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Great article, very informative. Thanks for posting this. Son has several teammates playing in the NW league this summer. Now I understand why one of the pitchers has already thrown so many innings. I guess it could be a mixed blessing for players that didn't play as much during the year.
IF08,
Thanks for the link. Junior has been working on a relationship next summer with a NWL team because it is close to home.
A couple of different pro scouts recommended that Junior take a gig in the NWL rather than Cape Cod. They said that Junior will get more good innings in the NWL. They claim that the CCL is infamous for sending away players who don't start fast as the coaches there are prospecting for job upgrades themselves and have little patience with players. I found the whole conversation with these scouts very interesting.
Thanks for the link. Junior has been working on a relationship next summer with a NWL team because it is close to home.
A couple of different pro scouts recommended that Junior take a gig in the NWL rather than Cape Cod. They said that Junior will get more good innings in the NWL. They claim that the CCL is infamous for sending away players who don't start fast as the coaches there are prospecting for job upgrades themselves and have little patience with players. I found the whole conversation with these scouts very interesting.
CP,
Could you elaborate a bit on what you have posted, I am not understanding.
Thanks.
Could you elaborate a bit on what you have posted, I am not understanding.
Thanks.
CPLZ,
If he gets a chance to play in the Cape Cod League, please tell him to go! Even most scouts would tell you that. For sure all the high level scouts would.
The Northwoods League is great, though. It's very much a minor league atmosphere. Some teams draw big crowds. The Cape draws the top players for the most part. Thus it draws by far the most scouting attention.
If he gets a chance to play in the Cape Cod League, please tell him to go! Even most scouts would tell you that. For sure all the high level scouts would.
The Northwoods League is great, though. It's very much a minor league atmosphere. Some teams draw big crowds. The Cape draws the top players for the most part. Thus it draws by far the most scouting attention.
PG,
Junior has a bit of a different take on getting scouted than most probably do. This summer he was home for all of 12 days. Next summer...none, he doesn't get to come home, but he does get to play summer baseball...after a mandatory 3 week leadership course. His attitude is, that if he's good enough to play pro ball, they'll scout him and draft him. His priority next summer is to play summer ball somewhere close to home, where his Mom and his friends will get a chance to see him before he goes overseas for military service.
The scouts that recommended he go NWL and not CCL, know him pretty well and said he is already on enough pro radar screens that he will get scouted well. They agree there are more scouts at CCL (they said, that's because the scouts love to go there on vacation), but don't think NWL will change his draft status significantly.
TPM,
Other than that, I'm not sure what you'd like me to elaborate on.
Junior has a bit of a different take on getting scouted than most probably do. This summer he was home for all of 12 days. Next summer...none, he doesn't get to come home, but he does get to play summer baseball...after a mandatory 3 week leadership course. His attitude is, that if he's good enough to play pro ball, they'll scout him and draft him. His priority next summer is to play summer ball somewhere close to home, where his Mom and his friends will get a chance to see him before he goes overseas for military service.
The scouts that recommended he go NWL and not CCL, know him pretty well and said he is already on enough pro radar screens that he will get scouted well. They agree there are more scouts at CCL (they said, that's because the scouts love to go there on vacation), but don't think NWL will change his draft status significantly.
TPM,
Other than that, I'm not sure what you'd like me to elaborate on.
quote:Originally posted by CPLZ:
They claim that the CCL is infamous for sending away players who don't start fast as the coaches there are prospecting for job upgrades themselves and have little patience with players. I found the whole conversation with these scouts very interesting.
The CCL part I don't get, but understand now why it would be suggested he play close to hone.
quote:Originally posted by TPM:quote:Originally posted by CPLZ:
They claim that the CCL is infamous for sending away players who don't start fast as the coaches there are prospecting for job upgrades themselves and have little patience with players. I found the whole conversation with these scouts very interesting.
The CCL part I don't get, but understand now why it would be suggested he play close to hone.
They were trying to make me understand that unless you are a player who comes in with a lot of hype, coaches won't have patience with you because they have their own agenda. They intimated that it's a risk going to the CCL because of it. One off day, and a non blue chipper could find the bench or get run off.
CP,
I can see that point they were trying to make.
I might agree, since this is where many of the prospects play, if one doesn't do well, it could hurt, however, have seen some non prospects become prospects in one summer and some prospects become non prospects. That's why some coaches choose some of their players to go to the cape and some to go elsewhere. The smart coach sends players to a league that they will do well in, not struggle.
The article about over use in the summer, I found very informative.
I can see that point they were trying to make.
I might agree, since this is where many of the prospects play, if one doesn't do well, it could hurt, however, have seen some non prospects become prospects in one summer and some prospects become non prospects. That's why some coaches choose some of their players to go to the cape and some to go elsewhere. The smart coach sends players to a league that they will do well in, not struggle.
The article about over use in the summer, I found very informative.
CPLZ,
That really makes a lot of sense. I hope he gets to play close to home. That would be great for your family. Besides, if he does well, everyone will know about it. The Northwoods League is great.
However, if he does go to the Cape, tell him to stay away from that town down at the end. My wife and I accidently ended up at a *** Parade in that town, one year. I have the photos to prove it!
Note: We are too old to be ***! We went down their to go whale watching, but missed the boat. It was the day of the annual *** Parade, so we stuck around to watch.
Some scouts might go to the Cape just to vacation, but most go there to see the large number of very talented kids.
That really makes a lot of sense. I hope he gets to play close to home. That would be great for your family. Besides, if he does well, everyone will know about it. The Northwoods League is great.
However, if he does go to the Cape, tell him to stay away from that town down at the end. My wife and I accidently ended up at a *** Parade in that town, one year. I have the photos to prove it!
Note: We are too old to be ***! We went down their to go whale watching, but missed the boat. It was the day of the annual *** Parade, so we stuck around to watch.
Some scouts might go to the Cape just to vacation, but most go there to see the large number of very talented kids.
The word G A Y is outlawed? Better hope the *** Rights people don't see that.
quote:Originally posted by PGStaff:
CPLZ,
That really makes a lot of sense. I hope he gets to play close to home. That would be great for your family. Besides, if he does well, everyone will know about it. The Northwoods League is great.
However, if he does go to the Cape, tell him to stay away from that town down at the end. My wife and I accidently ended up at a *** Parade in that town, one year. I have the photos to prove it!
Note: We are too old to be ***! We went down their to go whale watching, but missed the boat. It was the day of the annual *** Parade, so we stuck around to watch.
Some scouts might go to the Cape just to vacation, but most go there to see the large number of very talented kids.
PG - I think you have been hanging around too many switch hitters
pg
the wife and i went there to see marvin hagler workout, i couldn't understand why the pink and baby blue bridges. but............then it became very clear why. no parade, but way to much ....well just to much.
no real need to see the end of the cape.
the wife and i went there to see marvin hagler workout, i couldn't understand why the pink and baby blue bridges.
but............then it became very clear why. no parade, but way to much ....well just to much.no real need to see the end of the cape.
20dad,
I really could care less what others do, or if they are ***. There's something about two men walking down the sidewalk holding hands that really bothered me! On the other hand, it wouldn't have bothered me anywhere near as much, had it been two women.
I really could care less what others do, or if they are ***. There's something about two men walking down the sidewalk holding hands that really bothered me! On the other hand, it wouldn't have bothered me anywhere near as much, had it been two women.
CD,
I don't think those folks were "switch" hitters. If you know what I mean!
I don't think those folks were "switch" hitters. If you know what I mean!
Geez, this topic was started about the Northwoods League. A very worthwhile topic. Sorry about that!
PG,(or anyone else who cares to chime in)
Just a quick question regarding this thread.
If you have an athlete who gets his at bats or innings pitched at pretty much any D1 or even a strong juco, would it really be necessary to play Summer league baseball for the sole purpose of being scouted.
As a freshman I can see where you might want to get some throwing or at bats in that you didn't your first collegiate year, but wouldn't the scouts know about you from your school, regional scouts or word of mouth if someone felt you had some talent.
Just curious
thx
Just a quick question regarding this thread.
If you have an athlete who gets his at bats or innings pitched at pretty much any D1 or even a strong juco, would it really be necessary to play Summer league baseball for the sole purpose of being scouted.
As a freshman I can see where you might want to get some throwing or at bats in that you didn't your first collegiate year, but wouldn't the scouts know about you from your school, regional scouts or word of mouth if someone felt you had some talent.
Just curious
thx
workinghard,
A player can improve his draft status a lot with a good summer showing in a wood bat league. Besides scouts do work in the summer, so baseball players should be playing somewhere. The top prospects are somewhat expected to play at a higher level of competition.
That doesn't mean it won't work the other way. But if a player shows well in leagues like the Cape... It can, and often does, lead to a lot more money come draft time.
A player can improve his draft status a lot with a good summer showing in a wood bat league. Besides scouts do work in the summer, so baseball players should be playing somewhere. The top prospects are somewhat expected to play at a higher level of competition.
That doesn't mean it won't work the other way. But if a player shows well in leagues like the Cape... It can, and often does, lead to a lot more money come draft time.
quote:
in leagues like the Cape... It can, and often does, lead to a lot more money come draft time.
Are there leagues like the Cape other than the Cape? Do the other wood bat leagues get similar exposure to the scouts, or is the Cape in a league of its own?
PG,
Then, from your response, I'm going to assume that the folks who play in Cape, Northwoods and Alaska are for the most part already on someones radar and are either just wanting innings, or trying to improve their paycheck. I would think it could have just the opposite effect as well, where as you could hurt your position or possibly even fall off a radar or two.
I guess if your dream is just to get drafted, then you can realize that reality by playing good ball in college and hope just one scout likes what they see.
Last question and thank you in advance.
My son will be a freshman next year (in college) and will be playing at a mid level D1. He wasn't on any pro scouts radar as far as he knows, but when are they able to communicate with you in college and can they suggest to you in writing or verbally that you should go play at A or B in the Summer.
thx
Then, from your response, I'm going to assume that the folks who play in Cape, Northwoods and Alaska are for the most part already on someones radar and are either just wanting innings, or trying to improve their paycheck. I would think it could have just the opposite effect as well, where as you could hurt your position or possibly even fall off a radar or two.
I guess if your dream is just to get drafted, then you can realize that reality by playing good ball in college and hope just one scout likes what they see.
Last question and thank you in advance.
My son will be a freshman next year (in college) and will be playing at a mid level D1. He wasn't on any pro scouts radar as far as he knows, but when are they able to communicate with you in college and can they suggest to you in writing or verbally that you should go play at A or B in the Summer.
thx
PG,
You need to get down to Key West.
You need to get down to Key West.
workinghard,
Your son's summer league assignment will likely be worked out with the help of his college coaches.
Those assignments are usually worked out from mid fall to February or March, and, sometimes, even at the beginning of the summer collegiate leagues.
Your son's participation in the collegiate leagues impacts more than just draft status.
It is an important experience not only in terms of your son's professional baseball career, but his collegiate career as well.
Swinging the wood bat for the summer has a huge impact on swing development and impacts the transition back to metal in the fall.
Playing in a summer league also give players a taste of minor league baseball in living with host families away from home, playing everyday, and bus rides.
There is so much more to focus on than draft status...........
Focus on those things, and with the appropriate talent level, draft status will take care of itself.
Just my .02.
Your son's summer league assignment will likely be worked out with the help of his college coaches.
Those assignments are usually worked out from mid fall to February or March, and, sometimes, even at the beginning of the summer collegiate leagues.
Your son's participation in the collegiate leagues impacts more than just draft status.
It is an important experience not only in terms of your son's professional baseball career, but his collegiate career as well.
Swinging the wood bat for the summer has a huge impact on swing development and impacts the transition back to metal in the fall.
Playing in a summer league also give players a taste of minor league baseball in living with host families away from home, playing everyday, and bus rides.
There is so much more to focus on than draft status...........
Focus on those things, and with the appropriate talent level, draft status will take care of itself.
Just my .02.
I can say with 100% certainty that this season of Colligiate Wood Bat Baseball has been the most enjoyable season of baseball my son has ever experienced. He loves the crowds that come to watch, the level of play, the grind...
He does not want this to end...
He does not want this to end...
FO,
quote:Originally posted by TPM:
PG,
You need to get down to Key West.
BYOBP Bring Your Own Body paint.
Fantastic website I stumbled on through a mention on a post here quite a while back.
http://collegesummerball.blogspot.com/
Lists news from all the summer leagues, including Northwoods and Cape Cod. They even have a free e-mail newsletter you can subscribe to. I always at least skim through it because I've been surprised to see a few kids/coaches I know mentioned from time to time. And no, I have no affiliation with them, just a fan.
http://collegesummerball.blogspot.com/
Lists news from all the summer leagues, including Northwoods and Cape Cod. They even have a free e-mail newsletter you can subscribe to. I always at least skim through it because I've been surprised to see a few kids/coaches I know mentioned from time to time. And no, I have no affiliation with them, just a fan.
]quote:Your son's summer league assignment will likely be worked out with the help of his college coaches.
Those assignments are usually worked out from mid fall to February or March, and, sometimes, even at the beginning of the summer collegiate leagues.
According to the article, assignments are occurring even earlier these days for at least the NWL:
quote:Days after the NWL season is finished in mid-August, the Bucks begin the process of rebuilding their roster for the next summer.
"It's earlier and earlier each year," Bucks general manager Dan Corbin said. "We're on the phones making calls in August and September trying to find spots for players.
"I've got (college) coaches who call me in late October and early November wanting to get a couple guys on the team, and we're already full. We're just following the trend."
True Story!
Dick Radatz Jr. is President of the Northwoods League.
Many years ago his father and I played in the 1st Collegiate League - Basin League in South Dakota.
Also playing in the league was 40 future Major League players, including Bob Gibson; Dick Howser;
Ron Perranoski; Howie Bedell and Steve Boros.
The summer college leagues are a great learning experience for the player, who desire to learn.
Bob Williams
Dick Radatz Jr. is President of the Northwoods League.
Many years ago his father and I played in the 1st Collegiate League - Basin League in South Dakota.
Also playing in the league was 40 future Major League players, including Bob Gibson; Dick Howser;
Ron Perranoski; Howie Bedell and Steve Boros.
The summer college leagues are a great learning experience for the player, who desire to learn.
Bob Williams
quote:Originally posted by workinghard:
PG,
Then, from your response, I'm going to assume that the folks who play in Cape, Northwoods and Alaska are for the most part already on someones radar and are either just wanting innings, or trying to improve their paycheck. I would think it could have just the opposite effect as well, where as you could hurt your position or possibly even fall off a radar or two.
I guess if your dream is just to get drafted, then you can realize that reality by playing good ball in college and hope just one scout likes what they see.
Last question and thank you in advance.
My son will be a freshman next year (in college) and will be playing at a mid level D1. He wasn't on any pro scouts radar as far as he knows, but when are they able to communicate with you in college and can they suggest to you in writing or verbally that you should go play at A or B in the Summer.
thx
(Quote-FO)
workinghard,
Your son's summer league assignment will likely be worked out with the help of his college coaches.
Those assignments are usually worked out from mid fall to February or March, and, sometimes, even at the beginning of the summer collegiate leagues.
Your son's participation in the collegiate leagues impacts more than just draft status.
It is an important experience not only in terms of your son's professional baseball career, but his collegiate career as well.
Swinging the wood bat for the summer has a huge impact on swing development and impacts the transition back to metal in the fall.
Playing in a summer league also give players a taste of minor league baseball in living with host families away from home, playing everyday, and bus rides.
There is so much more to focus on than draft status...........
Focus on those things, and with the appropriate talent level, draft status will take care of itself.
Just my .02.
Thanks for the feedback FO!
Questions for you experienced posters.....
summer leagues- looking across the US at all the different leagues that son's friends and teammmates play in: some players have 187 AB's already, some pitchers have thrown 65 innings. What are the pros and cons of getting tons of AB's and IP?? Are the players in the high reps leagues tired when they start fall ball or are they just more prepared???
And why is it that some college studs with great BA's aren't doing so well with wood bats? Would love to hear stories about your son's summer experiences and what league they played in.
Thanks
summer leagues- looking across the US at all the different leagues that son's friends and teammmates play in: some players have 187 AB's already, some pitchers have thrown 65 innings. What are the pros and cons of getting tons of AB's and IP?? Are the players in the high reps leagues tired when they start fall ball or are they just more prepared???
And why is it that some college studs with great BA's aren't doing so well with wood bats? Would love to hear stories about your son's summer experiences and what league they played in.
Thanks
Thank you FOG for posting this. Great information and I agree with you. In some cases way too many games with not much down time. These boys are such hard workers!
As with many things in baseball, I think there is wide variability on the importance and experience of playing in Summer Wood Bat leagues.
Ours played 2 Summers in the NECBL. That league is modeled around Milb and tries to create a similar experience for baseball and for travel. It is not unusual to have 4-6 hour bus rides, arrive home at 2am and need to be on the field at 11am that day for extra work/infield/hitting/etc.
Each Summer, our son played upwards of 50-55 games including playoffs. He was gone from June 1 until around August 15. That left him about 10 days until school started.
For him, this was the time his passion for baseball truly evolved. This was the time he truly learned what it took to compete, to get better, to succeed. This was the time he learned the importance of being early, staying late and outworking your competition. These were the experiences that led to is desire to play professionally.
Was he tired by August 15? Exhausted would be a better description. Was he excited by the experience? Passionate would be a better description.
My belief is Summer leagues help college players determine if they truly love the game of baseball and the level of competition it takes to succeed when aluminum isn't part of the game.
To address CaBB's question about "stud" hitters and wood bats, wood exposes flaws in your swing. If your swing is long, you get exposed.
If you are not quick/direct to the ball, you get exposed. If you cannot adjust to 90mph on the inside part of the plate, you get exposed.
Most often, with enough reps and extra work,a good hitter will adjust. That is why you often see BA's climb as the season progresses and ERA's do the same.
Players truly find out that their swing is exposed by wood bats and top level pitching, and they have to adjust to improve.
Ours played 2 Summers in the NECBL. That league is modeled around Milb and tries to create a similar experience for baseball and for travel. It is not unusual to have 4-6 hour bus rides, arrive home at 2am and need to be on the field at 11am that day for extra work/infield/hitting/etc.
Each Summer, our son played upwards of 50-55 games including playoffs. He was gone from June 1 until around August 15. That left him about 10 days until school started.
For him, this was the time his passion for baseball truly evolved. This was the time he truly learned what it took to compete, to get better, to succeed. This was the time he learned the importance of being early, staying late and outworking your competition. These were the experiences that led to is desire to play professionally.
Was he tired by August 15? Exhausted would be a better description. Was he excited by the experience? Passionate would be a better description.
My belief is Summer leagues help college players determine if they truly love the game of baseball and the level of competition it takes to succeed when aluminum isn't part of the game.
To address CaBB's question about "stud" hitters and wood bats, wood exposes flaws in your swing. If your swing is long, you get exposed.
If you are not quick/direct to the ball, you get exposed. If you cannot adjust to 90mph on the inside part of the plate, you get exposed.
Most often, with enough reps and extra work,a good hitter will adjust. That is why you often see BA's climb as the season progresses and ERA's do the same.
Players truly find out that their swing is exposed by wood bats and top level pitching, and they have to adjust to improve.
infielddad, that was an incredibly insightful post. And it helps me to understand why one of my son's friends, who was drafted in 2008 out of high school but didn't sign, has a climbing BA on his woodbat team this summer.
Many thanks for all the great points you made.
Many thanks for all the great points you made.
There are different theories on taking summer off.
Mine took summer off going into his sophmore year, it was advised due to the 70+ innings he put in first year. I doubt he would have taken that summer off if he was a position player. There are no practices in summer leagues, just as there are no practices in milb during season. There are few days off. This is baseball 24/7, except for rain days, you don't stop.
Junior year, sons team logged about 70+ games which included conference games, regionals, super regionals and trip to Omaha, returning on wed and leaving on friday for summer ball, return home right before school (at that point maybe well over 125 games logged that spring and summer). It was a good expereience as to what would be ahead.
Infielddad is correct, the really good summer leagues try to create the milb experience.
Playing college ball then summer ball and pro ball is exhausting, but each are different in different ways. The whole idea is to try to get the feel for what may be a pro season in playing spring and summer during college.
Mine took summer off going into his sophmore year, it was advised due to the 70+ innings he put in first year. I doubt he would have taken that summer off if he was a position player. There are no practices in summer leagues, just as there are no practices in milb during season. There are few days off. This is baseball 24/7, except for rain days, you don't stop.
Junior year, sons team logged about 70+ games which included conference games, regionals, super regionals and trip to Omaha, returning on wed and leaving on friday for summer ball, return home right before school (at that point maybe well over 125 games logged that spring and summer). It was a good expereience as to what would be ahead.
Infielddad is correct, the really good summer leagues try to create the milb experience.
Playing college ball then summer ball and pro ball is exhausting, but each are different in different ways. The whole idea is to try to get the feel for what may be a pro season in playing spring and summer during college.
I am not saying no games just not entire summer.Also my son has played against teams that are wonderfully ran.My sons team travels always, has a HS for a home field.Coaches dont take infield before games, no batting practice at most games.My son has had a lot of at bats, he is hitting the ball fine.lots of line drives, swing isnt an issue.out of 54 games this summer we have had 10 home games. some weeks we travel 7 days 2-3 hours.gas, food , etc has added up.Now if he was playing for a good summer team it would be different.Ive seen them we play them.
This weekend we are 6 hours from home, for 6 days,we paid for gas, food etc.No infield, not one time, other team takes it we pass, so say 5-10 groundees for 50 games thats 10 times 50, thats 500 grounders he has missed taking all summer. No practice is one thing, but hardly any swings, show up to away fields and no infield,just hasnt been a good exp. for our family.
But we have played teams that I have seen ran very well, and like a pro team and many of those teams hardly travel. thats just my exp.Hopefuly nest year he will have more opportunity if he signs with a good school.
This weekend we are 6 hours from home, for 6 days,we paid for gas, food etc.No infield, not one time, other team takes it we pass, so say 5-10 groundees for 50 games thats 10 times 50, thats 500 grounders he has missed taking all summer. No practice is one thing, but hardly any swings, show up to away fields and no infield,just hasnt been a good exp. for our family.
But we have played teams that I have seen ran very well, and like a pro team and many of those teams hardly travel. thats just my exp.Hopefuly nest year he will have more opportunity if he signs with a good school.
.
Mine have had 7 summers of College summer ball...in 5 different leagues...from Washington State to Washington DC...
...and I have a little different take. I am a big fan of summer ball for many reasons...the biggest one being it is a life experience... simply not to be missed. But I don’t think that it is as simple as “you can’t miss it, always play”. I don’t think it is for everybody, every year. I believe that you have to...Know the reality. Know your player/purpose. Know your league.
Know the reality. Players and parents often go in unrealistic, unprepared, and unclear on the concept. If I had a dime for every parental comment I hear about lack of playing time, politics, weariness, long travel, lack of development, yada, yada, yada...I would provide the HSBBW with an endowment and pay Julie what she is worth.
I think parents particularly need to educate themselves on what the majority of summer ball honestly is...and what it is not. I think that it is very understandable that we want the best for our son’s but parents are very idealistic, too idealistic about what most summer leagues really are and the nonbaseball value that they bring. All our son’s are not jockeying for high draft slots and big paydays in the cape in front of stands full of national crosscheckers. Leagues and experiences vary greatly, Frankly, lack of playing time, politics, weariness, long travel, lack of development, are a great deal about what much of what summer ball is in many leagues, even some of the good ones. It’s a balance of risk and reward. Frankly most of our son’s will be soundly challenged more as people than as baseball players.....and they will make of them what they will...and your son’s most often will...if you trust them. And in the end this struggle, for all it's pain and heartache might just be one of the greatest learning experiences of their young lives.
Know your player: Summer leagues are not for everyone. Who is your son as a person and a player? Where are they at in their career and what is the biggest bang for the buck in their development? Some Elite players are simply on the fast track and are expected to be seen against the best competition available in order to enhance draft status and prove wood bat skills against top pitching...others are simply not in that category...Others really need academic catch up in an environment where they can achieve....Others would make the biggest improvements in their games by lifting and running....Some need to rest their arms... Others really need lots of AB’s and innings that they missed during the year...Some simply need rest....Some players have a burning passion for the game and really need to be out there, anywhere, competing....Others simply need time off to go back to school fresh and eager...Others would be better off doing an internship, and moving themselves forward toward the looming job market...Many are simply not ready to live with a strange family, in a different part of the country, w/o a car, and have long, long periods of downtime, and still sitting the bench...many players simply need more direction and less free time...some would really embrace the adventure of it all...some play because they are “supposed to”, not because they want to...and it shows...and they get very little accomplished...Others flourish. I think far too many players play because they are expected to and supposed to. Your son needs to be there for the right reasons, and you both need to know what they are...beyond, “my coach sent me here”. And if you son decides that summer ball is the best choice and he has goals, great...but then your son needs to keep those goals in mind and stay on them. Summer ball is a grind, long trips, late nights, scores of games day after day...he has to keep his goals as a priority...not buy into the grind.
Know your league: There is a great variation in summer leagues. Yes, there are leagues that you just don’t miss. You get an offer for the top 2-3 leagues you simply go. The top leagues are the “major leagues” of Summer ball. They offer dazzling job training and showcasing and fast tracking and MLB "interning". And they do an excellent job of that. This is the big time. The stands are full. Scouts flock, radar guns are everywhere, the internet buzzes, draft rounds are projected, articles are written, blogs spew, threads discuss. This is the prize that all college players shoot for, the place to see and be seen, and you go here for that reason. To challenge yourself against the best and be seen doing so. It is the who’s who of college baseball. Coaches, players, parents, advisors, scouts, jockey all year to get players into these leagues. And YES, You get invited here you simply have to go.
Below that the leagues drop off by degrees. You need to realistically assess/know/understand/live with what a league might bring. Based upon the scads of comments I hear made I think that we often think that the summer league are all smaller versions of the cape. They are not. The talent and the Buzz drop off by degrees. Again it varies, but as you work down, you are likely to see less scouts. less game development, smaller budgets, less support, less excitement, worse coaching, less contacts, less access to weights and fitness, more obscure parts of the country, less team excitement, few fans, harder travel. You get out of these leagues what you put in, not by simply being there. Much of development is self created, nowhere it that more true than in most summer leagues.
Without “The Buzz”, the summer can develop into a real grind. The players understand the level of Buzz and the level of team enthusiasm can drop...and unlike the minors (where it is indeed also a grind), but where the there is also a real keen palatable purpose (keep my job and grind my way up) ...in many summer leagues there is not. Players can easily get ground down and lose their edge, simply playing out the string, or worse yet sitting out the string....waiting to go back to school.
On the other hand...Some of this lack of external stimulation translates into a low key celebration of the game for the right reasons...team...friendships made for life...adventure...loving just to be playing the game for the right reasons...personal responsibility for skill development...the no-to-be-missed personal development of living with a new family in a “different culture/country”.
Again I am a big fan of summer ball, but I think that players need to sit down with their coaches, and parents and more clearly understand why and where they are going for the summer, for what specific purpose, and what summer ball is likely to ential. And I think the players/parents need to better understand the challenges and realities and intangible rewards going in.
44
.
Mine have had 7 summers of College summer ball...in 5 different leagues...from Washington State to Washington DC...
...and I have a little different take. I am a big fan of summer ball for many reasons...the biggest one being it is a life experience... simply not to be missed. But I don’t think that it is as simple as “you can’t miss it, always play”. I don’t think it is for everybody, every year. I believe that you have to...Know the reality. Know your player/purpose. Know your league.
Know the reality. Players and parents often go in unrealistic, unprepared, and unclear on the concept. If I had a dime for every parental comment I hear about lack of playing time, politics, weariness, long travel, lack of development, yada, yada, yada...I would provide the HSBBW with an endowment and pay Julie what she is worth.
I think parents particularly need to educate themselves on what the majority of summer ball honestly is...and what it is not. I think that it is very understandable that we want the best for our son’s but parents are very idealistic, too idealistic about what most summer leagues really are and the nonbaseball value that they bring. All our son’s are not jockeying for high draft slots and big paydays in the cape in front of stands full of national crosscheckers. Leagues and experiences vary greatly, Frankly, lack of playing time, politics, weariness, long travel, lack of development, are a great deal about what much of what summer ball is in many leagues, even some of the good ones. It’s a balance of risk and reward. Frankly most of our son’s will be soundly challenged more as people than as baseball players.....and they will make of them what they will...and your son’s most often will...if you trust them. And in the end this struggle, for all it's pain and heartache might just be one of the greatest learning experiences of their young lives.
Know your player: Summer leagues are not for everyone. Who is your son as a person and a player? Where are they at in their career and what is the biggest bang for the buck in their development? Some Elite players are simply on the fast track and are expected to be seen against the best competition available in order to enhance draft status and prove wood bat skills against top pitching...others are simply not in that category...Others really need academic catch up in an environment where they can achieve....Others would make the biggest improvements in their games by lifting and running....Some need to rest their arms... Others really need lots of AB’s and innings that they missed during the year...Some simply need rest....Some players have a burning passion for the game and really need to be out there, anywhere, competing....Others simply need time off to go back to school fresh and eager...Others would be better off doing an internship, and moving themselves forward toward the looming job market...Many are simply not ready to live with a strange family, in a different part of the country, w/o a car, and have long, long periods of downtime, and still sitting the bench...many players simply need more direction and less free time...some would really embrace the adventure of it all...some play because they are “supposed to”, not because they want to...and it shows...and they get very little accomplished...Others flourish. I think far too many players play because they are expected to and supposed to. Your son needs to be there for the right reasons, and you both need to know what they are...beyond, “my coach sent me here”. And if you son decides that summer ball is the best choice and he has goals, great...but then your son needs to keep those goals in mind and stay on them. Summer ball is a grind, long trips, late nights, scores of games day after day...he has to keep his goals as a priority...not buy into the grind.
Know your league: There is a great variation in summer leagues. Yes, there are leagues that you just don’t miss. You get an offer for the top 2-3 leagues you simply go. The top leagues are the “major leagues” of Summer ball. They offer dazzling job training and showcasing and fast tracking and MLB "interning". And they do an excellent job of that. This is the big time. The stands are full. Scouts flock, radar guns are everywhere, the internet buzzes, draft rounds are projected, articles are written, blogs spew, threads discuss. This is the prize that all college players shoot for, the place to see and be seen, and you go here for that reason. To challenge yourself against the best and be seen doing so. It is the who’s who of college baseball. Coaches, players, parents, advisors, scouts, jockey all year to get players into these leagues. And YES, You get invited here you simply have to go.
Below that the leagues drop off by degrees. You need to realistically assess/know/understand/live with what a league might bring. Based upon the scads of comments I hear made I think that we often think that the summer league are all smaller versions of the cape. They are not. The talent and the Buzz drop off by degrees. Again it varies, but as you work down, you are likely to see less scouts. less game development, smaller budgets, less support, less excitement, worse coaching, less contacts, less access to weights and fitness, more obscure parts of the country, less team excitement, few fans, harder travel. You get out of these leagues what you put in, not by simply being there. Much of development is self created, nowhere it that more true than in most summer leagues.
Without “The Buzz”, the summer can develop into a real grind. The players understand the level of Buzz and the level of team enthusiasm can drop...and unlike the minors (where it is indeed also a grind), but where the there is also a real keen palatable purpose (keep my job and grind my way up) ...in many summer leagues there is not. Players can easily get ground down and lose their edge, simply playing out the string, or worse yet sitting out the string....waiting to go back to school.
On the other hand...Some of this lack of external stimulation translates into a low key celebration of the game for the right reasons...team...friendships made for life...adventure...loving just to be playing the game for the right reasons...personal responsibility for skill development...the no-to-be-missed personal development of living with a new family in a “different culture/country”.
Again I am a big fan of summer ball, but I think that players need to sit down with their coaches, and parents and more clearly understand why and where they are going for the summer, for what specific purpose, and what summer ball is likely to ential. And I think the players/parents need to better understand the challenges and realities and intangible rewards going in.
44.
Great stuff, as always, 044! 
Another unbelievably compelling post ob44! Outstanding!
I had a friend this summer that lamented their son was not getting enough time early on. As the season grew on, they lamented that he was not getting enough rest. It is what it is. Parents need to let their young adults handle these things imho. Time to let go.
For my son there was no complex equation or calculus. The following quote captures his motives perfectly...
I had a friend this summer that lamented their son was not getting enough time early on. As the season grew on, they lamented that he was not getting enough rest. It is what it is. Parents need to let their young adults handle these things imho. Time to let go.
For my son there was no complex equation or calculus. The following quote captures his motives perfectly...
quote:Some players have a burning passion for the game and really need to be out there, anywhere, competing....
OB,
As always, a very good and insiteful post.
Playing summer ball, regardless of where you go, should always be for the right reasons, whatever that may be for each and every player. There is a lot of homework that should go into each and every decision.
For son, even during HS, it was for learning about a compressed 56-60 game schedule, long bus rides, even working a job while playing every day. I remember son saying that his summer travel experience in HS prepared him for the grind in college, the grind in college and college summer ball prepared him for the grind in proball. That was a very big important factor in making those decisions, not more playing time (he got that at school), not more exposure (he got enough here and at school). Too much and no downtime should be a strong consideration in the decisions as well.
As always, a very good and insiteful post.
Playing summer ball, regardless of where you go, should always be for the right reasons, whatever that may be for each and every player. There is a lot of homework that should go into each and every decision.
For son, even during HS, it was for learning about a compressed 56-60 game schedule, long bus rides, even working a job while playing every day. I remember son saying that his summer travel experience in HS prepared him for the grind in college, the grind in college and college summer ball prepared him for the grind in proball. That was a very big important factor in making those decisions, not more playing time (he got that at school), not more exposure (he got enough here and at school). Too much and no downtime should be a strong consideration in the decisions as well.
Wow, OB44. Thank you.
I just copied your post and sent it to my son. Simply one of the most though provoking posts I have ever read here.
I just copied your post and sent it to my son. Simply one of the most though provoking posts I have ever read here.