I Need Help

You came to the right place. I would start by contacting Jeff McKay from Baseball Northwest. He is from Washington, but one of the main guys out in your territory.

How long have you worked for this particular company? Will your boss give you a flexible schedule so you can work AND play? Down here the coaches that I know would be flexible as in doing payments towards your cost of legion ball. Talk to your boss first then talk to your coach. Things will work out.

Well, during the summer I work at a restaurant during the day mostly, and then at night at a Drive-In Theatre. The problem with the Legion is that our rival school's catcher is a senior this year, and he's awesome. He'll play most of the time and so I just don't know if it's worth my time and money this year to sit the bench for most of the time. But I don't know. Money's tight to come by and I just don't know if Legion's where it's gonna help me and my family the most. But thanks PGStaff for your tip with Jeff and Rock-N-Fire for that help. I'll try to see if anything will work out

Good luck.

A few suggestions:

Contact a local JUCO. Let the coach know you would be happy to catch a few bullpens when needed.I did this,and I actually got to on a few occasions. Nothing fancy,but you get to catch decent pitchers and your name is in the coaches head for down the road.Coaches also talk

Another thing I would do is try working somewhere thats flexible.I know how work is,because I have held a job since freshman year. Summer is a critical time in baseball,and if you want to continue,you will need the summers to get stronger and play baseball with the HS or legion/travel team.

Go to an MLSB event. They are free,and plenty of coaches/scouts go to some of these.Check the MLB site for dates

Don't forget your academics! Academics are an element of yourself that speaks louder than actions when it comes to financial aid for school. Work on your grades, too. Good luck. Glad you're asking for advice so early.

Your very wise to plan early, and you seem very realistic about your situation. If you haven't already seen it, there is an excellant timeline to plan your path on this website. Keep in mind this is 'ideal' and will need to be tailored for your individual situation.

Recruiting Timeline

This summer you can get creative; next summer you will need a little ore time dedicated to baseball and the summer after your Junior year is crucial. JuCo and College recruiters rarely see hs games as their own season is going on at the time.

I like the idea of volunteering at the JuCo, given there's one near and any players around --- but how about the same deal with Legion Ball? Let the coach know that your job obligations this summer will get in the way, but you'd like to work out with the team, catch bullpens, when you can. Show willing and show responsibility...they're impressive traits.

Best of luck to you and keep asking questions!

Well, first of all I really want to say thanks to everybody. I didn't know what to do. I flat out didn't, and you know this advice could work. The nearest JuCo is probaly an hour or so away, but there's one more thing i haven't really thought of. My coach's father played in the Bigs, and he's a stand-up great guy. He's actually also the one who asked me to come play Legion. He's the assistant coach, and it's hard to say no. I might just talk to him and ask him about recruiting and stuff. Last year, we had a senior pitcher who was throwing in the high 90s and went on an LDS Mission before playin college ball, but he got a few really good looks from Fresno St, UNC, and a bunch of other really good D1 schools thanks to my coach gettin the word out about him. Academics is not a problem nor should it ever be (I hope) 4.0 all the way through so far and it's gonna be that way for a long time. Thanks again

I also forgot to mention that in the fall, I start on the Varsity s****r team as Goalie, and in the winter the same in basketball. They keep me in fantastic shape, so the conditioning and strength training during the off-season isn't such a huge factor, but like I mentioned before I live in Idaho. It snows from November to April. I think that this year our season took place over the course of 4 weeks with many consecutive games over the week. There aren't many indoor training facilities except for up at BYU-Idaho, which I plan on using this winter, however there aren't any leagues or other teams that can play due to the 4 feet of snow that is usually covering the state of Idaho. But, I have one more question. Is there anything that I can do on my own, or with my older brother or coach, that will equal the amount of training that I would get as opposed to the kids who live in Arizona and play year-round. It's just not an option to play during those times around here but I'm willing to do just about anything to get a shot at playing past high school. Just throwing that out there...

*s o c c e r. I don't know why it edits that

quote:

Last year, we had a senior pitcher who was throwing in the high 90s...but he got a few really good looks ....thanks to my coach gettin the word out about him.

If you throw high 90's my grandma can get the word out and you'll get some good looks...

Just kidding...keep up the good work and the grades. Playing year-round isn't required. If you have the tools, no one cares that you didn't play year-round, it might actually be a positive that you're 'low-mileage'...

Haha thanks. The only thing I'm really concerned is getting noticed. I mean my team might go to state the next couple of years, but it's still only 3A. Nobody cares

There are probably differing opinions on this, but I'll throw mine out there.

I am a proponent of playing and enjoying multiple sports. My advice would be to work (a job) this summer and try to hook on with a baseball gig that works for your training, but don't worry as much about recruitment. Then play your other sports and enjoy them during your sophmore year. My son did this exactly and didn't touch a baseball for 5 months. You are likely athletic enough that you will catch up quickly when you start baseball again in the spring.

Work towards finding a way to play summer ball after your sophmore season (that may mean working to save money this summer) and maybe trying to get to a showcase or college camp during that summer. Do the showcase or camp while you are at the top of your baseball game. That showcase will let you know how you stack up against other recruits.

quote:

The only thing I'm really concerned is getting noticed. I mean my team might go to state the next couple of years, but it's still only 3A. Nobody cares

I know where you're coming from...My son plays 1A. But we have one player from last year playing college now and one from this year's team is going to play college next year. You just have to do the work yourself through your own network of coaches and contacts and summer teams.

All of the scouts are in the stadium watching the big school guys make 8 or 9 errors... (Uh oh, I'm in trouble now... )

Thanks for all the advice. It seems like Summer ball is the only option for me, except I just don't have the money to blow on that sort of thing. Don't get me wrong, I have the money and I would think it a wise investment, but there are other things that take presidence right now and will later. College, even if I get a 50% Scholarship for athletics, how am I supposed to come up with the money to eat and pay rent during college? I love baseball, and I don't know what I'd do with my spare time if I didn't have it. But part of me is just telling me to wake up into reality. The chances for me as a nobody from a nobody school getting to go play college baseball are very slim. I'm willing to put forth the time and effort when I have it, but the only thing I'm concerned about is if the recruiuters and college coaches do.

You have a MUCH better chance of playing beyond HS, whether it's DIV 1, 2 3 or a Junior College, if you are 4.0 student.

It's easier to get help with college money for academics.

Buddy of mine was a pretty good ball player. Was an excellent student. Ended up going to a small college on an academic scholarship, and was invited to walk on and play baseball. Which he did.

Great academics ALWAYS open doors.

quote:

Thanks for all the advice. It seems like Summer ball is the only option for me, except I just don't have the money to blow on that sort of thing. Don't get me wrong, I have the money and I would think it a wise investment, but there are other things that take presidence right now and will later. College, even if I get a 50% Scholarship for athletics, how am I supposed to come up with the money to eat and pay rent during college? I love baseball, and I don't know what I'd do with my spare time if I didn't have it. But part of me is just telling me to wake up into reality. The chances for me as a nobody from a nobody school getting to go play college baseball are very slim. I'm willing to put forth the time and effort when I have it, but the only thing I'm concerned about is if the recruiuters and college coaches do.

sugarstud,

Don't want to sound harsh, but it just seems like you don't really love it that much. If that's the case, by all means, work and save up your money for college. For sure don't "BLOW" it playing baseball. Just put forth the time and effort when you have it to spare. No sense in being concerned about what the the recruiters and college coaches do.

Maybe you'll be able to play college baseball when you can spare some time and effort.

If I'm reading your posts correctly, you just finished your freshman season. I don't think it is really decision time for you this summer. Since money is an obstacle, work the summer, play your Sophmore season and see where you stand after that.

You will be a year more mature, and the decisions will come easier. You may change physically and mentally in that year, so don't get negative or stressed over a decision you don't have to make today.

The advice from PG Staff about contacting the PG Northwest guy is perfect, but it could wait until next year. They may be able to help you financially to get you to their event and they can give you an idea of where you stand compared to others your age. If you have to choose one event to attend, I think the PG showcase fits your needs the best.

PGStaff,

I have no problem with you sounding "harsh." If you know me, and my situation. Maybe to some people, a couple thousand for Legion ball isn't that much, but i'm not one of those people. My dad's a school-teacher, and we don't really have that much money.Not to mention, the couple of thousand I'd lose this summer by not working. And as for the time and effort, I put in well over 200 hours working with the baseball coach during the summer and offseason when we both had the time. So, if you have something against realizing what's really important and what's not, go ahead and tell me I don't love baseball. Because I do realize that one day, baseball will just be a game to me. It's not now, and I hope it never will be but it will. But until that day, don't expect me to belive that I don't love and live the game.

Wow-Legion here costs around 100 dollars. They have a very good showcase that is free, also. I guess living in a more remote area can limit your opportunities-good luck to you

quote:

I have no problem with you sounding "harsh." If you know me, and my situation. Maybe to some people, a couple thousand for Legion ball isn't that much, but i'm not one of those people. My dad's a school-teacher, and we don't really have that much money.Not to mention, the couple of thousand I'd lose this summer by not working. And as for the time and effort, I put in well over 200 hours working with the baseball coach during the summer and offseason when we both had the time. So, if you have something against realizing what's really important and what's not, go ahead and tell me I don't love baseball. Because I do realize that one day, baseball will just be a game to me. It's not now, and I hope it never will be but it will. But until that day, don't expect me to belive that I don't love and live the game.

sugarstud,

I have no idea about how much you love the game other than what you wrote. I thought you said that money really wasn't that big a problem. I would still get in touch with Jeff McKay.

If you feel that you need to work and the chances of success in baseball are not all that great then do what ever you want. It's just that most kids who live and breath the game, want to play it as much as they can. I don't really see anything wrong with either approach. It's just that I'm 62 years old and still a dreamer. Dreams don't often come true if you're too much of a realist. Maybe the answer is to find a way to play without paying thousands of dollars. BTW, that sounds like a lot for a Legion Team. In our area Legion ball doesn't cost anything. The local post sponsors everything.

No matter what I wish you the best.

I have to agree with PG---if you really want it you can find a way to play as well as work---my son and many others have done it---also that legion fee is a heck of a lot--around here the kids play for practically nothing when playing legion---what is it costing you for your lessons?

I was under the impression that fees can not be charged by Legion Baseball by rule. I know they get around it with raffles and other stuff but 2K??

It doesn't cost 2k to actually play, but there's only a few teams in Idaho and so I'd have to pay transportation, food, hotel rooms, and then the fee to be on the team. By the end of a 60-70 game season, it adds up.

I think you're right, Polemecist; we have to pay because we don't have a sponsoring Legion post.