How Did Area Code Tryouts Go?

First, let me say I am hopeful of some good results, which will not be known for certain, as kids do not always know which 'exposure' created an opportunity for them. We are hopeful that of the 30 or so scouts that did watch the 'try-out' my son was given, will have seen something they want to follow, as he grows as a player.

However, he went as a pitcher only, threw 11 pitches, and was not chosen. Bullpen throws, from his group of about 35 pitchers.

The other 25 or so threw from the mound, on the field. They also threw about 10 pitches.

Not all the scouts saw all of the players. It is possible that each organization represented, had more than one person in attendance, so they could have been watching both locations of pitchers.

For the day, we drove 4 hours, sat 3 hours, and threw 11 pitches.

As a spectator, it was impossible to tell if the groups were determined prior to the "tryout' so I would say if they were, AC did an excellent job of not making it painfully obvious to the participants. My son's comment was "the only two they took from my group were the two guys that threw 90" so take that for what it's worth.

We only saw the hitting portion of the position players, and each group received about 8 to 10 pitches to hit with a wood bat. Then a rest, and another 8 or 10 pitches. Then it was off to the field to shag, for the other groups. Long and hot day for them, to say the least.

My estimate was around 140 total players on hand; 75 position, and 65 pitchers. A few kids did both, so that total may be inflated.

I hope there is a poster that was at the game following the tryout, to lend some insight into what they did next, after the teams were chosen.

Would we do it again? Probably.
Would we recommend it to others? Probably. With the additional information we learned, as a guide for them.
Were we disappointed with the format? Definitely.
Was he disappointed with his performance? No.
He felt good about how he performed, and about having made the effort.

You can never have too many people look at you, if you want to advance to the next level.

It was a good experience for my son, he was exposed to many people who can expand his opportunities, and his name is on a list that not everyone gets to be on.

I read the previous thread in HSBBW on the AC tryouts, and had hoped someone who had been would have given us a heads up, but that thread turned into Select Ball Bashing, and DBAT target practice. What a shame that forum was not more informative, and less antagonistic.

Bottom line....he got a cool shirt, he got some guys to see him throw, and I got to spend the day with my kid. Wasn't exactly a cool stream in Colorado fly fishing, but it was a day with my kid. I didn't have to pay money, to showcase a player, nor did they ask for my wallet at the gate.

If there happens to be anyone who has contact with the AC people, a suggestion from the peanut gallery would be to let the parents get a copy of the evaluations, so we can help our kids have a better chance at improving themselves, by seeing through the eyes of someone more educated in the field than us.

I searched the AC Tryout website, and there are no listing of past rosters, how the teams fared in competition, and a search of known players on past rosters did not yield any information.
The California section was extremely well covered, maybe it is the local section that is not as well displayed.

I most likely lost the masses 3 paragraphs ago, but since I don't post often, I figured I would get my money's worth.

You didn't lose me fungoman.

I especially enjoyed the part about you getting to spend the day with your son.

DBAT 17 had 13 players attending the tryouts. Four were asked to stay for the scrimmage game; 3 pitchers and one position player. It appeared that most of the position players had Austin Slam hats on. We need to schedule those guys.

I appreciate your perspective, fungoman. Thanks.

indugu -- send me a PM or call me with the list of players that were invited to stay.

Been there and done that.

Enough said.

Fungoman,

You said it exactly as I would have had I taken the time. Your comments mirrored our day there as well. I will be bold enough to say that I think they knew by about 85% what pitchers would make the team before they ever got there on Tuesday. At least that's how it appeared to me. There may have been one or two that surprised them, but not many. A few of the pitchers only threw 3 pitches and they were done. They stayed for the scrimmage.

That's my two cents worth.

old pitcher, YOU, would be wrong on the 85% pre selection. It doesn't work like that no matter what any of you think.

Old Pitcher, when a pitcher only throws 3-4 pitches that means he was 88-90 plus range and there is no need to waist his arm since the velocity dictates he stay and pitch in the scrimmage. NOT that it was already determined he stay. He hit the magic number of 90 so why throw anymore when your gonna see him in the scrimmage. COME ON!!

Lets see the bullpen group of pitchers were as follows.

132 Jared Ray 85-90, 68-72 cb
133 Chase Reid 80-86, 77cb (wicked breaker)
135 Chase Rich 83
136 Chance Ruffin 85-87,
137 Ross Seaton 83-86
138 Jason Pearce 86-89, 76cb
139 Brian Borski 81-84
140 Kolin Bonnett 76-80
141 Brandon Williams 83-84
143 Bobby Stone 81-82
144 Ty Stucky 84-86
145 Mo Wiley 84-90
146 Matt Shelton 83-85
147 Tanner Sprinkle 77
148 Tyler Spragins 80-82
151 Kyle Winkler 83-85
152 Chris Withrow 88-90
153 Brett Gibson 81-84
154 Spencer Clare 80
155 Nick Eubanks 83-85
156 Staton Thomas 88-90
157 Caleb Merek 85-86
158 Taylor Wall 80-81
159 Brandon Workman 88-90

Now, Fungoman which one is your son? Numbers 152,156,132,133,159,145 were all selected from this group. NOT JUST 2 PITCHERS as you stated. Number 138 could have been asked to stay but he had no feel for a breaking ball. Fungoman, how else do you evaluate a pitcher. Understand that Its TOOLS. Tools for pitchers are fastball and it needs to be at least 90 and pretty regular. Also, a curveball and a slider and a change are all tools for a pitcher. But arm strength is king. The avg. Major League fastball is 90-92.

Maybe the pitchers could show up at say 2pm

I've told you before how you get an invite but you all seem to think otherwise.

quote:

Tools for pitchers are fastball and it needs to be at least 90 and pretty regular. The avg. Major League fastball is 90-92.

I think that is probably and accurate statement, but to me, coming from you Vance, it has some taint.

Can you provide a credible reference to substantiate that fact?

All on "THE LIST" had a 90 somewhere in their numbers except the one, with the "wicked curveball".

Area Code is where a lot of very good ballplayers learn that they are not the very best ballplayers.........for the first time.

A long and sobering day...............

Observer, some taint? well proof in the puddin is this. Observer, I'm sorry that my candor and truth has upset you. But facts are the only way to go. Not perception!

Colt Griffen 100 MPH no idea how to pitch 1.8 million signing bonus.

need more?

Yes, Vance34, more than that.

You did not upset me, I understand the numbers, and don't need to proof in the pudding.

But, others might fact better substantiation of that fact, more understandable.

This does not substantiate.....

quote:

Colt Griffen 100 MPH no idea how to pitch 1.8 million signing bonus.

This.

quote:

Tools for pitchers are fastball and it needs to be at least 90 and pretty regular. The avg. Major League fastball is 90-92

And, I forgot about the hitters.

I bet the hitters that hit it out, or off the wall, with the wood, got picked.

Can't recall the 1-8 grading of above v. below 90.

Somewhere there is grading chart related to MPH.

DRABEK 90-98
KERSHAW 90-98
VERLANDER 95-102

even Greg Maddux was 89-94 in high school.

well observer just look at the draft as far back as you want. Not one 1st round pick threw under 90. Only a handful of lefties threw under 90 and most were lower round picks.

84> 20
84-86 30
87-89 40
90-92 50
93-94 60
95-96 70
97 + 80

NO HITTER HIT A BALL OUT or off the wall

NOT EVEN ONE.

So the guys picked were the ones who centered the ball the most and ran the fastest and were the most athletic.

Thanks for the info. my son will be at the A&M tryout and it's good to see what to expect. Don't think he's hit 90 yet so guess it'll be an early day for us but maybe he'll surprise us!

Also, there was well over 30 scouts there. There also was well over 50 college coaches there as well from Notre Dame to Army to AM to Texas to ASU to even Junior College coaches. Hell there was 14 scouts on the field alone. Guess those got over looked!

Golly Mrs Mathers, I thought the question was "how did the Area Code Tryouts go for everyone yesterday?"....

I simply stated the result of our trip down Area Code Tryout Lane.

I repeated what my SEVENTEEN year old son said, and remarked "to take it for what it was worth."

I said IF it was predetermined, they did a good job of not making the players feel that way.

I also said we were not disappointed in anything other than the format. The discussion was about what happened, NOT my or my son's expectations.

All that being repeated, just to get to this:
When we got home, he went and picked up his girlfriend, they went to Sonic, and came back to the house and watched SuperTroopers on DVD. Then he took her home, by her curfew, and made it back home before his curfew. He came to my office, kissed me goodnight, said "I love you," and went to bed.

All in all, I'd say it was a pretty good day for me Vance, how was your day?

quote:

Lets see the bullpen group of pitchers were as follows.

132 Jared Ray 85-90, 68-72 cb
133 Chase Reid 80-86, 77cb (wicked breaker)
135 Chase Rich 83
136 Chance Ruffin 85-87,
137 Ross Seaton 83-86
138 Jason Pearce 86-89, 76cb
139 Brian Borski 81-84
140 Kolin Bonnett 76-80
141 Brandon Williams 83-84
143 Bobby Stone 81-82
144 Ty Stucky 84-86
145 Mo Wiley 84-90
146 Matt Shelton 83-85
147 Tanner Sprinkle 77
148 Tyler Spragins 80-82
151 Kyle Winkler 83-85
152 Chris Withrow 88-90
153 Brett Gibson 81-84
154 Spencer Clare 80
155 Nick Eubanks 83-85
156 Staton Thomas 88-90
157 Caleb Merek 85-86
158 Taylor Wall 80-81
159 Brandon Workman 88-90

No disrespect to those listed above, but if the list printed above is what was invited to the AC tryouts. Well, just look at the numbers. Some are deserving, but some good one's are left OFF. There is a certain level of politics that get some people on this list that questions the validity of the tryout.

If the AC tryouts are really looking for the best, then invite best. Leave the politics out.

100-127 threw on the mound on the field.

Let me address my condensending and sarcastic ways.

For those of you who read this board and for those that participate in an area code event or some other event. My feeling is if you want to comment or carry on RUMORS (as I see it) then you should at least be honest.

quote:

"the only two they took from my group were the two guys that threw 90" so take that for what it's worth.

This isn't even close to being what happened. To be a good baseball player you must 1st be able to be an honest evaluater of your own skills and you must be able to see it with reality without making excuses.

An AREA CODE tryout is not POLITICAL. It's PRO SCOUTS giving every kid possible a chance to workout in front of all 30 teams as well as college coaches. A tryout camp is just that a tryout. It's not a camp to learn what to work on. Again, and I don't mind repeating it, It's about the tools.

The ones who
THROW THE HARDEST
RUN THE FASTEST
HIT IT THE HARDEST

are the ones who will get the most opprotunities in a PRO driven tryout.

I'll refrain from any further sarcastic and condensending comments. But everyone here is guilty of it when they know that what they are hearing and reading isn't fact.

quote:

Originally posted by Vance34:
Also, there was well over 30 scouts there. There also was well over 50 college coaches there as well from Notre Dame to Army to AM to Texas to ASU to even Junior College coaches. Hell there was 14 scouts on the field alone. Guess those got over looked!

What happened to the other 120 scouts. I thought you mentioned in the last post that 200 or more are in attendance.

No matter how you try to justify it Vance..................Area Code games are................................

BOOTLEG. (In my opinion of coarse)

And it seems like some parents are gaining that opinion now with a little experience.

quote:

Originally posted by Vance34:
Also, there was well over 30 scouts there. There also was well over 50 college coaches there as well from Notre Dame to Army to AM to Texas to ASU to even Junior College coaches. Hell there was 14 scouts on the field alone. Guess those got over looked!

What happened to the other 120 scouts. I thought you mentioned in the last thread that 200 or more are in attendance.

No matter how you try to justify it Vance..................Area Code games are................................

BOOTLEG. (In my opinion of coarse)

And it seems like some parents are gaining that opinion now with a little experience.

Ken, I have no idea how many were there. What I do know is that over a hundred were there.

There is another area code workout coming up. There will also be many scouts and coaches there as well.

It's not bootleg. Its pro scouts looking for the best players in TEXAS. Its not a popularity contest.

The real problem here as I see it is this... Its not political and thats what the problem is. The best are gonna get picked. Bottom Lne.

quote:

No matter how you try to justify it Vance..................Area Code games are................................

BOOTLEG. (In my opinion of coarse)

Mr. Guthrie,

Wow... with all of your profound remarks, you have indeed convinced me to tell my son that the A&M tryouts are out of the picture for him. I realize, of course, that there is no cost involved. I realize, of course, that there is a high (undetermined) amount of scouts at the tryouts. I realize NOW that it is NOT an honor to be invited. And... I realize, obviously, the teams are picked way before the tryouts.

Therefore, we will stick to our high school team... try to find a good local select ball team for the fall... and spend a LOT more time praying that a college scout will notice our son. Thank goodness I read this post before we wasted an ENTIRE day.

I see there is more than enough sarcasm to go around!

If my son is invited next summer -- we're going!

KG, can it hurt to be seen by some scouts (whether 30 or 200 in number)?

Can it hurt for a young man to be invited to something that he views as an honor (perhaps a little recognition for much hard work)?

If the answers to these questions are "No, it can't hurt", then is the AC really such an evil thing?

Folks have honestly expressed their experiences, perspectives and opinions. {Thanks to all for doing so, including KG.} I believe that enough has been presented for people to go into AC with their eyes open and their expectations in line. If people go into this with their eyes open, is there such great harm?

Take it for what it is. No more, no less.

Attaboy! PDiddy.

ORMom and others,

Encourage your sons to play within themselves.

There are a variety of scouts there looking for players to fill spots on their teams.

And, they are trying to fill a team for the California Area Code tournament, too.

Many of those Area Code players are already well identified.

There are college coaches there looking for players. There are not many 90+ pitchers around.

The colleges get the next picks based on the strength of their programs and scholarship availability.

Players mature and learn about the game at different paces.

There will be players good enough to get drafted or play D1 baseball later that will not make that Area Code team.

For some of us, the rose colored glasses have less tint after attending the event.

It's a long day, not very well organized and requires only travel and food costs.

But, there are many scouts and recruiters in attendance.

And, it is a special time and place to show what you can do.

Life ain't always perfect and neither is baseball.

But, it is fun, ain't it?

Everyone is making this way too complicated. Just ask your advisors!

.....well, the pink elephant has made its way to the center of the room!

Weird, ain't it?

quote:

Originally posted by Vanlandingham:
Everyone is making this way too complicated. Just ask your advisors!

That's the spirit!

Been waiting for this one to rear its ugly head again!
My son is an '06 LHP. He also only threw approx. 14 pitches at each tryout (he attended two levels)last year. He was not pre-selected by coaches, but he made the team that went to Calif. He's big (6'4", 225lbs) and he topped out at 86mph. They took him on his projectability due to his size and good mechanics. I guess they really do know what they're looking for because he hit 91mph six months later.

His recruiting really heated up after Calif, but several coaches commented that they had only seen him at the local tryouts (grand total of 14 pitches each time). These were all D1 schools.

I can tell you that his SEC pitching and hitting coaches called him on Monday to chat about how his summer is going. They were in their car driving to the AC tryouts. They take these tryouts very seriously and told my son they were on their way to see some of his future teammates.
Good luck to everyone who attended! I hope the exposure does as much for you as it did for my son. Truly a life-altering event for a kid who has NEVER done any other showcases. Thanks AC!

Can we all agree that if you don't get invited, then it isn't the end of the world and mean your chances of being recruited are done?

After reading all of these posts, the negative and positive I have a better understanding of the AC tryout. Now, because of this information and if my son had been honored with an invite I would at least now be better prepared to sit him down and say:

Son, Congrats this is an honor and you should be proud of yourself as a baseball player. Someone out there has taken notice of you.

Then the conversation would go like this: Son, it is your choice if you would like to attend this tryout but I need to let you know a few things, it will be a lonnnnng day and you will be surrounded by a lot of talented players and you can see how you stack up to these players, during the tryout the majority of the players will only throw 5-10 pitches during this lonnnng day so make sure you understand that before you go.....As your mother, I am willing to do this for you (drive to the tryout/wait hours in the stands) iif you decide not to go then again congrats on the honor of the invite I am proud of you.

Son, but if you decide to go you will be seen by a lot of college/pro scouts at no cost to us except time/gas money......the decision is yours.................this is just one of many avenues to be seen so we either go or wait/find another avenue.

Then I would hope to remember this conversation as I am sitting in the stands for hours on end for those 5-10 pitches and telling myself it is an honor just to be in this arena with these young men and their parents........there are a lot of young men out there that should be here that weren't given the invite so enjoy this moment.

Thanks for the posting/insight and information and to those that got the invites GOOD LUCK, enjoy and relax.

DTiger... ABSOLUTELY I agree on that point!!! It is only ONE avenue to be seen and be noticed... an extremely good avenue... but only ONE of many.

All I know is my son (and his parents!) were thrilled with the invite alone. Are we planning on his making the team? No. Is that our main point of going? No. ( Don't know that we could afford the "Free" team even if he did ) He wants to play ball in college so we'll take every opportunity to get him that chance! We'll go watch him throw his 12-15 pitches and hope he catches someone's eye We're all looking forward to the day (even his grandparents are going!) My husband and I are both Aggies so it'll be nice to be in College Station again.

Momandcpa-good luck to your son as well as anybody else who's going! Is your son a pitcher?

quote:

old pitcher, YOU, would be wrong on the 85% pre selection. It doesn't work like that no matter what any of you think.

Old Pitcher, when a pitcher only throws 3-4 pitches that means he was 88-90 plus range and there is no need to waist his arm since the velocity dictates he stay and pitch in the scrimmage. NOT that it was already determined he stay. He hit the magic number of 90 so why throw anymore when your gonna see him in the scrimmage. COME ON!!

Vance,

Thank you for the clarification. I am glad to know that they don't pre-determine the players. It definitely was an honor for my 08 son to be invited a year early. Now he knows what needs to take place for him to get a chance next year to make the cut.

ORMom... my sentiments exactly! Again, it is a great avenue to be seen by college scouts. Sent you a PM.

Old Pitcher... my son went last year as well. Having one year "under his belt" should help him a lot!

To add a little more perspective on this popular topic ...

My son never got invited to AC. While we were really disappointed at the time, things ended up working out OK as he's headed off to play ball at the college level next year. One major factor that helped was he was blessed enough to play on a quality summer team where he got the right exposure with the college recruiters over the course of last summer.

We had a few of the Mustangs players go down to Baylor this week and everyone I talked to said it was a good experience if for nothing other than the exposure the players got with college scouts. Also, IMHO, there were several other rising seniors on our team who should have been invited to AC and weren't. That's life though. It's not always a fair deal.

Congrats to those who were invited to AC and for those whose kids weren't, don't be too discouraged.

Bottom line is ... if your son can play, recruiters and scouts will find him - period.

quote:

Bottom line is ... if your son can play, recruiters and scouts will find him - period.

You're exactly right! There are many, many people who get paid good money...kinda...to make sure the world is covered and the good ones are found. It will happen if it's in God's plan.

Very nice summary, oldbat-never.

The Area Code tryout can be a disappointment, in many respects, if you do not know what to expect.

Well Beavan threw 8 pitches and they said thats enough. Your Hired! clocked at 90-94.