Illinois Teams in Jupiter Fl. last weekend

DiamondFan, the St. Louis Pirates also had a lot of Illinois players. They won their pool but were eliminated the next day. My catcher, Brandon Adams, played on the St. Louis Pirates. I don't know if another one of my players did since he was unsure as to whether he could make the games or not due to involvement in other sports.

Thanks for the report...it's nice to hear about our local guys (players and coaches) doing well.

Congrats to all of you.

Great tournament in a great location!

Was surprised not to see Top Tier in Jupiter this past weekend.

Congrats to all the area kids that were down there. Once more proving that there is plenty of talent in our area to compete on the National level.
Very impressed with the Hurricanes and the way they play together as a team, you can sure see they have been together a long time as a club.
Congratulations to Seth Blair and his Reds Scout team that won the tournament. Seth was selcted to the team and as fate would have it, and my luck , we ran into him. And boy was he on!!! touching 94 more then once in the 1st.
Felt kind of wierd getting beat by your own gun. Also made me proud that one of our area guys was getting that chance.
For the na sayers who want to question the young mans loyalty to me , save it... He is a 18 yr old blessed talent who had the chance to play on the best team in the Country. (Best team means better oppurtunity to pitch in front of more scouts and directers) Which in turn to me means better oppurtunity for him.

Some others that were lights out there from the area... Cody Scarpetta drew a huge crowd and was 92 in the 7th. Andy Sawicki was 93 and pumping it late. Seth was the best I have seen him, Some Orioles that helped themselves, Mike Kaczmarek was his normal good self bumping 90 with action and a change and a curve. Kyle Kaminska is really coming on of late, Kyle matched up with the scout team and was very good touching 91 and sitting at 87-88.
Casey Crosby LHP from Kaneland opened many many eyes. He closed out a game and did just that. CLOSED IT OUT.... tapped 92 with late explosive FB. We have been working weekly on some secondary pitches and the result was really impressive. His 1st inning he threw 9 out of 11 pitches for strikes and it was all good from there.
Biela, Soto, Swank, and Wright all looked real good for the Canes as well.

Great tournament, awesome experience for the kids.

Also would like to thank former MLB players Eric Pappas(C) and John Cangelosi(OF) for their time and extensive knowledge you brought to the table down there. My guys are very fortunate to have those type resourses made available to them and they know it.

Best thing about this is that the Canes had some good young guys and we were half 08 as well. Baseball in our area is as good as any and we are just starting to prove it.

duecedoc, CONGRATULATIONS on getting your team down to Florida and letting them play. I know you had a great time. When you got back into it, you said you'd work hard for the kids. Again, Congrats!

Deucedoc,
Glad to see a coach who puts his players future before his own personal gain. Very refreshing outlook in this day of travel baseball! I have heard alot of good things about your program and can see it is definately a reflection of you.
Good Luck this upcoming season!

Good to see all the good midwestern talent and teams do well down there. I think is becoming clear that we may not have the quantity of players that states like Florida, California and Texas have but the quality is very comparable.

If I had a 6th son, I'd want him to play for deucedoc!

It's not about him...it's about his player's.

I second Soxnole's statement. My son was lucky enough to play for DueceDoc last summer as an 18 year old. Flat out, he's the best on all fronts.

I totally respect Soxnole and Boris' opinions as I feel I've gotten to know them from the board. I have heard other things about the Oriole's program.

Everyone that puts themselves out in the public is going to have admireres and detrators (I think I butchered some spellings). But, I did hear rumors that people were upset with the program, that it was crumbling, people were upset with the costs, the roster was too big etc.

Just after I hear this stuff, the program did well in Jupitor, and I hear good things from Sox and Boris. I guess I'm looking for more input. do you think the negatives are from people who didn't get the playing time they thought they should get? Maybe they spent the bucks, didn't get the high exposure they wanted, and are knocking the program.

Any input would be appreciated.

I would like to add that the Illinois Orioles is top notch. My son played for them in the fall and he said he would not play for another organization again other than them. The coaching is second to none. Duecedoc is the best out there today. He is for all the kids on his teams.

bballdad1954, you have a PM.

Duecedoc:

Thanks for the report...you have to be encouraged by the results.

I really like your approach and the players in this region are going to benefit from your vision. Like others have said...it's about the players and not you.

You're rubbing off on all of us...and we're the better for it.

This will sound like an old, worn out cliche...but I truly, sincerely mean it..."Keep up the good work...it is paying off!"


Thanks

I would not let anyone else coach my two kids. You will always find people who ***** about something. Fact is, my boy's arm is as healthy at the end of the season as it was 6 months ago, and that really means a lot. I have seen BIG TIME abuse of young kids arms and that NEVER happened with the Orioles. They are all Saints in our household, and my boys would go to their grave for all of them. They teach the game the right way and put all the kids in a position to succeed- sometimes parents don't always get that.

Virtually every high level team can only play 9 @ any 1 time.

IMO, it takes a real man (player or parent)to realize that you just may be # 10....or 20...on that particular team. I know such a pair (pitcher and Dad) that were in that position with the Oriole's.

Result: The young man is now getting ready to pitch for 1 of the top 40 D1 programs in the nation.

A player/pitcher/parent must know what they are getting into. Most importantly they need to stress things like hard work and incremental improvement instead of the griping and complaining that seems to prevail among this 10-20 category.

I also greatly admire friends of mine (players/parents) that chose lesser teams to guarantee PT. In this way everyone wins and parity happens. You just have to know what you want....and...what you can live with.

This go's on @ every level from t-ball to D1. A parent must alway's be prepared for this critical decision as your young man climbs this ever more competitive ladder. The player should be fully appraised of your thought process and what you expect of the Team/Coach/himself. Follow these gude lines and save yourself at least a little frustration.

They are not all Mickey Mantle or Bob Gibson!

Finally, I really do believe that deucedoc could "take your'n and beat his'n" immediately after "his'n beat your'n". I feel this way because he teaches first and worries about winning second. He cares about your son.

Simply put, he has yet to have the very top talent that he appears to now have. He too will have to deal (with the gripers and complainers), something unecessary in the recent past.

You're correct soxnole...it's all about having real expectations...or better stated...having expectations based on reality.

Congrats to the Orioles and making the playoffs...

We were again down in FL and had a disappointing end...that's baseball as they say.

Once again though, it was a top-notch event and the players from all over the country showed why this event is the best.

Some positives for our squad were:

Previously mentioned Cody Scarpetta (Rockford) throwing 7 lights out innings and touching 92/93.

Brett Zawacki (LaSalle) throwing 2 perfect innings while touching 94.

Mike Recchia (Shepard) throwing 4 perfect innings with 8 K's and working 87-90 with a great CB.

Kurt Muller (Sun Prairie, WI) going 4-4 in our final game with 3 SB's and 3 runs scored.

Brett Suchy (Hinsdale) going 2-2 with 3 RBI's in our 1st game.

Congrats to all who competed and showed their collective "stuff" from the Upper Midwest.

Hey Duecedoc how did Huenecke show?

Joey threw the ball great this Fall. Had command of both his pitches and got the win in rain delayed game down there.

Nick Rice from Tremper HS was also very sharp in his 5 plus innings in the win over East Cobb. Nick, let me know when you make your decision... 08 Sivertsen from Carmel was great all weekend and 08 Brown from Warrenville showed why he is a top level guy. Can't forget my guy Raffy, Garcia showed real well , I saw hands as good but none better.
Sawicki from Lake Park,, had a pinch hit game winner and another game winning rbi. Scotty Sexton was his consistant self at the plate.

Blazer,
it was good running to a few of the same places this Fall, you run a good program and we look forward to getting together next year...

Coach B

Ran into the Pirates coach (Rick) down there. Have had many a conversation with him but finally met him. First class guy, and we look forward to hooking up with them this Summer.

Thanks Doc, I know he enjoyed the fall. I appreciate the efforts you and your staff made. I am excited to see him perform in the spring.

Great for Casey. Thats pretty impressive being able to throw strikes like that while playing a full season of football.

Coach,

you know him better then I, but in a very short time its easy to see how great a kid he is. He will be successful at whatever he chooses ..And he will be very good this Spring...

thanks doc, anytime I can do anything for you let me know. You come highly reccomended.

quote:

Originally posted by deucedoc:
Coach B

Ran into the Pirates coach (Rick) down there. Have had many a conversation with him but finally met him. First class guy, and we look forward to hooking up with them this Summer.

deucedoc, yes, Rick is a great guy. I've never met him in person but have talked to him a few times on the phone. I know that my players have all had great things to say. I've been lucky to have guys play for both Rick and SIBullets. It helps when those guys can help my guys overcome poor high school coaching!

Deucedoc....

Great feedback!!!!!!! Always knew we had talent in our area. I know John, and men like yourself, will have a tremendous impact in our area for many, many years to come helping these kids get to the next level and beyond. Colleges and MLB will realize some day that our kids in the colder climates, in most part want and do work harder than in other areas of the country. I only wish we had known about you four years earlier!!

Coach B

Both Rick and Todd do real nice jobs down there and their kids are fortunate to have them.. As for the bad HS coaches, I watched your club two years ago at Weslyn and it doesnt take very long to see that your guys are very deciplined and well coached.

Boomer
I'm with you on our area having some talented players. This next Spring is going to be a pitchers paradise for the pro guys. Thanks for the kind words and I wish I could have had the chance to coach your son. He plays the game hard and with respect and it shines on his play. I hope he is having a great time at school. Send my best for a safe and healthy season. His play will take care of itself.

Baseball America had one of our guys (Daniel Webb) as their second rated 08 prospect at the tournament..

Boomer, I am not sure if you are aware but consistently over the last decade we have been fluctuating between the no# 4 and 5 state in the draft. Florida, California, Texas are usually top 3 Arizona, Illinois, Georgia are the next three. The reality is that our kids are fundamentally more sound than the many out there solely due to the fact that our winters confine us and force us to become fundamentally more sound. Who would have ever thought that the best thing to happen to our players is the cold. Lastly you may have been noticing that all of the Major baseball schools (ACC, SEC, Big 12) have built indoor hitting facilities (anyone who believes they are just for inclimate weather is kidding themselves)

Duce,

Just picked up on this… Look at what you started! Congrats to the Orioles! Congrats to the Hurricanes, Blazers, and Pirates! These gentlemen make us all proud to be from the great state of the Midwest! Duce you’re the best… sterling on silver. I feel blessed to have had the good fortune to cross your path. Old School… Good Stuff!

Deucedoc.....

Thanks!!! He had a great fall and he has a great opportunity next spring. Got stronger, faster (6.8-6.9), hit the snout-out-of-the ball, led-off with the most at-bats, played centerfield, stole a bunch of bases, not unlike in high school (coach), and gained some muscle. Not alot, but some. I know it's D3 baseball, but he's worked his butt-off and he will probably play alot his freshman year. What more could he ask for?????

Playball2.....

I know we send a bunch of kids to quality schools, and some are fortunate enough to get a shot in pro ball. I just think that we have some very talented pro scouts in our area who are capitalizing on this "talent pool", and I feel that they will draw more colleges along with them. A few years ago at North Central College in Naperville, they held the Area Code tryouts. My son had just finished his freshman year at Lyons Township, and we spent the afternoon watching the kids invited to participate in this event. WOW, all MLB teams and approximately 30 to 40 colleges were represented. We most definitely have the talent in the midwest, we just need to have them "atuned" to what is expected of them when they are on "display"!!!! I really believe that if they were to prepare for this type of event, or even a showcase or college camp, many more players would be considered as prospects from our area, college and pro alike. I think that the key is proper training, with insite as to the procedures or type of things that scouts and coaches look for and want in a player. I've seen too many "studs" go-bye-the-wayside because they just didn't have a clue as to what is expected of them during these types of events. It's not all about homeruns, 90+ mph fastball with several 'plus' pitches, speed in running, fielding, throwing, you know, the 5 Tools, but it includes the intangibles. SURE, those homers, fastballs, speed will definitely get someones attention, but don't forget about the intangibles.

I'm glad that our teams did well in Florida, and I wish all those players the 'best of luck' this year and next. If I could make a chnage in my life, it would be to become a baseball scout!!!!!!! What a great game, and a great game to see such young talent progress and blossom into someone special. I always think about seeing Charlies Johnson, Edgar Rentiera, Josh Beckett and others at Kane County. Wow, what a dream!!! Watching baseball every day. Somebody might think I'm nuts, but WOW, what a great thing to do!!!!!!!!!!!!

Playball2,

its been that way for a long time now and its not going to change anytime soon. Too many people teaching the game like yourself. Your kids have no idea how lucky they are to have a qualified guy working with them everyday.

Boomer,

Your sons fast start doesnt surprise me in the least. I played with more than a few guys who were told they were too small or too slow or didnt throw hard enough. Talent takes you to a certain level and then the ones who make it are the ones who keep the passion and keep working toward their goal. Whats the worst thing that is going to happen? He gets his education, establishes life long friendships from school,
plays at a high level and last I looked, you dont have to be at a DI school to get a chance... And by the way, we are all sort of nuts, baseball nuts, but thats a good thing..

Smokey,

I hear real good things form the Coastal guys on Joeseph. Its starting to happen right in front of your eyes... Enjoy and tell him I said hey...

Thanks Duece, Much like I feel a greater fortune being around them. They have always taught me more than I have taught them and that is the beauty of coaching, it is truly a gift whose returns are far greater than it's investments.

Boomer, you may have something there. I would be very interested in coaching up kids on how to showcase themselves first, their skills second.

Playball2....

About 3 years ago I had several conversations with a very knowledgeable 'baseball man', and he told me that even though if a kid has talent, he also needs to have "make-up"!!! NO, not the kind the ladies use, but make-up meaning "character, attitude (the good kind), work ethic, etc."

Coaches and scouts want a player that is thinking baseball, team, hard work, extra hard work, health, you kind of get the picture. It's not about "me" that they want to see. Are they focused on preparation, or are they just standing around looking pretty and thinking about that scholarship or fat contract they are going to sign for?????

If these kids and parents would just simply think about what is 'common sense' and do the little things that would make them better, they would get further through the process. Ah-h-h-h, if only I could charge for this advice!!!!!!!!

I still think all they care about is how hard you throw.

You must throw "hard enough" to get a look. All the other stuff mentioned just raises your value because if you have character, your odds of moving up the food chain goes up quite a bit.

Did anyone see Princeville's Sean Schaffer pitch for the St. Louis Pirates?