Illinois Prospect Camp

Coach Merc,

Thanks for the heads up. Anyone thinking about attending U of I and playing baseball, especially HS freshman and sophomores, should give this serious consideration.

No problem,
I like when there are camps or showcases right in your back yard where there is minimal travel.

My son is attending this week as 15 yo. We'll report back after camp concludes. So far fairly typical prospect format as far as I know. 1st day tryouts then team selections. Then drills and games leading up to a championship finale Thursday morning. I guess 200 - 250 kids total. BTW- counts start at 1-1 in games.

My son is 15 and down at the camp too. The couple minutes a day he calls to talk to me, I get the sense from him that the camp is fun, and the coaches are being sure that the kids get their work in too. It seems like the instruction and evaluation is taking place in a team/game environment. After the two tryout sessions on Sunday afternoon, the kids were drafted on to teams. The kids were drafted irregardless of age so each team has a mix of HS aged kids, which is nice because my son said he faced a pitcher yesterday throwing 87 during his bullpen. Also my son is working hard to stay in the MI and Josh Parr, SS Illinois Valley Central HS Class A 2006 State Champions, is on his team. So I'm glad he is getting a chance to work with and against some good upper classman ballplayers, and expand his circle of friends, and coach's who one day down the road may be able to give him the break he needs to continue to play ball if he is capable and so desires. BTW, it seems like the coaches running this camp are not just U of I's but other college coaches that came in from throughout the midwest.

I agree. Saw the Championship game on Thursday and there were some fine players out there. The kids looked like they were having fun, and the game I saw they really played hard. One problem, man was it HOT!

My son's team was fortunate enough to play in and win that championship game. He was very excited to get some playing time at SS with Josh Parr. He seemed to really have enjoyed the camp and said that their team had a great time together. New friends ..... money well spent.

Tuzigoot,

my son was the 1st baseman and the final pitcher on that team, I had to laugh when the coaches had to shag them off the field, because they wanted to stay and play flips. You said it best, new friends and money well spent. Who was the young catcher? he had some skills

Not sure what the catcher's names were. However my son said that the team had two very good catchers.

Sorry for the late updates. My son "Ryan Needles" caught the last five innings for that championship game. He is 2008 class. We both felt the instruction was top flight and Coach Thompson was perfect with the kids. It was "sticky" that day and several outfield plays during the game looked like water sport events from the rain Wed night. The eval sheets seemed tough but fair. I was a liitle surprised by the "low" average arm speeds and 60 times that were averaged across the camp participants.

I'll put up what camp pictures I took at Pictures later this week. I took several during the shortened flips game.

We are looking for winter camp opportunities now and see that Iowa has a two day in Sept and that the U of Evansville has a 1 day 8/20. Any other ideas?

We will attend in 2007!

what school does your son attend? he is a fine player. My guy was the last pitcher that threw to him. I wish we had another year to go back, it appeared everyone had a great time

quote:

I'll put up what camp pictures I took at Pictures later this week. I took several during the shortened flips game.

Yo yo yo, you puttin up the pics Nick?

Pictures and a few short videos are up from the "Rangers" championship game. I have about 5 min in total video (mostly focused on catcher

Dodgers28: I'll send a DVD if you email me. The last few mintues capture him pitching. Do they call your son Wolfie?

Nickel plays for Highland High School, Highland, Indiana.

They do call him Wolfie, a new one for him but he liked it - LOL. Would love a copy of the DVD. Tell your young man to keep working he is going to be a good one.

Thanks, my son was hoping he got in a few.

any dates set for the winter camp?

Was just on campus this weekend to watch parctice....

The winter camp is December 27 - 30. Information should be on line shortly or call the baseball office.