Anyone's son play Independent ball? Anyone know of anyone who played Indy ball?
Did they play after college? Did they play instead of college? Did they play affiliated ball first or go straight to Indy? How did the process work? Did they attend a tryout or get recruited?
How was the overall experience?
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Everyone I know of who played Indy ball (six without thinking too hard) did it after they were released from a MLB organization.
Son’s roommate played this summer. He had TJ a few years ago and never got his velo back. He was on the school time last year but didn’t make it this year. Went Indy over the summer and got back to mid 90s. Not sure his plan with it. Right now just going to school.
@RJM posted:Everyone I know of who played Indy ball (six without thinking too hard) did it after they were released from a MLB organization.
Ditto, and everyone that played Indy ball was doing something else to make a living very soon thereafter.
Just my experience.
Son got a couple of offers this year but went back for 5th year of college and play last year. I just don't think it is realistic unless you have finances and just want to live the dream a little longer. I know many that did it after MLB release and some got back to MLB out of it but very few. I know no one who went Indy then got called up by MLB but I'm sure there are a few.
My son's best friend played last summer. He had labrium surgery last winter and is hoping that it will give him some exposure. In the off season he works at a baseball facility near home. At least one player on my son's high A team was brought in from an Indy team.
@fenwaysouth posted:Ditto, and everyone that played Indy ball was doing something else to make a living very soon thereafter.
Just my experience.
The kid from our high school was released at age twenty after three seasons of A ball. He played three seasons of Indy ball while instructing at an academy in the off season.
One of my son’s college teammates was released after being a AAAA for a few seasons. He’s played Indy the last two seasons trying to get picked up by another MLB organization.
Three of son’s travel teammates come from families well off enough to support their Indy baseball habit for three years after being released. One got signed and released a few weeks later. He returned to Indy ball. Two now have real jobs. One is in law school.
Another local kid my son befriended on the basketball court from another local travel program played played one year after release and decided to join reality.
Only his college teammate got past A ball.
@Francis7 posted:Anyone's son play Independent ball? Anyone know of anyone who played Indy ball?
Did they play after college? Did they play instead of college? Did they play affiliated ball first or go straight to Indy? How did the process work? Did they attend a tryout or get recruited?
How was the overall experience?
My son played Indy ball (Long Island Ducks) after he was released from the Tigers.
Most of the players were former milb or mlb players.
Most of the better Indyball leagues are affiliated with MLB. If they are not, and a player is considering an alternative to college, this is not a recommended option.
@CoachB25 posted:I have met a few Indy ball players who were the sons of members here long ago. They played for the Gateway Grizzlies. Perhaps @TPM or someone who has been here long enough could remember their names. I can not though I have pictures of them at games. Shame on me.
Sorry Coach, I don't remember either.
Francis or anyone else can go to Gateway Grizzles and see info on recent players.
It gives you an idea of how old they are and experience.
A college teammate of my son's played indy ball after graduation. He was very low side pitcher, hoping to get picked up. However, he only got traded to another indy team. He played one season.
One of son's HS teammates, an UDFA, is playing indy ball after being released from AAA. He is a LHP. Two seasons of Indy ball after a season in Mexico.
keewartson was offered by a half dozen teams after his release this spring. His reasoning was, after playing AAA ball, what is the point? Plus, he wasn't a pitcher.
Some MLB players that are released play indy ball hoping to get picked back up. Many seem to be foreign players without many other options. Or at least they play until they can figure it out.
Rightly or wrongly....it does prolong the dream. The player needs to know if they are just the supporting cast to the pitchers.
