Is this ethical?

I'd still go for the exposure. As you said it is no given that he'd even make the team. Tryout if he makes it then you either turn it down due to family vacation or you make other arrangements for him so he can attend. Seems like a great opportunity to miss out on when there is no gaurantee of a conflict to begin with.

I don't see anything unethical here either. I'll be honest though, if my son were lucky enough to make that team, I would have no problem letting him skip out of the family vacation

Why not call them up and see what they say. Tell them you got a family vacation planned but just want the son to have exposure in front of the scouts. Then they can leave him off the list of players to be evaluated for the team.

They're not going to say no but they would probably appreciate the heads up.

it has been awhile since my son attended an area code tryout, we have never been to a pg event.so i'm not sure if this is the norm. there were at least 50-70 coaches at the tryout. probably some scouts too.

a friend of mine went to a tryout in trenton last weekend and said it was full of coaches. so it hasn't changed much.

the exposure you'll get in the tryout is hard to beat, in the northeast anyway. i would go to the tryout and play it by ear from there.


good luck to your son.

"Vacations" for baseball families are where your son(s) are playing ---

quote:

Originally posted by TRhit:
"Vacations" for baseball families are where your son(s) are playing ---

you can say that again.....and of course there is always the privilege of staying at the "luxurious" team hotels.

quote:

Should we do this tryout knowing we can't go if we make it?

Yes. If everybody who showed up at Area Code Tryouts had empty calenders for the Games, the tryouts wouild probably take about half an hour. Everybody is busy and juggles calenders.

quote:

Originally posted by Pop Up Hitter dad:
Blprkfrks, if your son is one of the blue chip players, the ones that have already committed to a large program I would let it pass. Yes there are many recruiters and scouts, but we went last year, no one talks to the kids or at least mine. I also believe there is some NCAA rule that forbids the college coaches from speaking to the players. The Area Code teams are made of two levels, the A players and the B ones, and I know of one players who's stock dropped after going. "He did not do well at the games" per local scout. It is very expensive to go as well, the players play for free but all the other expenses including admission is on you. For my son, going to the games was like having on your resume a Harvard degree but managing the local car wash. You do get to see some first rounders, I got a chance to meet one, I should have had him sign a ball for me. Unless he is dying to go, take the vacation.

I think you are mis-understanding. He won't be going to the Area Code Games, he will be attending the tryout. It will cost the gas to get there and maybe a night in a Motel 6. If there are the scouts/recruiters present, then it is well worth his time.

The majority of posters here seem to think it is well worth going to the tryout, so that is what we will be doing.

Blprkfrks, yes you are correct I misread your post.

My son attended the tryout Tuesday in Southern CA. There were more scouts than players. The most scouts I have seen in one place thus far. I couldn't think of a western college that I didn't see represented there.

This was my son's third such showcase/tryout event this summer. Several kids he knew were there and it really helped him relax. Two of his friends were in their first showcase and the nerves got the better of them. My son played up to his abilities and made the cut to play on to the live pitching portion. It was a huge thrill and confidence builder for him to make that cut.

I can't emphasize the importance of his previous experience with this format enough. That and having someone to talk to during the down time were really important.

They told the kids that 300-400 kids were trying out (3 different tryouts) for two 25-man area code teams to represent CA. Making the first cut means he is one of about 120 position players vying for about 30 spots (still a 1 in 4 chance of being faced with that tough August decision).

We are pulling for him out here in NH!

Just to make the first cuts must be an awesome feeling for him!