these showcase companies are non-profit agencies! Some charge team entry fees of $1,200 or individual fees of $400 and admission fees of $10/day! Not sure how much the hot dogs are!

Just wanted to add my first hand knowledge of showcases that my son went to this summer.He attended 2 Perfect Games, 1 Blue Grey and Teamone Notre Dame.
The Teamone had the most college scouts but the least talent.The Blue Grey @ Wake Forest also had a lot of scouts plus good talent(my son has heard fom 7 colleges who have said they seen him play @ Wake). Perfect Game had the fewest scouts but had the most talented players. All the showcases were run well especially considering the weather. Other posters have said the 2 best programs were Teamone and Perfect Game, but fom my experience Blue Grey is just as good.

The Baseball Factory is a well run business. They are in it to make a good piece of change and they target well-to-do clientele. Their mo is to get you to one of their showcases and then up sell their other programs. Nothing wrong with that. Smart business. However for the exposure they give you it can get quite expensive. I am sure that teaming up with Team One might help them get their players more exposure. However, it is going to make me doubt their player rankings.

One of the big problems that I had with the Baseball Factory was their naming of All Americans who were not even starters on their own HS team. Pay them and you get named all american.

The complaints I hear are mostly about cost. 4,000 to be on a team to the Junior Olympics and doesn't win a game. However if what you want is an expensive vacations in good hotels, then they are for you. I do not begrudge them making money. I do think you can get a lot more bang for the buck elsewhere. If you sign up for Baseball Factory, expect to be continually upsold.

College Select and Midwest Prospects are excellent regional showcases with guys running the programs that really have "ins" in their region.

Perfect Game is excellent.

Team One.......has Bob Pincus.